Metro Manila

Manila packs a lot of culture into a small space – many of its major sites are in the walled Intramuros, including the Spanish-era Fort Santiago with its shrine-museum to José Rizal, Manila Cathedral, UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church (the Philippines’ oldest), Casa Manila museum of Spanish colonial furniture and art, and Rizal Bagumbayan Light and Sound Museum of colonial and modern history. Other venues in which to learn about Filipino history and culture and art are the Bahay Tsinoy museum of Chinese history, Ayala Museum of Filipino history and artifacts, National Museum of Anthropology, Malacañang Palace presidential museum, and National Museum of Fine Arts, while for kids there’s the Exploreum science museum, Museo Pambata children’s museum and the National Museum of Natural History.
A densely populated city melding many different cultures and influences, Manila is unsurprisingly lively all-year-round, with religious processions, live music, theatre, famous drag shows or plenty of speakeasies and videoke/karaoke bars.
Traditional and new-wave Filipino, Spanish and Chinese fare lead the eclectic dining scene in Manila, but locals are also mad about Japanese food, American diner classics and global food in general – meaning everyone will find something to please and new flavours to experience, all of it stunningly great value. Don’t miss seafood made to your taste at a dampa such as Pasay, where you buy ingredients to be cooked at an on-site restaurant.

• Black Nazarene Procession – 9 January and Good Friday
  The carrying of the life-sized image of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ, housed in the city’s Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. 

• Bamboo Organ Festival – Late February
  Global musicians paying homage to Las Piñas’ iconic organ. 

• Fringe Manila – February and March
  Two to three-week event showcasing local artists and performers in the city’s galleries and theatres. 

• Aliwan Fiesta – April and May
  Dance parades and float competitions in Pasay City. 

• Philippine Independence Day – 12 June
  Celebrations and a parade in Rizal Park to mark independence from Spain. 

• Fête de la Musique – Mid-June
  Celebration of music organised by the Alliance Française, with two main stages and 30+ themed stages hosting reggae, blues, punk and more. 

• Philippine Travel Mart – September
  Annual event showcasing Philippines destinations 

• Christmas celebrations – From 1 September

short intense spells of rainfall.

CLIMATE

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Tropical Manila is hot and humid year-round, with daytime temperatures averaging 19-39°C.

The coolest months are January to February and the hottest are March to May.

The dry season lasts from late November to early March; the wet season the rest of the year features

1. WALLED CITY OF INTRAMUROS

Tour the Walled City of Intramuros (the colonial walled city) by horse-drawn carriage or eco-friendly bamboo bicycle.

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2. STREET FOOD

Sample the city’s famous street food at venues including Shipyard in Malate, discover the authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants of Binondo Chinatown, or go on a food and pub crawl of the trendy Poblacion neighbourhood in Makati. Another foodie hotspot is the Mercato Centrale in BGC, Taguig.

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3. SUNSET VIEW

Stroll the waterfront Baywalk for its sunset views over Manila Bay and openair cafés and food stalls.

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4. DISCOVER OLD MANILA

Take a Pasig River tour or Manila Bay cruise for a different view of Old Manila and Makati.

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5. FOAM RIZAL PARK

Roam Rizal Park (‘Luneta’) with its open-air chess, monument to national hero José Rizal and National Museum of Natural History Philippines.

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6. FILIPINO ART

Soak up contemporary Filipino art and the Philippine Gold Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and at 1335 Mabini Art Gallery located in Makati City.

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7. SHOPPING

Shop ’till you drop, whether at the vast Bayfront SM Mall of Asia or the many artisan outlets.

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8. ARCHITECTURE

Explore quirky architecture ranging from the Coconut Palace (by prior booking only) to the Art Deco First United Building.

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9. EXPOS, MUSEUMS & CASINOS

Discover Cubao Expo, an alternative village with boutiques, bars and cheap eats. Let off steam at the Upside Down Museum of Illusions, Art In Island museum and the casinos.

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10. DAY TRIPS

Take a day-trip to Corregidor Island; Tagaytay Ridge, People’s Park in the Sky and Taal Volcano; or Mount Pinatubo crater lake.

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