Manila is the capital of the Philippines, which makes it highly urbanized. You would also see a lot of places to visit in Manila. From somewhere relaxing to somewhere exciting, from somewhere historic to modern and from somewhere serene to somewhere lively. Whatever you are looking for on a quick trip, I’m sure you would find a place to visit in Manila. In this list, you will see the malls, restaurants, and tourist spots in Manila that you should visit.
Malls
Robinsons Place MallRobinsons Place Mall is located at Pedro Gil Street and Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila. This is the largest mall you will see in Ermita. So there is no doubt that you would find everything you would want to buy here. You can shop here whatever your budget may be because the prices vary from something very high end to something very budget-friendly. Even if you just plan to window shop, you would still enjoy exploring this mall.
- Mall of Asia
Mall of Asia is one of the largest malls in the Philippines so it’s no wonder that there are a lot of things you could do here. And this not the biggest mall in the Philippines, so when you visit this mall it will make you wonder how big the biggest mall here is in the Philippines. Here, you would find over 400 stores and restaurants you can choose from so prepare yourself to be overwhelmed when you are deciding on what to do. You will not only see a lot of colorful things but also smell fragrant smells and hear joyful sounds everywhere. You should definitely visit this mall because shopping and dining here would be on another level.
- Shangri-La Plaza
Sharing-La Plaza is located at Corner EDSA and Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City, Manila. If you want to go on shopping without dealing with a huge crowd then shop at Shangri-La Plaza. This mall is very spacious inside, it is also well-maintained and highly secured giving it an elegant vibe. It is also very convenient because it is accessible to all forms of public transportation. And if you finished looking around but still want to stroll around, you could literally walk a few meters to go to SM Mega Mall.
Tourist Spot
- Intramuros
This tourist spot in Manila is also known as “The Walled City” and it is also the oldest district in Manila. So when you visit here, expect to have a glimpse of Manila in the Spanish colonial period. You would surely enjoy a walk here while appreciating the classical architecture around you. You would also find a lot of tourist spots here like the San Augustin Church, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila and more. You should also experience the beauty of Intramuros at night. And also make sure to take your time and truly enjoy your visit here in Intramuros.
- University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university not only in the Philippines but in the whole of Asia. A simple walk tour here would help you learn a lot about the history of the Philippines. You would also appreciate the Spanish style architecture of the university. Here, you would also be surprised to see a lot of fast-food chains available inside the campus. Aside from the fast-food chains, there are also some university facilities that you might like to see as the church, hospital and museum. I bet people who studied here are proud to be alumni of this university because it is so beautiful.
- Divisoria
If you are a shopaholic but you are on a budget then you would definitely love this place. There are indeed a lot of malls which are more comfortable and convenient but here in Divisoria is where you would really get real bargains. You would definitely feel the thrill of buying stuff on a limited budget. You would also find all the things that would want and need, even the things you didn’t know you would want and need. This is the place for you if you want to buy a lot of souvenirs for everyone you know.
- Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is one of the most significant historical tourist spots in the Philippines because it played an important role during World War 2. Before this place was used for military purposes but now you can visit here to know more about what happened in the past. For example, the Baluartillo De San Francisco Javier served as a seafront defense and storage chambers but now, you would see the visitor’s center and different shops. There is also Plaza Moriones which served as a place for ceremonies and military drills, now it is an open space for events and activities in Intramuros. And there are many more things to see so if you are interested in places of historical significance then check this place out.
- Binondo
Binondo is considered the world’s oldest Chinatown. Here, you would see a lot of establishments like a Chinese restaurant, Feng shui shops, souvenir shops and more. You would also see a lot of your favorite Chinese foods like noodles, lumpia, dumplings, hopia and more. You should buy some souvenirs or lucky charms that would match your zodiac sign. Try to visit Binondo during the Chinese New Year because it is more colorful and livelier during that celebration. So if you love Chinese culture and food then give this place a visit.
Those are just some of the malls and tourist spots in Manila.
There are many more places you could see and visit. And when you decide to visit prepare yourself to face the blazing heat and huge crowd here in Manila. Also, watch out and protect yourself from some of the tourist traps and pickpockets that you might encounter. So you should do some more research and educate yourself more about the culture in Manila. And I wish you have an exciting and safe trip.