Add dates

Things to do in Manila

Our most recommended things to do in Manila

Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

1. Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

Come along for a tour of Manila’s past and present. The tour starts right in the heart of the country’s financial center - the City of Makati. First stop is Nielsen’s Tower along Ayala Boulevard. Drive through Forbes Park, an exclusive residential enclave fittingly dubbed Millionaire’s Row on your way to our first stop – The American Cemetery and Memorial - reputed to be the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental United States. Then proceed to the old city of Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past), passing through Luneta Park (also called Rizal Park in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadores. Travel through the cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. Then we wrap the tour up with a visit to Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that watched over the entrance to Manila’s Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

Manila: Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

2. Manila: Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

Get on your bamboo bike made by local craftsmen to explore all major historical sites of Intramuros, the historical district of Manila. Start your tour by picking the best bambike that fits you. Start your tour with the guide by riding to Plaza San Luis, a complex inside Intramuros where you can find a Japanese cannon used in World War II. Spend time listening to your guide's explanation about Intramuros's history at Puerta Real Gardens, surrounded by local fauna. The next stop is Puerta Del Parian, one of the earliest gateways to Intramuros. You will then be directed to the Aduana Building, Manila Cathedral and Plaza de Roma, the historic center of Spanish colonial times of Manila. Refresh yourself with a cold towel and an ice cream after the tour!

Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

3. Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

The tour starts with a drive up to the picturesque City of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 2,250 feet above sea level, the city offers panoramic views of Taal Lake and Volcano, the "lake within a volcano within a lake within a volcano". This view is best savored from atop the Palace in the Sky, rest house of late President Ferdinand Marcos. Enjoy a brief lunch stop at a local restaurant to enjoy some local cuisine and delicacies in an atmosphere designed for panoramic views. Then we start our drive back down to Metro Manila. First stop is the American War Memorial & Cemetery, the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental U.S. Have a glimpse of Makati’s hustle and bustle as you drive through on your way to the capital city - Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past) passing through Rizal Park (named in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadors. Travel through old cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. The tours wraps up at Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that once watched over the entrance to Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

From Manila: Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour

4. From Manila: Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour

About an hour and a half drive south of Metro Manila lies the picturesque City of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 2,200 feet above sea level, it offers a panoramic view of Taal Lake and Volcano - a lake within a volcano. This awe-inspiring vista is best savored atop the Palace in the Sky - resthouse of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Explore Tagaytay’s freshest produce with a farm tour. See how vegetables, herbs, and coffee beans are grown and harvested. Savor this awe-inspiring vista from atop the Palace in the Sky, the abandoned “rest house” of the former President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, where you can find breathtaking views of the lake and volcano. Enter the Museo Orlina Art Museum and take the chance to view an extensive collection of glass sculptures by renowned glass sculptor, Ramon Orlina. The tour includes lunch in one of the local restaurants where you can enjoy sumptuous Philippine cuisine and delicacies popular to the region. Time permitting, you will have a short visit of Talisay at the Pasalubong Center, showcasing the process of preparing Freshly Baked Buco Pie.

From Manila: Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls Tour

5. From Manila: Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls Tour

Following pickup from your hotel in Manila, head straight to the Taal Volcano ridge in Tagaytay City for the Taal Volcano eruption sightseeing tour. Taal Volcano suddenly erupted at 2:36 PM on Sunday, January 12, 2020, forcing all to flee from the island. For the next 24 hours, ashes coming from the crater traveled all the way to Metro Manila and nearby areas as 150,000 people fled from their homes. Taal Volcano is now considered the most active volcano complex after this eruption. See the devastation firsthand and take in dramatic views of Taal Lake and the steaming Volcano Island from the ridges of Tagaytay City. Visit the front view at the ridge, in the center where the Taal Volcano steams. Enjoy an optional boat ride around the island volcano. Set off on another drive over to the Pagsanjan Falls. From there, your driver will assist you in getting to the paddle raft, which will be manned by two local guides. Experience a multiple-rapid adventure as you continue toward the falls. Swim to the cave that lies within the magnificent Pagsanjan Falls, feeling refreshed by the cold water. Pagsanjan Falls Rapids is weather dependent and if not passable during heavy rains, an alternative of Vertical Trekking to the Main Falls is provided. Enjoy lunch at your own expense at the oldest restaurant in town.

From Manila: Taal Volcano and Lake Boat Sightseeing Tour

6. From Manila: Taal Volcano and Lake Boat Sightseeing Tour

Take a tour of the famous Taal Volcano on a boat ride around Taal Lake. Enjoy pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Manila, learn about the history of the volcano, including the devastating 2020 eruption, and admire the impressive natural beauty of the area. Start with a pickup from your hotel before driving to the Taal Volcano ridge in Tagaytay City. Hear about the 2020 eruption which emitted ashes reaching all the way to Manila, and during which 150,000 people had to flee. Since this event, Taal is considered the country's most active complex volcano. See the steaming volcano up close from your boat, and take in dramatic views of Taal Lake and Volcano Island from the ridges of Tagaytay City before going back to your hotel.

