Overview

Manila is a mega-metropolis sprawling out in all directions but most visitors gravitate to the walled city of Intramuros, where the Spanish established their first colony in the 1500s. It's a wonderful colonial enclave full of old churches, plazas, buildings and plenty of ambiance. Rizal Park is another must-see and an ideal spot to meet the locals. For sunsets, head to Manila Bay or check out the Malacañang Palace for a peek at Imelda Marcos' shoe empire.

Intramuros

Asia's only Spanish colonial district is the gem of Manila and will provide days of pleasant exploration. This walled enclave is the oldest part of the city and is literally packed with historic churches, buildings and plazas that have been wonderfully restored. But Intramuros is no dusty museum. It's a working historic district full of lively cafés, shops, art galleries and the colourful locals who run them.

San Agustin Church and Museum

Manila's oldest stone church is one of Intramuros' grandest landmarks. It was one of the only buildings in the colonial district to emerge from the Japanese invasion of WWII unscathed, offering a rare look at architectural styles from the early 1600s. The adjoining museum is equally engaging, full of colonial religious art and relics that are a real rarity in Asia.

Rizal Park

The 58 hectares of this park are the heart of modern Manila's outdoor leisure scene. It is one of the largest public parks in Southeast Asia and a popular place for locals and visitors alike to get some fresh air and enjoy the sweeping views over Manila Bay. Several decorative gardens and pathways offer plenty of walking, while the outdoor amphitheatre usually has free concerts on Sundays.

Malacañang Palace

This expansive and opulent villa has been the seat of Manila's power since it was built in the 18th century. Overlooking the Pasig River, this is where the president of the Philippines resides. However, it's also a museum presenting a fascinating collection of memorabilia from each of the nation's presidents, including Imelda Marcos' notorious shoe collection.

Manila Bay

There would be no Manila without Manila Bay, such is its importance to the city. Naval battles have been fought here since the legendary 1646 La Naval de Manila, which repelled the Dutch colonial effort once and for all. Naval history aside, Manila Bay is the best spot to catch a sunset and offers fantastic scenes of the city's daily life.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

This is the place to go to get a comprehensive overview of the evolution of art in the Philippines. The city's main art museum contains two permanent exhibitions that are worth the visit alone: the startling Gold Gallery and the ancient Pottery Gallery. Touring exhibits also make frequent stops here and several temporary displays are always on show.

National Museum of the Philippines

While you're in Rizal Park, be sure and check out this museum that presents the nation's most treasured works of art and culture. Paintings by master Philippine artist Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo mix with archaeological displays like the skull of Tabon Man. There is a fascinating wing devoted to the history of the Filipino people that contains an exhibit of the Spanish galleon San Diego's remains and all its treasures.

Malate Church

No other church in Manila best captures the spiritual passion of its residents than Malate. This 16th century church in Intramuros is dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies and has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries for those seeking comfort and cure. The tangible sense of hope emanating from this church makes it a worthy stop on any Intramuros tour.

Overview

Visitors can find plenty of green space in Manila's public parks such as Rizal, where you can walk, jog, picnic or just watch the city pass by. Horseracing and cockfighting are two of the more popular local sports on offer in the city, or you can opt for an afternoon on the beach. There are also two casinos in the city and a wealth of beautiful inexpensive golf courses.

Parks

Manila is a seriously hectic metropolis so it's worth escaping now and then to one of its green parks to unwind. Topping them all is the legendary Rizal Park, known locally as Luneta. Located right in the city, it's the ideal place to relax. Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Park is another standout, especially if you have children. A small zoo and wildlife rescue centre add diversion to this park's lake and pleasant walking trails.

Golf

There are 11 golf courses right in the city that are easy to get to and very reasonably priced. The links are lush and the scenery superb, especially at the 1901 Manila Gold Club, the city's premier spot for dedicated duffers. There are plenty of other choices as well, and all have English-speaking caddies and full equipment rental.

Hot springs

Within a short drive of Manila are two superb hot spring areas: Pansol and Los Banos. Both of these quaint towns have dozens of mineral springs oozing from the ground, providing the resources for several hot spring resorts to operate. The therapeutic waters are a great way to unwind for a day.

Cockfighting

For those with a taste for blood sports, you may want to catch one of the Sunday cockfights that take place around Manila. Frenetic betting is part of the action, which pits two prized birds fitted with blades against each other in a ring. Despite objection by many, cockfighting is an integral part of traditional Filipino lifestyle.

Boating

Manila and its surrounding countryside have a dozen or so lakes that make great destinations for an afternoon on the water. Boating is a popular activity here, and the Taal Lake Yacht Club is an ideal place to start. They rent out clever boats that cannot sink and require no special knowledge to operate. This makes them ideal for families or first-time boaters.

Gambling

Filipinos love to gamble, and Manila is home to two casinos, one of which is the largest gaming facility in the country. The Casino Manila is the grandest of the lot, featuring all the usual card and table games for those who wish to try their luck while on holiday.

Beaches

In less than an hour from Manila you can be sitting on a beautiful sandy beach in Cavite. There are a number of other beaches and resorts within easy driving distance of the capital if you want to enjoy the tropical scenery of the Philippines. Among the most popular destinations are Subic Bay, Bataan, Zambales, and Batangas. Each of these towns has places to stay, eat and rent water sports gear.

