The Philippine capital of Manila is, to put it nicely, not a favorite among many international travelers. As a Filipino myself, I’ll admit, it’s not one of my highlights either. When we boast over 7,000 islands with countless breathtaking destinations, it can be hard to recommend Manila whenever people ask, “where should I go in the Philippines?“
However, spending time in Manila is practically an inevitability. As the largest city and home to the main international airport of the Philippines, a layover in Manila is almost guaranteed. Every Philippine travel itinerary will pass through Manila, whether you like it or not. If not Manila, then perhaps Cebu, which might be even less exciting than Manila. While Manila is not a top priority for a Philippines backpacking trip, it has started growing on me. It can be the perfect spot to ease yourself into the more barebones island-living of the provincial destinations, or a great city to cap off your trip with some delicious dining, an array of shopping, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
So hey, you’re already here, let’s make the most of your time in the sprawling and energetic capital of the Philippines. Here’s how to spend a perfect day in Manila.
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Getting to Manila
The cheapest way to get to the Philippines is to catch a flight to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Most island airports in the Philippines are small and serviced only by regional airlines like Cebu Pacific and Air Asia. It is best to fly to Manila on a large airline and then book a cheap regional flight to your next destination. Depending on your arrival and layover time, this could mean that you have to spend a few hours or a few days in Manila. Many backpackers will act like this is the end of the world, but do not fear. I’ll make sure you have a great time in Manila.
After going through immigration at the airport, take out some cash and pick up a SIM card. Download Grab, which is South East Asia’s main ride-hailing app and head to your accommodation. May the traffic gods be in your favor. This could take a while depending on where you are staying in Metro Manila, a sprawling urban jungle with many different sub-cities. It can be overwhelming trying to decide on a home base. Don’t worry, we’ll cover where to stay in Manila next.
Oh, and before you leave for the Philippines, be sure to have good travel insurance handy. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels for as low as $2 dollars a day and their coverage includes The Philippines among the 190+ countries that they cover.
Where To Stay in Manila
For travelers unfamiliar with the city, the hardest part of Manila is deciding where to stay. Metro Manila is home to a dozen cities and your choice of neighborhood could make or break your stay in Manila. Having family scattered throughout the city, I’ve been all over Manila, from the mega-malls of Pasay to the up-and-coming districts like Cubao and Taguig.
However, one neighborhood is my go-to, tried-and-true home base. For international travelers, staying in Makati is a must. Most of the hotels and backpacker hostels are here, such as Manila-Z Hostel and Mad Monkey. However, Lub D Hostel was my overall favorite for its good balance of comfort and social atmosphere. The dorms and private rooms are both nice and budget-friendly. The rooftop resto-bar boasts an amazing view of Manila’s skyline. Staying in Makati also puts you in the heart of Manila’s nightlife scene.
The different attractions of Metro Manila are pretty spread out, but by staying in Makati, you’ll be within walking distance to markets, malls, nice restaurants, and an abundance of nightlife options. Heck, you could spend your entire day in Makati visiting the malls, parks, and if the timing is right, one of the weekend markets in the area.
But, there are a lot more exciting things to see in Manila, so you’ll need to figure out how to navigate its many neighborhoods. Let’s talk about how to get around Manila.
Getting Around Manila: Public Transportation or Taxis?
Although Manila does have an extensive public transportation system, it is often crowded and unreliable. Considering that Manila is one of the largest cities in the world, the metro system is also among the busiest in the world. During rush hour, good luck. You will be met with jam-packed trains, buses, and Jeepneys.
Sure, if you plan on staying in Manila for a while, getting a feel for the public transportation is a good idea. However, most travelers don’t plan on spending too long in Manila. For those allotting just a few days of their Philippines travel itinerary to Manila, it is best to maximize your time instead of stretching out your money. Although traffic can be a huge issue in the city, it will still be easier and more comfortable to hop in a taxi or on the back of a motorbike. Download Grab or one of the other motorcycle taxi apps, like Move It or Joyride.
Be sure to have a plan for staying connected while in Manila. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to when I leave. It’s a game-changer for figuring out public transportation on the fly, coordinating plans with your new hostel mates, and keeping family back home updated. Having an eSIM simply makes travel that much easier. Philippines eSIMs start at just $3, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.
Alright, enough blabbing. That should be enough to find your footing in Manila (but if it’s not, be sure to check out my crash course travel guide to backpacking in the Philippines). On to the good stuff. Let’s head to our first stop. Tara na.
One Day Manila Travel Itinerary
Feeling nice and settled in? Don’t get too used to the air conditioning, we are about to head back out into Manila’s sweltering humidity. It is important to get an early start before the mid-afternoon heat becomes suffocating.
Old Manila and Intramuros Walled City
The first stop of our one-day Manila itinerary is the Walled City of Intramuros. The name Intramuros quite literally translates to: inside the walls. This historic neighborhood is drastically different from Metro Manila’s more modern urban jungles. One won’t encounter any towering skyscrapers or bumper-to-bumper traffic within these walls. Intramuros is significantly more peaceful and charming, like a small town walled off from the chaos of the big city. Home to beautiful churches, historic architecture, cultural monuments, and a laid-back pace of life, Intramuros is the must-visit attraction of Manila.
