Elevate your travel experience by making Manila more than just a stopover at the airport. Find out the top reasons you need to visit Manila in its own right here…

Manila is often seen as a stopover city when on long haul flights, with many only stopping over for a night or sitting around in the airport waiting for their next plane. It’s not somewhere many would think as a place to visit in its entirety, yet it’s somewhere with a thriving foodie and arts scene – and packed with things to do. Next time you’re heading somewhere, make Manila part of your trip and factor in three or four nights as part of your trip. Trust us, you won’t regret it. You could mix a beach and city break by heading from the beautiful El Nido to Manila – a short hour and 20 minute flight from each other if you want the best of both worlds. Here are some of the top reasons you need to visit Manila…

The culinary scene

They say the best things are worth waiting for and Manila’s foodie scene is one such example, being one of the top reasons you need to visit Manila. It’s been slowly moving towards the direction of becoming the “it” destination for food, with the nation’s culinary traditions finally starting to receive recognition globally. There are hundreds of venues offering tastes from the 7,641 islands at a quality similar to that of Hong Kong but at a fraction of the price. With a culinary heritage spanning through Spain, China, America and Indonesia there is plenty of flavours and influences rooted deep within the foodie scene and you’re guaranteed to find a whole host of dishes to enjoy. We recommend you make a list of where you want to eat before you go to ensure you eat at the best places and don’t end up wandering aimlessly before giving up and diving into the nearest eatery!

The Culture

There’s plenty of culture to be soaked up in the Phillippine capital, so ensure you pack comfortable shoes for walking round in. Head to San Agustin Church – the oldest church in the Philippines, the Pinto Art Museum, Ayala Museum and Fort Santiago – within the grounds here you can enjoy as an oasis of manicured gardens, plazas and fountains. In the fort be sure to visit the Rizal Shrine museum with a number of displays and memorabilia regarding Dr Jose Rizal – their national hero. If you have time in your schedule head to 1335Mabini – the newest art space in the city.

The Shopping

Manila is a great hub for shopping and features numerous unique and quirky places that are well worth a browse. Head to Quezon City’s vintage arcade, Cubao Expo for work by local designers, or Coast Thru Life for surfwear (great if you’re heading on to a coastal destination!) as well as Heima, which was the brainchild of leading Manila interior designer Roffy Yabut-Rojales and Makati’s LRI Design Plaza for a browse around local chic design stores. The Divisoria Market is famous for retail and wholesale shops and worth a wander – be prepared to haggle as it’s expected here, and enjoy perusing the array of local goods on offer. For traditional handcrafts, furniture and jewellery head to Balikbayan Handicrafts centre, a long-established store with several branches in Manila that is packed with beautiful and exquisite products.

There are so many reasons you need to visit Manila, from the thriving foodie scene to the art, culture and shopping. Add some extra days onto your next long-haul trip, or book a few days there on its own – trust us, you won’t regret it.