How many days do you need in Manila?

The top 4 places in the centre take about 4 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.

What are the top things to do in Manila?

Highlights: San Agustin Church, Malacañang Palace, Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park and Masjid Al-Dahab. The map has 30 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Manila city centre?

Ninoy Aquino International (MNL): Taxi or Grab ≈ 30–60 min depending on traffic.

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Manila Things to do and walking itinerary

Philippines

Manila travel guide

30 things to do in Manila, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Manila

San Agustin Church — Roman Catholic church in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
Malacañang Palace — Official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines (visit ≈ 90 min)
Manila Cathedral — Roman Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 35 min)
Rizal Park — historic urban park in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 45 min)
Masjid Al-Dahab — mosque in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
San Sebastian Church — all-steel church in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
Quiapo Church — Roman Catholic parish church in Manila (visit ≈ 30 min)
Fort Santiago — citadel built by Spanish conquistador for the city of Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 60 min)
Binondo Church — Roman Catholic parish church in Binondo, Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
Malate Church — Roman Catholic parish church in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
Manila Ocean Park — oceanarium in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 150 min)
Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden — zoo in the Philippines (visit ≈ 150 min)
Tondo Church — Roman Catholic parish church in Tondo, Manila (visit ≈ 30 min)
Manila Metropolitan Theatre — theater in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 20 min)
Santo Domingo Church — Roman Catholic parish church and national shrine in Quezon City, Philippines (visit ≈ 30 min)
National Museum of Fine Arts — constituent museum of the National Museum of the Philippines (visit ≈ 120 min)
Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz — major public square in Binondo, Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 15 min)
National Museum of Natural History — constituent museum of the National Museum of the Philippines (visit ≈ 120 min)
Plaza Rajah Sulayman — public square and park in Manila, Pilipinas (visit ≈ 15 min)
Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey — Roman Catholic abbey in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 40 min)
Carriedo Fountain — historic fountain in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 15 min)
Mehan Garden — public park in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 45 min)
National Museum of Anthropology — constituent museum of the National Museum of the Philippines (visit ≈ 120 min)
Metropolitan Museum of Manila — art and history museum in Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 120 min)
San Ignacio Church — church ruins in Intramuros, Manila (visit ≈ 30 min)
Casa Manila — history museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
St. Francis Square — square in Bratislava, Slovakia (visit ≈ 15 min)
Plaza Miranda — public square in Quiapo, Manila (visit ≈ 15 min)
Plaza Moriones — public square in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines (visit ≈ 15 min)
Plaza de Roma — major public square in Intramuros, Manila (visit ≈ 15 min)

4-day Manila walking itinerary

Starting point: Makati / Poblacion. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 11.6 km · 15,640 steps · 2 h 34 min on the way): Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden
Day 2 (≈ 12.2 km · 16,470 steps · 2 h 42 min on the way): Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Day 3 (≈ 12.8 km · 17,230 steps · 2 h 50 min on the way): Malate Church
Day 4 (≈ 13.0 km · 17,500 steps · 2 h 52 min on the way): Malacañang Palace

Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Manila

Binondo Chinatown (Ongpin Street) — Main street of Binondo, often called the world's oldest Chinatown: tea shops, bakeries and bustling lanes. (visit ≈ 75 min)

Where to stay in Manila

Makati / Poblacion: Business centre, shopping and Poblacion’s bars.
BGC (Bonifacio Global City): Modern, clean and walkable; lots of restaurants.
Ermita / Malate: Near Manila Bay and the old centre; budget hotels.
Intramuros: The walled Spanish-era city; for history lovers.
Ortigas: Big malls and the MRT line.

Getting from the airport to Manila

Ninoy Aquino International (MNL): Taxi or Grab ≈ 30–60 min depending on traffic.

Getting around

Traffic is very heavy; use Grab and the LRT/MRT trains for longer trips. Makati and BGC are walkable on their own.

Classic places to eat

Aristocrat: Since 1936; chicken barbecue and Filipino classics.
Barbara’s: Filipino buffet and dance in a Spanish-era hall in Intramuros.
Café Adriatico: A Malate café open late since the 1980s.
Wai Ying: Dim sum and roast duck in Binondo (Chinatown).
Eng Bee Tin: Famous Binondo maker of purple yam hopia pastries.
Sentro 1771: Modern Filipino cuisine; try the sinigang.
The Curator: A hidden cocktail bar behind a coffee shop.

Romantic views

Manila Bay Baywalk (Sunset): Manila Bay's famous sunsets are best watched from this promenade.
Intramuros (Evening): Old walls and cobbled lanes take on a romantic air under evening lamps.
Rizal Park (Early morning): Wide lawns and gardens are ideal for a morning walk.
Paco Park (Afternoon): This circular garden, once a cemetery, is quiet and elegant.
Jones Bridge (Evening): The bridge over the Pasig River is lit by vintage lamps at night.

Good to know before visiting Manila

Fine: Smoking and vaping in public places are banned.
Fine: Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
Fine: Taking or buying coral and shells is illegal.
Warning: June to November is typhoon season; follow alerts.
Cash (pesos) matters on islands; ATMs are in towns.
Cover shoulders and knees in churches.

Emergency: 911
Plugs: A/B/C, 220V
Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
Tipping: About 10% is customary.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Philippines, Wikivoyage — Philippines, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Manila travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Manila?: The top 4 places in the centre take about 4 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
What are the top things to do in Manila?: Highlights: San Agustin Church, Malacañang Palace, Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park and Masjid Al-Dahab. The map has 30 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Manila?: Makati / Poblacion: Business centre, shopping and Poblacion’s bars. Other options: BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Ermita / Malate, Intramuros and Ortigas.
How do you get from the airport to Manila city centre?: Ninoy Aquino International (MNL): Taxi or Grab ≈ 30–60 min depending on traffic.
How do you get around Manila?: Traffic is very heavy; use Grab and the LRT/MRT trains for longer trips. Makati and BGC are walkable on their own.
What is the emergency number in Manila?: Emergency: 911.
Do you tip in Manila?: About 10% is customary.

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