Intramuros
The 'walled city' built by the Spanish in 1571. Inside its 4.5 km of walls are Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and colonial mansions. Cycling or riding a calesa through it is Manila's classic day trip.
Intramuros (Latin for 'within the walls') is where the Spanish colonizer Miguel López de Legazpi founded Manila at the mouth of the Pasig River in 1571. Covering 64 hectares and surrounded by a 4.5 km long, 6-metre-high stone wall and moat, it was the political and religious centre of Spain's 333 years of rule over the Philippines, with churches, monasteries, schools and the governor's palace. In the Battle of Manila in February 1945 it was almost entirely destroyed, with only San Agustin Church surviving. It was gradually restored after the war, and today it is Manila's most important historic district. Highlights include Fort Santiago at the river mouth (admission about ₱75), which includes a museum on the imprisonment and execution of national hero José Rizal, a dungeon, and riverside walls. Also see Manila Cathedral, a Romanesque-style church rebuilt in 1958 and free to enter; San Agustin Church, completed in 1607 and a World Heritage Site; the Casa Manila museum, a restored 19th-century merchant's mansion (admission about ₱75); the shops and restaurants of Plaza San Luis; and the Baluarte de San Diego bastion garden with a walkable stretch of the wall. Ways to explore include renting a bicycle (including a bamboo bike tour with Bambike, about ₱1,200-1,500 for 2.5 hours), riding a calesa horse-drawn carriage (₱500-1,000 per hour, so negotiate first), or walking. A clockwise loop starting from Fort Santiago takes about 3-4 hours. You can also join a dramatic guided tour in the style of the famous guide Carlos Celdran. For dining, Barbara's offers a traditional Filipino dinner with singing and dancing, and Ilustrado is a long-established Western restaurant. Getting there: a 15-minute walk from LRT1 Central station, or 40-60 minutes by taxi from Makati. Note: it is extremely hot at midday, so visit in the morning or evening. Calesa drivers often quote inflated prices. The cathedral is not suitable for visits during Sunday mass. The streets are quiet after 8 pm, so take care.
Opening hours
Neighborhood open all day; Fort Santiago 08:00–21:00; Casa Manila 09:00–18:00 (closed Mondays)
Nearby sights
- Manila Cathedral
- Casa Manila
- San Agustin Church
- Fort Santiago
- Manila Metropolitan Theater
- Binondo Church
- National Museum of Fine Arts
- National Museum of Anthropology