Jeepneys are a popular form of public transport in Manila. Image credit: Dennis Cox/Alamy Stock Photo
DAY 2: Explore Filipino Heritage
Rizal Park Musical Dancing Fountain puts on a colorful display. Image credit: joyfull/Shutterstock
Experience the famous nightlife of the Poblacion neighborhood. There are craft beers and pulutan (bar food) at Alamat. Try the sisig, boiled pork with aromatics and calamansi citrus. The Spirits Library is a speakeasy reimagining Filipino food and cocktails, with live jazz and blues bands playing several times a week. Sample the Douhua, based on taho (a soy, sago, and brown sugar street snack).
Day 1: See Manila's Glamorous Side
In the town of Angono, art is everywhere – there are wall carvings along Doña Aurora Street and murals splashed on the interiors of Saint Clement Parish. The Blanco Family Museum displays the evocative rural paintings of Jose V. Blanco, his wife Loreto Blanco, and their talented children – all seven of them are artists.
Day 3: Immerse Yourself in Art
Morning.
Afternoon.
Evening.
Morning.
Morning.
Afternoon.
Malls in the Philippines aren’t like those in the United States and Europe; here, they’re more like cultural centers with exhibitions, event spaces, churches, great restaurants, and native food courts. At Greenbelt 5 you’ll find Indigenous-inspired clothes and homeware at Pinas Sadya and woven bags at Zarah Juan. As the sun dips below the horizon, view the sparkling festive lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens.
Soaring skyscrapers sit alongside the capital’s cultural heritage in Makati, the Philippines’ financial center and home to Ayala Museum. The museum’s anthropological collection has woven garments, mother-of-pearl inlaid weapons, and fabulous gold jewelry. At restaurant chain Manam, savor a taste of the ube (purple yam) shake and the sour soup known as sinigang.
The medieval walled city of Intramuros, founded by the Spanish in 1571, is the beating heart of Manila. Admire the fine wood carvings at Casa Manila, a faithful recreation of an 1850s colonial home. Hire bamboo bikes from Bambike next door to get around easier. Past Fort Santiago and the Neo-Romanesque Manila Cathedral, cobbled lanes are garlanded with pretty parol, star-shaped festive lanterns made from Capiz oyster shells. At Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant, the adobo – pork and chicken in a vinegar marinade – is a specialty.
One hour away from the city is Rizal province, home to beloved artists past and present. Pintô Art Museum has seven expansive galleries of contemporary paintings and sculptures. Set in beautifully landscaped grounds in the rolling hills of Antipolo, discover sculptures, fine art, and installation pieces. The café makes an excellent flaked chicken adobo.
Popular waterfront promenade Roxas Boulevard stretches along the shores of Manila Bay. Image credit: 4Corners/Giovanni Simeone
Take time to explore the capital of the Philippines, a bustling city that is a rich cultural hotspot
Manila
By SARAH GILLESPIE
72 Hours in...
September 2025 (Volume 29)
VIEW Hotels
VIEW Hotels
Where to Stay in Manila
The Spirits Library is a speakeasy reimagining Filipino food and cocktails, with live jazz and blues bands playing several times a week
Manila is the perfect destination in the lead-up to Christmas. The Philippines is one of only two Catholic-majority countries on the continent – come here to see Spanish-era churches and ancestral homes festooned with lights and lanterns from early fall.
Wander with locals at bloom-filled Rizal Park to see monuments that tell the life story of Philippine national hero José Rizal, a writer and polymath who advocated for better representation of Filipinos in the Colonial era. Around the park’s northeastern end are three National Museums: Natural History, Anthropology, and Fine Arts. The latter is home to the vast Spoliarium by Juan Luna, considered one of the greatest works of Filipino art.
Afternoon.
The gilded arch at Binondo is the entrance to the world’s oldest Chinatown, where you’ll find a medley of Filipino- Chinese flavors. Be sure to try the lumpia (deep-fried spring rolls) and siopao (sweet pork buns). Delicious Restaurant has many types of pancit noodles.
Evening.
Back in Manila, at the SM Mall of Asia, try kare-kare – a peanut and oxtail stew – at Mangan, which specializes in cuisine from Pampanga, north of Manila. There are fireworks displays on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December which shouldn’t be missed. Filipinos really know how to put on a show.
Evening.
More Inspiration
Where To Stay
View All Issues
Life & Arts
Food & Drink
Experiences
Inspiration
Central & South America
Caribbean
Asia & Pacific
Europe
North America
Top Destinations
Destinations
Travelers
Best Rate Guarantee
About Us
Philanthropy
Careers
Global Directory
American Destinations
International Destinations
Destinations
Partners & Press
Preferred Meetings & Events
Press Center
Travel Partners
Travel Professionals
Become a Member Hotel
Become an Alliance Partner
PreferredNet
Offers
Discover Offers
I Prefer Gift Cards
* Actual rate may vary based on date, room type, and availability. Enter dates to determine more accurate rates for your search.
Copyright © 2025 Preferred Travel Group
SM
Download the App
#ThePreferredLife
Cookies & Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Modify a Reservation
1 (866) 990-9491
International Phone Lines
Read More
Victoria, British Columbia
Discover the highlights of this coastal Canadian city, including the best places to eat and...
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Read More
A fall getaway is the perfect time to escape the crowds and indulge in everything...
Venice
72 Hours in ...
Read More
Modern skyscrapers meet ancient volcanoes in Hawaii’s capital, where natural...
Honolulu
72 Hours in ...
GOOD VIBRATIONS
Experience eight of California’s iconic outdoor sports and activities
Destination: California
Read More