Things to Do in Manila

For many travellers, Manila merely serves as an unavoidable stopover on their way to the provinces or other cities in the country. Some even go out of their way to skip it entirely. Sure, it can be chaotic and traffic is horrendous so we understand the trepidation. It's a shame though because there are plenty of things to see and to do in Manila if you ever find yourself there.

Outdoor Activities

The Bambike Ecotours is a perfect way to start your holiday in the country. Get to know a bit of Philippine history while going around the walled city of Intramuros on a comfortable bike made of bamboo. The tour lasts from 1 to 2.5 hours and costs between PHP600 and PHP1,200.

If you're into history – especially about what transpired during the Second World War, – we strongly urge you to set aside a day to visit the Corregidor Island. Viator offers a day tour for around PHP6,000 (rates vary) which includes a ferry ride to the island, a light and sound show at the Malinta tunnel, a visit to the barracks and various war relics, accompanied by very capable guides who're more than willing to share their insight. If you're visiting during summer, make sure to don a hat and bring lots of water to stay hydrated.

Indoor Activities

Don't let the rainy season deter you. There are myriads of activities that are sure to drive the rainy blues away. Our favourite would have to be KidZania where kids from 4 to 17 years old can role-play and feel how it's like to be firefighters, pilots, veterinarian, actor, and a whole lot more. Expect to spend more than four hours here and pay PHP900 on weekdays or PHP1,100 on weekends.

If you've ever been a fan of Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew, you'll be hyped to know you can also put your sleuthing skill to the test. Mystery Manila's tagline "One room. One mystery. One hour. One way out. Can you solve it?" pretty much sums it up. There are several escape rooms and you can bond with your friends over puzzles and clues. It's a popular attraction so we recommend booking well in advance. Rates start at PHP400 to PHP550 depending on your group size.

Shopping

The Filipinos love going to malls so much that there are currently 16 supermalls in Manila each of which could actually qualify as a mini-city. Besides, there are hundreds other community malls or shopping centres. They all offer the usual entertainment, shopping, and dining experience, but not only: some malls are the place to go for a medical check-up, to attend a mess, do some exercise in a gym, relax in a spa, or process some paper works in several government satellite offices. Check out the following malls: Mall of Asia, Greenbelt, Shangri-La Plaza, Market! Market!. For bargain haunts, go to 168 or 999 shopping malls in Divisoria, Tutuban or Greenhills shopping centres.

Casino /Gambling

It may not be Las Vegas but Manila's casino industry has been steadily growing in recent years. If you like gambling, there are several casino hotels in the city which are sure to guarantee you a good time such as Resorts World Manila, Solaire Resorts and Casino, and the newest one, City of Dreams.

Clubbing

What's a city without its share of banging club scene? For a quick introduction, we suggest joining Manila PubCrawl to get a feel of the city's nightlife. They do Makati and BGC as well as an interesting Jeepney edition complete with karaoke. For the price of between PHP490 to PHP990/pax, you'll have access to the hottest bars such as Prive and Valkyrie with 10 free shooters, shirts, ballers, and button pin. All in all, it's a great way to party and meet new people.