Manila, Philippines 2 Day Itinerary

Manila, Philippines 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1:

Morning:

  • Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Mama Lou’s Italian-Asian Kitchen located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Try their famous silog (Filipino rice bowl meals) or pasta dishes.

Afternoon:

  1. Rizal Park and National Museum Complex - Visit the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument and explore the National Museum Complex which houses Filipino art, archaeology, and natural history collections.
  2. Intramuros - The walled city is a historic center filled with Spanish colonial buildings. Don’t miss San Agustin Church, Fort Santiago, and Casa Manila.
  3. Lunch at Ilustrado Restaurant - Located within the walls of Intramuros, enjoy Filipino cuisine with a contemporary twist.

Evening:

  1. Mall of Asia (MOA) Baywalk - Stroll along the baywalk, take in the sunset view, and visit SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest malls in the world.
  2. Dinner at Vikings Buffet Restaurant - Located within MOA, enjoy a variety of international cuisines at this all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant.
  3. Greenhills Shopping Center - If you love shopping for bargains, head to Greenhills where you can find everything from clothes and shoes to electronics and jewelry.

Day 2:

Morning:

  1. Breakfast at Kare-Karean sa Bayanihan - Try traditional Filipino dishes like kare-kare (peanut stew) and sinigang (sour soup).
  2. Makati CBD - Explore the central business district of Makati, visit Ayala Museum and Greenbelt Mall.

Afternoon:

  1. Bonifacio Global City (BGC) - Check out this modern district with high-rise buildings, parks, and trendy restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss The Fort Strip, High Street, and Uptown Parade.
  2. Lunch at Wolfgang Steakhouse or Saboten Philippines - Enjoy a delicious steak or Japanese tonkatsu meal in BGC.

Evening:

  1. Mall of Asia (MOA) Eye - Take a ride on the ferris wheel for a stunning view of Manila Bay and nearby islands.
  2. Dinner at Vikings Buffet Restaurant - Visit again if you didn’t get enough the first time!
  3. Pasay Night Market - Experience local street food and shopping at this bustling night market.

Things to Know:

  • Traffic in Manila can be heavy, so allow plenty of time for travel between locations.
  • Filipinos are generally friendly and welcoming, but it’s always good manners to ask permission before taking photos of people.
  • English is widely spoken, making communication with locals relatively easy.

Transportation:

  • Jeepneys, tricycles, and taxis are common modes of transportation in Manila. You can also use Grab (the local version of Uber).
  • The MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines connect many parts of the city.
  • Consider buying a prepaid Load card for your phone to stay connected during your trip.