Top attractions in Manila
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Top sights in Manila
7 Things To See In And Around Manila
The capital of the Philippines combines big-city life with a fusion of European and Asian culture. The city enjoys lush tropical surroundings. What are some things you shouldn't miss?
1. Quiapo Church
Although the original construction perished in a blaze, Quiapo Church is still a major attraction in Manila. It's probably most famous for its sacred Black Christ statue, carried by devout believers in a procession each year.
2. American Memorial Cemetery
U.S. presence was big in the Philippines, and this gathering of 17,206 headstones pays tribute to the soldiers killed during the Second World War.
3. Pagsanjan Falls
If it's countryside you crave, take a two-hour drive outside Manila to swim under a real waterfall. You also have the opportunity to canoe around the waters.
4. National Museum of the Filipino People
Discover the many layers of Filipino history, starting from Paleolithic times, the Spanish invasion, to the 20th century. Your ticket is good at the National Gallery of Art, too!
5. Rizal Park
Named after Filipino revolutionary Jose Rizal, this park covers 60 hectares. Take a stroll through its woods, pay tribute to Rizal's monument, and admire its cultivated gardens.
6. Taal Volcano
Did you know that there are active volcanoes in the Philippines? You can hike this one, as well as traverse its surrounding waters by various forms of transport. Not to be missed!
7. Villa Escudero Plantation
This working coconut plantation is a major part of the local agricultural industry. You can learn about local sugarcane and coconut trade, birdwatch, and explore a rural village.
Planning Your Visit
When's the best time to go?
The rainy seasons are July and August, and the temperature reaches its peak in May - over 90 degrees. January or February could be your best bets for mild weather and low rainfall.
How can I stay safe?
Protect yourself from con artists by only accepting help from people you know. Exercise common sense by keeping valuables hidden and not wandering poorly-lit areas.
Good to know
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- Language
- Filipino and English
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- Currency
- PHP (₱)
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- Time Zone
- UTC (+08:00)
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- Country Code
- +63
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- Best time to visit
- To avoid the rain and intense heat, plan your visit for January or February, when mild temperatures are more likely to be found.
Top Attractions in Manila
Things to Do in Manila
Cities in Philippines
Other Sightseeing Options in Manila
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What people are saying about Manila
We took the Tagaytay Ridge tour for a chance to get and see some beyond Metro Manila . It was a good day with an interesting variety of activities. We enjoyed seeing the ex-Marcos Palace and the views of the volcano in the lake were lovely. Then we stopped for a delicious lunch at Max's Restaurant. Finally, the visit to the church with the bamboo organ was also very interesting. We were lucky too, as there was a wedding that afternoon so were got to hear the organ played. Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and polite. All-in-all it was a great day out.
This was a really nice tour. The views of Volcano Island were great. The guide, Neil Ferrer, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone interested in taking a day trip from Manila.
-Overly priced -We didn’t got picked up from the hotel as promised - we. Been in the van majority of the time, used van even for a 100 meter distance -too bad we didn’t have the options to use hot spring and riding horses
Excellent experience, would recommend it to anybody
It was an amazing experience with an excellent tour guide. Lots of great information along the way. However the tour ended 2 hours before the advertised time..
beautiful scenes. The key was a great guide who knows so much. Thank you Fernando. Next trip, we want to take the horseback ride to get closer.