The ultimate guide to Metro Manila: 12 cities and where to go

For the adventurous traveller, La Mesa Eco Park has plenty of beginner-friendly trails that allow you to commune with nature. Here, you can find a number of endemic birds such as the Philippine Eagle Owl and Spotted Wood Kingfishers. If hiking’s not your thing, you can also bring or rent bicycles to ride around the park.

Scout Area

A whole neighbourhood full of dining options ranging from quick bites to elevated experiences, the Scout area is a great place to start your food trip. At night, it’s best to explore Tomas Morato for cocktails or parties.

Maginhawa Street

Another way to fill your stomach, Maginhawa Street is popular for wholesome food crawls. The road is littered with trendy cafes, pastry shops and restaurants that each have their own unique spin on dining. There’s even an artsy third space where indie bands and soloists perform.

National Museum of Fine Arts

Housing 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions from 19th-century Filipino artisans, National Artists and modern painters and sculptors, the National Museum is one of the most comprehensive institutions in the country. It also regularly hosts new special exhibitions to celebrate our rising stars.

Arroceros Forest Park

Dubbed “Manila’s Last Lung,” the Arroceros Forest Park is an urban haven amidst the city’s pollution—providing fresh air to its surroundings with over 3000 trees. Thankfully, due to proper rehabilitation and maintenance, the park is thriving and has given many birds a home. 

Intramuros

The famed Walled City, Intramuros is a popular destination for those who love to do photowalks and culture trips. Inside, you’ll find plenty of points of interest, such as the Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, and the Museo de Intramuros, among plenty others.

See also: The cultural wanderer's guide to Intramuros

Poblacion

A busy district known for its vibrant nightlife, Poblacion is the place to be for a proper drink in Makati. From quiet cocktail bars to raving bars and clubs, you can’t go wrong here.

Tatler tip: For a refined experience and an aura of elegance, we recommend The Spirits Library as seen on Tatler Best Philippines.

Ayala Museum

Established in 1967 by renowned artist Fernando Zobel, the Ayala Museum was transferred to its current location in 1974 and opened with 63 dioramas made of hand-carved hardwood by woodcarvers from Paete, Laguna. Today, it carries even more—showcasing a range of artefacts dating back to the eighth century as well as paintings from Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo among plenty others.

Makati Cinema Square

Step into a different era in a mall from the early ’80s. Makati Central Square is where the hobbyists go to heal their inner child. From vinyl records to bookshops and even military hardware, it offers almost everything. Just outside, you’ll find a whole block of Japanese restaurants that never run out of people lining up.

St Joseph Parish Church

Home to the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ dating back to the 19th century, the St Joseph Parish Church was founded in 1795 when the Archbishop of Manila assigned the Augustinian recollects to construct a church. It was initially made of bamboo and nipa, but as decades passed, stone replaced the structure—giving it an Earthquake Baroque architectural style.

Parqal Mall

A play on words between “park” and “kalye,” the Parqal mall integrates urbanised nature within its architecture. Expansive and a breeze to walk through, right at the heart of Parañaque City, it’s a refreshing public space for leisurely jogs.

Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park

Covering an area of approximately 181 hectares, the LPPWP consists of two islands—Freedom Island and Long Island. The coast is covered with mangroves, ponds and lagoons, making it a popular destination among birdwatchers. However, you will need a permit from the DENR-NCR seven days before your visit, so plan ahead.

See also: 7 birdwatching spots within Metro Manila

Bonifacio High Street

A long walkable stretch filled with restaurants and retail shops, Bonifacio High Street has almost everything you’ll ever need. There are e-bikes and scooters available for rent using your phone, should you get tired of walking and decide to explore on wheels. On weekends, 5th Avenue closes to allow pedestrians to enjoy strolling around uninterrupted.

Uptown

If High Street is for leisurely strolls, Uptown is where the party is. Taguig City’s nightlife, the area has a number of cocktail bars and clubs that attract a fun crowd. Just adjacent to the social scene is Uptown Mall, which has your usual retail complex experience.

