10 Best Things to Do in Manila

Looking for what to do in Manila? The capital of the Philippines is a sprawling metropolis where centuries-old churches, Spanish-era forts and Art Deco buildings stand alongside malls, highways and fast-rising towers. It can feel chaotic at first, but the city rewards anyone who digs into its neighborhoods, history and food.

From walking through the cobbled streets of Intramuros and watching sunset on Manila Bay to exploring museums, markets and modern districts, there’s plenty to experience before heading out to the country’s islands. Here are the 10 best things to do in Manila to help you plan your visit.

1. Walk the Historic Streets of Intramuros

Intramuros, the old walled city, is Manila’s historic heart. Built during the Spanish colonial period, it once housed churches, administrative buildings and grand homes protected by thick stone walls and bastions along the Pasig River.

Today, you can stroll or take a bike or pedicab tour along its cobbled streets, visiting restored houses, plazas and churches. Look out for old walls, gates and small museums that tell the story of Manila before much of it was destroyed during World War II.

2. Explore Fort Santiago and the Rizal Shrine

Within Intramuros, Fort Santiago is one of the most important historical sites in the city. Its stone gates, ramparts and dungeons have served various roles over centuries, from a defense fortress to a prison.

Inside the complex, the Rizal Shrine is dedicated to José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, who was imprisoned here before his execution. Exhibits and displays help explain his life, writing and role in the country’s struggle for independence. Walking the grounds offers both river views and a sobering look at the city’s past.

3. Visit Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church

Two of the Philippines’ most significant churches stand in Intramuros. Manila Cathedral, rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes and war, serves as the country’s premier Roman Catholic cathedral, with a grand façade and spacious interior.

Nearby, San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO-listed site, with an ornate baroque interior and a museum that showcases religious art, old manuscripts and colonial-era artifacts. Visiting both gives a clear sense of how central faith and churches have been in Manila’s history.

4. Stroll Through Rizal Park (Luneta)

Just outside Intramuros, Rizal Park—often called Luneta—is one of Manila’s main green spaces. Monuments, fountains, gardens and wide avenues commemorate the country’s history and heroes, with the central Rizal Monument marking the spot where José Rizal was executed.

Locals come here to walk, picnic and attend events, especially on weekends and holidays. Wandering the park in the late afternoon or early evening lets you see families relaxing, kids playing and groups practicing everything from dance routines to martial arts.

5. Discover the National Museum Complex

Near Rizal Park, the National Museum complex includes several buildings covering art, natural history and anthropology. The National Museum of Fine Arts displays works by Filipino artists across different periods, while the National Museum of Anthropology highlights the cultures and traditions of the country’s many regions.

Exhibits include prehistoric artifacts, textiles, carvings, religious art and contemporary pieces. Admission is often free or low-cost, making the museums an accessible way to deepen your understanding of the Philippines beyond Manila’s busy streets.

6. Watch Sunset on Manila Bay

Manila Bay is famous for its dramatic sunsets, where the sky can shift through shades of orange, pink and purple as the sun drops over the water. The Baywalk area and the stretch of Roxas Boulevard near the Cultural Center of the Philippines offer good vantage points.

Alternatively, you can enjoy the view from seaside bars, cafés or certain hotel rooftops facing the bay. Watching the sun sink below the horizon while the city lights slowly come on behind you is one of Manila’s classic experiences.

7. Shop, Dine and People-Watch in Makati and BGC

Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) represent modern, polished faces of Metro Manila. In Makati, you’ll find malls, offices, hotels and tree-lined streets, particularly around Ayala Center and the Legazpi and Salcedo Village areas.

BGC, built more recently, features wide sidewalks, public art, parks and a dense cluster of restaurants, bars and shops. Both districts are great for café-hopping, dining at everything from street-level eateries to upscale restaurants and seeing how many residents work and relax in the capital.

8. Experience Manila’s Malls and Markets

Shopping malls play a big role in daily life in Metro Manila, offering air-conditioned spaces to shop, eat and socialize. From massive complexes like SM Mall of Asia and Greenbelt/Glorietta to neighborhood malls, you’ll find international brands, local stores, cinemas and food courts.

For a more traditional feel, explore markets and smaller shopping streets where stalls sell produce, clothing, accessories and everyday goods. Divisoria, though hectic and crowded, is famous for bargain hunters, while smaller neighborhood markets provide a more local experience.

9. Taste Filipino Food from Street Stalls to Restaurants

Manila is one of the best places to dive into Filipino cuisine. Carinderias (small eateries), street stalls, food courts and restaurants serve dishes like adobo, sinigang, kare-kare, lechon, sisig and a wide range of grilled meats and seafood.

Try halo-halo for dessert, along with local pastries and kakanin (rice-based sweets). Modern Filipino restaurants reinterpret traditional recipes, while neighborhood spots offer simple, satisfying meals. Exploring different districts through their food is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the city.

10. Take a Day Trip or Short Excursion from Manila

While not strictly inside the city, day trips from Manila are an important part of many itineraries. Popular options include Tagaytay for cooler air and views over Taal Volcano, or heritage towns like Taal in Batangas with preserved ancestral houses and churches.

Other trips might head to old Spanish-era churches in nearby provinces, small beaches within driving distance or nature spots like waterfalls and lakes. Using Manila as a base for one or two excursions adds variety and gives you a break from urban traffic and noise.