5 best things to do in Manila
The essentials of Manila with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Manila activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Manila shortlist
- Intramuros & Fort Santiago — the walled colonial city by kalesa or on foot; dungeons and riverside.
- San Agustin Church — the UNESCO stone church that survived every quake and war.
- Binondo food walk — the world’s oldest Chinatown, eaten street by street.
- Manila Bay sunset — the famous baywalk sunset, free and unmissable.
- Tagaytay ridge day trip — the Taal volcano view an hour south; bulalo lunch is the ritual.
Flying in, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Manila activity providers
- Klook — Manila activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Manila experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Manila?
Intramuros & Fort Santiago — the walled colonial city by kalesa or on foot; dungeons and riverside. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Manila attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Manila?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Manila?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.