Places to Visit in Manila

Discover historic landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, modern districts, museums, parks, waterfronts, and some of the most interesting places across Manila and Metro Manila.

Historic stone entrance gate of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, featuring an ornate archway and carved details

Manila is not a city you experience in just one place. Historic Manila sits alongside modern business districts, enormous shopping areas, lively neighborhoods, green spaces, cultural attractions, and communities with their own distinctive character.

Here are some of the places worth discovering.

Intramuros

Step inside Manila’s historic walled city and explore one of the best places to experience the city’s past.

Intramuros is home to centuries-old streets, churches, fortifications, museums, plazas, and landmarks including Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral. It is an excellent area to explore on foot and a natural starting point for first-time visitors interested in Philippine history.

Rizal Park

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, is one of Manila’s most important public spaces.

The large park is home to the Rizal Monument and is closely connected with the life and legacy of Philippine national hero José Rizal. Its central location also makes it easy to combine with nearby museums and historic attractions.

Manila Ocean Park

Located beside Manila Bay and close to Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park is one of the city’s most popular family attractions. Explore the Oceanarium, walk through its underwater tunnel, discover colourful marine life and enjoy a variety of animal exhibits and interactive experiences.

National Museum of Fine Arts

Home to Juan Luna’s monumental Spoliarium and an extensive collection of Philippine art, the National Museum of Fine Arts is one of Manila’s essential cultural attractions. The impressive neoclassical building stands beside Rizal Park and admission is free.

Binondo

Explore the busy streets, shops, restaurants, temples, and food culture of Binondo.

Known as Manila’s Chinatown, the district is especially popular for food trips. Walking through its streets offers a very different experience from Manila’s modern commercial districts and provides another window into the city’s long multicultural history.

Manila Cathedral

Standing at Plaza Roma in the heart of Intramuros, Manila Cathedral is one of the Philippines’ most important churches. Discover its centuries of history, impressive architecture and beautiful interior.

San Agustin Church

Completed in 1607, San Agustin Church is the oldest surviving stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step inside to discover its remarkable interior, painted ceiling and more than four centuries of history.

Fort Santiago

At the northern end of Intramuros, Fort Santiago is one of Manila’s most important historic landmarks. Explore the old fortress, discover its connection with José Rizal and walk through centuries of Philippine history.

National Museum Complex

Discover Philippine art, history, archaeology, anthropology, and natural history through the museums around Rizal Park.

The National Museum complex is one of the best places to spend several hours learning more about the Philippines and makes an excellent addition to a day exploring central Manila.

Manila Bay

Manila Bay is famous for its waterfront and sunsets.

Explore the bay area, enjoy an evening walk, find somewhere to eat, or simply watch the city change as daylight gives way to evening.

Malate & Ermita

These neighboring districts put visitors close to many of Manila’s historic attractions, museums, restaurants, hotels, and the Manila Bay waterfront.

They are useful areas to explore when you want to combine several central Manila sights in one day.

Quiapo

Busy, crowded, colorful, and unmistakably Manila, Quiapo offers a glimpse of everyday city life.

The district is known for Quiapo Church, markets, street vendors, shops, and streets filled with activity. It offers a very different experience from the polished commercial districts elsewhere in Metro Manila.

Makati

Makati combines business, shopping, dining, entertainment, hotels, and urban green spaces.

Explore the modern city around Ayala, visit museums and galleries, relax in one of the central parks, or discover the restaurants and nightlife found throughout the area.

Bonifacio Global City

BGC offers another side of Metro Manila, with modern architecture, pedestrian-friendly areas, restaurants, shopping, public art, parks, and entertainment.

It is particularly enjoyable for walking, dining, and experiencing one of Metro Manila’s newer urban districts.

Pasay & the Bay Area

The Pasay and bayfront area has become one of Metro Manila’s major destinations for shopping, entertainment, conventions, hotels, restaurants, and large-scale attractions.

It is also conveniently located for visitors arriving through Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Quezon City

Metro Manila extends far beyond its historic center, and Quezon City has plenty of destinations of its own.

Parks, restaurants, entertainment, universities, shopping centers, cultural attractions, and busy local neighborhoods make it worth exploring as a destination rather than simply passing through.

Explore Beyond the Famous Sights

Manila’s famous landmarks are only the beginning.

Markets, churches, neighborhoods, parks, local restaurants, side streets, modern districts, and everyday city life can be just as memorable as the major attractions.

Take time to explore different parts of the metropolis. Every district tells a different part of Manila’s story.