15 best things to do in Manila

Manila doesn’t pretend to be pretty – it’s bold, chaotic, and full of grit. But that’s exactly why it’s worth your time. If you’re digging for things to do in Manila, know that the city doesn’t hand out its charm easily. You’ll need to dive into the traffic, skip the malls (sometimes), and head for spots where history, flavor, and unpredictability collide. Here’s where to start.

1. Walk the walls of Intramuros

This is old Manila – literally. Intramuros, the walled city built by the Spanish in the late 1500s, gives you the city’s backstory in stone. Fort Santiago is a highlight, with leafy courtyards and dungeons that held national hero José Rizal. Wander down cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, a baroque beauty that’s survived quakes and bombings. Horse-drawn carriages clatter past, though it’s best to explore on foot to find tiny cafés, museums, and faded mansions behind big wooden doors. The silence inside the walls is a strange contrast to the chaos beyond.

2. Hop on a jeepney ride

Riding a jeepney is equal parts transportation and cultural initiation. These eye-popping minibuses are leftovers from American jeeps, reworked into Manila’s loudest public vehicles. Expect religious slogans, chrome dragons, and pop icons painted on the sides. No official stops, no clear rules – just flag one down, climb in, and pass your fare forward.

You’ll be shoulder to shoulder with students, workers, and the odd basket of vegetables. It’s sweaty, slow, and strangely addictive. For newcomers, it’s chaotic. For locals, it’s everyday life. Don’t ask too many questions – just ride and watch the city roll by. It's one of those things to do in Manila you can't skip if you want the full experience.

3. Catch the sunset at Manila Bay

Manila Bay may not be among the best beaches in the Philippines, but its sunsets deliver drama in full color. Head to the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard in the late afternoon, where crowds gather for nature’s nightly show. You’ll see joggers, vendors selling snacks like taho (sweet tofu), and couples perched on sea walls, phones ready for the ‘gram. The light turns molten orange, casting the skyline into silhouette.

It’s not pristine – the water’s murky and the crowds thick – but there’s something raw and real about it. Want to level it up? Grab a table at one of the rooftop bars in Malate or take a sunset cruise from the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

4. Eat your way through Binondo

If your idea of travel involves a fork and zero regrets, Binondo is your paradise. This is the oldest Chinatown in the world, and it’s not here to mess around. Start on Ongpin Street with a fresh hopia (bean pastry), then dive into dumplings at Dong Bei or slurp down noodles at Lan Zhou La Mien.

The area’s food scene is intense – Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish flavors collide in pork-packed siopao buns, deep-fried lumpia, and bowls of sticky soup. It's hot, busy, and wonderfully overwhelming. Grab a local guide if you want the deep cuts, or just follow your nose. Binondo isn’t just one of the best things to do in Manila – it’s arguably the tastiest.

5. Visit the National Museum Complex

Culture vultures, rejoice. Manila’s National Museum complex is massive, and better yet, it's free. Four separate buildings cover art, anthropology, natural history, and space – yes, a planetarium too. You could spend a whole day exploring and still miss things. See the Spoliarium, a huge painting by Juan Luna that’s basically the Filipino Mona Lisa. Step inside the skeleton of a blue whale at the Natural History Museum.

Check out prehistoric tools and ancient textiles in the Anthropology wing. And let’s not forget: the air-conditioning is heavenly. The neoclassical architecture is just as impressive as what’s inside, and if you’re lucky, you might stumble onto a live cultural event or music performance.

6. Get lost in Divisoria

Divisoria is the antithesis of Manila’s glossy malls. It’s raw, real, and wonderfully unfiltered. This place is a labyrinth of makeshift stalls, chaotic streets, and more bargains than your luggage can handle. From school supplies to sequinned gowns, LED lights to pirated DVDs – if you can imagine it, Divisoria probably sells it. You’ll sweat, you’ll haggle, and you’ll wonder how you ended up inside a warehouse packed with party favors. But that’s the appeal. It’s not about what you buy – it’s about the experience.

Want to see where Manila really shops? This is it. Just leave your valuables at home, wear comfy shoes, and keep your elbows ready. If you're still asking what to do in Manila that feels totally local, this is your answer. See what else you can do in the area in our 14 days Phillippines itinerary.

7. Have a night out in Poblacion

Manila doesn’t sleep early, and neither should you. Poblacion, in Makati, is where the city’s creative crowd hangs out after dark. Think dive bars with poetry nights, rooftops with DJs, and late-night taco joints packed with students and startup types. The scene here is refreshingly unpolished. You could be sipping cocktails in a hidden speakeasy one moment and sharing street-side barbeque the next.

Art galleries double as bars, and small music venues spill out onto the street. It’s unpredictable – in the best way. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Manila after dark, skip the high-end clubs and head straight to Poblacion. Just pace yourself. This place doesn’t wind down until the sun’s coming up.

