Manila Attractions

Discover the Top Manila Attractions:
Sights and Landmarks of the Capital of the Philippines

Among the popular attractions in Metro Manila are Intramuros, Rizal Park, Binondo, Malacanang, Malate, the CCP Complex, Nayong Pilipino, Ayala Avenue, the Fort, Ortigas Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, and countless bars and restaurants scattered around the metropolis.

Manila Philippines Intramuros, the Old City

Manila, which was named after a white-flowered mangrove plant called nilad, was a tiny Malay settlement along the Pasig River ruled by Rajah Sulayman in the 16th century. The Spanish colonizers moved the capital of the Philippines from Cebu to Manila in 1571. They built the walled city of Intramuros, which for the next 300 years, was to become the nerve center of the Spanish rule.

Fort Santiago inside Intramuros

Fort Santiago is a ruined old Spanish fort, now used as a park. A collection of rusting cars which belonged to previous Presidents dot the park.

The climb to the top of Fort Santiago is worth the view of the Pasig River. During World War II, the Japanese used the fort as a prison.

Rizal Park - Full of History by the Bay

If New York prides itself with Central Park, if Singapore says seeing Sentosa is a must, and China claims it isn't China without the Great Wall ...
then in the heart of Manila, it's Rizal Park.

Rizal Park is just beside Intramuros. The park is a 60-hectare conglomerate of gardens, historical markers, plazas, an artist's sanctuary, a 1913 bronze monument of Jose Rizal, a grand stadium, an observatory, an open-air concert hall, a light-and-sound theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds, with dozens of fountains.

The Rizal Memorial is situated at the end of the park, and the place where Rizal was executed late in the 19th century is not too far away. This site is marked by a series of statues, depicting Rizal before the execution squad. The hero's remains lie within the cornerstone of the memorial, where a lightshow centering on the story is shown every evening.

Fronting the northwest side of the park is Manila Hotel, whose lobby is one of the most imposing in the world. Along the park's bayside, tourists can have an unobstructed view of the fabled Manila Bay sunset.

National Museum

A five-minute walk from Rizal Park is the National Museum, the official keeper and guardian of the country's cultural, historical and natural heritage. It houses the representative works of the National Artists, as well as the renowned paintings of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and Juan Luna. It puts on display some prehistoric finds, including the Tabon skullcap, pottery, ceramics and other artifacts from China and Indochina and remnants of pre-Hispanic boats that brought Malay immigrants to the Philippines dating to about 1250.

Other establishments worth visiting in the area are the Metropolitan Theater and the National Library.

Manila Ocean Park

Just as Ariel in The Little Mermaid wished she could be human and be part of the world above, didn't we all at one point wonder what it would be like if we could spend a day at the bottom of the ocean? This is why activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving have appealed and given joy and excitement to so many people.... For the rest of us who'd rather stay on land, there's Manila Ocean Park. (Photo "Discovery" by bigberto)

Malacanang Palace - All the Presidents Men

From Escolta, one can proceed to the San Miguel district, known for its Spanish-style houses and the Malacanang Palace, seat of the Philippine government. Malacanang Palace is located on Jose P. Laurel Street and is a graceful mansion, about 200 years old.

This ornate Spanish colonial palace, with its arches and balconies, was built as a private country house in the late 18th century and purchased by the government in 1825.

The CCP Complex

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex is the arts center of the country. Located along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, this is the premier venue for ballet presentations, concerts, stage plays, performances, exhibits and trade fairs.

Inaugurated in 1969, the CCP comprises a fine concert hall seating 2,000 plus an intimate 400-seat theater as well as a library, museum, art gallery, and an upscale restaurant. The lobby is opulent, with marble floors, curving staircases, and glass and kapis-shell chandeliers.

This CCP Museum is located in the bayside Cultural Center in Malate. Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm, daily except mondays

The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the Product Design and Development Center, the Folk Arts Theater, Philippine Center for International Trade and Exhibitions (PHILCITE), Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel and Manila Film Center are also found here.

