Is Manila Worth Visiting?

I ended up staying five nights in Manila—not because I planned to explore the city in depth, but because I had booked a dental procedure and originally hoped to visit Mount Pinatubo (which was closed due to political reasons). While five nights is longer than most travelers would spend here, it gave me time to explore different neighborhoods, try local food, and get a feel for the city beyond the usual stopover. That unexpected downtime helped me answer the question: is Manila worth visiting?

Manila doesn’t have the same concentration of “must-see” sights you’ll find in many Southeast Asian capitals. Locals often recommend going to the Mall of Asia (Sixth biggest in the world), the historic walled city of Intramuros, and the city’s varied restaurant scene. I also discovered a surprisingly lively spectacle—little people boxing—and decided to see it for myself while I was there.

How is the City of Manila

First impressions of Manila can be overwhelming: traffic, noise, heat. But pause. Turn into a side street. You’ll find grilled fish sizzling over charcoal, sari-sari stores stacked with snacks and sachets, fruit vendors balancing entire shops on motorbikes, filled with neatly arranged bananas, mangoes, oranges and apples. Life spills into the open here — spontaneous, social, and often surprising. To get a feel for the city, skip the landmarks. Spend time in the neighborhoods. Watch. Listen.

Many homes are modest — some built as huts, others more permanent. Then come the gated communities, with palm-lined streets and high-end buildings. The contrast is stark, often visible within a single block.

During rush hour, the air thickens and traffic slows to a crawl. Between districts, motorbike taxis are often the fastest way through — slipping between cars, navigating narrow pockets of space that larger vehicles can’t.

When night falls, the heat fades, but the city is still alive. Beneath flickering streetlights, motorbike taxi drivers patiently wait for a fare. In front of one, temptation appears in the form of unevenly sprayed letters on the wall: “LOTTO PLAY HERE.” It’s not an official sign — just a whisper of hope, a dream of getting rich. For many, gambling begins with a few pesos, but addiction is growing. It’s now classified as a mental health concern by the Department of Health.

How to Get Around in Manila

Getting around Manila means choosing between buses, jeepneys, taxis, Grab cars, and motorbike taxis. Jeepneys are iconic and cheap, but routes can be confusing for newcomers. Buses cover major roads but get stuck in traffic.

My go-to was the motorbike taxi—ideal for solo travelers. They weave through traffic even during rush hour, making them the fastest option when the city grinds to a halt. Then there are the motorbike taxis with sidewagons. Sometimes I’m surprised when I see them unloading passengers—there’s often twice as many as I thought possible.

For Who is Manilla Worth Visiting and Who Should Skip It?

You won’t miss any national must-sees by skipping Manila, but the city rewards travelers who enjoy layered urban life. It’s worth a stop for:

• History fans — Intramuros, Rizal Park, and several museums offer glimpses into the country’s colonial and revolutionary past.
• Foodies— From Binondo’s Chinese-Filipino eats to street food and wet markets.
• Mall-culture explorers — Massive complexes like Mall of Asia are part of daily life here, not just shopping. Good area jogging too.
• Nightlife seekers — Makati and Poblacion offer bars, rooftop lounges, and late-night energy.

Skip it if you’re after beaches, wildlife, a must-see sight, or a compact, walkable city. If your trip is under three weeks, I’d recommend focusing elsewhere — the Philippines is at its best in its islands, mountains, and coastal towns. Plan for 48 hours at most.

Where to Stay in Manila?

The areas that are recommended for short-term stays are:

• Makati: Safe, central, and walkable. Offers everything from hostels to luxury hotels. Ideal for short stays and first-time visitors. There is an area in Makati called Poblacion, filled with hostels—ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.
• Bonifacio Global City (BGC): Clean, modern, and upscale. High-end hotels and serviced apartments. Best for families and digital nomads.
• Intramuros: Historic and atmospheric. Limited but unique heritage-style hotels. Best for history-focused travelers. Ermita and Malate, located next to Intramuros, offer more budget-friendly accommodation options and are relatively close to the historical sites.
• Pasay (near NAIA Airport): Practical for layovers and early flights.

I stayed just outside Makati for $20 a night

I actually enjoyed staying in Manila. I booked a cheap room at District Inn just outside Makati for about $20 a night and stayed in a quieter, more residential pocket where car traffic was low. That made it easy to see Filipino life as it really is—not polished for tourists.

What Makes Manila Worth Visiting? Top Sights

Intramuros and Rizal Park

Intramuros is Manila’s old walled city and the clearest trace of Spanish rule—cobbled streets, stone churches, and colonial architecture that feel a world away from the city’s modern chaos. Walk through Fort Santiago, step into San Agustín Church, and let the small plazas and museums show how centuries of Spanish, American, and Filipino history layered onto the same streets.

Just outside the walls lies Rizal Park, a large historical space where national hero José Rizal was executed. It’s a mix of monuments, gardens, and open lawns—less immersive than Intramuros, but still meaningful.

You can visit both in half a day. They offer a quiet pause in a city that rarely slows down. If you’re really into history, this experience might be reason enough to make Manila worth visiting.

Little Person Boxing

From colonial walls to choreographed punches, Manila’s contrasts are stark. A short taxi ride from Intramuros lands you in Makati, where Ringside Bar offers a very different kind of spectacle, and that is little person boxing.

Little person boxing is choreographed mock boxing, similar to WWE wrestling, but in this case it’s little people and the fighting style is boxing. Staff say the whole organization is run by little people. The show takes place at Ringside Bar in the Makati area. Performers say it provides reliable pay; for many it’s practical work and community as much as a show, and whether it’s morally acceptable to watch is a personal judgment.

Markets

Wandering Manila’s markets felt like stepping into a living rhythm. I bought fruit, grabbed small bites, and watched everyday life unfold. One truck arrived packed with heads of lettuce, with a man perched on its roof. People carrying bundles of vegetables, ripe mangoes gleamed in neat rows, and sellers meticulously arranging their stalls to make their products more appealing. The energy was constant, the scenes ever-changing. It was enough just to stand still and witness life as it unfolded around me.

Mall of Asia

The Mall of Asia is one of the largest malls in the world. I visited and it felt overwhelming — if you like to compare options before buying, this place works against you: there are just too many stores to make a well‑informed choice in a reasonable time. Is the mall alone reason enough to make Manila worth visiting? If you’re a mall fan, yes; otherwise, probably not — you can often buy the same things online for better prices. For me it was worth a look for the sheer scale and the waterfront sunset, but personally I wouldn’t plan a trip to Manila just for shopping.

Final verdict: Is Manila Worth Visiting?

For travelers seeking polished charm, Manila may disappoint. For anyone after raw urban grit, Manila delivers — though I preferred Cebu City, which offers a very similar experience in a more manageable package. If you’ve already been to Cebu, Manila might not be worth the extra time.

Visiting for less than three weeks? Skip Manila and go where the Philippines comes alive:

• Palawan for nature and pristine beaches
• Siargao for surf
• Cebu for diving with sharks and sardine runs
• Bohol & Siquijor for countryside charm

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