Manila

Everyone flies through Manila. Few actually explore it. Time it right and you’ll catch the Aliwan Fiesta (April) — competitive street dancing, floats, and pageants from festival troupes across the country converging in the capital. See our festivals calendar and guide for more celebrations worth planning around. Between navigating NAIA’s four disconnected terminals, the colonial cannons of Corregidor, and the best hopia in Binondo, the capital deserves more than a layover.

Four Terminals, Zero Connection

Here’s what nobody tells you about Manila’s airport: it has four terminals, and they are not connected. They’re not even in the same part of the city. They’re scattered across different little pockets of the metro area — not far from each other, but far enough that you can’t just walk between them. When you land, you’ll need to figure out which terminal you’re in to grab a ride to wherever you’re going. That part is usually straightforward.

The harder part is when you’re leaving. Two terminals handle international flights — Terminals 1 and 3 — and two handle domestic — Terminals 2 and 4. You may or may not know which one you need. Check your ticket carefully and arrive early. We’re talking three to four hours early. The lines at the gates are long, the crowds are real, and the organization is… a work in progress.

Last trip, we actually took a ride to Terminal 1 when we should have been at Terminal 3. Had to quickly correct that — but because we left with plenty of time, it wasn’t a crisis. Lesson learned.

Terminal 1 — Older international terminal. Recently renovated areas but still crowded. PAL international flights depart here.

Terminal 2 — Philippine Airlines domestic hub. More spacious than T1. If you’re connecting to Cebu, Palawan, or Siargao on PAL, you’ll likely be here.

Terminal 3 — The newest and most modern terminal. Cebu Pacific international flights, plus some international carriers. Better restaurants and shopping.

Terminal 4 — Smaller domestic terminal for budget carriers. AirAsia and some Cebu Pacific domestic routes. Basic but functional.

Stay Near the Airport — From Luxury to Budget

If you’re just passing through or need a night before an early domestic connection, staying near the airport makes a lot of sense. The area around Newport City and Resorts World is actually very walkable — restaurants, shopping, and entertainment all within reach.

Manila Marriott Hotel — Probably the top pick in the airport area. I stayed here using Bonvoy points — very nice, top-end property. Part of the Newport/Resorts World complex with easy access to dining and entertainment. Worth the splurge or the points redemption.

Resorts World Manila — The newly opened Newport World complex anchors the airport entertainment district. High-end rooms, casino, multiple restaurants. Connected to the broader Resorts World area with plenty of walkable options.

Holiday Inn Express Manila — Reliable mid-range option near the airport. Good value if you want comfort without the luxury price tag.

Parkside Villas (Airbnb) — A condo complex near the airport that offers Airbnb rentals. Great option if you want more space and kitchen access, especially for families or longer layovers.

Ermita — Nightlife, Restaurants and the Boardwalk

If you want to actually experience Manila rather than just sleep near the airport, Ermita is a strong pick. From a nightlife, restaurant, and hotel perspective, it’s very nice. The area has character — a mix of old Manila charm and the kind of energy that keeps you walking until well past midnight.

The boardwalk at night is the highlight. Vendors selling street food, string lights lining the walkway, good restaurants along Roxas Boulevard — it’s a genuinely pretty scene. The restaurants range from casual beachside spots to quality sit-down places with surprisingly good food.

Best Western Hotel La Corona

Great value in Ermita. Walking distance to the boardwalk and nightlife. Clean, reliable, and well-positioned for exploring the Manila Bay area on foot. My go-to for Ermita stays.

Scott’s Tip: Walk the boardwalk at night. The vendors, the lights, the boulevard restaurants — it’s a side of Manila most tourists miss because they never leave the airport area. Some really pretty, quality restaurants along there. Ermita is walkable and feels safer than you’d expect from the reputation Manila sometimes gets.

Corregidor — Cannons, Forts and Wartime Bunkers

If you have a day to spare from Manila, Corregidor Island is one of the most powerful experiences you can have in the Philippines. We took a guided tour there and it was absolutely amazing — seeing the cannons, the forts, the bunkers, all of it still standing in various states of decay and preservation. Pretty spectacular stuff.

You get there by shuttle boat from Manila, which is an experience in itself — watching the city skyline shrink as the island fortress grows larger ahead of you. The tour covers the major defensive positions, the Malinta Tunnel complex, and the story of the fall of the Philippines in World War II. It’s sobering and beautiful at the same time. Discover more about the Philippines’ wartime heritage in our WWII history guide.

Scott’s Tip: Book the full-day tour. The water shuttle from Manila to the island is about an hour each way, and you want enough time on the island to really take it all in. Don’t rush through the Malinta Tunnel or the battery positions — the scale of what happened there deserves more than a quick photo stop.

