Things to Do in Manila
50 curated spots from Manila itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Ayala Triangle Gardens
A surprisingly lush park framed by skyscrapers; walk under flowering trees, let kids run in the open lawns, and enjoy the contrast of greenery and glass towers.
1h 30m · Free
Rizal Park (Luneta)
Stroll tree-lined paths, see the giant relief map of the Philippines, and visit the Rizal Monument and surrounding gardens.
1h · Free
Hidden Valley Springs Day Trip
Join a day tour from Manila to soak in warm spring pools under massive trees, walk short jungle trails, and see Hidden Falls; most tours include transport and entrance.
7h · $60-90 per person (tour package)
Intramuros Walking Tour
Explore Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila's colonial architecture.
2h · $25 or Free
Manila Baywalk Sunset
End the day with an easy waterfront stroll and sunset views.
1h · Free
National Museum Complex
Choose one or two museum buildings depending on energy; the Fine Arts and Natural History buildings are the easiest picks.
2h · Free
National Museum of Natural History
See the grand spiral atrium and natural-history exhibits before lunch.
1h 30m · Free
San Agustin Church and Museum
Visit Manila’s oldest stone church and its museum for a quiet, historically rich start to the trip.
1h 30m · $2-5 or Free
Ayala Museum
Interactive exhibits on Philippine history, gold artifacts, and modern architecture (20-min Grab from Ermita).
2h · $10
Ayala Museum (or Ayala Museum Plus Greenbelt Gardens)
Explore compact but rich exhibits on Philippine history, gold artifacts, and indigenous cultures, then step into the surrounding Greenbelt gardens—a series of landscaped, tree-filled courtyards, ponds, and walkways attached to the mall.
2h · $9-12Ayala Museum & Greenbelt Park
Visit Ayala Museum’s exhibits (check that it’s open on your day), then relax around Greenbelt’s leafy, pond-filled park and chapel.
2h 30m · $9-12
Ayala Museum Area Browse
Keep this as a flexible museum-or-shopping block depending on your energy level.
2h · $5-12 or Free nearby browsing
Ayala Triangle Gardens & Modern Architecture
Stroll green space amid skyscrapers, admire contemporary designs (5-min walk).
1h · FreeAyala Triangle Gardens & Underpass Art Walk
Relax in a triangular park filled with trees, lawns, and modern sculptures, then explore the pedestrian underpasses and nearby walkways decorated with murals and public art.
1h 30m · FreeAyala Triangle Gardens & Walkway
Evening stroll through tree-filled lawns and light installations, then continue along the covered, plant-lined pedestrian walkways connecting to nearby streets.
1h 30m · Free
Baluarte de San Diego & Old Walls
Explore this circular bastion and the surrounding ramparts; look for creeping vines, shaded corners, and skyline views beyond the walls.
1h 30m · $2-4
Baywalk along Manila Bay
Stroll the promenade at sunset, watch street performers, and take photos of the palm trees against the bay; kids can enjoy snacks and people-watching.
1h · Free (optional drinks/snacks extra)
Baywalk at Manila Bay (Sunset Stroll)
From Intramuros, walk or take a short taxi (10–15 minutes) to the bayfront. Stroll the promenade as the sun sets, enjoy sea breeze, and watch locals jogging, fishing, and relaxing along the water.
1h · Free
Binondo (Chinatown) Walking Exploration
Cross into Chinatown to see temples, old shophouses, and the riverside; wander Ongpin Street and take photos of red lanterns and busy alleys.
1h 30m · Free
Binondo Chinatown Walk
Street market bustle, temples, hidden alleys (free self-guided).
2h · Free
Binondo Chinatown Walking
Cross Jones or MacArthur Bridge and wander Ongpin Street, tiny side alleys, old Chinese-Filipino temples, and herbal shops.
2h · Free
Binondo Chinatown Walking Tour
Stroll Ongpin Street, visit temples, and sample street eats (15-min Grab from Intramuros).
2h · $20
Bus to Sagada
Scenic 6-hr van/bus ride through mountains.
$15 pp
Capitol Commons Park & Estancia Mall
Walk around the small central park with trees and lawn, then browse the adjacent mall with open-air terraces and leafy views.
1h 30m · Free
Casa Manila & San Agustin Church Courtyards
Visit the colonial-style Casa Manila museum and the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church, then rest in the shaded cloisters and gardens.
1h 30m · $2-3 entrance, church freeCasa Manila and Plaza San Luis
Browse the recreated colonial house and surrounding lanes for an easy, atmospheric finale to the morning.
1h · $1-3
Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex Promenade
Take an easy walk by the waterfront and cultural buildings for an open, breezy evening.
1h · Free
Escolta Street & Pasig River Walk
Stroll along historic Escolta’s early 1900s buildings, then walk toward the Pasig River for breezes and photos of ferries, bridges, and city skyline.
