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Metro Manila Culture & history

Our most recommended Metro Manila Culture & history

Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

1. Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

Come along for a tour of Manila’s past and present. The tour starts right in the heart of the country’s financial center - the City of Makati. First stop is Nielsen’s Tower along Ayala Boulevard. Drive through Forbes Park, an exclusive residential enclave fittingly dubbed Millionaire’s Row on your way to our first stop – The American Cemetery and Memorial - reputed to be the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental United States. Then proceed to the old city of Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past), passing through Luneta Park (also called Rizal Park in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadores. Travel through the cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. Then we wrap the tour up with a visit to Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that watched over the entrance to Manila’s Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

Manila: Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

2. Manila: Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

Get on your bamboo bike made by local craftsmen to explore all major historical sites of Intramuros, the historical district of Manila. Start your tour by picking the best bambike that fits you. Start your tour with the guide by riding to Plaza San Luis, a complex inside Intramuros where you can find a Japanese cannon used in World War II. Spend time listening to your guide's explanation about Intramuros's history at Puerta Real Gardens, surrounded by local fauna. The next stop is Puerta Del Parian, one of the earliest gateways to Intramuros. You will then be directed to the Aduana Building, Manila Cathedral and Plaza de Roma, the historic center of Spanish colonial times of Manila. Refresh yourself with a cold towel and an ice cream after the tour!

Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

3. Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

The tour starts with a drive up to the picturesque City of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 2,250 feet above sea level, the city offers panoramic views of Taal Lake and Volcano, the "lake within a volcano within a lake within a volcano". This view is best savored from atop the Palace in the Sky, rest house of late President Ferdinand Marcos. Enjoy a brief lunch stop at a local restaurant to enjoy some local cuisine and delicacies in an atmosphere designed for panoramic views. Then we start our drive back down to Metro Manila. First stop is the American War Memorial & Cemetery, the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental U.S. Have a glimpse of Makati’s hustle and bustle as you drive through on your way to the capital city - Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past) passing through Rizal Park (named in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadors. Travel through old cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. The tours wraps up at Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that once watched over the entrance to Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

Manila: Filipino Historic Walking Tour in Intramuros

4. Manila: Filipino Historic Walking Tour in Intramuros

Meet your guide and dive into the history of the Philippines, beginning with the oldest stone church in the country. Hear about how and why the Spanish ended up on this side of the world, as well as the everlasting marks they left after over 300 years of occupation. Next, cross the street and enter an expertly restored, 19th-century aristocrats' home and marvel at the furnishings and design, located at the point where east and west influences meet. Make your way toward a rarely visited part of the historic wall of Intramuros and catch a glimpse into its marvelous past.  Then, step into the history museum, which offers further insight into Manila's old city and its history intertwined with the Catholic Church. Continue onward through the narrow streets, making a quick stop at the WWII memorial to hear about the role of the Philippines in the war. Another quick stop at the Cathedral that represents the seat of the Catholic Church in the Philippines Then we learn about the Filipino's fight for independence at the old military garrison.

Manila: Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

5. Manila: Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros

Get on a bamboo bike made by local craftsmen to explore all the major historical sites of Intramuros, the historical center of Manila. Discover local sites like Fort Santiago, Plaza de Roma, and Puerta del Parian.  Start your tour by picking the best bambike for you and put on your helmet before you hit the streets. Follow your guide from Casa Manila, a museum focused on the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Ride to the Japanese Cannon and learn about the city's World War II history. Listen as your guide explains Intramuros's history at Puerta Real Gardens, surrounded by local fauna. The next stop is Puerta Del Parian, one of the earliest gateways to Intramuros. Continue to the Aduana Building, the Manila Cathedral, and Plaza de Roma, the historic center of colonial Manila. Finally, stop at the Bayleaf Hotel Skydeck to watch the sunset before returning to the meeting point at around 6:30 PM. Refresh yourself with a cold towel and an ice cream after your tour.

Other Sightseeing Options in Metro Manila

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What people are saying about Metro Manila

Overall rating

4.1 / 5

based on 182 reviews

Ok, this may be a different kind of a review: During the 1.5 h tour, I suddenly became super sick (bad food the night before), so sick, that I had to stop the tour: Not was the guide (& my group, sorry & thanks) super caring, but also the whole Bambike team!♡ They "saved" me by sending the "Bamboolance" - a guy on a bamboo tricycle & a guy to ride my bike back to the office - and upon arrival back at the Bambike office I was super taken care of: wet towel, water, etc. & another guy even "finished" the tour for me and my friend by providing us with all the information of the last spot we missed on the tour. Thus, thank you Bambike team, you guys are great! With regards to the tour itself - before I had to stop it - it is a good combination of interesting information around the history of the Philippines & enough time to explore the places by yourself. I would recommend it!

The tour guide Rolando Javelone (RJ) was excellent. RJ made it a great tour as he is very knowledgeable with lots of fun and historical facts that made it a very enjoyable experience while learning much about key sights and events from Manila’s past and present. The tour was not rushed with time to take in all the sights

Jian will lead you on an entertaining and fact filled tour of Intramuros. We learnt a lot about the history of the Philippines whilst touring some of the beautiful sites around the area. A great tour for anyone visiting Manila.

Jian is an excellent tour guide! He delivered a fun and insightful tour around Intramuros. My group and I learned a lot of interesting things and had a lot of fun! I definitely would recommend this to locals and tourists!

Super good tour, informative, safely cycled around and really nice! Thanks for the great tour!!!!