Travel guide · Philippines
Manila travel guide
Spanish-era Intramuros, free national museums and Binondo food crawls
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Manila is the historic core of Metro Manila, a capital region of more than 13 million people on Manila Bay. Its walled Spanish city, Intramuros, holds Fort Santiago and the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church, while the National Museum complex beside Rizal Park is free to enter. Binondo, founded in 1594, is one of the oldest Chinatowns anywhere, and modern Makati and Bonifacio Global City are where most visitors stay, eat and go out. Traffic is heavy, so plan days by district. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Philippines
- Best time to visit
- December–March
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- MNL, CRK
- Mid-range daily budget
- $80–$160 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Intramuros, San Agustin Church, Manila Bay sunsets and Binondo Chinatown
Why visit Manila
- Intramuros packs Spanish-era churches, Fort Santiago and restored colonial houses into a walkable walled city.
- The National Museums of Fine Arts, Anthropology and Natural History stand side by side next to Rizal Park and are free.
- Binondo's food streets serve dumplings, hopia and noodles in one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world.
- Filipino food — adobo, sinigang, lechon, sisig, halo-halo — is at its most varied in the capital.
- Manila is the main international gateway to the Philippines' islands, from Palawan to Boracay and Cebu.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Historic site · Intramuros
Intramuros
The walled city founded by the Spanish in 1571 was the seat of colonial government for more than three centuries.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
- Kids
Castle · Intramuros
Fort Santiago
The Spanish citadel at the mouth of the Pasig River, where national hero José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution in 1896.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
Religious site · Intramuros
San Agustin Church
Completed in 1607, San Agustin is the oldest stone church still standing in the Philippines and one of four Baroque churches inscribed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Gallery · Ermita and Malate
National Museum of Fine Arts
In the neoclassical former Legislative Building, this museum holds Philippine art from the colonial period to the 20th century.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Religious site · Intramuros
Manila Cathedral
The seat of the Archdiocese of Manila has been rebuilt several times after fires, earthquakes and war; the present Romanesque Revival building dates from 1958.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
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Museum · Intramuros
Casa Manila
A reconstruction of a 19th-century wealthy family's house opposite San Agustin, furnished with period furniture, a grand sala, a kitchen and an azotea terrace.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Makati (Legazpi and Salcedo Villages) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, shopping and food lovers
Makati (Legazpi and Salcedo Villages)
The business district's leafy blocks of hotels, malls and restaurants
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Poblacion, Makati
Old town of Makati turned bar and hostel district
$$$ · Best for families, luxury, shopping and first-timers
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
Planned, walkable district of towers, parks and outdoor malls in Taguig
$$ · Best for budget, culture and first-timers
Ermita and Malate
Old tourist belt by Manila Bay, Rizal Park and the National Museum
What to eat
- Adobo — Chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves and black pepper until tender and glossy; the unofficial national dish, cooked differently in every household.
- Sinigang — A sour soup soured with tamarind, with pork, prawns or fish and vegetables such as kangkong, radish and long beans; a comfort dish on rainy days.
- Lechon — Whole roast pig with crackling skin, served at fiestas and celebrations; in Manila it is usually eaten with a sweet liver sauce.
- Sisig — Chopped pork face and ears, grilled then fried with onions, chilli and calamansi, served sizzling on a hot plate, often with a raw egg stirred in.
- Kare-kare — A rich peanut stew of oxtail, tripe and vegetables such as aubergine and banana flower, served with salty shrimp paste (bagoong) on the side.
- Halo-halo — Shaved ice layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruit, ube jam and leche flan, topped with evaporated milk and ice cream; you mix it all together before eating.
When to go
The best time to visit Manila is December to April, during the dry season, with December to February the most comfortable. March to May is very hot. June to October brings the monsoon and typhoon season, with heavy rain and flooding most likely in July and August.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool dry season | December–February | Sunny, comparatively mild and breezy, with Christmas celebrations and the Black Nazarene procession; the most comfortable time. |
| Hot dry season | March–May | Hot, sunny days peaking in April and May; Holy Week empties the city and fills the beaches. |
| Rainy season | June–September | South-west monsoon rains, typhoons and flooding, with lower prices and fewer visitors. |
| Transition | October–November | Rains taper off and temperatures ease, though late typhoons remain possible. |
Getting there and around
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is about 7–10 km south of Makati, with terminals that are not connected airside, so check which terminal your airline uses. Grab cars and taxis reach Makati or BGC in about 20–60 minutes depending on traffic, and point-to-point buses run to some districts. Clark International Airport (CRK) is about 90 km north, two hours or more by bus or car.
Metro Manila is large and its traffic is among the worst in the region, so plan sightseeing district by district. Ride-hailing cars are the easiest option for visitors, supplemented by elevated rail lines, jeepneys and walking within districts.
Plan your days
Two days covers Intramuros, the National Museum complex, Rizal Park and a Binondo food walk. A third day adds Makati or BGC, a Manila Bay sunset and a day trip to Tagaytay or Corregidor. Most visitors then continue to the islands.
Practical information
- Currency
- PHP
- Language
- Filipino and English
- Plugs
- Type A, B and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Most locals and visitors drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water; refill stations are common.
- Emergency number
- 911 (national emergency hotline)
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a 10% service charge; where they do not, leaving about 10% is appreciated.
Pickpocketing and phone snatching happen in crowded markets, on jeepneys and in rail stations, so keep valuables secure. Use metered taxis or ride-hailing, and be wary of strangers offering drinks or tours. Typhoons and flooding can disrupt travel from June to October.
Flights to Manila
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Manila?
Two days covers Intramuros, the National Museum complex, Rizal Park and a Binondo food walk. A third day adds Makati or BGC, a Manila Bay sunset and a day trip to Tagaytay or Corregidor. Most visitors then continue to the islands. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Manila?
The best time to visit Manila is December to April, during the dry season, with December to February the most comfortable. March to May is very hot. June to October brings the monsoon and typhoon season, with heavy rain and flooding most likely in July and August.
+What is Manila known for?
Intramuros, San Agustin Church, Manila Bay sunsets, Binondo Chinatown, Jeepneys, Filipino food and Shopping malls. Intramuros packs Spanish-era churches, Fort Santiago and restored colonial houses into a walkable walled city.
+Is Manila expensive?
Manila is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $80–$160 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Manila?
No. Traffic and parking are very difficult; use ride-hailing and rail in the city and hire a car with driver for day trips.