What to Do in Intramuros: Walking Tours, Museums, and Secret, Manila, Philippines

Intramuros was on top of our list during our 2 days in Manila. If you only have a short time in Manila, there’s one place you absolutely shouldn’t skip: Intramuros. This walled city is the heart of the capital’s history, where cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, and historic forts tell the story of the Philippines like nowhere else. There are more places worth seeing in Manila, but Intramuros should be the priority and can be done even if you are in Manila as a day stopover.

Even if you only have a few hours, spending them in Intramuros will change the way you see Manila. It seems that there is such a strong stereotype about Manila (I am sure you’ve heard it) when it comes to safety, poverty and dirt and I think Intramuros demolishes that stereotype quite quickly.

It’s one thing to drive through the city and watch it from a taxi window, and another to actually walk its oldest streets, touch the stone walls, and sit quietly inside centuries-old churches. That’s where Manila started to make sense to me. In this guide, I’m sharing what to do in Intramuros, from the best walking tours and museums to the quiet corners and little cafés I found along the way, so you can experience it properly, not just pass through it. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).