Intramuros
The old walled city of Spanish-era Manila, with stone ramparts, gates, cobbled streets and churches. It is easy to explore on foot and holds Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church.
Manila
The capital doubles as the main gateway, and has big malls, museums, a lively food scene and the walled district of Intramuros.
Attractive locations
Fort Santiago
A Spanish-era stone fort at the edge of Intramuros, beside the Pasig River. Its gardens, gate and dungeon ruins tell the story of colonial Manila, and national hero Jose Rizal was held here.
San Agustin Church
The oldest stone church in the Philippines still standing, in the walled city of Intramuros. It has a richly painted ceiling, a small museum and is part of a World Heritage listing.
Manila Cathedral
The main Catholic church of the capital, set in Intramuros and rebuilt after wartime destruction. Its Romanesque facade, stained glass and great bronze doors are the main features.
Rizal Park
A big public park on Manila Bay, centred on the monument to Jose Rizal. Locals come for gardens, ponds and open lawns, and it sits close to several museums.
National Museum of Fine Arts
A neoclassical building holding the national collection of Philippine painting and sculpture, including large nineteenth-century canvases such as Juan Luna's Spoliarium.
Binondo
Manila's historic Chinatown, a busy grid of narrow streets lined with food stalls, bakeries, shops and old churches. It is best explored on foot, with eating a big part of the visit.
Airports
Ninoy Aquino International Airport MNL
It is about 11 km in a straight line from Manila.
Subic Bay International Airport / Naval Air Station Cubi Point SFS
It is about 79 km in a straight line from Manila.
Clark International Airport / Clark Air Base CRK
It is about 79 km in a straight line from Manila.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Philippines page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan23.5 °C148 mm
- Feb24.0 °C148 mm
- Mar25.4 °C119 mm
- Apr27.2 °C102 mm
- May27.9 °C171 mm
- Jun27.1 °C248 mm
- Jul26.3 °C312 mm
- Aug26.2 °C289 mm
- Sep26.2 °C301 mm
- Oct25.8 °C341 mm
- Nov25.2 °C345 mm
- Dec24.3 °C393 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Wettest months: Oct, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 33% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
religious
Holy Week (Semana Santa)
Resorts are full and many offices shut, while processions take place.
Who can help
Emergency
911 (police, fire, ambulance).
ngo
Philippine Red Cross
Helps with: The Philippines' national Red Cross society. Its website describes disaster response, a national blood service, and first aid and CPR training. Its contact page lists an emergency hotline and a head-office address.
Who qualifies: People in the Philippines who need its disaster, blood or first aid services.
Phone: 143
Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Barangka-Ilaya, Mandaluyong City 1550
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its country office is in Makati City; use the email address to ask about its work with migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants and others in its migration programmes. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Email: [email protected]
Address: 28th Floor Citibank Tower Condominium, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City, Philippines
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911