Dining and shopping

Eating out is a major pastime in Manila and visitors will find a bewildering array of dining choices in every district of the city. There is a distinct cuisine native to the Philippines, but due to the Spanish colonisation and Manila's role as an international port of call, food from all corners of the globe can be found in the capital and prices are excellent.

Filipino cuisine won't blow you away compared to some of the local food of other Asian countries, but it's still very tasty. The best-known dish is adobo, a stew of beef, chicken or pork that incorporates a wonderful array of spices. Bagoong, a salty shrimp paste, is used in many local dishes and has a strong smell and flavour you won't soon forget. Noodle dishes quite similar to those of Chinese style are also ubiquitous throughout the city.

There are little food shops on every corner in this city so you'll never have to go far to find a bite to eat. Not surprisingly, Manila's shopping malls are excellent places to eat. The basement levels of all of them contain hundreds of food stalls selling the equivalent of Filipino fast food.

Chinatown's Ongpin Street is a favourite for locals seeking authentic Chinese fare, while the sidewalks along Roxas and Malate boulevards are lined with unique places to eat. The sea breeze wafts along this part of Manila, and many of the restaurants have good views for sunset dining. The farther you go along Roxas Boulevard, the closer you get to the sea and the Cavite coastline. Here you will find some of the finest seafood restaurants in Manila.

Veteran shoppers will face their greatest challenge within the enormous shopping malls of Manila. The city is legendary for its mega-malls, boasting more than any other Asian city. Ayala Centre, Robinson's Galleria, Glorietta Centre and the Greenbelt Square Mall are all world-class venues located within the metropolitan area and could feasibly take days to thoroughly explore.

If you think you've seen a big mall, then go to the Mall of Asia on Roxas Boulevard. An IMAX theatre, a science museum and an entire building dedicated to entertainment are just a fraction of the hundreds of outlets it contains. Tiendesitas is another interesting destination focusing on the handicrafts, furniture and souvenirs of the country in a mall-like environment. Makati is the capital's most chic district and where you can find high fashion, luxury items and locally-produced artwork.

On the other end of the spectrum are Manila's fantastic outdoor markets known as tiangge. These colourful bustling places are where you can find the best native products from all over the Philippines. Wood carvings, butterfly knives, and the famous Barong Tagalog style of clothing are excellent buys at the city's native markets such as Quiapo's Divisoria Market and Santa Cruz's Central Market.

As you would expect from a city the size of Manila, there are literally thousands of places to eat in every genre of cuisine imaginable. With its obvious love of the shopping mall, many of the capital's best restaurants are located in these mega-malls which resemble miniature cities more than centres for shopping.

Overview

Since the Philippines are an archipelago, most international travellers arrive in Manila by plane. Those already in the country can take a bus, ferry or domestic flight from a neighbouring destination. Manila has a great public transportation network, capped by the excellent MRT light rail system. There is also extensive public bus coverage, colourful jeepneys and taxis to get you around this sprawling yet congested city.

Airports

Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the country's main air hub, handling a huge number of daily flights from all over Asia, Europe, North America and within the Philippines itself. The airport is modern, clean and offers a full range of passenger facilities such as ATMs, currency exchange kiosks, restaurants, shops and car hire offices.

There are three terminals at the airport, each handling different kinds of flights. The NAIA Terminal is where all international flights (not operated by Philippine Airlines) arrive and depart, while the Centennial Terminal is the exclusive domain of Philippine Airlines. The Domestic Terminal is where all other domestic flights arrive and depart.

There are several transport options to get to your city destination. The Metrobus is a popular choice as it's cheap, easy to use, and drops you off right in the heart of Manila. Taxis are the most convenient option, but the government advises visitors to only use a taxi accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) due to safety reasons. Renting a car isn't very popular in Manila due to the extreme level of traffic. There is also a government-operated train that stops at the airport, but it is not considered a safe choice.

Public transportation

Long-distance buses are a popular way to move around the Philippines, and Manila is connected to nearly every town in the archipelago. Since there is no central bus terminal in Manila, each private coach company has their own bus station located somewhere on the outskirts of downtown. One train line connects Manila with Legazpi in the south, but it's slow and considered dangerous for foreigners.

Ferry travel is a popular way to get around the country since there are so many islands. An extensive network of inter-island ferries can get you to Manila from just about anywhere, though safety standards can be a bit sketchy and accidents are common.

Within Manila, there is an extensive public transport system spearheaded by buses and jeepneys which cover the whole metropolis. Buses are better for long trips, while jeepneys ideal for short jaunts.

Manila's Light Rail Transit system (LRT) services the entire metropolitan area. It's the fastest, safest and cleanest transport option in the city and should be used whenever possible. There are two LRT lines: the Yellow Line and the Purple Line. Trains run from 05:00 to 21:00 daily. The MRT is another rail network that runs along the EDSA thoroughfare, offering easy access to the Makati business district and the Ortigas Centre.

Taxis are the most expensive means of transport in Manila, but they're still relatively cheap. Taxis are metered, but many have been tampered with to cheat passengers. Your best bet is to hire a taxi waiting in front of one of the larger hotels, where doormen jot down the taxi number and departure time. For a fun and memorable way to get around, try a traditional horse-drawn carriage known as a kalesa. These can be found around the tourist hubs of Intramuros, Rizal Park, Divisoria and Chinatown.