Manila: Filipino Historic Walking Tour in Intramuros

7. Manila: Filipino Historic Walking Tour in Intramuros

Meet your guide and dive into the history of the Philippines, beginning with the oldest stone church in the country. Hear about how and why the Spanish ended up on this side of the world, as well as the everlasting marks they left after over 300 years of occupation. Next, cross the street and enter an expertly restored, 19th-century aristocrats' home and marvel at the furnishings and design, located at the point where east and west influences meet. Make your way toward a rarely visited part of the historic wall of Intramuros and catch a glimpse into its marvelous past.  Then, step into the history museum, which offers further insight into Manila's old city and its history intertwined with the Catholic Church. Continue onward through the narrow streets, making a quick stop at the WWII memorial to hear about the role of the Philippines in the war. Another quick stop at the Cathedral that represents the seat of the Catholic Church in the Philippines Then we learn about the Filipino's fight for independence at the old military garrison.

Manila: Cycling and Walking Food Tour

8. Manila: Cycling and Walking Food Tour

Who are the Filipinos? Learn and understand the locals while walking, eating, and biking across Manila, the Philippines' metropolis. Once known as the "Pearl of the Orient", this city is rapidly changing. Visit Quiapo Market and Binondo’s Chinatown and see how the new emerges between the old, in all areas of life. As it’s architecture, Manila's street food is a showcase of the city’s different visitors throughout history. That history is best visible at the old city of Intramuros. Biking through the small streets might feel like traveling back in time. This area suffered heavy damage during World War Two, but the Filipinos' hospitality and smile remains one that cannot be destroyed. Itinerary: 07:30 - Depart from from Abraham Hostel 08:35 - Depart from Pasig River Ferry Station 09:30 - Arrive in Quiapo Market 10:30 - Start of Binondo Chinatown Walking Tour 12:00 - Ride a tricycle to Intramuros 12:30 - Start of Intramuros Bamboo Bike Tour 14:00 - End of Intramuros Tour. Snacks and Rest 14:30 - Departure to Abraham Hostel via AC Van NB: All times are approximate

Manila: Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

9. Manila: Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

Get on a bamboo bike made by local craftsmen to explore all the major historical sites of Intramuros, the historical center of Manila. Discover local sites like Fort Santiago, Plaza de Roma, and Puerta del Parian.  Start your tour by picking the best bambike for you and put on your helmet before you hit the streets. Follow your guide from Casa Manila, a museum focused on the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Ride to the Japanese Cannon and learn about the city's World War II history. Listen as your guide explains Intramuros's history at Puerta Real Gardens, surrounded by local fauna. The next stop is Puerta Del Parian, one of the earliest gateways to Intramuros. Continue to the Aduana Building, the Manila Cathedral, and Plaza de Roma, the historic center of colonial Manila. Finally, stop at the Bayleaf Hotel Skydeck to watch the sunset before returning to the meeting point at around 6:30 PM. Refresh yourself with a cold towel and an ice cream after your tour.

From Manila: Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure

10. From Manila: Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure

"Shoot the Rapids" in dugout canoes and experience nature’s wonder. Drive two and a half hours south of Metro Manila through the countryside to beautiful town of Pagsanjan, Laguna. Be prepared to board a native banca (canoe) skillfully driven by two boatmen and maneuvered upstream through rocks and boulders amidst steep gorges and lush tropical vegetation. Your destination - Majestic Pagsanjan Falls. Take a swim or board a bamboo raft through the falls into a cave behind the veil of water. This is an exhilarating, spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumping, two hour boat ride from the Bumbungan River to Pagsanjan Falls whose booming water cascades down from high atop a cliff to the river 300 feet below. Your ride downstream is an exciting rush through the same rocks and boulders you passed on your way upriver.

12 activities found
Sort by:

Top sights in Manila

Other Sightseeing Options in Manila

Want to discover all there is to do in Manila? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Manila

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 406 reviews

Our main guide was Jen and her assistant was Stefanie. Jen was an awesome guide as she was thorough, patient, knowledgeable and helpful. She had endless energy and information! This tour was an amazing way to get to know some parts of Metro Manila. We covered so much, used local transportation and enjoyed great variety on this experience. We got to ride the Pasig ferry and learn how much it costs as well as riding in a jeepney and understanding the cost, how to pay and how to communicate with the driver. We also got to spend time riding bamboo bikes around Intramuras. We tasted many fruits and foods! Wow! We were pleasantly surprised by all the tastings - what a feast! We got a feel about past history and religion. Jen was able to answer endless questions. A well organized day that went smoothly. Well worth the amount paid!

The tour guide Rolando Javelone (RJ) was excellent. RJ made it a great tour as he is very knowledgeable with lots of fun and historical facts that made it a very enjoyable experience while learning much about key sights and events from Manila’s past and present. The tour was not rushed with time to take in all the sights

Jian will lead you on an entertaining and fact filled tour of Intramuros. We learnt a lot about the history of the Philippines whilst touring some of the beautiful sites around the area. A great tour for anyone visiting Manila.

bien qu'ayant un billet, obligation de faire 2 heures de queues

I felt Eddie and Stephanie did a great job on the tour. It was great your overall between the locale food tour and the bike tour.

Extremely happy with our host and the entire activity