The Capital of the Philippines Manila is known as the first stop of many tourists in the Philippines. It is the financial, economic and administrative center of the Philippines.. it is chaotic. it is crowded. On the one hand, rich skyscrapers, on the other hand, 8-10 people struggle for life in poor neighborhoods and tiny houses where poverty is knee-deep.. It is the most difficult city of such a beautiful island country in my opinion.. But by the way, you can stay for 1-2 days and experience both Manila Nightlife and visit the old city areas of the Philippines that smell of history.. You can find all my suggestions about places to visit in Manila in my Manila Travel Guide suggestions below.
1. Starting to Manila
Our journey, which started in Istanbul in the middle of a snowy February wearing a sweater, arrived in the capital Manila at 5 pm after a tiring but exciting flight of about 20 hours including the transfer to Dubai. finished. Now it was time to take off the sweaters and wear t-shirts.
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We were in the Philippines now. 10,000 km away from home, in a country with magnificent beaches, people and islands, which I have dreamed of for years and dreamed of morning and night.. We’ve prepared the clip below so you can see dreams come true.
Where is Manila? Located in the Luzon Island Province of the country. This is Makati District Streets
It was not difficult to observe that it was a very irregular city even when the plane was starting to descend. I already knew what kind of poverty and wealth imbalance there would be. we filled it and gave it to the officer when we entered the country.
After taking the luggage, we looked for taxis to go to the city center by taxi. We knew beforehand that it takes 40 minutes to reach the city center (Malate or Makati) by taxi. We steered towards taxis at the furthest point, avoiding the men trying to hire a dead-end taxi.. Taxis with 1200 pesos at the door were 400 pesos 100 meters away.
2. To Manila ?
Manila, the largest city in the Philippines, is located in the Luzon Island state of the Philippines and is home to 12 million people.. Magellan is the most painful city in the Philippines, which has been colonized for 333 years, and the first European to set foot in the Philippines.
Philippines Streets of Manila, Capital Of The City : Poverty Knee Length In Every Street Of The City
The name of the country is King of Spain 2. It comes from Felipe and the Republic was founded in 1946.. The reason why I tell these is that many places in the places to visit in Manila, which I will explain below, will consist of places that contain these historical moments.. Especially the Spaniards had a great influence.
Manila’s two most important regions are Malate and Makati.. English is quite common.. language. Unlike countries in the Far East, the majority of the country is Catholic.. So unlike most Asian countries, you’ll see Cathedrals here instead of temples.. I prefer temples for difference. But anyway, we respect every religion.
Manila Travel Guide : Makati Street Markets
Rich in Makati region, the poor live in the Malate region. Like everywhere, the rich are very rich, the poor are very poor.. Huge skyscrapers on one side and poor people trying to live on 3-5 dollars a day on the other.. Poverty is knee-deep.
On the one hand, I witnessed the struggle for survival of 7-8 people in a 5 square meter house, trying to live in tin houses, on the other hand, the 3% of the economy competing with the European jet set and managing more than 90% of the economy. cut.
Again, as always, I curse the capitalist system. But I’m trying not to bother with realizing that there’s nothing I can do. I wander the streets of Makati.
3. Transportation in Manila
How to get to Manila? How to travel in Manila? Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the most important airport in the country and the capital.. It has 5 terminals. Pretty big airport. So always be sure of your terminal.
Very Commonly Used Tricycles Tools for Transportation
Almost all tourists land here first and then transfer to other islands. Therefore, you may have to visit the capital for at least 1 night. The airline companies that you can reach the islands are generally Airasia, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines.
You can use taxi, jeepney, rickshaw or tricycles in the city.. The taxi starts with 40 pesos and increases by 10 pesos every km.
I suggest you mix with the public. That’s why you should use jeepney vehicles used as public transportation, rickshaw, which is a bicycle-like vehicle you know, or tricycles with motorcycles for fun.. You can get from one place to another for 2-3 dollars very easily.
How I find cheap flight tickets abroad, which search engines I use, “Best Flight Ticket Search Engines” are the only ones in my article. I told only. I definitely recommend you to read it.
4. Food and Drink in Manila
Where and what to eat in Manila? What to drink in Manila? As we are seafood lovers, our priority is seafood restaurants as always.. Actually, it’s everywhere.
Manila Travel Guide : Seafood Market Malate
But the best ones are Dampa Seafood and Malate Seafood restaurant located in. You can taste the shrimp-squid-fish menu for about 1500 pesos for 2 people.
Also, you can find world absolutes everywhere. Many restaurants such as MC donalds, KFC, 7/eleven are available all over the city.. You can skip a meal for an average of 300-500 pesos per person.. But to tell the truth, we and most of our tourist friends we met did not like Filipino food.
5. Accommodation in Manila
Where to stay in Manila? Are Manila hotels expensive? Expensive… Not according to us, but according to the country’s conditions. In the country where the per capita income is 3-5 dollars, normal level hotels are 40-50 dollars.. You can stay for $10 but it’s either too far or a disgrace. You can pay $100 for high quality hotels.
