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Manila

Philippines travel guide

What to see in Manila

The capital: Intramuros, the Spanish walled city, alongside modern districts and huge markets.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 6 must-see places
  • Best time: from December to May
  • Stay in Makati
  • Typical food: Sinigang
Photo: Thomas Yie · CC BY 2.0

Manila highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Fort Santiago

    A Spanish fortress inside Intramuros.

  2. San Agustin Church

    The oldest UNESCO-listed baroque church.

  3. Manila Cathedral

    The main basilica of Intramuros.

  4. Rizal Park

    A large city park with the national monument.

  5. National Museum of Fine Arts

    An art gallery in the old legislative building.

  6. Binondo Church

    A basilica in Chinatown.

Where to stay in Manila

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Makati · Malate · Bonifacio Global City

Day trips from Manila

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Manila

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Manila are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (typhoon and monsoon season).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov with warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • from June to November

    Typhoon and monsoon season

    From June to November typhoons and the southwest monsoon arrive: ferries and flights between islands are often cancelled, especially from August to October.

    What to do: Leave a spare day before your international flight home and don’t chain too many island hops together.

Typical food of Manila

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Manila from your kitchen).

Sinigang
Photo: ??? ??? from San Francisco, California, USA · CC BY 2.0

Sinigang

The Filipino sour soup, with tamarind, pork or prawns and vegetables. In Manila it’s the comfort dish for rainy days, with white rice.

  • Serves 4
  • 1 h 15 min

Ingredients

  • 600 g pork ribs or belly (or prawns)
  • 2 tomatoes and 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste (or a sachet of sinigang mix)
  • 1 daikon radish, sliced
  • 1 aubergine
  • 200 g green beans
  • Water spinach or spinach
  • 2 long green chillies
  • Fish sauce

How to make it at home

  1. Simmer the pork with the tomato and onion in 1.5 litres of water for 45 minutes, skimming off the foam.
  2. Add the tamarind and fish sauce.
  3. Add the radish and aubergine and cook for 5 minutes.
  4. Add the beans and chillies and cook for 3 minutes more.
  5. Finish with the spinach and serve with rice.

The trick: It should be properly sour: adjust with more tamarind.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: the carinderia (local canteen). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Philippines guide.

Frequently asked questions about Manila

What to see in Manila?

Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park, National Museum of Fine Arts and Binondo Church.

What to see in Manila in one day?

Don’t miss Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park, National Museum of Fine Arts and Binondo Church. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Manila?

The handiest areas to stay are Makati, Malate and Bonifacio Global City.

What’s the best time to travel to Manila?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Manila are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (typhoon and monsoon season).

What day trips can you take from Manila?

Intramuros and Taal Volcano.

What is the typical food of Manila?

Sinigang. The Filipino sour soup, with tamarind, pork or prawns and vegetables. In Manila it’s the comfort dish for rainy days, with white rice.

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Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.