5 Places to Visit after Moving into Manila

Finally, you’ve moved out of your provincial home and just moved into Metro Manila. You may feel overwhelmed with the hustle and bustles of the city life and might not know where to go first. Here’s a list of the five places you should not miss out on!

1. Wai Ying Fast Food (Binondo, Manila)

Photo from Sand Under My Feet.

Breathe in the Filipino-Chinese traditions and grab a quick bite at Wai Ying Fast Food in Binondo. During high time, there might be a lot of people so we recommend that you visit the restaurant as early as possible. (Tip: They open at around 7:00 AM). You shouldn’t miss out on the Fried Wontons and Beef Mami 😋 They also serve Peking Duck if you’re into that.

And while you’re on the way, you might run into small stalls such as sugar cane drinks, fried siopaos, grilled kebabs, and more. Try these snacks out while you’re waiting in line for Wai Ying.

Wai Ying Fast Food is open daily until 10:00 PM.

2. Casa Manila (Intramuros, Manila)

Turn back time in Manila by going through Casa Manila in Intramuros. Here, you will see how upper-class Filipinos used to live during the Spanish colonial era. Feel free to take pictures in the several rooms of the house and even on the brick road outside 📸 There are also several restaurants and cafes within the area as well as bamboo bike rentals.

Casa Manila is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance fees cost Php 75.00 at a regular rate and Php 50.00 for a discounted rate (for children under 18 years old, senior citizens, students, PWDs, and government employees).

3. Fort Santiago (Intramuros, Manila)

History is rich in Intramuros and you certainly can’t miss out on visiting Fort Santiago. Fort Santiago is one of the most important historical sites in Manila as it served as a military fortress built during the Spanish colonial era.

Make sure to bring an umbrella and a fan and refresh with drinks from Papa Kape coffee shop within the walls of Fort Santiago. Don’t miss out on their Black Gulaman Americano if you’re a coffee lover ☕ If you’re looking for a non-caffeine drink, they also have Mango Sampalok Iced Tea 🍹

Fort Santiago is open from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance fees cost Php 75.00 at a regular rate and Php 50.00 for a discounted rate (for children under 18 years old, senior citizens, students, PWDs, and government employees).

4. National Museum of Fine Arts (Manila, Manila)

Photo from Wikipedia.

A check for your bucket list is visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts 🎨 See the huge Spoliarium painting and several artworks from Filipino artists. Indulge in the various art styles and take your time to appreciate everything. While you’re there, you might also be interested in the huge mural showing the entire history of the Philippines.

The National Museum of Fine Arts is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM except on Mondays. You can enter for free!

5. Rizal Park (Manila, Manila)

Photo from Wikipedia.

Take a little walk from the National Museum towards Rizal Park, which we always see in our history books. Enjoy the fresh air and see how the community comes together in one of the few public parks in the city. Check out the Rizal statue and the huge flag pole in front of it. Sit down on the grass or on the benches, have a small picnic, and enjoy the beautiful view as the sun goes down. This is a great way to end your day after exploring the city.

Conclusion

Truly, there a lot of sights to see in Manila so don’t be afraid to plan your own adventure and enjoy the cultures and traditions available in the city. Be free and learn to appreciate the little things in life. Go on, get out there, and enjoy life. 💙

And if you’re still looking for a place to stay in Manila, Dormy has a variety of available units that you can choose from. Simply go to dormy.ph and search ‘Manila.’