15 BEST Things to do in Manila Philippines in 2026 🇵🇭

14 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:10

   Manila Bay Dolomite Beach

   🌳 Park · Ermita

   Swimming isn't allowed and the water looks brown and littered.

2. 2:17

   Intramuros

   🏛️ Historic site · Intramuros

   Bamboo bicycles can be rented to cruise the walled city and spot its painted wall murals.

3. 2:17

   Fort Santiago

   🏛️ Historic site · Intramuros

   The tiny tunnel cells where prisoners were chained show the harsh conditions; expect heavy humidity.

4. 4:00

   SM Mall of Asia

   🛍️ Shopping · Pasay

   The mall is so big that exploring all of it would take about two full days.

5. 5:45

   Star City

   🚡 Activity · Pasay

   The snow zone is freezing, so don't go in wearing shorts.

6. 7:54

   Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Taguig

   Lively even at night in the rain, with a feel compared to a mini Times Square.

7. 8:10

   Bonifacio High Street

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

8. 9:15

   Rizal Park

   🌳 Park · Ermita

9. 9:46

   Makati

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Makati

   Slightly less modern than BGC but with the same upscale business-district feel.

10. 10:39

    Binondo

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Binondo

11. 11:27

    Robinsons Place Manila

    🛍️ Shopping · Ermita

    Has avocado ice cream and a central market of jewellery stalls, and is a good escape from the heat.

12. 13:31

    Tagaytay

    🚆 Day trip · Cavite

    Leave Manila around 6 a.m. for a roughly 1.5-hour drive; midday traffic can stretch it to 3–4 hours.

13. 15:11

    Divisoria

    🛒 Market · Tondo

    Locals advise wearing backpacks on the front.

14. 16:21

    Ayala Triangle Gardens

    🌳 Park · Makati

    A holiday night market had crepes, pink gin drinks, alcoholic ice cream and live performances.