Historical Buildings Walking Tour (Self Guided), Manila

Manila’s long history results from its situation as a natural port in a huge bay. With the Spanish conquest of the Philippines in the 16th century, it became united, along with Mexico City and Madrid, into the first truly globalised trade system. Intramuros, Manila’s old walled Spanish town, stood for 350 years before World War II came, and still houses many of the historic buildings.

For a quick – but very engaging – tour of the city’s historic buildings, start at the Jones Bridge near Intramuros and look for the beautiful Central Post Office Building – an American-era landmark that lords over the Pasig River. Designed by famous Filipino architect Juan Arellano, it was built as a modern colonial architecture, an example of a perfect neo-classical monument. Arellano also designed the recently renovated Manila Metropolitan Theater, fittingly marking the tour’s end.

In between these landmarks, you will also get to see the iconic El Hogar Filipino building (designed in the Beaux-Arts/Neo-classical/Renaissance styles of architecture), and the nearby Calvo Building – another Beaux-Arts masterpiece which houses a treasure trove of pre-WWII photos and memorabilia on the 2nd floor.

Other highlights include the beautiful Bahay Nakpil-Bautista ancestral home, built in 1914. As well as an insight into the grandeur of pre-war Manila, the museum provides a history of the Ilustrados – the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century, and Katipunan – the anti–Spanish revolutionist movement.

If you’re interested in delving deeper in the city's past and colonial architecture, take this self-guided tour to see some of Manila’s outstanding historical landmarks!