The City of Manila once called the "Paris of Asia" before I was born. However, time past and the beautiful city was challenged with war and industrialization.
Manila was reconstructed in time and most of its parts were forgotten and taken for granted. Squatters, dark and full of garbage canals, polluted air, bad traffic, damaged Manila Bay, over population, name it - Manila has become one of the worst cities in the world.
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Manila City Today
Huge thanks to todays Manila City Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso for his initiatives in rehabilitating the whole city. I have never seen Manila as clean and stunning before.
On his first day as a mayor, Yorme Isko lead the clean-up drive to some crowded places in Manila - especially, Divisoria. I've visited Divisoria and Binondo last February and I was complete in awe to what I saw. It's given that these places are most crowded of all in Manila since they houses most of tiangge and establishments people from all over Metro and Greater Manila Areas are coming for. But these places look really different today as compare to the time of my visit during pre-Isko.
Roads are open and wide, people are walking in the pedestrian, vendors have their own authorized location, I've never felt safe until my last visit in 2020.
Mayor Isko Legacy
Some of Mayor Isko's rehabilitation and construction projects are:
- Jones Bridge rehabilitation
- Clean up of Kartilya ng Katipunan
- Clean up of Plaza Miranda and Quiapo
- Construction of Tondominium, a housing project
- Vertical Garden under LRT
- MNLKONEK Digital Kiosk installation
- Bonifacio Shrine Fountain
- Sidewalk lead light along Taft Avenue
- Metropolitan Theater Restoration
- Manila Skate Park
- Manila Clock Tower turns gold
- Lagusnila Underpass restoration
- Solar studs installation along Roxas Boulevard
- Anda Circle rehabilitation
- Baseco Baywalk and Linear Park
- Opening of Kapetolyo, a coffee shop managed by Manila City
- Daily Manila Bay clean-up
And the list goes on...
Before traveling, you might want to check the live weather forecast and updates to make your trip even easier and safer for you. You can also get the latest report for land traffic in Metro Manila and major parts of the Philippines.
1. Intramuros
Old-world Intramuros is home to Spanish-era landmarks like Fort Santiago, with a large stone gate and a shrine to national hero José Rizal.
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| Walking around Intramuros |
The ornate Manila Cathedral houses bronze carvings and stained glass windows, while the San Agustin Church museum has religious artwork and statues. Spanish colonial furniture and art fill Casa Manila museum, and horse-drawn carriages (kalesa) ply the area’s cobblestone streets.
In February 2021, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said he agrees with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to open Intramuros and other parks once a week for a designated “family day.”
Things to do: stroll around and take photos
2. Manila Cathedral
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral, is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila.
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| Top view of Manila Cathedral |
It glows at night as the church lights up its walls and exteriors. One of the best views you can have in Manila!
Things to do: church visit, take photos
3. Jones Bridge
This bridge connecting the districts of Binondo and Intramuros is not only historic but a tourist spot now in Manila. With the help of Manila LGU, the Jones Bridge had its best make-over (so far) and rehabilitated to last long. It's one of Mayor Isko's initiatives in bringing back the glory the city had once back in time.
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| Jones Bridge at night |
The William A. Jones Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Jones Bridge, is an arched girder bridge that spans the Pasig River.
Things to do: take photos
4. Chinatown, Binondo
Binondo is a district in Manila and is referred to as the city's Chinatown - the oldest in the world. Its influence extends beyond to the places of Quiapo, Santa Cruz, San Nicolas and Tondo.
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| Binondo Chinatown |
Today, it is still one of the top destinations for many tourists. Lucky me, I had a food crawl in Binondo in 2020 just before COVID-19 hit the Philippines.
Things to do: stroll and food trip
5. Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz
Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz or Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz is a major public square in Binondo, Manila, bounded by Quintin Paredes Street to the east and Juan Luna Street to the west, parallel to the Estero de Binondo.
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| Fountain at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz |
At night, the plaza showcases it fountain shining in different colors.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
6. Divisoria
Have you tried shopping in Divisoria at night? "Divi" is still alive even at night. Most of the shops and vendors here are busy until the dawn. Thanks to the efforts of Manila City LGU as Mayor Isko lead the clean-up of the whole area that was once chaotic.
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| Tutuban Center |
Today, it is still one of the top spot by many Filipinos for budget-friendly finds. Big crowd is expected everyday especially during peak hours.
Divisoria is a commercial center in between Tondo and Binondo in Manila, Philippines known for its shops that sell low-priced goods and its diverse manufacturing activities.
Tutuban Center is situated within the commercial hub along with a night market located in the Centers' vicinity.
