If you’re planning to take a solo trip to the Philippines, chances are you’ll be flying into Manila especially if you’re flying with Philippine Airlines.
Having been to Manila solo, there are so many areas within Metro Manila that you may be unsure of where to go.
The crowded streets and tall skyscrapers may seem overwhelming but you’ll soon see that the this capital is more than just highways and malls. It combines the old and the new, and there are some quiet spots to be found in the city. In this article I cover where to go when exploring Metro Manila.
Where To Go in Manila
While popular spots like Rizal Park, Intramuros, and the glitzy Venice Grand Canal Mall are definitely worth a visit, Manila has so many underrated gems that rarely make it into the travel guides. It’s the hidden places such as a friendly sari-sari shop in Poblacion, a peaceful park in Las Piñas, or a cosy couple-run coffee shop in Quezon City that really give Manila its charm.
Makati’s Poblacion
Makati used to be a sleepy old neighbourhood that is now brimming with life, especially at night. There are rooftop bars next to art cafes and tiny galleries hidden behind people’s homes. But you don’t have to come here at night to explore its warm ambience. Spending an afternoon exploring the area will reveal everything from independent bookstores to street food vendors.
Binondo, Manila
If you love Chinese food and fancy buying a lucky waving cat, head to Binondo. Apparently it is the oldest Chinatown in the world! You’ll find family-run bakeries, herbal stores, and temples lining the winding streets. And you grab a bite to eat ‘Chinese-style’ obviously.
Maginhawa Street, Quezon City
For the foodie solo, Maginhawa has affordable dining options making it popular with the student crowd. But don’t let that fool you as it isn’t just cheap boring eats here as you can find a ton of creative food options that will even make Heston Blumenthal smile. Try one of the meatless burgers or a Philippine rice bowl with a unique twist.
Kapitolyo, Pasig
Kapitolyo may be small but it has a lot of personality and delicious food with trendy places to dine. Restaurants seem more like someone’s kitchen than a place of business, and you can’t miss the street vendors too. Capitol Drive is where you’ll find many of the restaurants and if you’re craving comfort food and cool drinks, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s also a good spot for digital nomads as you can find co-working spaces to work from too.
Las Piñas
If you need somewhere even slower, you can find some peace and quiet in Las Pinas, which feels more like a small town. One great reason for going here is to see the Bamboo Organ, a real organ made mostly of bamboo. It’s not something you see every day, so going to a concert here is like listening to music from a different era.
Outside of Manila
Just because you fly into Manila, doesn’t mean that you have to stay there. When the hustle and bustle of Manila gets to be too much, here are some alternatives for a change of Philippine scenery.
Tagaytay
With its fresh food, cooler air, and views of the Taal Volcano, Tagaytay is a popular weekend getaway spot. Even though it’s only a few hours away, it feels like a different world. It’s the place to sip coffee on the cliff’s edge or buy fresh fruit and jams from the local market.
Antipolo
One for the cultural and historical solo. Antipolo will not let you down if you value art in peaceful surroundings. Visit the Pinto Art Museum or the Casa Santa Museum if you love Christmas and want to see figurines of Father Christmas.
Antipolo is mainly a destination for pilgrimage, and is home to the Mystical Cave where you can see holy images inside! People also come here to visit the Antipolo Cathedral which is home to a statue of the Virgin Mary that dates back to the 17th century.
Pampanga
Pampanga is the place to go to indulge your inner child. You can see dinosaurs (yes, I did say dinosaurs) at Dinosaurs Island or cool off at Aqua Planet, one of the country’s modern water parks. But the main reason for coming here is yet again to enjoy the food. As the culinary capital north of Manila, you can indulge in delicacies such as the creamy halo-halo or the crunchy sisig.
Getting Around Manila
There are a few ways to get around the city depending on where you’re going. Make sure to download Sakay.ph. It shows the best public transport routes and makes getting around easier.
The Pasig River Ferry is a scenic and traffic-free option that runs along the Pasig River, connecting key areas like Intramuros, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasig. I took the ferry and it was such a peaceful way to see the city from a different angle, floating past colonial buildings and local neighbourhoods. Fares are cheap and key stops like Escolta, Lawton, Guadalupe, and Sta. Ana make it a handy way to reach some off-the-beaten-path spots.
The traffic can get busy in Manila especially during rush hour so make sure to leave enough time to get to your destination. I used the Grab app when I was here which was really easy to download and made ordering a taxi so much easier and safer than just hailing one on the street. Especially because you get to put your location into the app. But people here do speak English.
The EDSA Carousel is the bus system that you can use with a Beep card, which also works on trains and ferries. They also have a train system: the MRT and LRT trains which are good ways to avoid traffic.
Then there are the local jeepneys which are the local colourful transport (like the blue one in the photo above). UV Express vans are faster but can be cramped.
Depending on what area you are staying in, you can walk around some of the areas but just be careful at night.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the best areas to visit in Manila, but make sure to visit other places in the country too! I recommend the island of Palawan where I spent a week exploring solo. Philippine Airlines has daily flights to other destinations in the Philippines. Find out how to solo travel in the Philippines here.