8. See the views from the Manila City Hall Clock Tower

Hidden in plain sight, the Manila Clock Tower is one of the city’s most underrated gems. From street level, it looks like just another government building. But go inside, climb up, and you’re rewarded with sweeping views of the old city. Inside the tower, there’s also a small museum space with exhibits on Manila’s wartime history, featuring photographs, memorabilia, and timelines that make the chaos outside feel historic.

The view spans from Intramuros to the chaos of Quiapo and beyond. It’s a quiet space above a noisy city – a rare thing in Manila. If you’re putting together a list of things to do in Manila that includes something a little different, add this to the mix. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the few places you can see the city without dodging jeepneys.

9. Join a street food tour in Quiapo

Quiapo is often skipped by tourists, but it shouldn’t be. The area around Quiapo Church is full of life: fortune-tellers, flower sellers, and some of the best street eats in the city. If you’re up for it, take a street food tour with a local guide or wing it with your appetite.

You’ll find kwek-kwek (quail eggs in orange batter), isaw (grilled chicken intestines), and halo-halo (a crushed-ice dessert with everything in it). Yes, you’ll see balut too – that infamous fertilized duck egg. Try it if you dare. The neighborhood’s flavor is intense, literal, and cultural. Want to know what to do in Manila if you're hungry and curious? Come here. Just don’t wear white.

10. Take a ferry on the Pasig River

The Pasig River Ferry is Manila’s least used public transport – and one of its most fascinating. Most people take the jeep or MRT, but if you want to see the city from a different angle, hop on this slow-moving boat.

It runs between Intramuros and Pasig City, with stops in places you wouldn’t usually see on a tour. You’ll pass under graffiti-covered bridges, old factories, and the backsides of neighborhoods where laundry flaps in the wind.

It’s not pretty, but it’s raw and real. Expect delays, and don’t expect a guide. But if you’re interested in getting around the Philippines beyond airports and air-con buses, this is the place to start.

11. Discover art at Pinto Art Museum (Antipolo)

Okay, so this one's just outside Manila – but it’s close enough and good enough to count. Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo is a sprawling space set inside a Mediterranean-style compound, filled with modern and contemporary Filipino art. You'll wander through whitewashed halls, outdoor courtyards, and gardens with sculptures hidden among the greenery.

The art here doesn’t try to be polite – it’s political, raw, and often humorous. And the setting? Palm trees, breezy verandas, and cafes that serve pretty solid coffee. If you need a break from Manila’s traffic and concrete, this is the perfect retreat.

12. Chill out in Rizal Park

You don’t come to Rizal Park (aka Luneta) for thrills – you come for downtime. This is the city’s historical heart, home to the Rizal Monument, where the country’s national hero was executed by Spanish colonialists. But there’s more than just history here. You’ll see picnicking families, kite flyers, and street performers.

The park has a giant relief map of the Philippines, which kids climb over, and fountains that light up at night. It’s one of the few green spaces in central Manila where you can just sit without spending anything. A good stop if you’re between attractions or need to pause the pace. Add it to your things to do in Manila list as a breather spot.

13. Explore Malate’s indie vibe

Malate used to be the city’s party zone, and while it’s quieter these days, it’s still got grit and character. The area is scattered with indie cafés, secondhand bookstores, and small galleries that haven’t sold out. You’ll stumble across Korean BBQ joints next to tattoo parlors, and bars that look like someone’s garage – because they probably were.

Walk a few blocks and you’ll hit Manila Bay again. This is where artists, students, and long-timers hang out. It’s got soul. And the rent’s still low, so new things keep popping up. If your idea of travel is more hole-in-the-wall than high-rise, this part of town delivers.

14. Pop into Ayala Museum (Makati)

In the middle of glassy Makati is a pocket of culture you shouldn’t miss. The Ayala Museum houses pre-colonial gold, modern Filipino art, and a roomful of dioramas that tell the nation’s story – over 60 of them, hand-crafted, full of tiny drama. It’s air-conditioned, slickly curated, and surprisingly uncrowded. There's also a fab museum shop and a good café. If you’re overwhelmed by traffic and just want to sit quietly among interesting things, this is your spot. One of the best things to do in Manila when you need a break from Manila.

15. Shop (or just gawk) at Greenhills

Greenhills is where serious bargain-hunters go to play. It's not your average mall. Sure, it’s got chain stores and cinemas, but the real action is in the bazaar zone: pearls, gadgets, clothes, knock-offs, and collectibles all packed under one roof. It's overwhelming in the best way.

Haggling is expected – if you're shy about it, bring a local friend. You might walk out with a fake designer bag and a kilo of chicharon (fried pork skin). It's a scene, even if you're not buying. Rainy day? Wondering what to do in Manila when it pours? Greenhills is your undercover playground.