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If you say Manila is metropolitan, there you are taken; you haven’t seen its endless shores then. If you say Manila is a country town, you haven’t visited the giant malls of the Philippines. Both are true and not in their own sense. It’s only when you actually have a tour along the Philippine capital city that you’ll know you can’t describe it enough. Out of many attractions in Manila Philippines, we have shortlisted some of the best attractions, the city has to offer.
Best of Manila Tourist Attractions
The Pearl of the Orient, as it is called; Manila welcomes you into an urbanized cityscape. One moment you are on a crowded road and the next you find yourself relaxing at the shoreline. One place ignites the good old devotion and at a turn of your head, you’ll be exploring some amazing Spanish artifacts. After all this, you’ve just seen a brim of the city. Rest, we leave for you to explore. For your reference, here’s a list of top attractions in Manila Philippines.
1. Heritage in Lap of Religion – San Agustin Church
The San Agustin Church offers a surprise from the otherwise busy streets of Manila. Built with hewn adobe stones, the magnificent church stands at the centre of the walled city Intramuros. It is perhaps the only building in Manila to survive the ‘Battle of Manila’. Being an Augustinian church, it comes under the auspices of Catholicism that blends with Roman roots dating back to the Spanish era. Its architecture too carries a Spanish awe.
A neoclassical façade encapsulates spacious interiors featuring baroque pulpits and traditional pineapple motifs. Its ceiling is further accentuated by Parisian style crystalline chandeliers which are a treat to watch, the more you see the more you want to. And if you’re lucky, you may witness a Filipino wedding going on under their shade. For those interested in history and architect, San Agustin Church is one of the best attractions in Manila Philippines.
2. Hallow To the Hero – Rizal Park
If you are planning to visit here, do carry an extra photography role. Also referred as the Green Lung of Manila, Rizal Park offers such a majestic panoramic view that you won’t be able to resist clicking a few more shots. It’s not just the architecture of the place that attracts millions of tourists, but the heroic legacy it has been carrying since a century.
The monument is dedicated to José Rizal, the Philippine’s national hero who lost to death in fighting for the country. Rizal was also a poet. The books carved in the hands of his bronze statue are testimony of the fact. The statue stands on a granite base with a stone pedestal and a backdrop obelisk. The park is also home to the National Museum of The Philippines, another major tourist attraction in Manila.
Related Article: Best Museums in the Philippines
3. Manila Bay – For a Spectacular Sunset Sojourn
An itinerary is incomplete without a place that allows you to just sit back and relax. The one for Philippines calls this place as “Manila Bay”. Located at the edge of Metro Manila, Manila Bay features a sense-grabbing view of the sunset. It serves as one of the finest natural harbours in South Asia and the place is among the best attractions in Manila Philippines.
The harbour is also the reminiscent of the many battles fought by Filipinos in 16th and 17th centuries. Running along the shoreline is Roxas Boulevard which is just perfect for a romantic stroll with your beloved. For dinner, there are many good restaurants nearby like The Aristocrat, Café Adriatico and Bistro Remedios. Or, you can take a ferry to the Corregidor Island, where you can enjoy moments of solitude under the stars.
4. Manila Ocean Park – Life Under Ocean
Experience ocean life without actually diving into the ocean. Situated at the back side of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, the Manila Ocean Park is one of the most beautiful tourist attraction in Manila. The park is equipped with an oceanarium that accommodates rich marine life of over 14,000 sea creatures.
The highlight of the oceanarium is a 25-meter walkway tunnel. It consists of a 220 degree curvature across which you can have a breathtaking view of the aquatic life as you pass under the reflections of the crystalline blue water aquarium. To enter the park, you’d require buying package tickets at the entry gate. As for now, there are four packages available, from which you can choose according to your budget and schedule.
5. SM Mall of Asia – For Shopaholics
If you are a shopping pro, SM Mall is a golden parachute for you. With over 600 shops, 217 dining courts and 8000 parking slots, SM is one of the largest malls in the Philippines and an ideal destination for shopping and taking back home Philippines souvenirs. As you enter, a glamorous steel globe welcomes you into a walkway distributing in four buildings.
First one is the Main mall laid down with plethora of stores and food courts. Facing the Manila Bay is the second building called the Entertainment Mall. True to its name, the double storey building houses everything for your entertainment and adventure craving like movie theatres, concert grounds and ice skating rinks. Remaining two buildings are dedicated to parking spaces.
These top 5 attractions of Manila Philippines are a must-visit even if you have less time to cover the entire city. They can easily fall in your itinerary of a day or two. And so, there you go!
Related Article: Top 10 Places to Visit in Philippines
Feature image credit: ric_k
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