Binondo Chinatown — Fried Siomai, Hopia and Back Streets

Our most recent Manila trip, we went to Chinatown in Binondo, and it was a genuinely fun time. The markets are crowded, sure — this is Manila — but the energy is infectious. Back streets packed with vendors, the smell of fresh-fried everything, good food at every turn, and a real sense of culture you don’t get in the more sanitized tourist areas.

Two things you absolutely have to try: the fried siomai — served fresh and hot from street vendors, crispy on the outside, packed with flavor — and the hopia from Eng Bee Tin. We had lunch at the famous Eng Bee Tin location that’s known for their hopia, and we bought a ton of it to bring back to the States. The flaky pastry with the sweet mung bean filling is addictive. Jenice’s family always requests it.

Lumpia Shanghai — Crispy spring rolls at market stalls throughout Binondo. The Chinese-Filipino fusion version is thinner and crunchier than the standard. Explore more regional dishes in our Philippine cuisine guide.

Machang — Sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with pork, Chinese sausage, and peanuts. The Binondo version is distinct from any other Filipino region.

Where to Eat in Manila

Manila is overwhelming, but the food cuts through the chaos. From the oldest Chinatown in the world to a Filipino institution that’s been serving since the 1930s, these are the essential stops.

Aristocrat Restaurant — Classic Filipino dining since 1936. The barbecue chicken with Java rice is the signature order and has been for nearly a century. A Manila institution that still delivers. ₱200–500 ($3.60–9 USD).

Binondo Chinatown food walk — The world’s oldest Chinatown is best experienced on foot. Fried siomai from street vendors, hopia from Eng Bee Tin, lumpia Shanghai, and machang (sticky rice in banana leaves). Every block has something worth stopping for. ₱30–200 ($0.55–3.60 USD).

Cafe Adriatico (Remedios Circle) — A Malate landmark with Spanish-Filipino cuisine in a warm, old-Manila atmosphere. The callos and paella are standouts. Good for a sit-down dinner after walking the Ermita boardwalk. ₱300–700 ($5.40–12.60 USD).

Jollibee — Not a restaurant recommendation in the traditional sense, but a cultural experience. The Filipino fast-food chain that beat McDonald’s in its own market. Order the Chickenjoy with gravy and the Jolly Spaghetti (sweet-style with hotdog slices). Every Filipino abroad craves it. ₱100–250 ($1.80–4.50 USD).

Poblacion food scene (Makati) — Manila’s trendiest food and bar neighborhood. Small plates, rooftop cocktails, and international cuisine packed into a few walkable blocks. The best area for a night out if you want variety. ₱300–800 ($5.40–14.40 USD).

Roxas Boulevard boardwalk stalls — Street food vendors line the Ermita boardwalk at night. Grilled seafood, kwek-kwek (deep-fried quail eggs), and isaw (chicken intestine). The atmosphere and Manila Bay sunset views are half the meal. ₱50–200 ($0.90–3.60 USD).

Where to Stay in Manila

Sofitel Philippine Plaza — Grand luxury on Manila Bay with a massive pool, multiple restaurants, and sunset views over the water. One of the finest hotels in the city and a destination in itself. ₱9,000–15,000/night ($162–270 USD).

Manila Marriott Hotel — Our luxury pick. We’ve stayed here many times and it never disappoints — top-end property in the Newport/Resorts World complex with easy access to dining, entertainment, and the airport. Worth the splurge or Bonvoy points. ₱8,000/night ($144 USD).

Best Western Hotel La Corona — Our go-to value pick in Ermita. We’ve stayed here many times — clean, reliable, and perfectly positioned for walking to the boardwalk and Manila Bay. Best bang for your buck in the tourist belt. ₱3,000/night ($54 USD).

Swagman Hotel — Another Ermita value pick we keep coming back to. No-nonsense hotel with a restaurant and bar, right in the middle of the action. Great for travelers who want a solid base without paying Makati prices. ₱2,000–3,000/night ($36–54 USD).

Makati Shangri-La — If you want to be in the heart of Makati’s business district with excellent restaurants, a spa, and easy access to Greenbelt Mall. The best base for exploring Makati’s food and nightlife scene. ₱7,000–12,000/night ($126–216 USD).

Z Hostel Poblacion — The backpacker pick in Manila’s trendiest nightlife neighborhood. Rooftop bar, social vibe, and walkable to Poblacion’s craft cocktail bars and restaurants. ₱600–1,200/night ($11–22 USD).

Manila isn’t the Philippines most people dream about. It doesn’t have the white sand of Boracay or the limestone cliffs of Palawan. But it’s where every adventure starts, and if you give it more than a terminal transfer, it rewards you. The boardwalk at Ermita, the history at Corregidor, the flavors of Binondo — there’s a city here worth knowing. Most travelers rush through. We did too, for years. We’re glad we finally stopped.