Historical Churches Walking Tour, Manila

Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Manila

International surveys have repeatedly ranked Filipinos among the world’s most religious people. The archipelago’s colonization and evangelization by the Spanish, started in 1565, has left Manila with many shrines and churches sprawled around its streets, despite the destructions by wars and natural disasters. Some of these old churches are especially attractive due to their delicate mixture of styles, exclusive interiors, and – above all – historical value.

Start your journey with San Agustin – the oldest church in the Philippines, and the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros (the historical walled city) in the Second World War. Its ornate interior is suitably filled with objects of great historical & cultural significance.

With a Romanesque facade and graceful cupola, the city’s Cathedral-Basilica looks similarly ancient, concealing a gilded altar, a huge pipe organ, and rosette windows with gorgeous stained glass. It also fronts Plaza de Roma – once a blood-soaked bullring.

Other highlights include the impressive 19th-century San Sebastian Basilica built from coral stone and especially striking at night when its bell towers are illuminated.

Take this self guided walking tour to admire some of Manila’s most treasured places of worship!

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Judgefloro.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Manila

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Historical Churches Walking Tour
Guide Location: Philippines » Manila (See other walking tours in Manila)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Manila?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Manila Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Manila?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Manila, Philippines

Create Your Own Walk in Manila

Creating your own self-guided walk in Manila is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

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... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Manila Introduction Walking Tour

The capital of the Philippines, Manila was officially founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. However, an organized polity, called Maynila (meaning "where indigo is found" in Tagalog), existed on the site since as early as 1258.

The earliest human life in the area dates to 3000 BCE, but much of the existing constructions found around the city were created... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Traditional Markets

Traditional markets showcase a unique aspect of life in any city. The ones featured in this walk offer a glance into the authentic life and habits of Manila’s people and play a vital role in the Philippines' capital's economic and cultural landscape. Traditionally, local markets sell a broader range of products than regular shops can provide: from veggies and fruits to dried fish and... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Manila Shopping: 20 Filipino Goods To Bring Home

An archipelago of 7,000+ islands, The Philippines is a diverse nation populated by different tribes, each having their own culture and traditions. In Manila, one can find a whole lot of things worth keeping as a Filipino memento; it just might take one a little while to figure out what's best...