Manila Sightseeing

There’s little doubt among visitors that Manila is loaded with interesting things to see and do. The sheer mass and history of this city lends itself to a wide range of attractions covering the Spanish colonial era through to the city’s modern age of democracy. Excellent museums provide an educational background, while ventures into the bustling Divisoria Market and the shopping mecca of Glorietta show the social face of Manila. Spend some time in Intramuros and Rizal Park, which both warrant travel guides of their own, then soak in the views and history of Manila Bay before exploring Chinatown and some of the other pockets of cultural diversity that are sprinkled around this mega-city.

Casa Manila Museum
If you are interested in seeing how wealthy Manilans lived during the colonial reign of the Spanish, then stop by at this fascinating replication of an authentic 19^th century Manila residence. Each of the rooms has been restored in the style of the period, complete with antique furnishings, paintings and miscellaneous knick-knacks. The central courtyard is a pleasant place to relax and soak in the ambiance at this General Luna street residence. Phone: +63 2 527 4084.

Fort Santiago
One of the most stunning buildings from the Spanish colonial era is this dramatic fortress dating from 1571. For centuries it was used as a prison, holding national heroes such as Jose Rizal and freedom fighters during wartime Japanese occupation. Today, the structure has been reborn as a lush park complete with its own theatre company. This important hub of Intramuros, located on General Luna street, is definitely worth a visit. Phone: +63 2 527 2889.

Intramuros
Manila’s oldest district is the medieval walled town of Intramuros, which was the seat of power during the Spanish era of the 1600s. A wonderful reconstruction effort has resulted in an amazing hub of history and culture packed with some of Manila’s highlights. Within its walls, visitors can find the old San Agustin Church and its stunning museum full of Spanish colonial relics, as well as Fort Santiago, which has been turned into a pleasant park. Many homes here have been restored to their former colonial grandeur, and a number of art galleries, restaurants, shops and performance venues fill in the gaps. All in all, Intramuros has evolved into an attractive and entertaining tourist destination of global quality.

Manila Bay
Manila’s history is tethered to this important body of water along the city’s edge. The bay is mainly known for its infamous sea battles such as the 1646 La Naval de Manila, which repelled the Dutch once and for all, and the destruction of the Spanish fleet by American forces. If you have an interest in military history, you’ll want to spend some time contemplating these waters. Otherwise, Manila Bay is the city’s best spot for catching one of those magical crimson Philippine sunsets along Roxas boulevard.

National Museum of the Philippines
The Philippines’ best history and anthropology museum opened in 1901, and continues to impress visitors with its comprehensive collection of artefacts and exhibits. The complex is divided into the National Museum and the National Museum of the Filipino People, each housed in a different historical building. Among the highlights on show are the remains and treasures of a sunken Spanish galleon and some rare archaeological finds from the country’s prehistory. The museums are located in Rizal Park. Phone: +63 2 527 1215.

San Agustin Museum
Attached to the Philippines’ oldest church is this amazing museum and its impressive collection of artistic treasures dating from the Spanish colonial period. As one of the only structures to have survived the destruction of Intramuros during WWII, the church and its museum hold a special place in the country’s history. The two floors are filled with beautiful santos, gold and silver ornaments, and other religious wonders that testify to the wealth of the Philippines during the Spanish era. The museum is located on General Luna street. Phone: +63 2 527 4061.

Catch a spectacular sunset over Manila Bay aboard a cruise boat. High humidity creates the reliably stunning sunsets that bless the Philippines. There are several excellent vantage points to watch this daily event, such as Rizal Park, San Isidro’s cultural park and along Roxas boulevard. An hour-long boat cruise aboard the SV Carina, which departs from Rizal Park, offers a special vantage point.

Ride a roller coaster, then soak your muscles in a natural hot spring in the small town of Calambra. One of the nicest quick getaways from Manila is Calambra along Laguna de Bay, to the southeast of the capital. Despite its modest size, Calambra is home to the fun Enchanted Kingdom theme park, the birth home of Jose Rizal (now an interesting museum), and some wonderful natural hot spring resorts.

See the quieter side of Manila at Las Pinas, a village which has retained much of its traditional character. Just 12 miles from the city is this little oasis of tranquility which houses attractions such as the famous bamboo organ of San Jose Church and the original Sarao jeepney factory. Visitors can get an idea of what the country looked like before modernisation in Las Pinas, making it a popular day excursion from Manila.

Shop until you drop at Glorietta, one of the world’s most majestic shopping malls. Even if you don’t love shopping, the sheer size of this mega-mall makes it worth a visit. Comprised of four connected malls around an atrium, Glorietta is the epitome of shopping heaven. There are more quality shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars than in most small cities, including plenty of global names you’ll recognise. Head to Ayala Centre and witness the future of shopping.

Spend an afternoon exploring the many facets of Rizal Park. A major hub of life for Manilans, Manila’s Central Park is a place where locals and tourists alike come to relax, play and absorb some of the city’s heritage. Spread across 143 acres, Rizal is one of Southeast Asia’s largest parks. Named after the great Philippine anti-colonial intellectual and fighter, Jose Rizal, visitors can illuminate themselves in the handful of cultural museums, or wander through the Japanese and Chinese Gardens. Come in the mornings to watch tai-chi being practiced or on Sundays for a free concert in the park.

Tour the streets of Chinatown in a horse-pulled rig known as a calesa. One section of Binondo has been a traditional Chinese enclave for centuries. By navigating the lively streets on foot you can linger over moon cake stalls and vendors selling amazing tropical fruit on the streets bordering Binondo Church. The Bahay Tsinoy Museum is the place to get a taste of local history, and a fun way to end your excursion is to ride in a traditional calesa.