Where to stay in Manila?

Stay in Makati, in the heart of Manila

Makati is a central district of Manila. It's a sort of ‘Filipino Manhattan’, with its modern skyline and dynamic atmosphere. Indeed, it is here, and more specifically in Bonifacio Global City, that the city's main financial and commercial centre is located.

There's plenty to see and do here. Makati is home to some of the best shopping centres in Manila, including Greebelt,Ayala Center, SM Makati... You'll find luxury boutiques, fashion shops, restaurants and cinemas. Although there are a lot of apartment blocks, Makati has some very pleasant green spaces for strolling and relaxing, such as theAyala Triangle Gardens and Greenbelt Park.

If you're looking for a more cultural experience, theAyala Museumshowcases the history and culture of the Philippines. There are exhibitions on the country's art, archaeology, ethnography and history. The Mind Museum is an interactive science museum where you can discover fun and educational exhibits on various scientific subjects.

If you're in Makati at the weekend, you can make a diversion to the Salcedo Village market. Here you'll find a variety of delicious local dishes and handicrafts.

Nuestra Señora de Gracia is a superb Catholic church with unique architecture and magnificent stained glass windows. Well worth a visit.

Makati is a modern and festive district, where you'll probably want to go out. If so, head to Población, the liveliest area in Makati. This is where the nightlife is concentrated, on Kalayaan Avenue. You'll find numerous bars, clubs, concert halls and restaurants open until late.

Hotels to stay here are considerably more expensive than elsewhere, but you'll be perfectly located and safe to visit the rest of Manila. The city is not necessarily well served by public transport, and you will have to ask taxis to take you where you want to go. Makati is therefore a good place to stay if you don't want to spend the whole day on public transport.

Accommodation in the historic centre

Intramuros is Manila's historic district and a fascinating place to visit to discover the country's history and culture. The city was once colonised by the Spanish. In fact, you'll find many traces of that era in Intramuros.

Fort Santiago is one of the main attractions of Intramuros. It is a well-preserved Spanish fortress that played an important role in Philippine history. You can wander through the courtyards and tunnels, learn aboutSpanish colonial history and discover the sad story of Jose Rizal, a Filipino national hero, who was imprisoned here before his execution.

Baluarte de San Diego is another Spanish fortress located close to Fort Santiago. It is a star-shaped fort with thick walls and moats, offering panoramic views over the region.

Manila Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is a landmark church in Intramuros. It has been rebuilt several times due to damage caused by earthquakes and wars, but its impressive architecture and magnificent interior are well worth the effort.

Another important church in Intramuros is thechurch of San Agustin. It is the oldest stone church still standing in the Philippines. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts impressive Spanish Baroque architecture.

To get an idea of Filipino colonial life during the Spanish era, you should visit Casa Manila. This is a museum recreating a typical 19th-century house, complete with period furniture and artefacts.

Baluarte Plano Luneta is a well-preserved Spanish stronghold with a magnificent view over Manila Bay. It's a great place to watch the sunset.

Don't forget to sample some delicious Filipinostreet food while exploring Intramuros. You'll find a variety of dishes and snacks to try, such as chicken kwek-kwek kebabs, lumpia spring rolls, and many more.

Although Intramuros is only a small area, it's a great place to stay with the family, as you can easily do everything on foot, which isn't necessarily advisable elsewhere. Accommodation is a little pricey if you want to stay there, but you're guaranteed a good night's sleep in charming surroundings. Be careful, though, as there are very few of them, so if you find one you like, go for it!

Accommodation in the Malate and Ermita areas

Malate and Ermita are two areas located side by side, close to Intramuros. This former fishing village, now a tourist hotspot in Manila, offers visitors plenty to see and do.

Located between Malate and Ermita, Rizal Park is a not-to-be-missed spot on your visit to Manila. It is dedicated to the memory of Jose Rizal, one of the Philippines' national heroes, and is a pleasant green space in which to stroll and relax.

Nearby, the National Museum of the Philippines features exhibitions on the history, culture and art of the Philippines. It's a great place to learn more about the country's heritage. If you're keen on contemporary art, don't miss the Museum of Contemporary Philippine Art. The Ermita National Museum of Fine Arts, meanwhile, is the ideal place to admire art collections ranging from the pre-colonial to the contemporary periods. You can also visit the Manila Ocean Park or explore the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, before visiting the National Museum of Natural History.

