Districts · Manila
Manila by district
A first visit sits in two boxes about 10 km apart: the old city (Intramuros, Rizal Park, Ermita, Malate, Binondo) around Manila Bay and the Pasig river, and the Makati and Bonifacio business districts to the south-east. EDSA and Roxas Boulevard link them, and both jam from 06:30 to 09:30 and from 16:30 to 20:30.A first visit sits in two boxes about 10 km apart: the old city (Intramuros, Rizal Park, Ermita, Malate, Binondo) around Manila Bay and the Pasig river, and the Makati and Bonifacio business districts to the south-east. EDSA and Roxas Boulevard link them, and both jam from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.A first visit sits in two boxes about 6.2 mi apart: the old city (Intramuros, Rizal Park, Ermita, Malate, Binondo) around Manila Bay and the Pasig river, and the Makati and Bonifacio business districts to the south-east. EDSA and Roxas Boulevard link them, and both jam from 06:30 to 09:30 and from 16:30 to 20:30.A first visit sits in two boxes about 6.2 mi apart: the old city (Intramuros, Rizal Park, Ermita, Malate, Binondo) around Manila Bay and the Pasig river, and the Makati and Bonifacio business districts to the south-east. EDSA and Roxas Boulevard link them, and both jam from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
About these names
- IntramurosseeSuits: A first-morning walk: fort, churches, cobbled lanesWalled city; sightseeing by day, few beds. Hot and shadeless after 10:00.Walled city; sightseeing by day, few beds. Hot and shadeless after 10:00 AM.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Ermita and MalateErmita at MalatesleepeatnightlifeSuits: A base with hotels, cafés and Rizal Park close byOld tourist belt; noisy after dark and rough in places at night. Take a car after dark.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Rizal Park and museumsLunetaseeSuits: Morning walk, museums, familiesA 58-hectare park with the national monuments and three National Museum branches.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Binondo and Santa CruzBinondoeatseebuySuits: Food, markets, church, Chinese shopsThe oldest Chinatown; a half-day by car, not a place to sleep with bags.3 eatsDistrict guide →
- Quiapo and DivisoriaQuiapo at DivisoriaseebuySuits: Church, street markets, bargain shoppingVery crowded; pickpockets are the risk. Go with a plan and a local guide if new.District guide →
- Makati: Ayala and GreenbeltMakatisleepeatseeSuits: Business travellers, restaurants, malls, a calmer baseLevel pavements, air-conditioned malls and gardens. Ten km from Rizal Park.2 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Poblacion (Makati)PoblacionnightlifeeatSuits: Bars and late dinnersDense bar lanes; take a car in and out. Noisy at night.District guide →
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)BGCeatsleepseeSuits: Modern hotels, restaurants, a walkable gridPart of Taguig; newer and quieter than Makati; far from the old city.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Pasay and Mall of AsiaPasaytransitseeSuits: Airport, bay sunsets, big mallThe airport area, then Mall of Asia on the bay; a sunset stop, not a base.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Quezon CityLungsod QuezoneatseeSuits: Cubao Expo, Tomas Morato dining, the universityFar north-east; use a car or MRT-3 and expect long rides.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Quiapo and Divisoria, Poblacion (Makati), Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Pasay and Mall of Asia, Quezon City. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Intramuros (Intramuros): Walled city; sightseeing by day, few beds. Hot and shadeless after 10:00.Walled city; sightseeing by day, few beds. Hot and shadeless after 10:00 AM. Suits: A first-morning walk: fort, churches, cobbled lanes.
- Ermita and Malate (Ermita at Malate): Old tourist belt; noisy after dark and rough in places at night. Take a car after dark. Suits: A base with hotels, cafés and Rizal Park close by. Price band $$.
- Rizal Park and museums (Luneta): A 58-hectare park with the national monuments and three National Museum branches. Suits: Morning walk, museums, families.
- Binondo and Santa Cruz (Binondo): The oldest Chinatown; a half-day by car, not a place to sleep with bags. Suits: Food, markets, church, Chinese shops.
- Quiapo and Divisoria (Quiapo at Divisoria): Very crowded; pickpockets are the risk. Go with a plan and a local guide if new. Suits: Church, street markets, bargain shopping.
- Makati: Ayala and Greenbelt (Makati): Level pavements, air-conditioned malls and gardens. Ten km from Rizal Park. Suits: Business travellers, restaurants, malls, a calmer base. Price band $$$.
- Poblacion (Makati) (Poblacion): Dense bar lanes; take a car in and out. Noisy at night. Suits: Bars and late dinners.
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC) (BGC): Part of Taguig; newer and quieter than Makati; far from the old city. Suits: Modern hotels, restaurants, a walkable grid.
- Pasay and Mall of Asia (Pasay): The airport area, then Mall of Asia on the bay; a sunset stop, not a base. Suits: Airport, bay sunsets, big mall.
- Quezon City (Lungsod Quezon): Far north-east; use a car or MRT-3 and expect long rides. Suits: Cubao Expo, Tomas Morato dining, the university.
- Sleep area Ermita & Malate: suits A base with hotels, cafés and Rizal Park close by, price band $$.
- Sleep area Makati: Ayala & Greenbelt: suits Business travellers, restaurants, malls, a calmer base, price band $$$.
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), about 10 km6.2 mi from the centre, 55–100 min by the usual route.