My favorite place to visit in Intramuros is Casa Manila, a traditional Filipino house turned into a museum. Casa Manila perfectly captures the vintage Philippine aesthetic. It provides a great lens into the past and how Filipino families used to live. Just outside Casa Manila, you’ll likely run into a row of bamboo bicycles. Make sure to rent one of these bamboo bikes and cycle around the area. Whether you join a guided tour or pedal at your own leisure on a solo joyride, this is one of the best things to do in Manila.
Whether by bike or by foot, head on over to the historic Fort Santiago, passing by Intramuros’ Plaza de Roma and the Metropolitan Cathedral along the way. Dating back to the year 1571, Fort Santiago is an excellent place to learn about Philippine history, its colonization, and its fight for independence. Navigate its many rooms and displays, then take a stroll along the ramparts to soak in some nice views.
Take a detour from Intramuros and pop over across the street to Rizal Park, a large green space with art installations, various gardens, and a handful of museums. If it interests you, spend some time at the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Museum of Natural History. Have a walk along the park, check out the Jose Rizal Monument, and maybe grab a snack or halo-halo at the Jollibee inside the park. It’s not a trip to the Philippines without a visit to our favorite fast food joint.
If Jollibee’s not your vibe, let’s look for something even more local and head for some street food.
Street Food and Markets in Quiapo and Binondo
A 5-minute taxi ride or half an hour’s walk will take you the the Quiapo neighborhood, home to one of Manila’s most famous markets. The Quinta Market is the premier place to immerse yourself in Manila’s frenetic pace of life. This chaotic market area is filled with vendors selling a wide variety of street food, including our most recognizable, balut. Wander around here to your heart’s content and indulge in the authentic Philippine culture.
Binondo is the world’s oldest Chinatown, dating back to 1594. Having a meal at To Ho Panciteria, or snacking on street foods like fried siopai, is a must. After a few hours of exploring Intramuros and weaving your way through the hustle and bustle of Quiapo and Binondo, I’d reckon it’s time for a little break. If you’ve got time, feel free to freshen up at your accommodation and let the midday heat die down a little bit. Otherwise, continue our itinerary and head to Manila’s most upscale neighborhood, BGC.
An Evening in Bonifacio Global City
With trendy cafes, boutique shops, bustling malls, and amazing restaurants, Bonifacio Global City is the place to be in Manila. It’s a great neighborhood to do some emergency shopping before heading to the islands, or pick up last-minute pasalubong before heading home. The action centers on Bonifacio High Street, a walking street flanked with countless shops and restaurants. It’s one of the cleanest and most modern parts of Manila, a stark contrast to where you just were in Quiapo.
Roam around and take in the sights of the skyscrapers and gardens of this scenic area. The vibes here are energetic and lively. It’s not uncommon for a live band to be performing somewhere along the High Street. There are an abundance of stores to check out, too. Pop into this bookstore called Fully Booked and sip on a coffee as you browse through the stacks of books.
Hungry? Eat at Manam for a higher-end Filipino dining experience. There are many more options here in BCG, covering a wide array of international cuisines. Restaurants excelling in Japanese, Korean, Italian, American and many other cuisines can all be found within a short walk of each other along BCG’s High Street.
Once you’re through with BCG, it’s time to hit the bars and experience Manila’s throbbing nightlife.
Bar-Hopping and Nightlife in Makati
Wasn’t BCG so nice? You’re probably like, dang, why did Eli tell me to stay in Makati instead of BCG? Well, Makati’s pulsing nightlife scene is why Makati is where you’ll want to stay. No one wants to make a long trek home after a night out, and in Makati’s Barangay Poblacion is where the best nights out in Manila can be had. Head back to your crib to freshen up. Have a cocktail at Lub D’s rooftop to catch the nighttime skyline views. Not a bad place to stay, huh? If Lub D’s not lively enough for you, you might want to consider staying at the Mad Monkey Hostel right in the heart of the nightlife district. Anyone who’s backpacked through South East Asia is familiar with their brand and their parties.
Let’s start the night at Agimat at Ugat, one of my favorite bars in Makati. It is themed around old Filipino legends and mythology, with drinks and decor inspired by the supernatural beings in our folklore. They also have Ube liqueurs and cocktails, and it’s worth going just for that sweet, sweet purple yam. Next, head over to Spirits Library for a jazzy, blues type of vibe and live music with a backdrop of, as the name suggests, a library of spirits. Seriously, this wall has any liquor that you can imagine.
These are a few of my reliable favorites, but Barangay Poblacion has countless restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, with more businesses popping up every month. You can walk into any bar in the Philippines and there will be live music from someone more talented than your favorite singer. It’s hard to go wrong with wherever you choose.
Once you’ve had your fill of sitting and sipping on cocktails, it’s time to hit the dance floors and party Filipino-style. Head over to Burgos Street and find a club and dance the night away. I couldn’t tell you the name of any of the nightclubs I’ve been to, but I’m sure I’ve probably stumbled into all of them at some point. They are all fairly similar, so just pop in and check each one out and see which one you’re feeling.
And that’s how I would spend a day in Manila! Now, I won’t keep you here long, the rolling hills of Baguio, the surf breaks of Siargao and the breathtaking beaches of El Nido await.
Buy Me A Beer!
If this post helped you out, please show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. It allows me to keep writing travel guides to help you all travel the world on a budget.