Manila is a city that offers everything for everyone, regardless of age. It’s the capital of the Philippines and one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities with an international feel to its streets. The people are very welcoming, and there’s always something going on here, from street food markets and live music venues to art galleries and museums. You can spend days wandering around this fascinating metropolis without even realizing it! Manila is typically considered the second-largest metropolitan area after Cebu City. Still, due to rapid growth over recent years, Metro Manila now ranks third behind these two major urban areas. With more than 12 million residents, Manila is also known as the “City of People.” The following article will take you through some things you should not miss in Manila!
1) Eat at Lola Cafe:
This cafe is located inside the historic Rizal Park and serves delicious Filipino dishes like sinigang, lumpia, adobo, and leche flan. They have great coffee, too! This cafe is excellent for lunch or dinner if you want good quality food at affordable prices. It was built during the American colonial era and still retains many original features, including wooden floors and ceilings. If you get a chance to get to Manila, make sure you visit this place!
2)Try out their Sinigang :
Sinigang is a clear soup made from tomatoes, coconut milk, longans, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, onions, fish sauce, calamansi juice, bay leaves, and other spices. You would wonder how they put so many vegetables into this soup while keeping it light and refreshing. This meal is top-rated among Filipinos, especially those living along Roxas Boulevard, where this restaurant is situated.
3)Go to SM Mall of Asia :
SM MOA is one of the biggest shopping malls in Southeast Asia. It features Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Prada, Mango, etc. You would love to visit SM Mall because it offers various restaurants ranging from fast-food chains to fast-food chains world-class dining establishments. I recommend trying Lechon Manok and Tapsilog. My favorite dish here is the crispy pasta served with vinegar-based chili sauce.
4)Visit Fort Santiago & Intramuros :
Fort Santiago is another historical landmark in Manila; it sits atop Malate Hill and overlooks the Ermita district. 1762 Spanish Governor General Don Diego de Salcedo constructed a fort named “La Defensa del Santísimo Reino De España en la Isla de Luzón”. The site consists of three main structures: the Cabildo, Convento Real, and Fuerte San Felipe Abad. Initially, the walls were washed but later covered by stucco work depicting religious scenes. There are several interesting facts about the history of the fort. For example, the first stone church in the Philippines was erected within the fort. Another point worth noting is that when the British occupied Manila in 1815, they destroyed much of the old walled city. However, the Spaniards had already begun rebuilding the wall before being expelled.
5)Take a trip to Alabang Town Center :
Alabang Town Center is a new business development project in Makati. It comprises retail shops, office buildings, residential units, hotels, schools, hospitals, parks, plazas, and churches. A 10-minute drive from Makati Central Business District, Alabang Town Center provides easy access via Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue. Its proximity to critical landmarks makes it ideal for local and foreign tourists. Some notable places near Alabang Town Center include University Belt, Ortigas Center, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Robinsons Galleria, Glorietta 4th Street, Greenbelt 1st Ave., and Bon Bonifacio Global City.
6) Eat at Jollibee!:
Jollibee has been serving authentic Philippine cuisine since 1953. From its roots delivering homestyle meals on a bicycle to today’s menu offering more than 40 varieties of handcrafted ice cream sandwiches, burgers, and snacks, Jollibee continues to be known as “The Number.1 Fast Food Restaurant in the Philippines” and also won Best International Chain Restaurants 2012 at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Jollibee’s success can be attributed to its unique flavor combinations like Spicy Painted Beef, Crispy Pork Belly Sandwich, Chickenjoy. To complete your experience, top off your food with some freshly baked bread or their famous brownies! Try out these dishes during your next vacation!
7) Go to Chinatown :
Chinatown is located just east of Rizal Park along Paseo de Marquesas Street. This area’s most important attraction is the Chinese Temple, which houses an ancient Buddhist sculpture called the Dambulla Idol, dating back to the 3rd century BC. It is an area worth visiting if you get a chance to see this great city.
8 ) Enjoy live music at Mall of Asia Arena :
Mall of Asia Arena is home to yearly concerts, such as Awit Festival, ASAP Popstarz, and Musikahan sa Pilipinas. The arena was built in 1998 by the consortium SM Prime Holdings, Inc. In addition to hosting major events, MOA Arena serves as a venue for basketball games of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, the country’s premier professional men’s league.
Take a boat ride around Laguna Lake:
Laguna Lake is about 30 minutes south of Metro Manila. Several tour operators offer day trips to different parts of the lake. The most popular destinations include San Pedro Church, Taft Point, and Calamba Beach.
9) Have fun at Water Bomber :
Water Bomber is one of the most significant water slides in the world. Inside Adventure Cove Waterpark, you’ll have a thrilling time sliding down the slide. If you are up for an adventure, it would be best suited for you. You may want to bring swimming trunks because you’ll need to swim through rapids before reaching the end when you get to the bottom.
10)Watch the sunset from Fort Santiago Hill :
Fort Santiago Hill is one of the highest points in Metro Manila. At 629 meters above sea level, it offers beautiful views of the metropolis.
11)Visit Intramuros :
Intramuros was the walled capital of Spain until 1898. Today, it remains a historical site attracting thousands of visitors yearly. Its attractions include St. Francis Cathedral, Burgos Arch, Royal Mausoleum, Casa del Rey, and La Naval Museum.
12)Explore Binondo district :
Binondo district has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. It features many historic buildings, including churches, mosques, museums, old houses, and schools. Wealthy families once owned some of these landmarks. If you get a chance, these properties now serve as museum sites or cultural centers. Try their chicken Joy, which I think is my favorite!
Conclusion
Manila is truly a wonderful place to spend your holidays. These are just some things you should not miss that will help you enjoy your holiday here. We hope that this article enables you to plan what to do during your next vacation in Manila. For more information, kindly visit the Cathay Pacific website.