Manila Baywalk

Situated just outside of the biggest mall in the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia, Manila Baywalk offers a mix of vibrancy and quiet. On one hand, you can have a quiet evening away from the bustling crowds and look out into Manila Bay as you sit on the ledge. On the other hand, Baywalk has small amusement park rides and al fresco restaurants in the area. For a truly breathtaking view of the bay, consider riding the SM MOA Eye to get a panoramic view of the city.

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Established in 1966 in an effort to promote and preserve the best of Filipino arts and culture, the Cultural Center of the Philippines hosts numerous dance, music, and drama shows in its theatres. 

See also: Nature therapy: 5 protected parks in Luzon for your next inspiring weekend trip

Bridgetowne Central Park

Situated on the border between Quezon City and Pasig City, Bridgetown Central Park boasts an expansive space perfect for jogging and biking. Its connecting bridges have been called landmarks by locals due to their unique design, while a colossal 55-meter-tall steel statue designed by Jefrë watches over.

Lopez Museum and Library

The oldest privately-owned and managed museum and library in the Philippines, the Lopez Museum features books, maps, and artefacts from key historical figures such as Juan Luna, Felix P Resurreccion Hidalgo, and National Hero Jose Rizal. It currently has over 500 works in its collection and over 30,000 titles in its library.

Greenfield District

An urban park surrounded by coffee shops, climbing gyms, and even a board game cafe, the Greenfield District is perfect for those looking to pass time in a calm neighbourhood. If you’re looking to do some shopping, Shangri-La Plaza and SM Megamall are just a stone's toss away.

Pinaglabanan Shrine Park

A spacious park that morning joggers frequent, the Pinaglabanan Shrine Park contains a historical monument created by sculptor Eduardo Castrillo to commemorate the 1896 Philippine Revolution led by Andres Bonifacio. Two museums can also be found here, the Museo ng Katipunan and the Museo El Deposito, which contains artefacts from the Philippine Revolution such as cedulas, war medals and weapons used by the Katipuneros.

Santuario del Santo Cristo Parish

A church steeped in history, the Santuario del Santo Cristo Parish was built in 1602-1604 and was destroyed in 1639 during the Chinese insurrection. It was rebuilt two years later, but was turned into ruins once again in 1763 during the Seven Years’ War. The church we see today was built in 1774 and was used by the Katipuneros as a shelter during the Philippine Revolution. Since 1641, the parish has housed the image of the Santo Cristo, where it was claimed to have performed miracles—gaining popularity among pilgrims from Manila and its surrounding areas.

Museo ng Muntinlupa

Designed by Beaudon Causapin, the city’s architect, the museum’s façade draws inspiration from the salakab—a traditional fishing trap made of woven bamboo sticks and rattan rope often used by fishermen in Laguna de Bay. Standing at five storeys high, the museum houses permanent galleries that tell the story of Muntinlupa City and how it transformed from a fishing community into what it is today.

Festival Mall

Deceptively small, the Festival Mall is the flagship of Filinvest Malls with plenty of dining and entertainment offerings. From an indoor amusement park to an outdoor park by the Alabang River, just exploring the area can take a full day while ensuring you never run out of things to do.

Filinvest City Events Grounds

While not a destination you can visit any time, the Filinvest City Events Grounds is a popular venue for concerts and music festivals such as Wanderland and—earlier this year—St Vincent. With the Aurora Music Festival recently teasing a potential shift to this location, it might be a great idea to keep a close watch on this place.

Read also: Icons of faith: 5 Philippine churches housing sacred relics

Tagalag Fishing Village

Locally called ‘Valenzuela’s Best Kept Secret,’ the Tagalag Fishing Village is a quiet way to spend the day with a rod in hand. While fishing is the main reason people visit, it’s also starting to attract birdwatchers who are looking to catch inflight egrets, herons and moorhens, among others.

Museo Valenzuela

Named after Dr Pio Valenzuela, a revolutionary hero who fought against Spain for freedom, the Museo Valenzuela houses a collection of memorabilia from his life—as well as the city’s history. The structure itself bears Spanish Colonial architecture and is a popular venue for cultural and artistic events among the locals.

Valenzuela Family Park

Perfect for weekend strolls with children, the Valenzuela Family Park is a 1.1-hectare urban haven with a playground, interactive fountain, aviary, fitness centre, and food park. Despite being in the middle of the city, the park is surrounded by lush greenery and is a popular biking destination for the locals.

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