On our recent trip to the Philippines, we had a very short stopover in its capital city, Manila, after visiting the islands of Coron, and Bohol.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure about Manila. I don’t mind capital cities, but I’d read that there wasn’t a lot on offer in Manila other than good shopping, which I just don’t do when I travel; no time to shop, I’d rather explore!
However, I’d read good things about the Intramuros, the old Wall Town of Manila, so I decided we did need that stopover after all.
What is the Intramuros?
The Intramuros is the walled area in the heart of the city. It’s the most historic place in Manila, and is home to multiple historical landmarks, such as Fort Santiago, and to some important religious sites.
Intramuros is a Latin word. It means “within the wall”. The walled city was constructed during the Spanish Era and its main goal was to protect the city from any invaders. The walls were destroyed during the Battle of Manila and were later rebuilt.
How to explore the Intramuros?
You can take a tour of the Intramuros, and your hotel can organise this for you, or you can book online.
There are also many rickshaws in town that will pester you to show you the sites. But we decided to simply get lost by foot amongst the old streets. I had a map and a tourism brochure and off we went.
What to see in the Intramuros?
Manila Cathedral
The Manila Cathedral was originally a Church built in 1571 until it became a Cathedral in 1579. The Cathedral has been rebuilt and restored eight times due to fire, earthquake and war. Now, it is one of the most visited churches in Manila. The Cathedral is open daily and is free to enter.
Across from the Manila Cathedral you will find Plaza Roma, the main square of the Intramuros.
San Augustin Church and Museum
This is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was named a National Historic Landmark by the Government and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over the years, the structure has also experienced multiple forms of destruction and has been rebuilt several times.
But when one of the strongest earthquakes hit Manila in 1863, the San Agustin Church was the only public structure left undamaged. Incredible!
There is a museum attached which was a nice relief from the incredible heat of Manila (some parts of it were air conditioned!).
The museum opened its doors in 1973 and displays a huge collection of religious artifacts, architecture, carvings, furniture and choir books that are the oldest in the Philippines. It also contains the tombs of several influential people.
Entry fee to the museum: 200 PHP – Entry to the church only is free
Casa Manila
Just across from the San Augustin church is the museum called Casa Manila. It was our favourite site in the Intramuros. When visiting, you will feel transported back to the Spanish colonial era.
This lifestyle museum illustrates the domestic life of Manila’s 19th century upper-class families. It displays unique and valuable artifacts from the Intramuros Administration Collection.
The museum opens at 9am daily and closes at 18:00. The entry fee is PHP 75.
Tip: Get there at 8 am to find the place empty and take all the photos you want of this super photogenic site.
Have lunch or dinner at Barbara’s Heritage restaurant
If you’re already near Casa Manila and San Sebastian, you should check out Barbara’s. Barbara’s ambience will make you think that you’ve gone back in time. After all, it’s called a heritage restaurant for a reason.
The décor is amazing. They offer buffet meals and if you come at the right time, they have a cultural presentation. We visited at lunch time and missed out on it, but they did have a music trio wandering around the tables performing for diners.
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago was declared a national shrine, together with the declaration of Intramuros as a National Historical monument.
The fort is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila and one of its most important historical sites.
The Fort Santiago was built in 1571 by Spaniards to serve as a Citadel for a better protection inside the walls of the Intramuros. Later, it was a prison for various people who were considered enemies of the Spanish Government, including the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The fort was also occupied by the Japanese Military during WWII and hundreds of civilians and guerillas were imprisoned, tortured and executed within its walls.
Fort Santiago was destroyed in the Battle of Manila in 1945, and restoration began in 1951.
The fee to enter is PHP 75. It is open daily from 8.00 to 21.00.
Walk on the old city walls
The Intramuros is surrounded by the old city walls. Take a walk atop them to see the city from a different angle. The walls can get busy with school children so try and go there early if you want to take photographs. There are still some remnants of old cannons along the walls.
Rizal Park
The Rizal Park is just outside the Intramuros, a big urban park that is used as a gathering point for major events in Manila.
The park is clean and green, and many people go there to stroll or exercise. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat of Manila.
Watch the sunset over Manila from the Sky Deck at the Bayleaf Hotel
I love to watch the sunset everywhere I go. So, we didn’t want to miss out on a Manila sunset. We also stayed at the Bayleaf Hotel, so it was very convenient for us. The sky deck offers unobstructed views of the Intramuros Golf Course and, more importantly, the famous Manila Bay sunset.
We weren’t expecting to see the most amazing sunset in Manila, but surprisingly, we were blown away.
It was cloudy and smoggy when we arrived. But somehow the sky caught on fire; incredible! You may not be as lucky as us to experience a sunset like this, but the view is great and the staff, food and drinks are very nice.
Where to stay in Intramuros?
Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros
Located within the historic walled city of Intramuros, The Bayleaf is a 5-minute walk from Casa Manila and 1.6 km from Fort Santiago. It features a rooftop restaurant and bar, free parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Featuring different colour motifs, the air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen cable TV, a safety deposit box, and a working desk. Each room has an ensuite bathroom offering shower facilities, bathrobes, and free toiletries. View their latest prices here.
The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is the oldest Premiere hotel in the Philippines. When the hotel opened on July 4, 1912, it represented the epitome of colonial class and luxury.
This beautiful 5-star hotel is just 700 metres from the iconic Intramuros and 900 metres from Manila Cathedral.
The hotel provides free Wi-Fi access and features facilities such as in-house dining options, a business centre and an outdoor swimming pool.
Rooms are elegantly decorated and provide guests with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a seating area. Some rooms offer views of Manila Bay, while other offer views of the city. View their latest prices here.
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