Information about flights to Manila
This city is home to many historic squares such as the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, overlooked by the beautiful Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, and the Plaza Lacson, which features one of Manila's best preserved 19th-century buildings, the neoclassical style Roman R. Santos Building.
Manila also has an active nightlife scene, especially in the Chinatown district of Binondo and Malata, historic Intramuros, and Ermita, all of which offer plenty of busy bars, casinos and exclusive lounges. One of the most important public spaces is Rizal Park, which is home to beautiful Chinese and Japanese gardens, and holds a number of major events such as the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in June.
Museums to explore
The Cultural Centre of the Philippines is home to the enormous Main Theatre, which can accommodate more than 1,800 people and holds numerous operatic and musical performances. The complex also includes the Tanghalang Pambansa exhibition halls, which display a wide variety of artworks relevant to the Philippines. Here you can also look at the unique exterior of the Coconut Palace which, as its name might suggest, is actually made of a combination of coconut shells and wood. The building is the home of the Philippine Government and was originally used as a wedding reception venue.
The National Museum of the Philippines, dating back to the turn of the 20th century, is another world-class venue that is probably best known for its Spoliarium painting of Juan Luna. The Bahay Tsinoy museum, meanwhile, showcases the profound Chinese influence on Philippine culture and the growth of the Binondo district, the world's oldest Chinatown community.
Shopping and dining
The cuisine of the Philippines is especially diverse and has been influenced by Mainland Southeast Asia, southern Europe and the Americas. Popular main dishes that you can enjoy in Manila's endless selection of restaurants include Mechado – a meat and tomato sauce dish, the Adobo – a braised chicken or pork dish with vinegar, herbs and soy sauce, and the Philippine version of the Spanish paella.
The city organises many thriving markets, one of the most famous of which is the Divisoria market. From busy street stalls selling hand-crafted items to massive malls, there's hardly anything you can't buy here. It's perfect for people who want to do all their shopping in one place and is situated in the heart of the city, next to the Binondo district.
