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Manila Attractions
Although Metro Manila is a sprawling metropolis, most visitors spend the bulk of their time in the cities of Manila and Makati. The former includes the historical district Intramuros, the obvious first stop for visitors wanting to come to grips with the city, as well as Chinatown and the much-needed green space of Rizal Park. Makati is largely a business district with some of the best malls, restaurants and bars in Metro Manila, but it also has a handful of sights such as the American Cemetery.
7 Results
- Cemetery
American Cemetery and Memorial
Covering a little over 150 acres and including more than 17,000 graves, this site is the largest cemetery administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission. It is located in Fort Bonifacio, once the site of a major U.S. military base but more recently developed as a… - Historic Site
Casa Manila
It may not be as old as it first appears -- the building only dates from 1981 -- but this is a meticulous reconstruction of a specific mid-19th-century home that would have belonged to a wealthy illustrado (middle-class Filipino) family. It's one of the more successful ventures… - Cemetery
Chinese Cemetery
Effectively a small suburb dedicated to the dead, this cemetery has streets lined with imposing mausoleums -- some even with air-conditioning, bathrooms and kitchens. Established because the Spanish would not allow Chinese settlers to be buried in Catholic graveyards, the cemetery… - The Performing Arts
Cultural Center of the Philippines
This performing-arts center, designed by Filipino architect Leandro Locsin, is Manila's most reliable venue for ballet, theater and classical music. It was also at one time the centerpiece of one of Imelda Marcos's grand schemes. While the Sofitel hotel (for example) goes from… - Historic Site
Fort Santiago
Although it was largely reduced to rubble during the Second World War, this fort is worth a short visit as part of a trip to Intramuros. Built by the Spanish in 1592 to control the lucrative spice trade, it also functioned as a prison -- this is the place where the national hero,… - Zoo/Aquarium
Ocean Park
This aquarium has a series of themed areas showcasing Filipino marine life, including a clear 25m tunnel that puts visitors right in the thick of things. Children will enjoy the chance to touch starfish and take a ride in a glass-bottomed boat (PHP150). One of the quirkier… - Religious Site
San Augustin Church
This is not only the oldest surviving church in the country, but it was pretty much the only building still standing in Intramuros after the U.S. bombed Manila in 1945 to drive out Japanese forces (it was spared because it was being used as the Red Cross headquarters). The baroque…
Manila Shopping
The influence of U.S. popular culture is seen in the almost complete dominance of malls on the shopping scene. In Manila, malls are social hubs, respites from the heat and disorder of the city streets. Favorite malls such as Greenbelt and Mall of Asia (one of the world's largest) sell everything from affordable local products to international designer brands. We steer you to places that offer a less homogenized shopping experience. Be sure to check out the street markets in Binondo and Quiapo, such as the Divisoria flea market.
Manila Nightlife
Manila's nightlife is among the best in Southeast Asia. Malate is a great neighborhood for bar-hopping and the center of the city's gay scene, while many of the best nightclubs and expat hangouts like Handlebar (a decent bet for live music) are in the more upmarket Makati. The flip side of that is raucous P. Burgos Street, also found in Makati, which is notorious for its go-go bars. Quezon City has a large student population and the exuberant nightlife that goes along with that.
