Shopping · Manila · Philippines
Shopping in Manila
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: w:User:Patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Manila is a mall city, with some of the largest shopping centres in Asia, but bargain markets, pearl stalls and weekend food markets give a more local experience. Best souvenirs: Dried mangoes, Pili nuts and Pearls.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 4
- Top souvenir
- Dried mangoes
Where to shop
Ayala Center, Makati
Greenbelt and Glorietta malls with international brands, Filipino designers and restaurants.
SM Mall of Asia
A huge bayside mall with an ice rink, seaside promenade and Ferris wheel.
Bonifacio High Street
Open-air shopping street in BGC with shops, cafés and green space.
Markets
Divisoria
Sprawling wholesale and bargain markets near Binondo for fabrics, toys and everyday goods; very crowded.
Greenhills Shopping Center
Known for pearl stalls, tiangge market stalls and electronics.
Salcedo Saturday Market
Weekend food and produce market in Makati's Salcedo Village.
Legazpi Sunday Market
Sunday market of regional food, plants and crafts in Legazpi Village.
What to buy
Dried mangoes
The Philippines' signature snack, sold everywhere from supermarkets to the airport.
Pili nuts
Rich nuts from the Bicol region, roasted, candied or in brittle.
Pearls
Freshwater and South Sea pearl jewellery at Greenhills; quality varies, so compare shops.
Barong Tagalog
The embroidered formal shirt, made from fine fabrics such as piña.
Barako coffee
Strong, smoky liberica coffee from Batangas province, sold ground or as beans.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Neighbourhood · Binondo
Binondo Chinatown
Founded in 1594 for Chinese immigrants, Binondo is often called the world's oldest Chinatown.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- History
- Shopping
Street · Binondo
Escolta Street
Once Manila's most fashionable shopping street, Escolta still has early-20th-century Beaux-Arts and Art Deco buildings such as the First United Building, where small creative shops, cafés and markets have opened as part of a heritage revival.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Halo-halo and Hopia and Binondo dumplings. Dessert shops, fast-food chains and mall food courts; best in the hot season. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Makati (Legazpi and Salcedo Villages) | $$$ | The business district's leafy blocks of hotels, malls and restaurants |
| Poblacion, Makati | $$ | Old town of Makati turned bar and hostel district |
| Bonifacio Global City (BGC) | $$$ | Planned, walkable district of towers, parks and outdoor malls in Taguig |
| Ermita and Malate | $$ | Old tourist belt by Manila Bay, Rizal Park and the National Museum |
| Binondo | $$ | Chinatown's food streets, gold shops and temples north of the Pasig River |
| Bay Area and Entertainment City | $$$ | Integrated resorts, casinos and SM Mall of Asia on reclaimed land near the airport |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in PHP. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge; where they do not, leaving about 10% is appreciated. Round up taxi fares and tip hotel porters and guides a small amount.
- ATMs are everywhere, but some charge fees for foreign cards; withdraw larger amounts less often.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in June–October; the busiest months are the peak holidays.
- May: Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan — flower festivals and parades in parishes (throughout May)
- December: Simbang Gabi — nine dawn or evening masses before Christmas (16–24 December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · 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
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Manila?
Dried mangoes, Pili nuts, Pearls and Barong Tagalog.
+Where is the best shopping in Manila?
Ayala Center, Makati: Greenbelt and Glorietta malls with international brands, Filipino designers and restaurants.
+What are the best markets in Manila?
Divisoria, Greenhills Shopping Center, Salcedo Saturday Market and Legazpi Sunday Market.