
Traditional Markets (Self Guided), Manila
Traditional markets showcase an unique aspect of a country's life. The markets comprised in this walk offer a glance into the true life and habits of Manila’s people.
Traditional Manila markets sell more things that regular shops can provide: from vegetables and fruit to dried-fish stalls that go on forever. For real bargains, nothing beats Divisoria – or "Divi" as local shoppers call it. You're going to need at least a full morning – or full afternoon – to do it justice.
The action is particularly feverish at weekends. As in other crowded areas, be careful with valuables in your pockets, and try wearing your backpack on your front.
Shop around, haggle to save more money, and have fun with this self-guided shopping walk!
Traditional Manila markets sell more things that regular shops can provide: from vegetables and fruit to dried-fish stalls that go on forever. For real bargains, nothing beats Divisoria – or "Divi" as local shoppers call it. You're going to need at least a full morning – or full afternoon – to do it justice.
The action is particularly feverish at weekends. As in other crowded areas, be careful with valuables in your pockets, and try wearing your backpack on your front.
Shop around, haggle to save more money, and have fun with this self-guided shopping walk!
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes 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.
Traditional Markets Map
Guide Name: Traditional Markets
Guide Location: Philippines » Manila (See other walking tours in Manila)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 3
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: nicole
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Philippines » Manila (See other walking tours in Manila)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 3
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: nicole
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Divisoria Market
- Quinta Market
- Central Market
1) Divisoria Market
The Divisoria Market is one of the best places to shop in Manila. It is often called the “mother of all markets in Manila” with a reputation as “the Mecca of value shopping” for the variety of products and the low prices it offers.
Unlike other markets, the Divisoria Market sells almost everything from jewelry to footwear, souvenirs to school items, electronics to foods all at wholesale prices. The market is also very popular for textiles. This colossal and chaotic market is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by Juan Luna, Santo Cristo, Recto and Comercio street.
During the Spanish rule, the non-Christian Chinese merchants were not allowed to trade inside the walled city. The Divisoria market was initially a small community of Chinese merchants which then expanded and blossomed into a commercial center and a major trade center in the 1990s.
Today, the market has several malls like the 168 mall, Meisic mall, Tutuban Center mall (former Tutuban Central Station) and the Divisoria Mall. Along with all the stores and malls, the Market also has a food hub where one can enjoy a variety of cuisines including the local Filipino food and Chinese food. Although, the market is busy year around, it is especially crowded before Christmas and around the time when schools reopen.
Unlike other markets, the Divisoria Market sells almost everything from jewelry to footwear, souvenirs to school items, electronics to foods all at wholesale prices. The market is also very popular for textiles. This colossal and chaotic market is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by Juan Luna, Santo Cristo, Recto and Comercio street.
During the Spanish rule, the non-Christian Chinese merchants were not allowed to trade inside the walled city. The Divisoria market was initially a small community of Chinese merchants which then expanded and blossomed into a commercial center and a major trade center in the 1990s.
Today, the market has several malls like the 168 mall, Meisic mall, Tutuban Center mall (former Tutuban Central Station) and the Divisoria Mall. Along with all the stores and malls, the Market also has a food hub where one can enjoy a variety of cuisines including the local Filipino food and Chinese food. Although, the market is busy year around, it is especially crowded before Christmas and around the time when schools reopen.
2) Quinta Market
Quinta Market was built by the Spanish colonial government in 1851, the same year as the Divisoria Market. Quinta Market was the central market of the City of Manila, originally catering to the wealthy families that lived in Quiapo at the time. By the early 20th century, the market had become one of the city's most important markets. In 2017 the old market structure was torn down and replaced by a two-story modern facility.
Quinta Market is currently home to 279 registered vendors, all of whom were also registered vendors at the old market at the time when it was torn down. At Quinta Market you'll find vendors selling fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and other foods. Some stands offer already-cooked meals, made from the products sold right there in the market. Locals adore this place, as many kinds of meat and very tasty fresh fish is brought to the market early in the morning.
Quinta Market is currently home to 279 registered vendors, all of whom were also registered vendors at the old market at the time when it was torn down. At Quinta Market you'll find vendors selling fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and other foods. Some stands offer already-cooked meals, made from the products sold right there in the market. Locals adore this place, as many kinds of meat and very tasty fresh fish is brought to the market early in the morning.
3) Central Market
North of Quiapo Church, along Andalucia St., lies the dingy Central Market. Here, you can find clothes, military uniforms, knives and hardware, food, vegetables and fruits, shoes, toys, handmade jewelry, and souvenirs. In a word: everything. The diversity is astonishing and most things are at a reasonable price. The market is huge, and the products are segregated into different areas to make your shopping easier.
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.
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
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
Historical Churches Walking Tour
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... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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
For a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 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...
The Most Popular Cities
/ view all