Things to do: shopping and eat out!
7. Anda Circle
The Anda Monument, often erroneously referred to as the Anda Circle after the roundabout it is currently located, is an obelisk monument situated in the boundary of Intramuros and Port Area in central Manila.
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| Anda Circle fountain |
It has been recently rehabilitated by the City of Manila and brought back to its beauty.
Things to do: take photos
8. Ayuntamiento de Manila
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| Ayuntamiento de Manila at night |
Things to do: take photos
9. Lagusnilad
The Lagusnilad Underpass refers to the pedestrian underpass in Manila, Philippines which connects the Manila City Hall and Intramuros.
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| Lagusnilad Underpass |
Things to do: pass by and take photos
10. Plaza de Roma
Plaza de Roma, also known as Plaza Roma, is one of three major public squares in Intramuros, Manila.
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| Plaza de Roma at night |
Things to do: take photos
ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA
Klook.com11. La Cathedral Cafe
La Cathedral Cafe is located right behind the Manila Cathedral, giving you a stunning view of the historical monument when you dine at their roof deck.
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| The crowd at La Cathedral Cafe |
The cafe is decorated with capiz lanterns and touches of greenery, which make for an idyllic ambience especially at night.
Things to do: date and dine
12. SkyDeck at The Bayleaf Intramuros
A cozy yet luxurious rooftop bar in Manila with both a restaurant area and a pool. SkyDeck at The Bayleaf Intramuros offers refreshing drinks and light snacks.
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| SkyDeck at The Bayleaf Intramuros |
Things to do: dine and appreciate the rooftop view
13. Starbucks Puerta de Isabel II-Intramuros
Looking for a unique Starbucks Coffee branch in Metro Manila? Well, this one will bring you back in the history books. Starbucks Puerta de Isabel gives you a throwback vibe into Manila's past.
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| Starbucks Intramuros |
Inside feels like you’re in a cell or storage room or something once used by our ancestors as a hideout from the outside forces. The walls and the ceiling feels like you’re indeed back in time. It's even more beautiful at night.
Things to do: have a coffee and chill
14. Casa Manila
Casa Manila is a museum in Intramuros depicting colonial lifestyle during Spanish colonization of the Philippines.
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| Casa Manila |
The museum is the imposing stone-and-wood structure c. 1850, one of the grand houses in Barrio San Luis (one of the four original villages of Intramuros) is located across historic San Agustin church and bounded by Calle Real, General Luna, Cabildo and Urdaneta streets. The other two are the Los Hidalgos, c. 1650 and Cuyugan Mansion, c. 1890.
Casa Manila is a copy of an 1850s San Nicolas House that was once located in Calle Jaboneros. It was constructed by Imelda Marcos during the 1980s and modeled on Spanish colonial architecture.
Things to do: appreciate history and take photos
15. Arch of the Centuries, UST
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| Arch of the Centuries |
The Arch of the Centuries is a triumphal arch at the Plaza Intramuros of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, that stands meters away from the university's Millennium Gate along España Boulevard.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
16. National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is the national natural history museum of the Philippines.
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| National Museum of Natural History |
It is located along Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, Manila. Entrance to the museum is free.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
17. Andres Bonifacio Shrine
The Bonifacio Shrine, also known as the Kartilya ng Katipunan or Heroes Park, is a public park and plaza in Ermita, Manila, located just north of the Manila City Hall and south of Mehan Garden and Liwasang Bonifacio.
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| Andres Bonifacio Shrine |
From this angle, you can also get a nice point of view of the iconic Manila City Hall clock tower.
Things to do: appreciate history and take photos
18. 1919 Grand Cafe
1919 Grand Cafe, owned by a food-loving Chinese businessman, has given fine dining a whole new meaning by taking his customers on a journey to the past. This café will be your new favorite go-to if you enjoy good food and coffee, plus a serene ambiance with a sprinkling of history.
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| 1919 Grand Cafe |
Formerly an HSBC bank, the century-old establishment was revived as a one-stop place for people who don't want to go too far away from Manila to experience specialty coffee and food.
Things to do: dine in
19. Post Office Building
The Manila Central Post Office, often called the Post Office Building, is the main postal office of Manila, which also serves as the home of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
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| Manila Central Post Office |
It also houses the main mail sorting-distribution operations of the Philippines.
Things to do: take photos
20. National Museum
The National Museum of the Philippines is an umbrella government organization that oversees a number of national museums in the Philippines including ethnographic, anthropological, archaeological and visual arts collections.
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| National Museum |
Entrance to the museum is free!
