Metro – Travel Up

GUIDE: Museums in Metro Manila

October is Museums and Galleries month in the Philippines. If you’re looking for something new to do in the metro aside from visiting malls, why not explore museums instead. Whether you’re on a museum date with friends or exploring solo, there are many notable museums around Metro Manila worth your time. Some of these are completely free to visit.

Here’s a reference list of museums in Metro Manila for those who want to learn more about history, culture, or appreciate art. I’ve included their location, business hours and entrance fees if any.

NOTE: This list is based on museums that I’ve personally visited in Metro Manila. I’ll update this post whenever I visit a new museum.

10 unique & fun things to do in Manila

For travelers, backpackers and province-based tourists, Manila is often just thought of as a stopover between flights on the way to another destination. The big city can be overwhelming with the heavy traffic and crowded streets. It’s often seen as gritty and chaotic, especially if you visit the areas of Quiapo and Divisoria.

I often take the tourist sights in Manila for granted because I live here. But if I were a first-time tourist in the Philippines or if I had to take around foreign tourists, balikbayans, expats or province-based friends, what would I do and where would I go?

Classic and new cafes to visit in Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros, the historic walled city of Manila, is one of the country’s top destinations for international tourists and locals alike. While most tourists visit mainly for the churches, museums, and historical sites, some dining spots also offer unique destinations to grab a bite or drink in between all that sightseeing.

Along with classic restaurants serving Filipino-Spanish cuisine, a few new cafes have popped up in the past few years, giving locals a reason to revisit.

Here’s an ultimate guide to the classic and new restaurants in Intramuros currently operational as of October 2024.

House of Cravings: Dessert bar and events place in Maginhawa

Cravings, the well-loved establishment known for serving home-style comfort food and cakes since 1988, has found a new home on Maginhawa Street.

House of Cravings is a dessert bar and events place on Quezon City’s famous foodie street. To kick off their new space, House of Cravings will be hosting a monthly “Unlimited Cake and Coffee Buffet” to highlight their signature offerings.

Top museums and nature spots to visit in Manila

Manila boasts a variety of historical and cultural museums that offer a glimpse into the Philippines’ rich heritage. The three major museums of the National Museum Complex, all within walking distance of each other, house the biggest collections of artifacts and artworks from the pre-colonial period up to this day. Other museums and parks in Manila also provide areas to appreciate culture and nature.

Biking Destinations in and around Manila

Compared to many other cities around the world, Metro Manila is not a bike-friendly destination. The city itself, with the urban sprawl, horrible traffic, and lack of safe and secure bicycle lanes, makes it pretty scary to explore on two wheels. Sure, you can find many areas for urban biking in the city but chances are, these spots are difficult to get to or you’ll be exposed to the polluted city most of the time.

Manila Clock Tower Museum Guide

Looking for a new museum to visit for National Arts Month this February? Step back in time and explore the Manila Clock Tower Museum, housed in the city’s most iconic landmark—the Manila City Hall.

Hop-On Hop-Off bus routes in the Philippines

In case you didn’t know, the Philippines has its own Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Sightseeing tour bus in several hubs around Metro Manila. As of February 2024, three out of the six planned routes are currently operational in the areas of Manila, Makati, and Pasay. The three other hubs in the areas of Pasig/San Juan/Mandaluyong, Taguig, and Quezon City, are expected to be launched later this year.

Biking to the new Pasig River Esplanade (2024)

Last Sunday (January 21, 2024), we joined a group ride to Binondo with cycling advocacy group Firefly Brigade and went around Escolta afterwards to check out the newly opened Pasig River Esplanade. This area behind the Central Manila Post Office right next to Jones Bridge is set to be the newest tourist attraction along the river.

Food Trip: Binondo

As the world’s oldest Chinatown (established in 1594), Binondo in Manila is a well-known cultural and foodie haven. Here, you can find lots of authentic hole-in-the-wall establishments serving everything from flashy Cantonese-themed lauriat meals to homey Hokkien-style Tsinoy cooking. However, there are over 100+ restaurants in the area, so it can be quite overwhelming to decide where to eat.

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