Manila

The capital of the Philippines, with the Spanish-era walled city of Intramuros and sunsets over Manila Bay; National Geographic named it a destination of the year in 2026 after the Michelin Guide debuted in the Philippines.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines, on Manila Bay on the west coast of Luzon. The city proper has a population of about 1.8 million, and together with 16 cities including Makati, Pasay, Taguig and Quezon City it forms Metro Manila, home to over 13 million people. In 1571 the Spanish founded the walled city of Intramuros at the mouth of the Pasig River, and more than 300 years of colonial rule, the American period and the devastating Battle of Manila at the end of World War II have shaped this city of old and new. In 2026 the Michelin Guide entered the Philippines for the first time, and as a result National Geographic named Manila among its destinations of the year.

Sightseeing falls into three areas. The old town at the river mouth (Intramuros, San Agustin Church, Rizal Park, the National Museum complex, and Binondo Chinatown across the river) is the heart of history and food. Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard has the Baywalk sunsets, the Cultural Center, and the Entertainment City casinos and hotels. To the southeast, Makati and BGC are the new districts with the greatest concentration of shopping, dining, nightlife and Michelin restaurants.

Climate: Dec–Apr is the best dry season, with Dec–Feb cool (24–30°C); Mar–May is scorching; Jun–Nov is the rainy and typhoon season, with frequent downpours and flooding.

Getting there and around: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is in Pasay, 30–60 minutes from Makati. Grab is the most reliable (there is a designated pickup area at the airport exits), and white airport taxis charge by the meter. In the city there are three light rail lines (LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3), which have limited coverage but let you avoid traffic; jeepneys and buses are inconvenient for visitors, so for short trips most people use Grab. Manila's traffic is extremely bad, so allow over an hour to cross districts and plan on "one area per day". We suggest 2–3 days, or use it as a stopover on the way to Boracay, Cebu or Palawan.

Good to know: Chinese citizens can apply for an e-visa or a visa on arrival (check the latest policy); avoid walking alone late at night in Old Manila and the Ermita area; beware of pickpockets and "friendly stranger" scams; insist on the meter in taxis; drink bottled water; there are many street children, so avoid giving money at random.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries