Metro Manila

This compact city packs a lot of culture - many of the major attractions are in the walled Intramuros, including the Spanish-era Fort Santiago and its museum honoring José Riza, UNESCO-listed Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church (the Philippines’ oldest church), and Casa Manila museum of Spanish colonial furniture and art, Ayala Museum of Filipino history and artifacts, Bahay Tsinoy Museum of Chinese history, National Museum of Anthropology, are other venues for learning about Filipino history, culture, and art, a presidential museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts, is available to adults, while children have the Exploreum science museum, the Museo Pambata children’s museum, and the National Museum of Natural History.

A cosmopolitan city with many cultures and influences, Manila is unsurprisingly lively all year round. There are religious processions, concerts, theatres, and speakeasies and karaoke bars aplenty.

There is no shortage of Filipino, Spanish and Chinese cuisine in Manila, but for a little more variety, California diners, Japanese food and global food are big favorites. –Having a breadth of choices and flavours to enjoy, everyone will find something they like and which is superbly affordable. You can purchase ingredients to be cooked at an on-site restaurant at dampas such as Pasay, where you can get seafood made to your liking.

Intramuros, known as the “Walled City,” is the oldest district and historic core of Manila. Intramuros tours are a must-try for history buffs because it’s packed with trips to interesting attractions.

This iconic Manila landmark is actually a walled area within the modern city. It was the seat of government and political power when the Philippines was still under the Spanish rule.

Intramuros is Manila’s only district where travelers can see complete architectural remnants of the Spanish Era. A day trip in Intramuros is enough for you to go sightseeing in this well-preserved historical attraction.

Wander along paved roads and visit historical monuments and sculptures. You can even join a bambike tour (bamboo bike), or by riding a kalesa or horse-drawn carriage experience. Here are some of the must-visit attractions in Intramuros.

Located in the heart of Manila is Rizal Park, a landmark full of historical significance. The park is a homage to the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal.

He was a doctor and novelist who was shot by firing squad at this site on December 30, 1896, on charges of fostering local rebellion against the Spanish government.

Rizal Park features monuments, squares and gardens, large stadiums, observatories, an open-air concert hall,s, sound and light theaters, shops, food kiosks, playgrounds, and many fountains.

The park is split into three areas, starting with the 16-hectare Agrifina Circle adjacent to Taft Avenue. It’s where the Department of Tourism and the National Museum of Anthropology are situated.

Then there’s the northeastern segment; followed by the 22-hectare park extending down to Roxas Boulevard. Lastly, the central section finishing at the southwestern part contains Burnham Green. Join a Rizal Park tour with Intramuros to get the full experience of this local favorite destination.

Sample the city’s famous street food at venues including Shipyard in Malate, discover the authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants of Binondo Chinatown, or go on a food and pub crawl of the trendy Poblacion neighbourhood in Makati. Another foodie hotspot is the Mercato Centrale in BGC, Taguig.

Inaugurated in March 2008, the park is famous for its most massive drawing–the Oceanarium in the Philippine Archipelago. The Oceanarium contains more than 13000 ocean animals of approx.

Two hundred seventy-seven species that are native to Southeast Asia and comprises 3,000 cubic meters of ocean waters split into seven parts.

The water used in this attraction is obtained from the newly upgraded Manila Bay. To make the water ideal for marine animals, the center must filter it through a variety of techniques.

The park is also highly informative and instructional, especially for sightseeing activities.

The BSP Money Museum, located in central Bangko in the Philippines, shows the development of the Filipino economy and its past. The displays are chronologically arranged from the Pre Hispanic Period, Spanish and Revolutionary Periods to the American, Japanese and present-day Republics. The museum is full of elegant barter coats, gold rocks, gold barter chains, old paper money, envelope bills, and silver two-world banknotes.

The Baywalk is a popular seaside promenade and beachfront overlooking Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard in the Manila, Philippines. The Baywalk is a two-kilometre stretch from the US Embassy near Rizal Park up to the Cultural Center of the Philippines just past the Manila Yacht Club.

More known as BGC, It’s a leisure district in Metro Manila, Philippines. Besides the high structures, you’ll most probably see, you’ll also love the high-end retail stores. You can dine in world-class hotels, and be amused by multiple activities.

This is Makati’s famous nightlife district, with a wide variety of beautiful hotels and bars to let individuals unwind from stress.

Cove Manila is Southeast Asia’s newest entertainment space with its indoor beach club and nightclub, boasting some of the most advanced audio, video and ambient lighting technologies that promise an unparalleled world-class experience.

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This is a great spot to see desserts, eat them and take artistic pictures as well. Buying an admission ticket in Dessert Museum is worth it as it’s unique and different from other museums.

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The idea behind Upside Down Museum is to create opportunities for really weird photos. Everyday offices, kitchens, bedrooms and even cars have been flipped upside down or to an angle, to create an illusions in camera of you standing on your hands, or balancing in impossible positions. Bring your own camera or phone and ask one of the many staff wandering around the place to take your pic. They will know all the best angles.

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