Most people suggest skipping Manila when visiting the Philippines and just heading straight to the more touristy islands, like Boracay or Palawan.

I disagree.

Metro Manila has so much to offer.

As someone who enjoys exploring local cultures, partying, and even shopping, I can vouch for this. If your international flight lands here anyway (and it probably will), might as well explore the city!

Of course, like any city, not every part is picture-perfect. But in this guide, I’ll show you the best areas in Metro Manila for tourists—where to stay, party, shop, eat, and some insider tips from a local perspective.

In this guide:

• Best Areas for Tourists in Metro Manila
  • 1. Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
  • 2. Makati CBD
  • 3. Poblacion, Makati
  • 4. Malate, Manila
  • 5. Quezon City CBD
  • 6. Bay City (Manila Bay Freeport Zone)
  • 7. Ortigas Center
  • 8. Newport City
• FAQs

Best Areas for Tourists in Metro Manila

Metro Manila has 16 cities, so it can be a bit tricky to get around. To give you an overview, here’s a map showing the best spots for tourists.

1. Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

BGC is a 240-hectare business district located in Taguig City. It is arguably the most developed part of Metro Manila so it’s where most foreign tourists choose to stay. Now, I don’t have official numbers to back this up, but it’s pretty obvious from the number of tourists you’ll see around.

That said, BGC is also one of the pricier areas. Expect the price of food to be around twice the average in Metro Manila.

You’ll find big company offices like the Philippine Stock Exchange here, along with some of the most modern condominiums, hotels, and malls in the country. However, beyond its modern structures, for me, what really makes BGC stand out are its pedestrian-friendly streets, lush parks, and open spaces designed to encourage an active street life. It’s so easy to walk around and enjoy the urban atmosphere!

Nightlife is also present in BGC. In fact, the most upscale night clubs are here, including Xylo, Revel, Clubhouse, and Yes Please, all located within The Palace Manila complex. If you’re into a more laid-back vibe, there are also several bars and cafes that stay open until the early hours along Forbestown Road.

BGC very much resembles cityscapes in developed countries. Hence, it can feel somewhat artificial and detached from the rest of Metro Manila. Nevertheless, it is a great choice if you seek a safe and well-organized environment. It’s also conveniently located about 10 km from the airport, which is roughly a 30-minute drive.

Places to visit in BGC:

• Bonifacio High Street – A kilometer-long street of shops, restaurants, and cafes located in the heart of BGC
• Venice Grand Canal Mall – A shopping mall designed to be a replica of Venice, Italy
• The Peak – A fine dining restaurant located on the 60th floor of Grand Hyatt Manila— the highest building in the Philippines
• The Mind Museum – a science museum

Best Hotels in BGC:

• Ascott BGC
• Seda BGC
• Shangri-La The Fort

2. Makati CBD

The Makati CBD is the Philippines’ oldest and premier business district developed in the 1960s. It’s home to many well-known law firms, financial institutions, construction companies, and multinational corporations.

In contrast to the modern buildings in BGC, Makati CBD features a mix of older and newer architecture. And while BGC has wider streets, Makati’s buildings are generally closer together, creating a more intimate urban feel.

When it comes to dining, prices in Makati are generally on par with those in BGC. But Makati has “jollijeeps” — food carts where most employees in the area grab a filling meal for just about a dollar.

In terms of accessibility, Makati CBD is more accessible than BGC. The nearby One Ayala Terminal serves as both a mall and a hub for buses and vans traveling to various parts of Metro Manila, and it’s connected to the MRT-3 train. Plus, it’s just 6 km from the airport, about a 20-minute drive.

Places to Visit in Makati CBD:

• Ayala Museum – Arguably the best-curated museum in Metro Manila.
• Weekend Markets – There are two weekend community markets here, both offering local produce, street eats, and crafts. Salcedo Market opens at 7AM every Saturday at Jaime C. Velasquez Park, and Legazpi Market opens every Sunday at Corinthian Carpark.
• Ayala Triangle Gardens – A 2-hectare triangular urban park inspired by Hyde Park in London. It hosts the annual Festival of Lights, a light and sound show running every 30 minutes from 6PM to 10PM, from November to January.
• Greenbelt – A shopping mall made up of five sections (Greenbelts 1 to 5) surrounding Greenbelt Park, which contains the Santo Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. This is where you’ll find most luxury shops in Makati. Fun fact: The Greenbelt Chapel sits where the Ayala Museum used to be.
• Cafes – Go cafe-hopping! The Makati CBD has many local cafes with unique themes. One interesting spot to visit is The Alley at Karrivin – it’s a cafe, art gallery, restaurant, and furniture store all in one.

Best Hotels in Makati CBD:

• Fairmont Makati
• The Peninsula Manila
• Discovery Primea
• Dusit Thani Manila

3. Poblacion, Makati

Poblacion is right next to Makati CBD. It used to be the old downtown area, which is why you’ll find the City Hall and much of Makati’s heritage here.

Today, Poblacion has transformed into Metro Manila’s busiest nightlife center. The area is packed with a mix of bars, clubs, and unique food spots. It’s a popular hangout for expats, partly because it’s also known as the city’s main red-light district.

If you’re into Halloween, Poblacion is the best place to celebrate! It’s got that fun vibe, kind of like Halloween nights in Shibuya and Itaewon where you’ll see tons of locals in costume, street parties, and performances.

You’ll also find Rockwell Center, a high-end, developed community, within Poblacion.