1h 30m · Free
Fort Santiago
Walk the restored fort grounds, river-facing paths, and shaded courtyards.
1h 30m · $2-4
Fort Santiago & Intramuros Walls
Explore Fort Santiago’s dungeons, gardens, and walls, then walk sections of the Intramuros fortifications for views over the city and leafy courtyards.
2h · $3-4 entrance per adult, kids reducedRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Barbara's Heritage Restaurant
Traditional Filipino in a historic house; order sinigang and crispy pata.
1h 30m · $20-35 per person
Eng Bee Tin
Hopia pastries and kiapam rice cakes, sweet-savory treats.
45m · $10-15 per person
Ilustrado Restaurant
Filipino-Spanish fusion; try kare-kare and adobo in elegant colonial setting.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Shawarma Snack Center
Pick chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or rice plates; stick to clearly halal meat options only.
45m · $7-15 per person
Al Mukhaimar Halal Restaurant
Simple halal eatery serving Middle Eastern and local dishes; choose chicken kebab, grilled fish, or vegetable stews with rice and flatbread.
45m · $5-8 per person
Al Qaysar Restaurant & Pastry
Casual Middle Eastern spot with an unpretentious, almost roadside feel—think warm lights, plants, and grill smoke drifting like jungle mist. Halal options: grilled chicken and beef kebabs, mixed grill platters, shawarma, hummus, falafel, and assorted pastries; confirm ‘no pork, no alcohol’ for your order and you’re safe.
1h · $10-18 per person
Aristocrat Restaurant
Iconic Filipino; order chicken barbecue and halo-halo dessert.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Arya Persian Restaurant
Choose halal chicken kebabs, grilled meats, rice dishes, hummus, and salads; the menu is well suited to halal dining.
1h 30m · $20-40 per person
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Hotel-style Filipino; try lumpia and fresh seafood in air-conditioned comfort.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Cafe Intramuros at The Bayleaf
Order the halal-friendly breakfast choices such as eggs, fruit, pancakes, and other non-pork, non-alcohol options; confirm your halal preference on arrival and choose chicken or vegetarian plates if available.
1h · $10-18 per person
Café Mediterranean – SM Megamall
Order seafood and vegetarian dishes like grilled fish, falafel wrap, hummus, and tabbouleh; confirm no pork or alcohol-based sauces are used for your dishes.
1h · $10-18 per person
Café Mediterranean — Mall of Asia
Choose vegetarian and seafood Mediterranean dishes like falafel wraps, grilled fish, salads, and mezze; confirm with staff which items are cooked without pork or alcohol.
1h 15m · $8-12 per person
Gilak by Hossein – Robinsons Place Manila
Middle Eastern–Mediterranean restaurant known for halal meats; choose chicken kebab, beef kebab, or lamb biryani, and order vegetable samosas and hummus for sharing—staff can confirm halal certification and avoid alcohol in preparation.
1h 15m · $15-20 per person
Greenbelt Mall Food Halls
Diverse Filipino stalls; sample sisig and kinilaw in AC mall setting.
1h · $15-30 per person
Halal Food Court Options at Mall of Asia (MOA)
Head to the main food court and select clearly marked halal-friendly vendors or safe dishes: grilled fish, vegetable stir-fries, and rice; avoid pork stalls and ask which meats are halal.
1h · $6-10 per personHidden Valley Springs Buffet (Halal-Friendly Choices)
Use the on-site buffet but stick to fish, vegetable dishes, rice, salads, and fruit; avoid any pork or non-halal meats, and confirm dishes with staff.
1h · Often included in day package or $10-15 per personHidden Valley Springs Buffet Lunch
Use the included buffet only if the tour confirms halal accommodation; otherwise bring your own halal-packed meal and eat what is explicitly confirmed such as fruit and packaged items.
1h · $0-20 per person
Hossein’s Al Majlis – Greenbelt 3
Branch of Hossein’s with a more atmospheric, slightly dim, exotic interior and some greenery elements. Order mixed grill platters (lamb, beef, chicken), biryani, and mezze (hummus, baba ghanoush) made with halal-certified meats; there is no pork, and staff are familiar with halal requirements.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Hossein’s Persian Kebab – Ayala Avenue
Established Persian/Arab restaurant well-known among Muslim travelers. Order the lamb or beef kebabs, chicken tikka, hummus with freshly baked bread, and grilled fish; they serve halal-certified meats and clearly label them, and there is no pork on the menu.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Hossein’s Persian Kebab – Makati Avenue
Well-known halal Persian restaurant; order mixed kebab platters, chicken tikka, koobideh, saffron rice, and grilled vegetables—meats are halal and there is no pork, just request no alcohol in your dishes.
1h 15m · $15-22 per person