If you are in Manila and deciding on where to visit and what to see, don’t forget these 15 places. These are highly recommended to make your holiday truly relaxing and memorable.
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Luneta Park
Luneta or Rizal Park is an urban park and a favorite leisure park which has a lot of history in it. Luneta is situated by the Manila Bay and includes the symbolic Rizal Monument, Chinese Garden, the Quirino Grandstand, the Manila Planetarium, Japanese Garden and a wide area of grass where families can relax during Sundays and holidays.
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is an oceanarium located in the west part of Luneta park behind the Quirino Grandstand and is said to be larger than the Sentosa Underwater World oceanarium in Singapore.
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in Manila and is known as a walled city which has rich history in it. Intramuros is the site of defensive walls built in the late 16th century by the Spanish government to protect the city of Manila from foreign aggression. Intramuros was heavily damaged during the Japanese invasion but was refurbished in 1951 after it has been declared as a National Historical monument.
Manila Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Basilica is the seat of the archbishop of the archdiocese of Manila and is located in the Intramuros district. It was originally built in 1581.
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a defense fortress also located in Intramuros and built in the Spanish era by a Spanish conquistador. The fort includes the Rizal Shrine museum that displays memorabilia of the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal. It is the placed where Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution.
Roxas Boulevard
This boulevard is a stretch of road along Manila Bay and provides a very long coastline where people can seat and view the famous sunset as well as the waters of Manila Bay.
Paco Park
This is a recreational garden located in Paco, Manila which served as a historical municipal cemetery during the Spanish occupation. Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was interred in this park after his execution in Luneta or Bagumbayan. Paco Park includes the St. Pacratius Chapel.
University of Sto. Tomas
UST is a Catholic university in the Philippines founded in 1611 and the only Pontifical university in Asia. It has been visited by the Pope twice and includes the UST Hospital, a quadricentennial park, UST Library, the Main building which includes a museum and many century old buildings.
Quiapo
Quiapo is a district in Manila and known as the Old Downtown of Manila. It is home to the Quiapo church where the famous feast of the Black Nazarene is centered.
Manila Hotel
Manila Hotel is a historic five star hotel built in 1909 at the northwest end of Rizal Park. It is the oldest premiere hotel in the Philippines and served as residence of Gen. Douglas MacArthur during World War II.
Malacanan Palace
Malacanan Palace is the official residence of the President of the Phillipines and is located along the Pasig River in San Miguel district of Manila.
Escolta
Escolta is a historic street located in the district of Binondo. It is one of the oldest street in Manila and served as the city’s primary commercial district in the 1950s.
Chinatown
Chinatown is an enclave in Binondo, Manila where ethnic Chinese lives and have setup their business establishments.
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines is provided in the cities of Manila and Pasay and a venue for different local and international productions including artistic performances, stage plays, etc.. The likes of New York Philharmonic orchestra, Royal Danish Ballet, Placido Domingo, Kirov Ballet have performed in this center established by the late ex-president Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Ermita
This is a former red light district bannered by clubs catering to foreigners. Now it is home to different fine dining restaurants, hotels, casinos, condominiums lined up along Mabini street, Taft Avenue, Roxas boulevard, etc. and also to government institutions like the Supreme Court, Manila City Hall, Department of Justice, Court of Appeals and many other businesses.
Visit Manila, the capital city where fun just never ends!