Tourist Attractions in Manila

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Manila

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Manila

The capital of the Philippines is one of the ten most populous cities in the world. During its existence, Manila has experienced many upheavals. The main ones are connected with the time of colonisation and wars. The Spanish left behind a cultural heritage, but destroyed many Filipino national values. In honour of the fighters for independence, various sights appeared. Jose Rizal, a hero of his people, is particularly honoured.

In Manila there is a historical district Intramuros, where almost every building, structure and even walls – a monument of architecture. There are many churches, but Quiapo stands out among them. It contains a statue, for the sake of which several million people gather once a year for a procession. Manila is also the cultural centre of the state, so the best museums of the Philippines are gathered here.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Manila

Intramuros

 0/5

Manila’s oldest neighbourhood. Its name means “inside the walls”. Despite its historical value, Intramuros remains a residential neighbourhood. Tourists are primarily interested in the buildings of the past, such as Fort Santiago. The Cathedral of San Augustin, the oldest building in the city, is also located in the neighbourhood. The area around it has been beautified and golf courses have been built on the site of the defence ditches.

Fort Santiago

 4.6/5

10965 reviews

It appeared in the city thanks to the conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi in the 16th century. It was originally built of timbers and mounds. The walls are 6.7 metres high and up to 2.4 metres thick. The fort became the place of confinement of the Filipino folk hero Jose Rizal until his execution. Nowadays, the grounds inside the fort are used for recreation, and sometimes local theatres stage outdoor performances.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Rizal Park

 4.5/5

27510 reviews

It began to take shape in the 18th century. It was originally a square with many functions, such as announcing decrees and executing pro-independence Filipinos. Among those executed was Jose Rizal, a local hero, in whose honour the park was later named. The 60 hectares of land includes green areas, monuments, a greenhouse, a planetarium, a mausoleum, museums and a lake with a model of the Philippine islands.

Open time

Monday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Binondo

 0/5

Chinatown has developed rapidly since Philippine independence. It occupies two neighbourhoods: Santa Cruz and Binondo. Chinatown may seem compact: it takes just over 10 minutes to walk along the main street. That said, there are plenty of shops, interesting buildings and its own cultural traditions. So it will take time to explore the area. Especially noteworthy are the workshops where gold and silver objects are made.

Divisoria Mall

 4.4/5

1243 reviews

The market is located in the centre of the Old Town. It differs from many typical Asian market places. Modern malls and small shops coexist in a large space, with big name brands being sold by the artisan next door. You can buy everything from food to clothes and jewellery in Divisoria. The peak shopping season is a couple of weeks before the start of the school year and before the New Year holidays.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Memorare - Manila 1945 Monument and Memorare - Manila 1945 Historical Marker

 4.4/5

113 reviews

Inaugurated in 1995 in the Intramuros neighbourhood. It was created in memory of the people who died in the liberation of Manila from Japanese invaders in 1945. At the centre of the sculpture is a woman with a breathless infant in her arms, and around her are five other figures also on the verge. There is a lot of symbolism in the monument. The battle lasted a month, and during that time about 100,000 civilians died.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

The Manila Cathedral

 4.7/5

5632 reviews

It is located in the historic part of the city. The cathedral was consecrated in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In its present status as a cathedral has been there since the time of the colonists. The building that stands on this place now is the sixth. The first church was built in 1571, the last one in 1958. Because of the constant rebuilding, the cathedral turned out to be so unusual – combining different styles: Neo-Byzantine, Romanesque and Renaissance.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

San Agustin Church

 4.6/5

3965 reviews

It was built in the early years of the 17th century, making it the oldest church in the Philippines. Carvings on doors and pews, Baroque decorations, sculptures in the courtyard, and a ceiling painted by Italian artists are the main features of the church. On the territory of the church there are several tombs of famous people. In 1993 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Binondo Church.

 4.5/5

2753 reviews

Another name is the small basilica of St Lorenzo Ruiz. It was founded by Dominican friars. The original building has not survived. The present one was built in 1852. The bell tower is large and massive. It has an octagonal base and dates back to the end of the XVI century. Although the church was damaged during World War II, the bell tower remained almost intact. The restoration of the church was long and was only completed in 1984.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Minor Basilica of San Sebastian

 4.7/5

1115 reviews

In the second half of the century before last, four churches were built on the site in succession. The first three were demolished, but the basilica, dated 1891, has survived to this day. Its architectural style is neo-Gothic. The peculiarity of the church is the prefabricated structure made of metal. This is done to protect the building from earthquakes. There are no similar religious objects in the world. The main shrine is the figure of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

Open time

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene

 4.7/5

9207 reviews

Erected in 1928. In the niches of the façade and on the fence there are statues. The main value of the church is the statue of the Black Nazarene. In its honour an annual procession is organised, attracting several million people. At other times, people come to the statue to worship and pray. The church also conducts side activities, such as providing doctor and lawyer services to the poor.

Open time

Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church

 4.6/5

1415 reviews

It was built by Augustinian monks on the shores of Manila Bay in the late 16th century. Natural disasters and wars did not allow the first building to survive. Rebuilds and repairs have been carried out constantly. The last restoration took place in the second half of the last century. The facade is quite unusual for a Catholic church. It is called a symbiosis of Baroque and Muslim architecture. The walls inside are decorated with frescoes.

