One day in Manila

Day by day

1. Day 1: Intramuros and Fort Santiago

   Intramuros, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, then Manila Bay sunset in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Intramuros

      Walk part of the walls near Baluarte de San Diego, and consider a guided walking or bamboo-bike tour for the stories behind the ruins. Allow Half a day.

   2. Late morning

      Fort Santiago

      Visit late afternoon for cooler air and river views from the ramparts. Allow 1.5 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Adobo

      Filipino restaurants and carinderias (canteens) everywhere, served with rice.

   4. Afternoon

      San Agustin Church

      Enter the church through the museum to see the cloisters and the choir loft view down the nave. Allow 1 hour.

   5. Late afternoon

      Manila Cathedral

      Check the mass schedule if you want to hear the organ, and dress respectfully. Allow 30 minutes.

   6. Evening

      Manila Bay sunset

      Clear evenings in the dry season, roughly December to April, give the best colours.

If it rains

• Swap in Casa Manila (Intramuros): Combine it with San Agustin across the street; the courtyard café is a good rest stop.
• Swap in National Museum of Fine Arts (Ermita and Malate): Entry is free; bring an ID and leave large bags at the entrance.
• Swap in National Museum of Anthropology (Ermita and Malate): Start on the upper floors with the archaeology galleries, then work down.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 7–8 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.3 hours in January to 13 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Ride-hailing. Grab is the main ride-hailing app for cars, showing the fare upfront; it is the most convenient way between Makati, BGC, Intramuros and the airport.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Manila
• 3 days in Manila

Questions travellers ask