Places to Visit in Poblacion, Makati:

• Power Plant Mall – A 5-storey upscale mall in Rockwell Center
• Rooftop Bars – Poblacion has a bunch of rooftop bars with awesome views of the city, like Dr. Wine Rooftop.
• Museo ng Makati (Makati Museum)

Best Hotels in Poblacion, Makati:

• Aruga Apartments by Rockwell
• I’M Hotel
• City Garden Grand Hotel

4. Malate, Manila

Malate is the City of Manila’s center for commerce and tourism, so if you’re into exploring the old capital’s cultural and historical spots, it’s a great place to stay.

It used to be the go-to spot for nightlife before the scene moved to Poblacion in Makati, but you can still find plenty of bars here, and it’s still known as one of Metro Manila’s main red-light districts.

Places to Visit around Malate:

• Intramuros – A historic walled district that used to be the capital during the Spanish era. It’s the only place in Manila where Spanish-era structures have been preserved. While you’re there, be sure to visit Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, and San Agustin Church. Don’t forget to explore the old restaurants, too!
• National Museum Complex – Houses three museums: National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Natural History.
• Binondo – The oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594. This is a good place to explore street food.
• Divisoria – Located right next to Binondo is a complex of malls and retail shops where you can buy all kinds of cheap products. A bit similar to Pratunam and Chatuchak in Bangkok.
• Rizal Park – This is where the national hero Jose Rizal’s remains are enshrined. It’s a popular spot for jogging.
• Quiapo Church – A Baroque-style church that houses a miraculous dark statue of Jesus Christ.

Best Hotels around Malate:

• The Manila Hotel
• Diamond Hotel Philippines
• Sheraton Manila Bay

5. Quezon City CBD

Most tourists usually stick to Makati and BGC, but Quezon City has its own vibe that’s worth checking out. It’s actually the biggest city in Metro Manila, with plenty of commercial areas. For me, though, the best spot is the Quezon City CBD, which covers Ayala Vertis North, Eton Centris, and stretches to the Scout Area.

The Scout Area is kind of like Poblacion Makati, with lots of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, especially along Tomas Morato and Timog. But unlike Poblacion, which is popular with expats, the Scout Area is mostly a local hangout. This is also where you’ll find the two biggest TV networks in the country— so don’t be surprised if you bump into some celebrities.

QC CBD is around 25 km from the airport, which is about an hour’s drive.

Places to Visit around Quezon City CBD:

• SM North EDSA – The second largest mall in the Philippines
• University of the Philippines Diliman – The largest campus in Metro Manila, popular among runners and bikers for its spacious, tree-lined roads.
• Restaurants – The Scout Area has lots of cool food spots, but if you want more, nearby Maginhawa Street is also worth a visit.

Best Hotels around Quezon City CBD:

• Seda Vertis North
• Solaire Resort North
• Luxent Hotel

6. Bay City (Manila Bay Freeport Zone)

Bay City is a reclaimed area on Manila Bay, located next to Roxas Boulevard. It hosts major development complexes like the Mall of Asia Complex, Entertainment City, and Aseana City.

As a green urbanist, I’m not particularly fond of staying here. Although the streets are well-developed and spacious, they’re not pedestrian-friendly, and the lack of trees makes it uncomfortably hot to walk around during the day. However, it’s a great spot for entertainment and casinos.

Places to visit in Bay City:

• SM Mall of Asia – The biggest mall in the Philippines and sixth largest in the world! It even has the world’s largest IKEA store. Behind the mall, you’ll find SM By the Bay Amusement Park—a nice place for a stroll and to catch the gorgeous Manila Bay sunset. For a cool view of Bay City, try riding the MOA Eye ferris wheel.
• Resort Casinos – Some of the Philippines’ top resort casinos are here, like Okada Manila, Solaire, and City of Dreams.

Best Hotels in Bay City:

• Conrad Manila
• The Heritage Hotel Manila
• Okada Manila

7. Ortigas Center

Ortigas Center is Metro Manila’s second most important business district, after Makati CBD. It sits at the intersection of three cities: the northern part belongs to Quezon City, the western part is in Mandaluyong, and the eastern part falls under Pasig. Because of this, the vibe can vary quite a bit depending on where you are.

This area is packed with malls, making it a favorite spot for shoppers. My favorite, though, is the Greenfield District because of its outdoor spaces that really come to life at night.

Best Places to Visit in Ortigas Center:

• Greenfield Central Park– A great place to chill. It hosts the Greenfield Weekend Market and transforms into an open food park at night. Plus, it’s pet-friendly!
• Food Truck Fest– Just a short walk from Central Park, you’ll find a food park filled with food trucks located in the Mayflower Parking Area.
• Malls – There are plenty of malls here! My top picks are The Podium, Shangri-La Plaza, and SM Megamall.

Best Hotels in Ortigas Center:

• Marco Polo Ortigas
• EDSA Shangri-La
• Joy Nostalg

8. Newport City

If you’re short on time in Manila and want to stay close to the airport, Newport City is a great option. This small township is best known for Resorts World Manila, the country’s first fully integrated entertainment complex, complete with a mall, hotels, and a casino.

Places to Visit in Newport City:

• Newport World Resorts Casino
• Newport Mall
• Newport Performing Arts Theater – Often hosts musicals and live shows.

Top Hotels in Newport City:

• Hilton Manila
• Hotel Okura
• Maxims Hotel

FAQs

Author Profile

Ron Lao

Ron Lao is an engineering graduate with a passion for writing informative content and exploring new places, cultures, and food. He loves science, cats, badminton, and anything wellness-related.

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