TheChurch of Malate is an impressive example of Spanish architecture and is well worth a visit for its history and beauty. If you fancy a spot of shopping, the Robinsons Place Mall has plenty of boutiques, restaurants and even a cinema! With family or friends, the Star City amusement park offers rides and games for all ages.

At the end of the day, take time to stroll along Manila Bay and enjoy the ocean views and spectacular sunsets.

The Remedios Circlenight market is a great place to sample local cuisine and discover Manila's lively and authentic atmosphere at night. Strolling through the districts of Malate and Ermita is also a great way to discover local life, with its street markets and authentic little restaurants.

Malate and Ermita are very lively areas with restaurants, bars and clubs. It's the ideal place to enjoy Manila's nightlife. Although the area has become safer over the years, you should still take care when going out and avoid venturing into poorly-lit or low-traffic areas at night.

The areais very well served for exploring other parts of Manila, and you'll enjoy staying here, as the hotels, although a little expensive, are of good quality.

Quezon City: staying outside Manila

Quezon City is a very recent district of Manila. Located just a few kilometres north of Manila, it has it all. Rebuilt after the war, it was supposed to be the new capital of the Philippines, replacing Manila. In the end, the project was aborted and the area became an integral part of the capital. Quezon City is a modern, young place, where the locals like to meet in trendy bars or go shopping.

The Quezon Memorial Circle is Quezon City's most emblematic park. Here you can find the Quezon Memorial, dedicated to the first Philippine president, as well as a peaceful botanical garden where it is very pleasant to stroll. The park also offers access to an interactive centre, the Quezon City Experience, as well as the Circle of Fun amusement park, where you'll find rides and games to keep the whole family entertained.

If you're looking to do some shopping,Ayala Malls Vertis North has a variety of shops to suit all tastes.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral is an iconic church in Quezon City, known for its impressive architecture and colourful stained glass windows. The Greatness of the Cross is another must-see religious building. This huge cross is located at the top of Mount Queson. The climb is a little tricky, but the panoramic view over the city is well worth it. If you like religious buildings, you should also check out one of the largest Christian religious structures in Asia: theSanto Domingo church.

Alternatively, head to Pinyahan Hill. It offers a panoramic view of the city of Quezon and its surroundings. It's a great place to watch the sunset.

Make sure you also sample the delicious local cuisine and typical Filipino dishes in the restaurants and food stalls dotted around the city. Indeed, Quezon City is full of Filipino restaurants and is renowned for its cuisine.

Getting around Quezon City is easy, thanks to the rail system. However, don't forget that Manila is a big city with lots of traffic, so allow plenty of time to get from one place to another. Further away from the airport, Quezon City is a good choice for those looking for a modern, lively place to stay, without having to stay in Manila itself.

Staying in pasig, a booming district

Pasig is a district that has been growing in recent years. Close to the airport, this dynamic area is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the emergence of the Ortigas Center financial centre. There's plenty to do here:

The Venice Grand Canal Mall is a unique shopping centre inspired by Italian architecture. You'll even find a replica of the famous Venice canal! Here you can shop, dine and enjoy a gondola ride. Ayala Malls is another popular shopping centre in Pasig, with plenty of shops and dining options.

Outside, enjoy a scenic cruise along the River Pasig to see the city from a different perspective.

If you want to visit museums, we recommend two. The Lopez Museum and Library, an art and history museum with collections of Philippine art and historical artefacts, and the Ayala Museum, which houses a collection of Philippine art, as well as temporary exhibitions.

Kapitolyo is an area of Pasig renowned for its vibrant, alternative food scene, with many trendy restaurants and cafés offering a variety of international and local cuisines. If you enjoy street art, you'll also appreciate the manycolourful and creative muralsthat decorate the streets of Kapitolyo.

The Rainforest Adventure Experience Park is a large park to the north of Pasig, where you can enjoy nature, jogging, cycling and relaxing in green surroundings.

Finally, you can't miss the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception, a peaceful place where you can meditate and admire the architecture.

In short, Pasig is a fast-developing area that's great to visit, even if it's a long way from the centre. So it's not necessarily advisable to stay here if you're a first-time visitor to Manila. Prices are generally higher than elsewhere, but you'll enjoy staying in this new district.