Manila walking tour & city guide

Intramuros

Intramuros, the walled city built by the Spanish in the 16th century, has cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages and Fort Santiago, where national hero José Rizal was imprisoned. San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Binondo and beyond

Binondo, founded in 1594, is said to be the oldest Chinatown in the world, and a great place for food. Rizal Park and the Manila Bay sunset are local favorites. The business districts of Makati and Bonifacio Global City have modern malls and restaurants.

A day in Manila

Start inside the walls of Intramuros, the old Spanish city, ideally on a bamboo bicycle tour or in a horse-drawn calesa. Visit San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country and a UNESCO site, and Fort Santiago, where national hero José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution.

In the afternoon, cross the Pasig River to Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, founded in 1594, and eat your way through its dumpling shops and bakeries. End the day on the Manila Bay promenade, famous for its fiery sunsets.

Good to know

Metro Manila is a huge sprawl of cities, and traffic can be very slow. Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around, and the LRT and MRT trains help for longer distances outside rush hour.

The dry season runs from December to May; typhoons can hit between June and November. Makati and Bonifacio Global City are the modern business districts, with parks, malls and restaurants that feel very different from the old city.