3 Days in Manila, Philippines – My Honest Travel Guide and Itinerary

As part of my Southeast Asia trip I had to leave Vietnam and re-enter to get a new visa. One of my personal travel dreams has always been to visit Philippines so this felt like the perfect opportunity. I had already heard from quite a few travellers that the capital city isn’t necessarily the highlight and that most people prefer heading straight to one of the country’s stunning islands. Still I wanted to see it for myself and make up my own mind. In the rest of this blog I’ll share my honest experience of Manila, what I liked, what didn’t work so well and hopefully give you a real impression of what to expect.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• If you don’t have a return ticket yet, it’s best to apply for a visa to avoid problems at the airport.

• Before passport control, scan the QR code and complete the e-travel form with your data and a photo. There’s Wi-Fi at the airport and staff will help if needed.

• Carry a copy of your passport in case the original gets lost.

• Always plan extra time for transport. Traffic in Manila is terrible — even 5 kilometres can easily take 40 minutes or more.

• Use Grab for rides. It’s safer and more reliable than regular taxis. A trip from Makati or Mandaluyong to Intramuros usually costs 400–500 PHP.

Day 1 – Arrival and First Impressions

When you arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport it’s best to keep the first day flexible depending on your flight and the traffic. The best areas to stay are Intramuros if you want history and atmosphere, Makati for a modern vibe with good food and nightlife, or Mandaluyong if you prefer something a bit quieter but still central. A local SIM card can be bought directly in the arrivals hall where several stands offer different plans. It’s worth taking a few minutes to compare two or three of them rather than going straight to the first one because the prices can vary quite a bit. Choosing the cheaper option can save you a little extra for the rest of your trip.

In the evening, you can head to the Ayala district in Makati. There are plenty of bars and clubs, from relaxed spots like The Social and Café Cubana to bigger party places such as Neon Nights Bar Club. If you still have energy, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is another lively option. Keep an eye on your belongings, check prices before ordering, ignore anyone trying to sell cigarettes or drugs, and never leave your drink unattended. Be prepared to be approached quite a lot outside the clubs, and check where you want to go in advance as some places look normal from the outside but are different inside. Prices can also be random, so double-check before paying. Despite that, the nightlife is great, full of locals and international people, and getting around is easy since most taxi drivers speak English.

Day 2 – Intramuros and Manila’s Old Town

After a late night out, day two is perfect for exploring Intramuros, Manila’s historic walled city. Take a Grab to Belfry Café, which is right next to Fort Santiago. From there, you can either explore on foot or join a Bambike Ecotour, a guided bike tour on handmade bamboo bikes. When I was there, it was raining and the streets were almost empty. Normally, in good weather, there are many tuk-tuk-like drivers offering tours for a set price, but I decided to explore on foot despite the rain. It’s more flexible and relaxed that way, and since the historic centre isn’t very large, walking is a great option.

Highlights along the way include:

• The dungeons of Fort Santiago

• Manila Cathedral

• Casa Manila

• Padre Blanco Gardens and San Diego Gardens

• Puerta Real Gardens

• Baluarte de San Diego

  
  

You can finish your tour at Rizal Park and then cross Jones Bridge to explore Chinatown, Manila. It’s one of the oldest in the world and definitely worth a walk if you enjoy lively street scenes and local food markets. In the evening, you can return to Makati for another night out or enjoy a nice dinner. There are so many options that you’ll easily find something that suits your taste, just like I did.

Day 3 – Baywalk, Ocean Park and More

On the third day, you can walk along Baywalk Dolomite Beach near the American Embassy, but to be honest I was quite disappointed. The beach itself doesn’t have much to offer, and parts of it are dirty and poorly maintained. In my opinion, it’s not really worth the visit.

Just behind the US Embassy is Manila Ocean Park, which you can visit. That’s what I did after being disappointed by the beach. The entrance fee is around 380 PHP for the water park and 750 PHP for the Oceanarium. I chose the Oceanarium, and to be honest, it’s well designed and has quite a lot to see, but it’s more suited for families with children. If you’re an adult visiting alone, as a couple or in a small group, you’ll probably get through it quite quickly. It’s still a nice option to spend some time, especially if the weather isn’t great.

For shopping, SM Makati or Glorietta Mall in Ayala are huge and offer everything you might need. If you want to go even bigger, the malls in Quezon City are another option, but to be honest, it’s not really worth the trip. Of course, you can go there and have a look, but the malls in Makati already have everything, and since they’re only a short ride away, you can use your time much better than sitting in traffic for hours.

To be honest, Manila was not my favourite destination in the Philippines and not just because it rained most of the time I was there. For me, one day would have been enough to see the old town and get a feel for the city. Three days felt too long, especially when the country has so many stunning places like Boracay or countless other beautiful islands. Unless you plan to dive deep into the nightlife in Makati or BGC, there is not a strong reason to stay longer, as you can experience similar nightlife in many other parts of the country. That said, the city offers a unique cultural mix and a glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial history. It is a good starting point if you fly into the country, but if your time is limited, I would recommend spending more of it exploring the islands instead.

More things to do:

• You can also book some tours online, like the Manila food tour, the city tour, the Chinatown food tour, the Makati bar hooping tour, and more. Simply google it online and book.

• You can also drive down south to Tagaytay to visit the volcano and the landscape.