Manila, a chameleon-like city.

Similar to other developing countries, the traffic here is stiff, people on the street are many and chaos is visible. It's also a city that is visited with caution by many with funky stories circling the globe.

Many people simply don't know what to do in Manila.

After visiting Manila for the first time, I was actually shocked how much I like it. There were some cool sights to see, history to learn from, places to eat and shop at and some very friendly locals to meet. It's not for nothing that Manila was once called “The Pearl Of The Orient” before WWII, when it was an elegant metropolis.

Today, Manila is the Philippines' capital city with around 11 million people living in the greater area, most of them with a strong tie to the European ideals of Catholicism compared to its surrounding Southeast Asian countries.

Do People In The Philippines Speak Good English?

Hope on an Uber or Jeepney, converted U.S. military jeeps left over from WWII now serving as shared taxis and are the main means of public transportation.

This Manila travel guide aims to help you plan to see and do all the important stuff in the city.

Flying into Manila from overseas, you will arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

The best and safest way to get from the airport to your hotel is using the wifi inside the terminal to order a Grab Taxi or Uber. Get your first ride free when you sign up to Uber now. Or you pre-organise transportation as I don't recommend taking any of the ride offers at the airport directly.

My Uber from the airport to Makati City cost around PHP400, which is about US$8.40. It takes about 30 minutes from Manila airport to Makati, all depending how long you sit in traffic and what time of the day it is.

People say one day is enough, with many of them disliking it and wanting to head out as soon as they arrive at the airport. I do not necessarily agree and was rather impressed by Manila and would've liked to explore it further.

I recommend 1-3 day in the city to appreciate it fully and see all the places to visit in Manila as a tourist.

If it's your first time to Manila, I recommend you stay in Makati City, there are many great places to stay in the city of Makati, which is part of the Manila Metro Area and the countries financial hub known for its skyscrapers and air-conditioned shopping malls.

Manila is also a good base to take the overnight bus north to explore the stunning Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces or head to the paradise island of Palawan, Bohol or Boracay.

Dive Into Manilas History

Drop by the Casa Manila, a lifestyle museum in the elegant style of an 1800's home.

Absolutely beautiful and so unexpected to see this in Manila, I couldn't believe my eyes, felt like I was in southern Spain!

Manila Tours

Explore Intramuros while riding a horse-drawn carriage, they are also called kalesa over here. Better yet, book Manila Old And New Tour for a fun-filled guided tour of the top sights in Manila.

If you are looking to explore the slums around Manila, consider the Smokey Mountain Tour, it's not for the faint-hearted though.

Day Trips Outside Of Manila

About 2-3 hours outside of Manila, you can visit Mt. Taal, said to be the world’s smallest active volcano where you can take a hike while breathing in the fresh air, a great change from Metro Manilas smog.

Other day trips from Manila to consider are:

• Pagsanjan Falls
• Pinatubo Crater
• Tagaytay Ridge

How about discovering the old Spanish town of Intramuros on a Bamboo Bike?

Take in all the historical sights as you ride through the heart of Manila while meeting some other travellers and chatting to friendly locals.

Street Food & Markets In Manila

After your walk through the past, head over to Binondo, believed to be the world's oldest Chinatown.

Fill yourself up with authentic Cantonese and Fujian cuisine or try Filipino street food. Here you can also find a huge variety of fresh fruits in season at low prices.

Speaking of low prices, explore the typical Asian-style market called Divisoria, a haven for inexpensive clothes, shoes, and other crazy knick-knack.

Ideas To End The Day – Watch The Sunset In Manila

The Philippines have a lot of great sunsets to offer, which you will soon discover on your trip around the islands.

In Manila, the best spot to end the day is along Roxas Boulevard. You can visit Rizal Park also known as Luneta Park. Marvel at the shrine of Jose Rizal, a Philippine national hero at the end of the Spanish colonial period.

Enjoy an afternoon on the grass or try your luck with kite-flying on a windy day.

End the day by taking a walk along Roxas Boulevard and gaze at the sunset in Manila Bay, said to be one of the best sunsets in Asia!

And if you are still up for some nightlife, the party is pumping all night long at one of Malate's nightclubs, bars or pubs. Oh, and did you know that Filipinos love karaoke?

Shopping In Manila

With the country's tropical weather and oh-so-often scorching heat, Filipinos surely need a cool place to take shelter upon. Even in the city, you can escape from the high temperature once you enter a mall. Mind you, Manila has so many of them with around 16 supermalls and dozens more of smaller, community and lifestyle malls.

And these shopping empires got it all for you from grocery stores, fast food and restaurants, clothing stores, gyms, cinemas, and entertainment centers including skating rinks, bowling alleys, arcade games, and so much more. Some malls even have a chapel inside.

The 5 biggest shopping malls in Manila are:

• Mall of Asia with its Olympic-sized skating rink
• Mega Mall which has 12 different movie theaters you can choose from
• Glorietta in the posh Makati, the central business district in Manila
• Greenbelt which is famed for its upscale and lavish amenities
• TriNoma which is known for its unique reverse waterfall, multi-leveled terraces and color-changing facade

I stayed at Y2 Residence in Makati as I travelled with some friends so we could easily share the cost of renting an apartment which was perfect. The location of Y2 Residence was perfect as you can walk around Makati and to the nearby shopping malls as well as quickly get an Uber to ride to other attractions around town.

I felt very safe walking around Makati but there are reports from travellers of being pick pocketed, tricked at ATMs and whatnot, so please keep safe and exercise some caution. Ask the hotel staff if you don't know the area and where it's safe to go.

Additionally, the apartment at Y2 Residence was very comfortable, beautifully designed and had amazing views from the big glass windows across the city. There is wifi in all rooms, a fitness gym and spa offering massage treatments as well as a pool on the rooftop which again has some incredible city views!

Downstairs you can find Pink Panda restaurant serving up a breakfast buffet and a varied food menu throughout the day which was also very good.

Best Places For Food In Manila

If you are after some Mexican-style food, El Chupacabra is one of the hottest street food hangout places in Makati.

Also, check out Museum Café (M Café) situated on the ground floor at Greenbelt Mall, serving modern Asian fusion cuisine with a touch of Filippino of course.

When it comes to coffee, these are some of the best cafes in Makati:

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