13 Historical Things To Do in Manila, Philippines

Looking for the best historical things to do in Manila, Philippines? Listed below are some of the most iconic historical sites and recommended places to visit in Manila.

Planning a trip to Manila is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As a recent traveler of the Philippines, I am giving you a list of the best historical things to do in Manila, Philippines.

You are going to learn about which historical sites to visit, museums, tours, and where to eat. After learning about these places and things to do, you are going to be ready for your next Manila travel adventure!

This post is my 13 Historical things to do in Manila, Philippines.

Things to do in Manila Philippines: Intramuros

Intramuros

1. One of the most historic neighborhoods in Manila is Intramuros. Colonized and ruled by Spain until 1898, the Philippines has a rich Spanish history. Walking through this neighborhood is like stepping back in time and into Spain! Being that Spain is one of my all time favorite countries, I instantly fell in love with Intramuros. The incredibly detailed architecture with its arched doorways, beautiful cathedrals, and cobblestone streets, is so magical. You’ll see a lot of the Spanish language in the building plaques, street names, and churches.

2. Within Intramuros, you will find Fort Santiago. A fort that was originally made of wood and later rebuilt in stone, is rich in history. It is the site of many battles including the Battle of Manila, Philippine-American War, and World War II. Today, there are several monuments within Fort Santiago to commemorate events and people that have made an impact in the culture of the Philippines. I enjoyed taking my time to walk around the beautiful fort and soak in the history.

3. Another historical site within Intramuros is the Rizal Monument. This  monument commemorates Jose Rizal, a leader of Filipino nationalism, who was shot and killed in the very spot where he is memorialized. It was a powerful moment to stand in a spot that holds so much emotion and history. 

4. Finally, Casa Manila Museum is a show stopper museum, definitely worth checking out. It is an example of a typical house owned by an affluent Filipino family during the late 19th century. I love historical house tours, and this one did not disappoint. You get to walk back in time and see how people lived in their day to day. 

Things to do in Manila Philippines: Chinatown and Shopping

5. If you have time, I would recommend taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, known as a kalesa, throughout Intramuros to get a full tour of the neighborhood. Kalesas are typically parked throughout Intramuros and cost is dependent on how long you choose to ride. 

6. Not far from Intramuros is Chinatown. Known as the oldest Chinatown in the world, it’s located in the Binondo district. You will be surrounded by chinese-filipino restaurants, cafes, and shops. I enjoyed taking my time in the Salazer bakery. I definitely recommend buying ube and pandan hopia cakes. This is a great neighborhood to consider doing a food walking tour!  

7. There are plenty of street markets to check out throughout Manila. We happened upon Salcedo Market near San Lorenzo in Makati. There are a variety of vendors selling things from produce, to prepared foods from around the world, clothing, housewares, and more. I highly recommend trying freshly squeezed dalandan juice, it is so refreshing!

8. When I first arrived in the Philippines, I had no idea there was a huge mall culture here. There are a plethora of shopping malls to choose from! We visited Greenbelt and Greenhills Shopping Center. Greenbelt is a large indoor shopping mall that has every store you can imagine! Greenhills Shopping Center is more like a flea market. There are stalls set up with everything from sunglasses, clothes, shoes, to jewelry. Don’t be afraid to barter for the price you want!

Things to do in Manila Philippines: Must Visit Restaurants 

9. Palacio de Memoria is a unique property that has a traditional Filipino house, two airplanes, and a restaurant. One of the airplanes is set up with a private bar inside, perfect for special events. The restaurant is called Loggia and offers a unique, upscale experience. The ambiance is so romantic and the food is delicious. We ordered the insalata mista, penne al primavera, and halibut. I highly recommend the penne al primavera and enjoying the meal al fresco. 

10. Jollibee is a staple fast food restaurant worth checking out. They are located on almost every corner, so the food is easily accessible. Known for their juicy, crunchy, fried chicken, they also have sweet spaghetti, burgers, and peach pies. When you go, make sure to try a little bit of everything!

11. For breakfast, we ate at Mary Grace Cafe in Greenbelt. Their menu offers traditional Filipino dishes. I had garlic rice with longanisa, ensaymada, and mango bene. Everything was absolutely incredible! Unique to their menu, is a variety of hot chocolate options. I highly recommend checking this place out for breakfast or at least dessert and hot chocolate!  

12. Apartment 1B is a unique restaurant in Pasay, Manila. It’s located on a property with houses that are typical Filipino houses from the mid-1900’s. They offer a variety of comfort foods like pork chops, eggs benedict, and french onion soup. Eating here gave me a warm, welcomed feeling because it felt like I was sitting in the dining room of someone’s house. 

Things to do in Manila Philippines: Where to Stay

13. Next door to Apartment 1B is The Henry Hotel, a small boutique hotel that will give you the experience of staying in a traditional style Filipino house. The grounds of the property are stunning! Surrounded by large, beautiful trees, a mini plaza with a water fountain, and garden, it’s the perfect location to take photos and admire the beauty of nature.

Being that Manila is the capital of the Philippines with a population of 1.78 million, there is something for everyone. It’s a melting pot of cultures, rich in history, and offers an endless supply of experiences. I hope this unique list of historical things to do in Manila Philippines gives you inspiration to plan an exciting adventure. 

This post is my 13 Historical Things to Do in Manila Philippines.