Manila
Urban jungle vibes with lush escapes and soulful old Manila
Highlights
Walk through cobbled Intramuros streets, churches, and fortresses from the Spanish era.
Snack your way through the world’s oldest Chinatown with halal-friendly picks.
Bathe beneath towering trees and waterfalls on a day trip to Hidden Valley Springs.
Escape Manila’s bustle with a guided hike to jungle-clad viewpoints near Mount Daraitan or Batulao.
Watch the city glow from the Pasig River or Manila Bay as the heat fades.
Dive into Quiapo’s chaotic markets and faith shrines for a raw slice of Manila life.
Where to Stay
3 picks
The Bayleaf Intramuros
Boutique hotel set right inside the old walled city, with a rooftop bar and greenery overlooking centuries-old walls and treetops.
City Garden Grand Hotel
High-rise hotel with a rooftop pool, tropical plants, and easy access to both business-district Makati and the artsy Poblacion neighborhood.
Red Planet Manila Bay or Red Planet Makati
Clean, budget-friendly chain hotel with compact rooms and reliable basics; usually near main roads and malls.
Where to Eat
18 picks
Manam Café (Rizal Park / National Museum branch)
Modern Filipino chain; order seafood kare-kare, grilled bangus, or vegetable dishes and explicitly request no pork, lard, or alcohol in your meal.
The Halal Guys (Robinsons Place Manila)
Famous New York-style halal cart brand; get chicken or beef gyro over rice with salad and halal-certified meat.
Falafel Yo! (Uptown Mall branch for reference, but use similar halal-style falafel at nearby mall like Robinsons)
Look for a falafel or Middle Eastern stall in Robinsons Place food court serving vegetarian falafel wraps, salads, and fries cooked in vegetable oil.
Local Halal Eateries near Golden Mosque (e.g., small carinderias on Globo de Oro Street)
Choose a busy Muslim-run eatery and order beef mechado, chicken adobo cooked without pork, or fish dishes; confirm everything is halal and ask what’s recommended today.
Masjid Al-Salaam Area Halal Stalls (Carriedo/Binondo fringe)
Head to the Muslim-run stalls near the edges of Binondo (ask at Golden Mosque earlier for a current recommendation) for grilled chicken, beef skewers, and rice.
Hotel Breakfast or Nearby Halal-Friendly Café
Have eggs, fruit, bread, and coffee at your hotel or a nearby café and avoid any pork; confirm with staff that no pork or lard is in your order.
Hossein’s Persian Kebab (Greenbelt branch)
Order chicken tikka, beef kebabs, hummus, and biryani; Hossein’s is well-known for catering to halal requirements—confirm meat is halal and request no alcohol in sauces.
Quick Hotel or Convenience Store Breakfast
Grab yogurt, fruit, biscuits, or a simple egg sandwich (no ham/bacon) before your early pickup for Hidden Valley Springs.
Resort Buffet with Halal-Friendly Choices (Hidden Valley or similar)
At the on-site buffet, focus on seafood, vegetable dishes, rice, and fruit; clearly tell staff you only eat halal meat and no pork, and avoid doubtful items.
Zubuchon-Free Option: Choose Halal-Friendly Spot in Mall Near Hotel (e.g., The Halal Guys / Hossein’s, depending on base)
After returning to Manila, have a straightforward halal-friendly dinner close to your hotel: repeat a trusted place like Hossein’s or The Halal Guys.
Hotel Breakfast Buffet (Halal-Focused Choices)
Stick to eggs, breads, fruit, and vegetarian items; confirm with staff that no pork or lard is in any of the dishes you choose.
Gringo + Vegetarian/Seafood Options at BGC
Pick a restaurant in BGC that offers clearly labeled seafood and vegetarian dishes (e.g., grilled fish, salads, veg pasta) and request no alcohol or pork in preparation.
Kenny Rogers Roasters (Halal-Style Ordering)
Order grilled fish, vegetarian sides, and salads, and avoid chicken or meat unless you can confirm halal sourcing; clearly request no bacon or pork toppings.
Hotel/Convenience Breakfast Before Hike
Eat something light but filling—bread, fruit, eggs—before your early-morning pickup for the hike outside Manila.
Trailside or Carinderia Lunch (Halal-Safe Choices)
At local stops, stick to fish, eggs, or vegetable dishes and ask clearly for no pork, no lard, and no meat broth unless halal-certified.
