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| Photo credit: Kimy Moto on Pexels. |
Shopping
Shopaholics are certain to love Manila’s vibrant mix of malls and markets. If you’re looking for luxury stores, make sure to visit Shangri-La Plaza where you’ll find all the high end brands. If you’re looking for more affordable fashion and handmade souvenirs, consider booking a hotel near Greenhills Shopping Center, which features a mixture of shops and market stalls. Then there’s SM City Manila - one of the largest malls in Southeast Asia, where you’ll find a vast range of stores to suit all purposes.
Nightlife
Manila is the nightlife capital of The Philippines. A particularly renowned area for nightlife is Poblacion where you’ll find a mixture of swanky rooftop cocktail bars, buzzing trendy nightclubs and budget-friendly hidden bars. There are many hostels and hotels that you can book in this area if you want to make the most of the nightlife. That said, you’ll find bars and clubs all across the city.
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| Photo credit: Wilson Ren on Pexels. |
History
While Manila sports a lot of modern architecture, it also has a lot of well-preserved history. Visiting Intramuros, the city’s historic walled sector, is like taking a step back in time - the streets are cobblestoned and there are many impressive colonial buildings here dating back centuries. Popular historic sights include San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago. Make sure to also explore some of the city’s museums where you can learn about the history of Manila and The Philippines (some top choices for museums in Manila include San Agustin Museum, Ayala Museum and the National Museum of Natural History).
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| Photo credit: Cesan Escuadro. |
Cuisine
There are thousands of restaurants to choose from in Manila. It’s possible to try cuisines from all around the world. This includes traditional Filipino dishes like adobo, kare-kare and chicken sotanghon. If you’re brave enough, you can also try balut (fertilised duck egg). Pateros in Manila is often referred to as the ‘balut capital of the Phillipines’ and is a good place to try this controversial delicacy. Make sure to also visit the city’s Chinatown, Binondo - the oldest Chinatown in the world - where you can try some incredible Chinese cuisine.
Art
There is also a thriving art scene in Manila. Throughout the city, you will find galleries and cultural centers showcasing works from local and international artists. This includes the National Museum of Fine Arts and Casa Manila Museum. Art In Island is also a unique art-themed attraction that is worth visiting in Manila - it’s an interactive 3D art museum that allows you to become a part of various famous works.