Beside the CCP Complex is the World Trade Center, while fronting it is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) building.

The BSP houses two museums: the Money Museum, which showcases excavated antique gold jewelry and the Metropolitan Museum, a repository of classic Filipino paintings and a host of rotating international art exhibitions.

Coconut Palace

Also within the complex is the Coconut Palace, an architectural wonder made from the coconut tree mixed with other indigenous material. The Coconut Palace in the Cultural Centre in Malate is actually a guesthouse that was built for the Pope John Paul's visit in 1981 (in which he refused to stay) by order of Imelda Marcos, and cost USD10 million to complete.

Coconut Palace was built entirely of palm wood and coconut shells and therefore got its name from the materials used in the construction - more than 70% of the materials come from the coconut tree. Take a guided tour and see the 24-carat gold fixtures in the bathrooms.

Roxas Boulevard

Roxas Boulevard is also lined up by de-luxe and standard hotels, lively nightclubs, and the Cuneta Sport Center, home of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Parks and Zoos

From the CCP complex, one can proceed to Nayong Pilipino. This 32-acre theme park is also just a 10-minute drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The park features scaled-down replicas of the country's top tourist destinations such as Mayon Volcano, the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Chocolate Hills.

A smaller park, which offers a venue for relaxation is also within close distance. The Paco Park, which was built as a cemetery in 1820, is now a frequent site of mini-concerts and musical performance by the country's finest artists.

The park is surrounded by trees and plants, which are properly identified. Behind the park is the Paco Hong Giarn Taoist Temple. Nearby are the New Swiss Inn, with bar, restaurant, and delicatessen, and the Park Hotel, with lounge, restaurant, and swimming pool.

Not far from the area is the Manila Zoo on Adriatico street. Manila Zoo, the country's largest and oldest, hosts international and indigenous animal species such as the Tamaraw and Philippine crocodile. It is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The northern part of Metro Manila takes pride in maintaining two animal sanctuaries, Parks and Wildlife Nature Center and the Malabon Zoo. The former, located at the corner of Quezon Ave. and the Elliptical Road in Quezon City serves as the protection center for exotic animals confiscated from smugglers and illegal collectors.

A stone's throw away is the Quezon Memorial Circle, a park noted for its 30-meter-high monument of former President Manuel Quezon. Its underground chambers house the Quezon City Museum and Art Gallery.

The Malabon Zoo and Aquarium, located along Gov. Pascual Avenue in Potrero, Malabon also has a collection of interesting fish and animals. It is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In Makati City, an air-conditioned zoo at the Glorietta mall is frequently visited by parents and their small children. The area also has a small playground.

Other Sights

University of the Philippines

When entering the University of the Philippines in Diliman via the 800-meter, flora-lined University Avenue, one is welcomed by the iconic Oblation statue, a sculpture of a young man in a gesture of self-offering, looming over the Oblation Plaza.

Ateneo de Manila: Nest of the Blue Bloods

The Ateneo de Manila University is an institution which takes pride in itself. It takes pride in its faculty, in its students, in its facilities, in its trees, in its grass, in its doors, in its doorknobs and in the screws which attach its doorknobs to its doors.

University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas is one of the oldest universities in Asia. It has a very interesting Arts and Science Museum.

Arts and Science Museum

In the Santo Tomas university. One of the best in its kind in Asia.

Museo Ng Makati

This museum is located in Makati, the business area of Manila Philippines. The museum displays art works, paintings, sculptures. Phone: 8960722/896-2464

Ayala Museum

Ayala has a very beautiufl botanical garden, a quiet place in the big city.

Chinese Cemetery

A very impressive cemetary. Some gravesites are full-sized houses.

American Military Cemetery and Memorial

Located in the suburb of Makati, it has excellent World War II exhibits.

 

 

Excerpts from the Book of Pinoy Facts & Records, which is now available at all National Bookstore outlets in the Philippines.

Manila Philippines Travel Guide sources include Wikitravel and World66

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