Attractions you must see when visiting Manila7 min read

Manila is an interesting place to say the least. But so are an many other cities throughout the world.

So, why should tourists use the time and resources to visit the Philippine Capital?

Personally I feel Manila has a lot of depth. It is a city which can be enjoyed on many different levels. The city is filled with many classic entertainment options such as bars, theme parks, amazing malls amongst many other things.

For tourists who want to dig a little deeper, Manila is filled with cultural relics hinting at the rich history of the city which has made it what it is today.

So now lets have a look at some of Manilas tourist hot spots as well as some lesser known attractions in Metro Manila.

Fort Santiago

Situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, the scenic Fort Santiago is one of the premier attractions of the walled city of Intramuros.

Fort Santiago began its life as the headquarters for the Spanish military. It was a part of  a larger collection of Spanish infrastructure which collectively made up the walled city of Intramuros.

This spanish base was established due to Miguel López de Legazpi who was a prominent Spanish explorer. He was was working to re-establish Manila as the centre the Spanish empire in the east.

After the ousting of the Spanish imperialists, Fort Santiago was home to the massacre of thousands of POWs during WWII. This violence during the Japanese occupation was shortlived after their hold on the city was removed during the Battle of Manila.

Today Fort Santiago is a much more peacefulplace. It features beautifully manicured gardens, plazas and water features, which perfectly compliment the dated stone features of the structure.

Amongst the beauty you can see hits of the colourful, but violent past of the strucutre. From the odd bullet hole, to the dugeons below in which the Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held. There is a lot to be discovered within the walls of Fort Santiago.

Binondo

On the surface the Binondo district of Manila can easily be brushed off just another Chinatown. But reality is, this district of Metro Manila highlights the rich history of relations between Chinese natives and the Philippines.

Dating back as far as the early Spanish Colonial period, Binondo is commonly known as the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was once a vibrant hub of commerce and trade, but has now descended into the all too familiar urban decay seen across Manila.

Modern day Binondo is still very much the centre f the Filipino – Chinese community. To this day you will still hear various Chinese dialects and see various stores advertising their goods with Chinese signage.

Any visitor to the Binondo district must experience some of the local cuisine. You can find cuisines from various regions across China, as well as a mix of local Filipino foods. There are many tours which will take you through some of the famous eateries within the area.

Binondo also continues to be a centre for commerce, as it is home to a wide array of consumer goods. During the Chinese new year the area comes alive as many of the stores offer bargains which attracts many savy shoppers.

With the delicious food, Chinese New Year and celebrations, and the historical architecture of the Colonial buildings and temples, there is a lot to be experienced within the Binondo district of Manila.

Cubao Expo

In our world of mass produced goods, pockets of individuality where quality is valued over quantity are becoming scarce. Thankfully Manila maintains a community of like minded individuals who still see the appeal in offering unique, quirky goods.

This community found in Cubao Expo – a small complex developed in 1972, formerly known as Marikina Shoe Expo. The complex, found alon Gen. Romulo St. in Araneta Center, was originally used to showcase the wares of Marikina Shoemakers.

This lasted until 1997 when the complex closed down, but this turned out to only be a short hiatus. In the early 2000’s the thriving DIY and art scene began to take hold of the quarters and transform it into what it ias today.

Eve4n though over the years, different stores have come and gone, the theme of the complex remains the same. It is a melting pot of quirky vintage goods, and wares from the music and art scene.

You can find merch from local bands, dig through stacks of local and international vinyl, experience the local art through paintings and art books. Cubao Expo has a lot to offer those who love to indulge the arty side of life. 

Manila Baywalk

Now for a personal favourite, Manila Baywalk. In fast paced environments like Manila, getting away from the hustle of city life and enjoying nature can be quite theraputic.

I think this is why I find myself strolling down Manila Baywalk so often. Its really at its best in the late evening, taking in the beautiful sunset across the ocean and the cool sea breeze. 

The Baywalk is basically in full operation from early in the morning to all through the night. It generally begins with health conscious locals who walk and cycle up and down the promenade throughout the morning. 

The 2km stretch of land running along Roxas Boulevard joins some of Manilas tourist hot spots which adds to the popularity of the Baywalk. At one end you have the infamous Rizal Park, US Embassy, and Manila Ocean Park.

As you travel down the baywalk you will pass by many bars, restaurants, cafes and much more. Eventually you’ll come to the other end situated by the Manila Yacht Club, also a short trip away is one of the largest malls in Asia – SM Mall of Asia.

Greenbelt Mall

I’m aware that the love of mall culture in the Philippines has been pointed out ad nauseam, but I feel like I can not pass on highlighting this staple of mall culture in the Philippines.

When it comes to shopping, dining, and entertainment in the Philippines Ayala Malls are one of the biggest players in these industries. The brand is known for going above and beyond when it comes to customer experience – the Greenbelt Mall complex is no exception.

I have found Greenbelts appeal comes its ability to excel where a lot of other malls in the area fail.  In one case malls in Manila tend to be very chaotic and fast paced, you are basically only there to spend money.

The Greenbelt complex has a completely different atmosphere, the vibrant open air architecture, and lush gardens throughout the area create a relaxed feeling.

Another uncommon feature amongst other malls in the area are the small plazas found throughout the area, where patrons can sit, unwind in areas often adorned with gardens, water features, art work and sculptures.

Greenbelt malls offer a host of common and uncommon shopping outlets, a wide array of restaurant and cafe options as well as many different entertainment options. I think visiting Greenbelt is a must for anyone spending time in Manila.