Manila is a huge city with several district articles that contain information about specific sights, restaurants, and accommodation. Manila (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Maynila) is the capital of the Philippines and a major attraction in terms of culture and heritage in the country. Manila may seem crowded, congested, and polluted at first glance, but don’t let that deter you from exploring its sights: its churches; its diverse and complicated culture; colonial history; gigantic malls; bustling markets; and hidden architectural gems. Explore Manila and make connections with the city.
Manila is part of the huge Metro Manila metropolis which has many attractions beyond those within Manila’s administrative boundaries. This article covers only the city proper.
Districts of Manila
Manila is divided into 16 territorial districts, which are all original towns, except for the Port Area District. Each district is glorified through its history, culture, and cuisine. This guide provides 9 districts instead for the traveler’s interest.
• Binondo
The oldest Chinatown in the world, famous for its authentic Chinese and Hong Kong cuisine. Its church is a fascinating fusion of Spanish Baroque & Chinese styles as shown in its pagoda bell tower.
• Ermita
One of Manila’s vibrant districts, once known as the only Red Light District converted into a major tourist area that contains some of the most historically and culturally significant landmarks and institutions of the country such as the Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park, National Museum of the Philippines, and the Manila Hotel.
• Intramuros
Taken from the Spanish words, intra & muros, literally means “within the walls”. Known as the History Town of the Philippines and considered as Old Manila itself during Spanish times. This district contains numerous Spanish colonial attractions such as the Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, and many more.
• Malate
One of Manila’s centers of tourism, recreation, and entertainment, home to several cheap and expensive hotels, large shopping malls, and educational institutions, and also shares a portion with the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex which resembles Beijing’s Tienanmen, Moscow’s Red Square and Singapore’s Marina.
• Quiapo
Originally known as Downtown Manila, it is home to Plaza Miranda, Manila’s original answer to Trafalgar Square. It is also a place famous for flowers, herbal remedies, love potions, fortune tellers, religious items, and electronic goods.
• Santa Cruz
On the edge of Manila Chinatown, the district of the usual frenzied mix of commercial and residential premises. It’s where Escolta starts – the main artery that used to be Manila’s old Wall Street and 5th Avenue during the early American Colonial period to the 1960s. Contains the Manila Chinese Cemetery with its stunning mausoleum architecture.
• Tondo and San Nicolas
An area with a diverse culture but a sketchy history for gangs, it is one of the most densely populated in the country. Known for its abundance of Chinese food stalls and restaurants, this is one of the best food-tripping areas in the city. In tandem with San Nicolas, this district forms the Divisoria, a shopping district known for its bargains.
• University Belt
Composed of Sampaloc, San Miguel, and Santa Mesa, it is the education center of Manila, home to numerous universities. San Miguel houses the Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine president.
• Southeast suburbs
Composed of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, and Santa Ana, they are mostly worker class communities with a taste of history, showcased by Paco Park, the Paco Train Station, and the Santa Ana Heritage District.
🏨 Hotels Near Manila
| Hotel | Address | City | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramada by Wyndham Manila Central | 📍 612, 1006 Ongpin St, Santa Cruz, Manila, 1006 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8588 6688 | wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/manila-philippines/ramada-manila-central/overview |
| Orchid Garden Suites – Manila | 📍 Sr. Street, 620 Ocampo St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8516 0888 | orchidgardensuites.com/ |
| The Bayleaf Intramuros | 📍 Muralla St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 5318 5000 | thebayleaf.com.ph/ |
| Winford Manila Resort and Casino | 📍 352 Zone 35 1800 Consuelo Street, Consuelo St, Santa Cruz, Manila, 1014 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8528 3600 | winfordmanila.com/ |
| Diamond Hotel Philippines | 📍 Roxas Boulevard, Corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8528 3000 | diamondhotel.com/ |
| New Coast Hotel Manila | 📍 1588 Pedro Gil, corner M. H. Del Pilar St, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8252 6888 | newcoasthotels.com/ |
| The Manila Hotel | 📍 1 Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, 0913 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8527 0011 | manila-hotel.com.ph/ |
| Hotel H2O | 📍 Behind the Quirino Grandstand Manila Ocean Park Rizal Park Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 7238 6100 | hotelh2o.com/ |
| Sheraton Manila Bay | 📍 M. Adriatico, corner Gen. Malvar St, Streets, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 5318 0788 | marriott.com/hotels/travel/mnlsb-sheraton-manila-bay/ |
| Rizal Park Hotel Manila | 📍 South Road, Ermita, Maynila, 1000 Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines | Manila | 📞 +63 2 8804 8700 | rizalparkhotelmanila.com/ |
🎉 Tourist attractions Near Manila
| Top attraction | Address | City | Discover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila Ocean Park | 📍 Quirino Grandstand, 666 Behind, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | Water park |
| Bonifacio and the Katipunan Revolution Monument | 📍 HXRJ+9CG, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | Historical landmark |
| Kilometer Zero | 📍 Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Maynila, 1000 Kalakhang Maynila | Manila | Tourist attraction |
| Rizal Park | 📍 Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines Ermita, Maynila, 1000 Kalakhang Maynila | Manila | Park |
| Paco Park | 📍 Belen, Paco, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | Park |
| Casa Manila | 📍 HXQG+V52 plaza sans luis complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | Museum |
| Intramuros | 📍 470, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | Tourist attraction |
| Fort Santiago | 📍 HXVC+M5V, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines HXVC+M5V, Intramuros, Maynila, 1002 Kalakhang Maynila | Manila | Historical landmark |
| Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach | 📍 Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila, Philippines Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Maynila, 1004 Kalakhang Maynila | Manila | Tourist attraction |
| National Museum of the Philippines | 📍 Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines | Manila | National museum |
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