Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is also one of the largest cities in the country. It is not your typical tourist destination like Boracay, Palawan, or Bohol. It is a totally different kind of adventure. This city is home to some of the most important historical and cultural landmarks in the Philippines. It is considered a global city and it has several educational and scientific institutions and sport facilities. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and attractions in this city. The best way to explore Manila is to interact with the locals and enjoy some of the things they do on a daily basis. Here are some of the things to do and see when in Manila.
Places to See
Intramuros
Sign up for a walking tour to explore Intramuros. This is a walled city that played an important role in the American and Spanish governments when they ruled the Philippines. A walk through the city gives you a great look into its culture and history.
Dynastic Museums
A visit to Manila is only complete once you visit the dynastic museums that include the Ayala Museum and the Yuchengco Museum. These museums features exhibits from some of the most powerful clans in the country.
Divisoria
This is the most popular market in the Philippines. Divisoria is renowned for its food stalls, shopping malls, midnight bazaars, wholesale and retail stores, and street markets that offer very low prices. This is a shopping paradise with a wide range of items to choose from including fabric, shoes, houseware, and clothing.
China Town in Binondo
This is the oldest Chinatown in the globe. Binondo was a popular stop for foreign traders and it was later handed over to Chinese Merchants. It features several restaurants that offer delicious, affordable meals. There are guided walking tours to help you explore the area properly.
Marikina Shoe Museum
This shoe museum showcases, former Philippines’ First Lady, Imelda Marcos’ shoes. The Marikina Shoe Museum is a located right in the heart of the city’s shoemaking district.
Manila Bay
A cruise along the Manila Bay gives you an opportunity to enjoy a great view of the sunset. You can enjoy this view while you have dinner. There are several yachts and cruise ships that offer this experience.
Luneta Park
This is an iconic park, also referred to as Rizal Park. Several public executions took place at Luneta Park during the Spanish reign. Some of the famous personalities who were executed at this park include Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero, and 3 Filipino priests who are collectively referred to as Gomburza. It is also home to the Rizal Monument.
Things to Do
Try Some Real Exotic Filipino Food
Try some of the exotic Filipino foods such as isaw and balut during your Manila visit. These are some of the popular street foods. Mang Larry’s, located near the International Center inside UP Diliman Campus offers the best street food in the city.
Ride a Jeepney
The Philippines is the only country in the world that allows you to enjoy a jeepney ride. A jeepney is a common form of transportation in Manila. They are designed to accommodate about 16 passengers and it is an exciting part of the Manila experience. It will definitely be different from the train and bus experience you get in other cities.
Visit Old Churches
If you enjoy art, visit the old churches scattered across Manila. These churches have impressive ornaments, murals, and architecture. Some of the churches you can visit include Manila Cathedral, San Sebastian Church, Quiapo Church, San Agustin Church, and Baclaran Church. There are various artistic styles on display in these churches.
Ride the Tricycle
Tricycles are used as a form of public transportation in the city. There are more than 500,000 tricycles in Manila. They are designed to carry three passengers. Riding in a tricycle is an exciting experience that should be part of your itinerary when you visit this city. They are used to link commercial areas and residential areas. You can choose to take the ride on your own or get on a tricycle that has two other passengers.
Karaoke Bar
Filipinos enjoy singing and this is evident in the number of karaoke bars in Manila. Find some of the famous Karaoke bars in the city and join in the singing. It will be an opportunity for you to have fun and interact with Filipinos.