Things to do: appreciate history and take photos
21. Kapetolyo
SGD Coffee started working with Manila City Hall for the Manila Coffee Festival. The event was supposed to bring coffee farmers from all over the Philippines to meet coffee aficionados from coffee shop ownersn and baristas to coffee drinkers and coffee home brewers. The event didn’t push through because of the eventual lockdown.
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| Kapetolyo |
However, Moreno believed in the project that he pushed to get this done even amid the pandemic business environment. The mayor’s main requirement for this coffee project was that the eventual partner should be a local coffee entity and not an international corporate coffee chain.
SGD Coffee eventually won the rights to lease the space where Kapetolyo is now. Watanabe stressed that Moreno and the city are Kapetolyo’s landlords though the City of Manila owns the Kapetolyo name and logo.
Things to do: have a coffee and snacks
22. Plaza Sto. Tomas
Located in the Sto. Tomas corner Cabildo Streets in Intramuros, the Plaza Santo Tomas is the open public space for the University of Santo Tomas. All colleges in Intramuros had their own Plazas for their students and much common in buildings of the Spanish.
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| Plaza Sto. Tomas |
The Plaza Sto. Tomas is once the home of the bronze statue of the Manila Archbishop and University founder Miguel de Benavides, where it faces the entrance of the University (now the Arch of the Centuries). After WWII, the said statue was transferred to its current location in the España Campus.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
23. Rajah Sulayman Park
Plaza Rajah Sulayman, also known as Rajah Sulayman Park, is a public square in Malate, Manila. It is bounded by Roxas Boulevard to the west, San Andres Street to the south, and Remedios Street to the north.
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| Rajah Sulayman Park |
The plaza is considered the center of Malate as it fronts the Malate Church, the main church of the district.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
24. Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor that serves the Port of Manila and gives you a majestic view of sunset.
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| Manila Bay |
Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighboring countries, becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation.
Things to do: watch sunset, stroll and take photos
25. Rizal Park (Luneta Park)
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila. At night, don't miss the dancing fountain.
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| Dancing fountain at Luneta Park |
It is considered one of the largest urban parks in Asia, covering an area of 58 hectares.
Things to do: stroll and take photos
BONUS: Ugbo sa Tondo
Recently in the past years, this street in Tondo, Manila is getting its name viral on social media. One of the main attractions here is Aling Consuelo's Halo-Halo which is said to be one of best in the metro.
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| Ugbo sa Tondo |
Other street food are being sold here, too. You have the Filipino classic "inihaw" or grill, Oreo ice cream overload and more. So if you are on a budget, you may end your night from here.
As a person living in NCR, I would say that Manilenyos are very blessed to have someone like Isko Moreno who lead the way for the even better Manila!
There's a lot to discover not only in Manila, but in the Philippines. But Manila will always be a home to many of us - as the song says, "there's no place like Manila".
Things to do: eat out!
ALSO IN MANILA
- MANILA TRAVEL GUIDE: Tourist Spots, Things To Do, Where To Eat and Where to Stay
- BINONDO FOOD CRAWL: DIY Food Trip Guide to Manila Chinatown, the oldest in the world (Map & Budget)
- RIZAL PARK: Guide to Luneta, the Largest Urban Park in Manila, Philippines (Attractions to See & Things to Do)
- MANILA OCEAN PARK: Attractions Map Guide, Activities & How to get Discounted Pass Online Tickets
- DOLOMITE BEACH: Everything you need to know about this new attraction at Manila Baywalk (Operating Hours, Directions & FAQs)
- INTRAMUROS GUIDE: Historic Walled City in Manila (What to See & to Do)
- ARROCEROS FOREST PARK: Guide to the Last Lung of Manila (Description, History and Schedule)
- The historical Jones Bridge in Manila got a new look
- LRT-1 Guide (Stations, Schedule, Fare Matrix)
- WHERE TO EAT SAMGYUPSAL: 10 Korean BBQ Restaurants in Metro Manila (YOU MUST TRY)
- INSTAGRAMMABLE CAFES: 10 Unique Places to Have Coffee in Manila
- Manila City Zip Codes & Phone Area Codes (Complete List)
- List of Palawan Pawnshop Branches (Pera Padala) in Manila
- List of Mercury Drug Branches in Manila City (with Store Hours & Contact Details)
- List of Watsons Branches in Manila City (with Store Hours & Contact Details)
WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA
- Regency Grand Suites - Check Rates and Availability
- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila - Check Rates and Availability
- Bayview Park Hotel - Check Rates and Availability
WHERE TO NEXT?
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.
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