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District of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Photo: Beyond Forgetting, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ermita is a district in downtown Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
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Opened in 2008, this is Manila's first major oceanarium. Although not quite as large and well-equipped as some of Asia's more famous oceanaria (including those in Hong Kong and Singapore), it's still a popular attraction among locals and could be a very interesting diversion for families with children. The centrepiece is the Living Ocean exhibit with large aquariums and an underwater acrylic walkway.
This museum is geared towards keeping children entertained (and informed) through educational hands-on exhibits and special activities. Themed galleries cover a variety of subjects ranging from history to science to art. Don't put a short leash on the kids here: they're expected to touch and play with most of the stuff on show. Admission ₱100 adults/children. Streetchildren, infants (under 2 years), museum workers and teachers (with valid IDs) get in free.
Stately, neoclassical museum housing a broad collection of Filipino cultural materials & artifacts.
Massive museum with collections of Filipino fine art, archaeology, botany, natural history & more.
Natural history museum
Zoological, botanical & geological specimens displayed in an elegant venue with a soaring atrium.
Museum of space history, Small venue with educational displays on planets & space plus shows in a dome-shaped theater.
Nearest railway station: United Nations (LRT-1). Manila's green lung, this large urban park stretches from the Quirino Grandstand in the west to Taft Avenue in the east, with the historic walled district of Intramuros bordering it to the north. The park's most famous landmark is the Rizal Monument, a stone obelisk with bronze statuary erected near the site of Philippine national hero José Rizal's execution in 1896. All distances in the Philippines are measured from the large flagpole near the monument, which serves as the country's Kilometre Zero. Other prominent features include a statue of Lapu-Lapu (the native chieftain who repulsed Magellan's expedition in 1521) and a giant relief map of the Philippines (set within a reflecting pool near the Taft Avenue end). Well-known landmarks within the park's boundaries include the Museum of the Filipino People (inside the old Finance Department building), the Department of Tourism building, the Manila Planetarium, and the National Library. Many locals (including taxi drivers) still refer to the park by its old name: Luneta.
See Asia's first botanical garden, opened on the late 1850s, renamed after John C. Mehan, the park superintendent.
Almost a twin of the former Finance Department headquarters nearby, this Neoclassical building is a prominent feature of the eastern end of Rizal Park. The colossal statue of Lapu-Lapu - a fairly recent addition to the park - stands between the two buildings, and the giant relief map of the Philippines is just a short walk away.
Never mind the ill-conceived pink and yellow paint job - this grand Neoclassical structure from the 1920s is a fine exemplar of the massive government buildings that were erected in this part of Manila during the American colonial period. It is the headquarters of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost). The structure experienced a massive fire last May 2023.
Next to Arroceros Forest Park and Mehan Garden
An Art Deco building designed by Filipino architect; Juan M. de Guzman Arellano, first opened in the 1930s and then was severely damaged after the liberation of Manila by America and the Filipino forces in 1945, it was again reconstructed by the Americans however by the 1960s it fell into disuse but again reopened in the 1970s, and then again it fell into decay. As of January 2023, the theater is now fully operational, some stage play and concerts have been held from the last 6 months of 2023.
Historical landmark, Small marble marker, reference point for all Filipino distance measurements & popular for photo ops.
Kamayan literally means to eat with your hands in Filipino. Their native buffet has a wide range of Filipino food to offer for just under 10 US$/person. Specialties include the lechon (suckling pig) and grilled seafood. Kamayan also has branches in Makati and Quezon City and is usually located alongside its sister restaurants Dad's (Western food buffet) and Saisaki (Japanese food buffet).
The Best Ribs in Town.
Indian restaurant.
Amber Restaurant
Manila, the Philippines' capital, blends history, culture, and modern life. Amber Restaurant, known for its delicious Filipino dishes like pansit, has multiple branches in the city, offering a cozy dining experience.
This hotel offers rooms equipped with air conditioning, desk, television, shower, kitchenette, satellite/cable TV and dining area. Has a Japanese restaurant that serves breakfast and a massage service.
All rooms are good for two persons with free breakfast.
Casa Bocobo Hotel is a no-frills budget hotel located in the neighborhood of the world-renowned Rizal Park. The two-storey, 47-room hotel provides air-conditioned rooms, orthopedic beds, hot & cold shower, cable service via an LCD TV and direct distance dial phones. Their coffee shop, Cafe Bocobo, specializes in Filipino and Asian cuisine. Simple dishes yet superbly crafted and reasonably priced.
Fan room with outside bathroom. Fan and A/C double rooms with own bathroom.
A/C rooms equipped with cable TV, mini bar, daily newspaper and hair dryer. Some of its facilities and services are restaurant, bar, function room and massage service.
A/C rooms equipped with cable TV, and refrigerator with mini-bar items. Some of its facilities and services are Internet access, business center, lounge and cafe shop.
Occupying two floors of the Midland Plaza Building, you can look down on Manila life from your room and enjoy your time here with a kitchenette, wifi, cable TV, and balcony.
Here you can take in the sights and sounds of Manila from the outdoor pool, and there's also a restaurant for trying out some Filipino ulam.
Historic luxury hotel, built in a French Renaissance Belle Epoque style and first opened in 1919. It was one of the few buildings that survived the Battle of Manila in 1945 when Allied trooped ended the Japanese occupation. It closed in 1987 but reopened in 2014, now as a slightly more modest option.
Unlike most other spas in Manila, the theme of Mont Albo Massage Hut is old Filipino paying tribute to the humble local nipa hut. Facilities would include waiting lounge, massage/body scrub cubicles, massage chairs, shower and suob (steam) chamber.
Offers rooms and suites that boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, aquarium walls, or city/bay views. All rooms are fully equipped with private toilet and shower, LCD TV with cable and pay-per-view movies, Internet access, and mini-bar. Some of its amenities include Makansutra Asian Food Village, Club H2O Lounge, fitness centre and spa, and a swimming pool.
One of Manila's oldest hotels and a historical landmark.
An urban shopping complex with the usual amenities: food court, cinemas, department store, supermarket, etc. 7 levels, 330 stores. Located near Pedro Gil Station (LRT-1).
Part of the nationwide SM "Supermall" chain, this shopping centre has all of the standard features of an urban mall (including a food court, cinemas, a department store and a supermarket) as well as scores of shops spread out over 6 floors. Located near Central Terminal (LRT-1).
By water bus
The Pasig River Ferry stops at Quezon Bridge (Lawton) station, near - you guessed it - Quezon Bridge, which is not far from Liwasang Bonifacio and the old Metropolitan Theatre.
By taxi
Taxis from Ninoy Aquino International Airport will cost you a poverty-inducing ₱550 unless you insist on taking a car with driver from any of the rental car companies.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Manila (Pasay) · International · MNL
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