Philippines

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Manila

Colonial walls, Chinatown and bay sunsets

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Manila Plan a trip around Philippines

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Currency: PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Country: Philippines

Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and the oldest part of Metro Manila, a dense, chaotic city of Spanish colonial walls, the world's oldest Chinatown and some of the country's best museums. Most visitors come for the heritage of Intramuros, the food of Binondo and the bayfront sunsets.

Largest cities

Quezon City
Manila
Davao City
Cebu City
Zamboanga City

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Philippines
Capital: Manila
City population: 1.9M
Population of Philippines: 112.7M
Country area: 343,448 km²
Official language: English
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) · 1 USD ≈ 62.87 PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Calling code: +63
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 12 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	30°	31°	32°	34°	34°	31°	30°	30°	30°	30°	31°	30°
Low	23°	23°	25°	26°	27°	26°	26°	26°	25°	25°	25°	24°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$24
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$65
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$190

Plan a trip to Manila

Top things to do

Free
Intramuros Walls and Fort Santiago
Walk the old walled Spanish city and its gates, then enter Fort Santiago for the Rizal shrine; go early to avoid the midday heat.
- Half day
- Intramuros
- Good for kids
Free
Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church
See the rebuilt cathedral and the UNESCO-listed San Agustin, the oldest stone church in the country; cover shoulders and knees.
- Half day
- Intramuros
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $15
Binondo Chinatown Food Walk
Eat your way through the world's oldest Chinatown, from dumplings to hopia; come hungry and bring small cash notes.
- Half day
- Binondo
- Good for kids
Free
National Museum Complex
Free galleries of fine arts, anthropology and natural history around Rizal Park; closed Mondays, so plan around it.
- Half day
- Ermita
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Rizal Park and Bonifacio Shrine
Stroll the capital's main park and monuments to national heroes; pair it with the nearby museums for a full morning.
- Half day
- Ermita
- Good for kids
≈ $3
Manila Chinese Cemetery
Wander the ornate mausoleums of the city's Chinese elite; go with a guide or a group and keep valuables out of sight.
- Half day
- Quiapo
Free
Manila Baywalk Sunset
Walk the Roxas Boulevard promenade as the sun drops over Manila Bay; stay in lit, busy sections after dark.
- Half day
- Malate
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $45
Corregidor Island Day Trip
Ferry from Manila Bay to the WWII island fortress for a guided tour of ruins and tunnels; book ahead and bring sun protection.
- Full day
- Intramuros
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including UK and most EU, US, Indian and Latin American visitors, can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but rules vary by passport and some nationalities need an e-visa or a visa from a Philippine embassy. All travellers must register on the e-travel system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code; registration is free and some airlines will not let you board without it. Most visitors are also expected to have proof of return or onward travel, and passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival. Check your own nationality's rules on the official Philippine e-visa site or with the Bureau of Immigration before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the main gateway, about 8–15 km south of the city. A metered or app-based taxi into Ermita, Malate or Intramuros takes roughly 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting around

LRT Line 1 and Line 2 cover most sights, with jeepneys, buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab, Angkas) filling the gaps; tricycles and pedicabs handle short hops.

Local tips

Dress modestly for churches and shrines; shoulders and knees covered is the safe rule.
Carry small cash notes for jeepneys, tricycles and markets; many small vendors do not take cards.
Use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps and agree the fare before boarding tricycles or calesas.
June to October is the rainy season with typhoon risk; the driest, coolest months are January to April.

Areas worth knowing

Ermita
Malate
Quiapo
Binondo
Intramuros

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on July 15, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK