Manila Philippines 7 Day Itinerary

7-Day Itinerary for Manila, Philippines

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Intramuros

  • Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
  • Check-in at a hotel in Makati City (e.g., The Bellagio Manila or Solaire Resort and Casino).
  • Visit Intramuros, the historical district:
    • Fort Santiago: A historic Spanish fortress.
    • San Agustin Church: Oldest stone church in the Philippines.
    • Rizal Shrine: Memorial to national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
    • Baluarte de Santigo: Offers a panoramic view of Intramuros.
  • For dinner, try Filipino cuisine at Ilustrado Restaurant inside Casa Manila.

Day 2: Rizal Park, National Museum & Binondo

  • Visit Rizal Park in the morning, then explore the National Museum Complex:
    • National Museum of Fine Arts
    • National Museum of Anthropology
    • National Museum of Natural History
  • Spend the afternoon exploring Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown:
    • Ongpin Street: Filled with Chinese shops and restaurants.
    • Karagandaan Market: For local goods and street food.
    • Dong Bei Dumplings for authentic Chinese cuisine.

Day 3: Mall of Asia & Manila Ocean Park

  • Spend the day at Mall of Asia, one of the largest malls in the world:
    • Shopping: Global brands and local boutiques.
    • Entertainment: Cinemas, ice skating rink, virtual reality arcade.
    • Dine at Rustic Mamilo or Vikings for a buffet experience.
  • Evening visit to Manila Ocean Park, an oceanarium with various marine attractions.

Day 4: Greenhills Shopping & Quezon City Attractions

  • Morning visit to Greenhills Shopping Center for shopping, especially secondhand goods at Greenhills Laboratory and Tiendesitas.
  • Afternoon visit to Quezon City attractions:
    • Quezon Memorial Circle: A large park with a monument dedicated to President Manuel Quezon.
    • The Art In Island Museum: A 3D museum for fun photo opportunities.
    • Quezon City Memorial Apostolic Church (QCMC): The largest Catholic church in the world.
  • For dinner, try Filipino-Chinese cuisine at Karenderya 1900 in Quezon City.

Day 5: Sta. Cruz Market & Divisoria

  • Explore Sta. Cruz Market, one of the oldest markets in Manila, offering a wide variety of goods.
  • Continue to Divisoria for shopping and bargaining:
    • 168 Shopping Mall
    • Thrifty Shopper
    • Benavidez Street
  • For lunch, try local street food at Henry Lee St. in Sta. Cruz.

Day 6: Island Hopping

  • Take a day trip to nearby islands:
    • Corregidor Island: Historical island with war memorials and stunning views.
    • Cabacitán Island (Camayan Beach): A beautiful white sand beach.
    • El Fraile Island: Known for its rock formations and snorkeling opportunities.
  • Enjoy a seafood lunch on board or at one of the islands’ restaurants.

Day 7: Last Minute Shopping & Departure

  • Spend the morning doing last-minute shopping at Greenhills or Makati Avenue.
  • Transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport for your departure flight.