Manila

Vibrant City with Rich History

Manila serves as the capital of the Philippines and stands out for its mix of Spanish colonial history and modern city life. The city features wide streets lined with old churches, markets selling fresh produce and busy ports that connect to islands across the country. Local food stalls serve dishes like adobo and halo-halo alongside coffee shops popular with students. Colonial forts overlook parts of the harbor while contemporary malls stand near traditional neighborhoods. Manila reflects both ongoing development and cultural traditions in everyday life.

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City in Philippines

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 5.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	5

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Manila, especially in tourist areas. Most Filipinos are fluent, making communication easy for English-speaking visitors in hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Manila Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Major center for culture and urban life. Explore historic districts, visit museums and churches, shop large malls and enjoy diverse Filipino food.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Street food

Large cities

Local cuisine

Luxury shopping

Markets

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Philippines – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Philippine Peso (PHP) £1 ≈ ₱85.07
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly common, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is still widely used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in the Philippines, but it is appreciated. 10% is standard in restaurants. Small tips are welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in many areas, but alcohol consumption is allowed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	The Philippines is known for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Be mindful of the weather, as typhoon season can affect certain regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Manila, Philippines

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season June to October, typhoon peak July to October, flooding can disrupt transport and flights

Christmas season starts in September: decorations and festive events from early December to early January

Holy Week, March or April: many businesses closed and the city is quiet as locals leave for the provinces

Don't miss

🏰 Explore the historic Intramuros district on foot
🛡️ Visit Fort Santiago, a Spanish-era fortress
🌳 Stroll and relax at Rizal Park
🐠 Experience marine life at Manila Ocean Park
⛪ Admire Baroque architecture at San Agustin Church
🖼️ Discover Filipino heritage at the National Museum

You've been here?

Why travel to Manila?

Manila is an underrated gem with fascinating historical sites, vibrant street markets and a lively arts scene. From exploring centuries-old Intramuros to enjoying the bustling vibe of Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, Manila offers a mix of culture and adventure. While the city has areas of heavy traffic and some poverty, staying in safer neighborhoods and using ride-hailing apps can help ensure a smooth experience.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Binondo
This historic district in Binondo is Asia's oldest Chinatown, featuring narrow streets lined with gold shops, bustling markets and vibrant street food stalls that create a lively atmosphere day and night.
2 Intramuros
This historic walled city in Manila features Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and vibrant plazas. It offers a glimpse into the Philippines' rich heritage within Intramuros, surrounded by modern urban life.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Rizal Park
This historic green space in Manila offers peaceful walking paths, cultural monuments and panoramic city views. It serves as a quiet retreat from the bustling metropolis, attracting locals seeking relaxation and history amidst nature's embrace.
2 National Museum of Natural History
Housed in a historic building, this museum showcases Philippine biodiversity through exhibits on geology, botany and zoology. Its collections highlight the archipelago's unique natural heritage and scientific research spanning centuries of exploration.
3 Museum of the Chinese in Philippine Life
4 Manila Ocean Park
5 Fort Santiago
6 San Agustin Church
7 Session Hall of the Senate of the Philippines
8 Manila Cathedral
9 Cultural Center of the Philippines

🎡Places for activities

1 The Mind Museum
2 Art In Island Museum
3 The Dessert Museum

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 La Mesa Eco Park
2 Quezon Memorial Circle
3 Manila Bay
4 Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
5 Arroceros Forest Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Robinsons Place Manila
2 Divisoria Market
3 SM Mall of Asia
4 Bonifacio High Street
5 Greenbelt 5

🎈Events

Feast of the Black Nazarene (January)
Chinese New Year in Binondo
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival (August)
Manila International Auto Show (April)
Pista ng Quiapo (January)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Use Grab app for safe, reliable transport amid chaotic traffic.
Explore Intramuros early morning; visit Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church before heat builds.
Try street food in Binondo Chinatown but stick to busy stalls for freshness and safety.
Watch sunset at Manila Bay promenade; combine with Rizal Park strolls and nearby cultural museums.

How to travel to Manila

Manila is served by Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) with direct flights from major international hubs. You can also reach Manila by ferry from other Philippine islands or via long-distance buses from Luzon.

Access summary

From Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL): Taxi, Grab or bus, usually 25–60 minutes.
From Cebu City: Frequent domestic flights to Manila typically about 1–1.5 hours.
Traffic extremely variable; allow generous buffer, especially rush hours and rainy days.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Manila

Manila offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Makati, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Malate are popular areas to stay, offering good amenities and safety.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Savoy Hotel Manila near Airport NAIA Terminal 3 MNL

8.9

Belmont Hotel Manila near NAIA Terminal 3 MNL

8.9

Seda Vertis North Quezon City

9.2

Kingsford Hotel Manila Bay

8.8

Dusit Thani Manila

8.8

Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila

8.5

New World Makati Hotel

9.0

Makati Diamond Residences

9.3

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

8.7

Lime Resort Manila

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Manila

Manila has diverse transport options: jeepneys, taxis, buses and ride-hailing services like Grab. The MRT and LRT train lines are useful but can get crowded. Walking is ideal only in specific safe areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-67 %

Daily expenses in Manila are around 67% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-19 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PHP) is 19% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£31	£65	£165
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£13	£25	£69
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£9.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.40
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.30
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.25

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.39
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£12
🤧 Cold medication	£4
💇 Basic haircut	£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Manila is generally safe, but pickpocketing and scams can occur, especially in crowded areas. Stick to well-lit, busy streets and use trusted transport services to stay safe.

Health & Medical

Manila has good medical facilities, with modern hospitals and clinics. However, traffic can affect emergency response times. Be cautious with food hygiene and stay hydrated, especially in hot weather.

Accessibility

Accessibility can vary. Malls and modern facilities are wheelchair-friendly, but public transport and older infrastructure may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available. Many hotels and establishments offer water dispensers for refilling bottles.