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Top 21 Things to do in Manila, Philippines
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Top things to do in Manila
#1Private Full-Day Manila City Tour
Spend a day exploring 400 years' worth of history in the capital of the Philippines with a private tour to the famous sights of Manila. With your own persona...
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#2Filipino Cultural Dance Show & Dinner
Experience an enchanting night out filled with local cuisine, a Filipino dance performance and a lively ambiance. As you are captivated by the traditional co...
recommend84% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#3Mount Pinatubo Full-Day Adventure
Explore the stunning Mount Pinatubo and witness panoramic views from the summit on this full-day tour. Combine your trekking adventure with a guided hike and...
recommend66% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#4Manila Bay Dinner Cruise
Combine a wonderful cruise on the magnificent Manila Bay with a delicious dinner aboard the MV Spirit of Manila. Absorb the scenery around Manila Bay and see...
recommend64% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#5Pagsanjan Falls Tour
Discover the stunning Pagsanjan Falls on this full-day excursion. Take an exciting canoe ride and manoeuvre through steep gorges, huge boulders and exhilarat...
recommend46% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#6Taal Volcano Full-Day Trekking Adventure
Hike up one of the Philippines' second most active volcano on this full-day tour. Take a scenic boat ride on Taal Lake, ride on horseback across spectacular ...
recommend100% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#7Hidden Valley Springs Excursion with Lunch
Explore the scenic beauty and wonders of Hidden Valley Springs Resort, known for its volcanic terrain, splendid mountainous scenery and natural landscapes. E...
recommend100% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#8Private Manila Bay Sunset Cruise with Dinner
End your day on a beautiful note with a gorgeous sunset cruise on the Manila Bay. Treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner of local cuisine as you sail, watching...
recommend20% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#9Villa Escudero with Lunch at the Waterfalls
Explore the Philippines' distinct culture and heritage at Villa Escudero Plantations. During your tour of the vast 2,000 acres (800 ha) of the plantations, r...
recommend72% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#10Private Full-Day Corregidor Tour
Check out one of the most famous strongholds in the Philippines with a day of sightseeing on Corregidor Island. From the ruins of barracks and gun emplacemen...
recommend70% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
Things To Do In Manila
Never one to shy away from unique ways to get your kicks and have an enlightening experience, you're eager to investigate new territory like the savvy traveller you are. It's not difficult to fill your time, because Expedia can hook you up with lots of things to do. Book your activities today, and the only thing left to do is count the days until your escape and start daydreaming!
- Get your favourite day trip on Expedia for a great price, and you'll still have money for a dream hotel or fine meal while you are travelling. The activities in Manila are not only perfect for you, but they won't cost an arm and a leg. We have 38 things to do here, and you can make them yours beginning at just £25.
- Manila is popular among thrill seekers similar to you. In fact, a good percentage of travellers can't wait for their next trip to the region to learn about local culture and explore the best things to do. The top things to do can get the interest of even seasoned travellers, and one look at our list explains why. Our activities includes a wide variety of entertainment and excitement. With unique ways to discover the best this area has to provide like a Tagaytay Ridge Full-Day Tour and Villa Escudero with Lunch at the Waterfalls, there are loads of things to do to choose from when you review the top-quality tours and excursions here at Expedia.
You'll need a game plan to really get the most out of Manila, especially when you wish to include lots of local cuisine and entertainment. And it's clear that you're someone who likes to get out and about遥ou're ready to get out and take it all in. You look forward to covering the best activities around, and an afternoon walk through charming neighbourhoods is always time well spent. Our activities are the ideal way to organise your trip. Book professional area tours on Expedia, and you'll learn all about the city's history along the way.
Things to Do in Manila
The capital of the Philippines, and the most populous part of the country, Manila has a tough urban reputation that does a disservice to its lively multi-cultural heritage and thriving nightlife. More than just the sum of its many skyscrapers and vast shanty towns, visitors to Manila will also discover a truly creative spirit, with exciting art galleries and a buzzing music scene. Add to that a plethora of bars, markets, cafes and restaurants, and it all adds up to a city that is as cool as it is edgy.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Manila
Binondo — Famous for its incredible Chinese cuisine and authentic Chinese stalls and shops, Binondo is also the oldest Chinatown in the world. A bustling cultural quarter since before the Spanish landed in the 16th century, what was once Manila’s trading centre is now a fascinating monument to Chinese culture and traditions, overlaid with a light dusting of Spanish colonial influence.
Santa Cruz — Situated right next door to Chinatown, Santa Cruz is a curious blend of sites and influences. On Carriedo Street you will find a ramshackle market area where you can pick up locally made fabrics and clothing, as well as a lucky dip of cheap export goods and other items. There are also a number of palatial mausoleums, some of which have hotel suites, alongside the Chinese cemetery, the second oldest cemetery in the city.
Malate — Once home to Manila’s financial elite, Malate boasts many mansions and elite schools. Nowadays however this district is better known for its vivid bohemian nightlife, where the alternative minded mingle with the party people and really bring this colourful hotel district to life.
Ermita — This tourist quarter used to be Manila’s red light district. It’s much more than that now, with bars, cafes, nightclubs and massage parlours rubbing shoulders with city recruitment firms attracting international business people to both work and play. As well as the lively nightlife, you’ll also find a selection of art, antique and souvenir shops.
Things to See in Manila
Buried in amongst Manila’s almost overwhelming megacity canvas, there is a lot of fascinating heritage to unearth. The National Museum of the Filipino People is a great place to start. Housing a fantastic collection of art and artefacts, the museum is a must for culture fanatics. For a more immersive experience of Manila’s colourful history head to Fort Santiago. Here, as well as wonderfully tended gardens, plazas and fountains you will also find the Rizal Shrine, the building in which Filipino national hero Dr José Rizal was imprisoned. The shrine contains original Rizal artefacts and even a reconstruction of his actual cell.
Things to Do in Manila
Manila has all the things to do that you might expect in any city: shopping malls, cinema complexes, pubs and clubs. Alternatives to such standard city fare include the Club Intramuros Golf Course, which, curiously, is open both day and night. There are also many guided cycling and walking tours of the city.
You can also book top Manila hotels and great Manila holidays right here on Expedia.co.uk.