Open time

Casa Manila

 4.6/5

499 reviews

Located in the centre of Intramouros and close to the Cathedral of St Augustine. This ethnographic complex is a small neighbourhood where the local bourgeoisie lived. The houses have preserved not only the external appearance. The interior decoration is also in keeping with the past and the status of the former owners. The walls of Manila were needed, among other things, to separate Spaniards and Filipinos. Therefore, the neighbourhood was always segregated.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

National Museum of Fine Arts

 4.7/5

7223 reviews

The former name was the National Art Gallery. The building was built in 1921. Previously, it was the seat of the legislature. It was handed over to the museum in 1998. The collection is diverse, all the halls are unique in their design. Paintings, sculptures, frescoes and stained glass from churches and even parts of building facades are on display. There are works by renowned masters from different periods and valuable historical objects.

Open time

National Museum of Anthropology

 4.7/5

1232 reviews

Formerly called the Museum of the Filipino People. The building has five floors, and each floor has separate exhibits by theme. One of the exhibitions is dedicated to the wreck of the San Diego Legion, and there are exhibits about the ivory trade in the region. There is a library attached to the museum. Even the courtyard of the complex has museum exhibits, such as a model of a typical Filipino dwelling from the past.

Open time

National Museum of Natural History

 4.7/5

3936 reviews

Operational since 2018. The funds are collected from several museums with similar themes, combined into one. The building was built in 1940, but it originally had a different purpose. During World War II it was destroyed, but after the war it was rebuilt in the same place and in the same form. Before the Natural History Museum collection was housed here, the building was rebuilt at a cost of around a billion pounds.

Open time

Intramuros and Rizal’s Bagumbayan Light and Sound Museum

 4.3/5

115 reviews

The exposition is divided into three parts: the period before Spanish colonisation, the time when the conquistadors commanded the country, and the life and struggle for independence of José Rizal. The peculiarity of the museum is that the excursion is accompanied by sounds and video. The transition from hall to hall is like a change of historical epoch. Interactive components allow you to feel like a participant of events. So it is easier and more interesting to perceive the information.

Open time

Bahay Tsinoy, Museum of Chinese in Philippine Life

 4.4/5

218 reviews

Established in 1996 and opened to the public three years later. Dedicated to the contribution of Chinese migrants to the development of the Philippines. The collection is divided into several parts. Exhibits include items belonging to members of the Chinese diaspora, evidence of the 17th century Chinese rebellion, ceramics, drawings and photographs. The museum has a library, lecture room, and theatre studio.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cultural Center of the Philippines

 4.5/5

3375 reviews

Opened in the early 2000s. Leandro Locsin designed the building and the surrounding area. The centre has an impressive size and houses several cultural institutions. Among them: a theatre of traditional arts, an art gallery, museums of musical instruments and art. The concert hall seats about 5,000 spectators. The surrounding square is decorated with fountains and its lawn remains green throughout the year.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Metropolitan Museum of Manila

 4.1/5

219 reviews

It was originally opened in 1976 for international exhibitions. Only works by foreign artists were exhibited in the museum’s halls. In 1986, the rules were changed, and local famous and fashionable artists also got access to the Met. There are also permanent exhibitions, for example, the basement floor is dedicated to the exhibition of gold items from the VIII-XIII centuries and pre-Columbian ceramics.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

University of Santo Tomas (UST)

 4.6/5

703 reviews

The oldest existing university in Asia. It was founded in 1611 by Spanish missionaries. In addition, it is the largest Catholic university in the world. At the moment there are more than 44 thousand students studying here. Its motto translates as “Truth in Grace”. The university buildings are located on an area of more than 21 hectares. The architecture of the buildings combines the heritage of the past and modern solutions.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Paco Park

 4.5/5

1200 reviews

In the past there was a large cemetery on this site. Burials in the area stopped in 1912. The remains of some people were later moved to other parts of the city. No external reminders of the cemetery remain. In 1966, a park was laid out here. It covers an area of 4,000 m². Once a week there is a music show in the park. Weddings and lavish celebrations are also often organised here.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Manila Ocean Park

 4.2/5

14783 reviews

The city’s first marine themed entertainment centre. The Oceanarium offers a lot of entertainment: from leisurely walks among the aquariums to educational programmes. Visitors can feed penguins, visit a spa, watch sea lions perform tricks, and ride local rides. In addition to aquatic mammals and fish, there is a section with birds. Among them there are exotic ones.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Fort Drum/El Fraile Island

 4.7/5

43 reviews

It was built in the early years of the last century. The fort is also called the “Concrete Battleship”. It is located at the entrance to Manila Bay. At present, the islet and the fortifications that occupy it are more like ruins in the middle of the water. The fort was particularly badly damaged during the Second World War, when there were battles between the US and Japanese troops. However, part of the walls, several guns and towers have been well preserved.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Corregidor Island

 4.6/5

153 reviews

The island is accessible by ferry from Manila. Corregidor is modest in size: 6.5 kilometres long and about 3 kilometres wide. It has a rich history as a fishermen’s settlement and pirate stronghold. With the arrival of the Spanish, a lighthouse appeared here, and the Americans built a military base. At present, the island offers a number of attractions, including the Eternal Flame, a war memorial, and the Japanese Peace Garden.