A lot of foreign visitors fly into Manila with no intention of staying long in the city. They just use it as a jump-off point in their trips across the Philippines.
If this sounds like you, there’s no need for you to spend the whole day in your hotel or at the airport. Manila has its share of attractions that you can appreciate even in just one day. Here is my suggested itinerary if you have a limited time and still want to experience the city of Manila.
Inside San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
Make sure to go and visit Intramuros, the walled city of Manila. It was the Spaniards’ center of political and religious power back when the Philippines was still a Spanish colony. There are only seven gates into the “city” and there is a moat which was added in 1603.
Inside Intramuros, you will find Fort Santiago, the prison where Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero, spent his last days.
There are also around twelve churches inside Intramuros, the most famous of which are the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. There are hospitals, lodging houses, commercial spaces, universities, and even a military barracks.
To go around Intramuros, you can walk or hire a horse-drawn carriage (a calesa). Make sure to negotiate the rate first before getting on! If you choose to walk, bring an umbrella or a head cover, as well as a large bottle of water. It can get hot in the Philippines, and you would want to avoid getting a heatstroke.
Binondo is the site of so many food trips done by my friends in CouchSurfing. It’s no wonder though; all over Chinatown, there are a lot of restaurants and smaller establishments that offer authentic Chinese dishes. Go there after you’ve had your fill of Intramuros.
From Binondo, you can walk all the way to Quiapo Church. On the way, you will get a glimpse of how the locals conduct their business. As you get nearer to the church, notice the kind of things sold there—from pirated DVDs and clothing, to household items as well as appliances.
However, a lot of the sidewalk stalls also sell herbal concoctions to induce labor (for pregnant women), various amulets to ward off evil spirits, and other items that seem incongruous given the nearness of the Catholic Church.
Built in the late 1500s, Quiapo Church is the oldest church in the Philippines. It survived the bombing of Manila in World War II and had undergone several restorations.
Every year, the Black Nazarene—its patron saint—is brought out during the Feast of the Black Nazarene and paraded around the district. Held annually every January 9, it is usually attended by millions of devotees.
A must see in Manila — the sunset in Manila Bay
By day’s end, it would be good to see the sunset in Manila Bay. Go to Harbor Square (near the Cultural Center of the Philippines) and choose from the numerous restaurants there. There are coffeeshops as well if you just want to hang out.
Alternatively, you can also stay in Intramuros and have a buffet dinner at Barbara’s Restaurant. Aside from their great menu which varies daily, they also offer an hour-long cultural presentation that all foreign visitors should have a chance to see!
After such a full day of sightseeing, you may feel that you have seen all of Manila. This is not true! There is so much more to see and so much more to experience in this Philippine city. Check out the other entries in this blog carnival to appreciate how beautiful old Manila can be.
29 Comments. Leave new
@ Titus: Divi can be overwhelming for first time visitors 🙂
@ Stein: There is so much more to Manila than what I’ve listed here! Enjoy going around. 🙂
Thanks for the listing, will try some of your suggestions. Been living here for two years now and is just about realizing how big the city is.
If you have just one day in manila, i suggest you go to intramuros and luneta in the morning, spend the afternoon in divisoria and watch the sunset in sM MOA.
@ Cai: Yeah they still have a lot of those until now. Some are actually nice 🙂
When I was a kid my family would always hang out in the shops and cafes along Roxas Blvd.
Ah, perhaps we can add Malate to bar-hop when night falls. ;p
@ AQ: Yes, there are lots of places in Manila and Makati City where you can have shisha. Let me know when your trip is near so I can give you suggestions.
Thanx Aleah for ur response, its like a getaway vication budget is good enough I am thinkhng of relaxing atmosphere with massage and good mostly quite scinary, but the first 2 days will be in manila so I dont mind some activities. I also would like to ask about what we call shisha (hublybubly) if u know it is there is places that serve it.
@ Gay: Love Intramuros, Quiapo and Baywalk!
@ AQ: what are you interested in? Cities? Beaches? Mountains? Adventure? Are you a budget traveler or is budget not an issue? There are so many things you can do in the Philippines, but it depends on what you like doing.
hi i am planning to visit the phlipines early sept. for only 8 days 1st 2 days will be in manila the rest is open to any destination. so i will be so greatfull for any tips or recommindations you got. thanx
Fort Santiago’s one of my fave spots in Manila!
@ Koen: There are many things and places to enjoy in Manila, but perhaps for just one day, this is fine. Hope you’ll stay longer if you do come and visit here!
@ Ron: Yup, Quiapo has a personality of its own that’s difficult to forget! (Btw, will be in SIN in October. I hope there’ll be a PTB meet-up? :D)
haaayLaaav the first photo!
you have no idea how this post made me miss quiapo so much!
This seems truly like a nice introduction when you first visit Manila…
@ Grace: When are you coming back for a visit?
@ BertN: That’s so true. Have you and your family ever came back for a visit?
I was born in Manila and lived there for more than 30 years before I left to seek a better life for myself and my family. I’ve been to many cities in the world since, but my heart belongs to Manila for reasons nobody can understand but me. Love it and leave it but you’ll love it more when you are gone.
Lovin this guide Aleah. It’s something I can send over to my foreign friends who wish to visit Manila. I miss Ongpin and delicious chow there.
@ Gael: Of all of these, I love the Quiapo area best. There so many interesting things to see there!
@ Happy Sole: Yeah, the sunset’s nice. I still have a backlog writing about the Manila Bay cruise 🙂
@ Red: Philippine food is delicious. You’ll love that here!
@ Ed: Thanks. I wish the photo were mine 🙁 Couldn’t find any good ones in my files.
@ Claire: CS went there on a food trip last weekend but I couldn’t go 🙁 Sayang, I could have taken pictures sana. It’s cheap too!
Thumbs up for food trippin in China Town 🙂
Excellent post indeed! Surely, it can entice first time Manila visitors to explore the featured sites. Love the cool Quiapo Church photo.
Great idea!! And your post might just inspire people to spend more than a day – I’m salivating just thinking about the food!!!
Manila Bay has one of the nicest sunset.. it’s probably one of the things Manila is famous for. Nice!!
I love Quiapo, it used to be my shopping mecca! 🙂