Repeat a Trusted Halal Spot (Al-Jazeera or Hossein’s)
After returning to Manila, reward yourself with a big halal grill platter, rice, and fresh juice at a place you now know well.
Late Start Brunch at Hossein’s or Similar
Have a leisurely brunch of shakshouka, kebabs, or biryani—confirm again that everything is halal and no alcohol is used in cooking.
Mia's Halal Restaurant (Farewell Dinner)
Return for comforting halal dishes like chicken curry, beef kebab, and rice, plus fresh juices or tea.
What to Do
14 picks
Rizal Park (Luneta)
Stroll tree-lined paths, see the giant relief map of the Philippines, and visit the Rizal Monument and surrounding gardens.
National Museum of Fine Arts & National Museum of Anthropology
Explore Filipino art, indigenous cultures, and natural history in two grand, air‑conditioned museums facing Rizal Park.
Intramuros Walking (Self-Guided Walls & Streets)
Enter through Puerta Real and wander old stone walls, leafy bastions, Plaza Roma, and cobbled streets lined with colonial houses.
Quiapo Church & Quinta Market Area
Explore the chaotic plaza, visit the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (dress modestly), and wander nearby side streets and market alleys.
Golden Mosque (Masjid Al-Dahab)
Walk a few minutes into the Muslim quarter to see the golden dome, meet local worshippers, and, if timing allows, join a prayer.
Binondo Chinatown Walking
Cross Jones or MacArthur Bridge and wander Ongpin Street, tiny side alleys, old Chinese-Filipino temples, and herbal shops.
Ayala Museum & Greenbelt Park
Visit Ayala Museum’s exhibits (check that it’s open on your day), then relax around Greenbelt’s leafy, pond-filled park and chapel.
Poblacion Street Exploration
Walk through this artsy neighborhood in the late afternoon/early evening, checking out street art, small galleries, and leafy side streets.
Hidden Valley Springs Day Trip
Join a guided day trip with transfers: walk through lush forest, soak in hot and cold spring pools, and visit small waterfalls under dense canopy.
BGC Green Spaces & Street Art Walk
Explore High Street, the Mind Museum exterior, and surrounding blocks with murals, trees, and pocket parks.
Pasig River or Manila Bay Sunset (from BGC to MOA area)
Head to SM Mall of Asia’s bayfront in late afternoon; walk the seaside promenade and watch sunset over the water.
Mt. Batulao or Mt. Daraitan Day Hike (Guided Tour)
Book a guided day hike with hotel pickup—walk jungle trails, pass rivers, and enjoy sweeping mountain views; difficulty is moderate but rocky and rooty.
Free Explore Time in Your Favorite Neighborhood
Revisit whichever area you liked most—browse shops, sit in parks, grab coffee, and do last-minute photography or shopping.
Roxas Boulevard Evening Walk
Stroll the Baywalk as the sun sets, watch locals jogging and busking, and enjoy the breeze off Manila Bay.
Good to Know
8 picks
How to Handle Halal in Non-Halal Restaurants
If you end up in a non-halal restaurant with friends or a tour, order clearly vegetarian or seafood dishes and confirm there is no pork, lard, meat broth, or alcohol in preparation.
Cash vs Card
Use cards in malls and larger restaurants, but keep at least ₱1,000–2,000 in small bills for jeepneys, markets, and small eateries that don’t accept cards.
Heat Management and Clothing
Wear light, breathable clothes, a hat, and comfortable sandals or trainers; carry a small towel and refillable water bottle, and take breaks in air-conditioned malls or cafés.
Language and Communication
Most people in Manila speak at least basic English; speak slowly and clearly, and don’t be shy to ask staff to repeat or write down prices and directions.
Using Grab for Safe Rides
Install Grab before arriving; use it for most inner-city rides instead of street taxis, and check that the plate number matches before getting in.
Respectful Photography
Always ask permission before photographing people in markets, around mosques, and in poorer areas; put the camera away in sensitive moments like prayer.
Security Checks and Police Presence
Bag checks at mall entrances, visible guards, and checkpoints on highways are normal and generally for everyone’s safety.
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; in mid-range restaurants, leaving 5–10% or rounding up the bill is considered generous.
Map
Best For
Start planning your trip with this itinerary in Takeoff.
Don't have the app? Download it free on the App Store.