Manila Hotels Area : Makati District Streets
But in general In a sense, you can pay between 30-50 dollars for accommodation.. For accommodation, you can stay in the Ermita region, which is close to the Old Town (Old Town), known as Intramuros, which is one of the leading places to visit, in the Malate region, where the local people are the majority, or in the Makati region, where the wealthy usually live.. The list of budget hotels in the 3 regions is as follows:
Click to browse the budget hotels in the Old Town Region.
Click For Budget Hotels in the Malate Region.
Click here for budget hotels in Makati region.
I have stayed in both very good hotels and middling hotels and hostels in Manila.. I left very satisfied with all the places I stayed.. These hotels are :
Hostel : I stayed in a very nice hostel in Manila. Her name is Lub D. Actually, this is not a hostel, it is a legendary hotel of hotel quality.. The price per night is 9 dollars per person.. click to review
Hotel : Red Planet, which is a very nice hotel in the heart of Makati, is a place I love especially with its restaurant and bar on the ground floor. it happened. You can stay in this beautiful hotel for 20-30 dollars per night for 2 people.. click to review
Very Good hotel : One of the best hotels in the Philippines, The Manila hotel is one of the beautiful hotels that will be especially liked by those looking for a quality hotel.. click
I have listed all hotels in Manila from cheapest to most expensive to review this beautiful hotel with 8.6 points. Click HERE to view.
6. Entertainment-Shopping-Nightlife in Manila
Let’s continue with the Manila travel notes. The most fun thing in the city is living in the city with people. You can go to dozens of gigantic shopping stores for Manila Shopping. Nightlife in Manilada is not very impressive. It’s all based on money anyway.. As in many Asian countries. For those who say what to do in Manila: You can read the details in detail below.
Manila Travel Notes: Jeepney Vehicles
Entertainment in Manila
Where to have fun in Manila? How is the nightlife in Manila? One of the biggest reasons why I love Asia so much is its people.. Very friendly, helpful and smiling people.. They are poor but they are happier than us. Children, young people, old people, beggars who try to meet you by saying “Hello Sir” when you least expect it… Try to live like them in this city to mingle with the people.. Hop on a tricycles or jeepney, go anywhere. get lost. But be careful. I recommend that you do not go too far from the city center or even enter the areas with tin houses known as the slums.
If you are fond of gambling, you can go to many casinos in the city.. we never went. But we saw a lot of casinos in the Malate area. If you tell the taxi drivers, they can take you to the casino you want.
There are also thousands of options for getting a massage.. We had a massage every day.. Prices are unbelievably cheap.. 2 hours massage around 25 TL. I recommend you to do it every day.
Manila Shopping
Where to shop in Manila? What to buy in Manila? You will see shopping centers all over the city. In fact, whenever we wanted to breathe, we threw ourselves into these shopping malls.. Since the city is quite dirty, it is difficult to even breathe to the fullest.. That’s why you can visit shopping malls in different regions.. You can find whatever you want in these shopping malls. But as we observed, the prices were not very cheap.. Whether you buy it or not is up to you.
SM Asia Mall with the main shopping malls and more than 1000 stores in Pasay, Robinsons Place Manila in Malate and Power Plant Mall in Makati are the most important shopping stops in Manila. and ideal .
Manila Nightlife
Manila Nightlife : Palladium Club
How is the nightlife in Manila? Where to go for nightlife in Manila? Let me tell you… I love to have fun abroad. For some reason a freedom fills me. My broken soul relaxes. I forget everything.
Unlike most of our Turkish brothers, I really go out to have fun.. If not, it is to have fun with my friends.. For me, it is one of the best parts of the holiday. There are plenty of options to have fun in this city too.
Entertainment is usually in Makati and Malate region. In Makati region, we went to Havana Club first.. It was a very nice bar where we had a lot of fun and played different styles of music.. Then we went to the Palladium club, which is right across the street.. These 2 places are places where you can have a good time and have fun with very decent people.
I recommend you to have fun at Havana Club until 12 at night and then move on to Palladium Club.. In these 2 places, you will be constantly disturbed by someone.
But people here will not be like those on the street.. The majority of them are the children of the Philippines’ upper-class families or the young generation studying at university.. Go to Burgos Street. You’ll see when you go. But don’t follow those who open every door…
Nightlife in Manila : Havana Club
If in Malate, ZY Disco is a pretty cool nightclub. This is the best place I can recommend in this region. You can spend an evening in this nightclub.
What about the streets? Like most poor Asian countries, Manila is full of prostitutes.. While walking on the street, they will constantly disturb you, whether you are a girl or a boy.. Unfortunately, this view will be in almost every part of the city.. I recommend you to pay attention to Ladyboys in particular.
But no one forcefully disturbs you.. Especially after living in a country like Turkey. I’ve included the Manila nightlife video footage for you to see.
You’ll see a lot of Go-Go bars along the way.. Go-Go bars are bars where dozens of girls dance and they are created to screw you tourists.. You walk in, you choose one of the 100’s of dancing girls. At the exit, you pay both the owner and the girl for the end of the night.
When you go, you will see how disgusting and oppressive the environment is.. When you see the soulless and emotionless lives of little 18-20 year old girls held by old uncles, you either curse or feel pity or you become one of them.. The choice is yours my friends…
Manila Nightlife : P. Burgos Street Entrance-Makati
So be aware that if they invite you past the door of a bar, you will encounter them.. Since usually our people are hungry for such things, I wanted to inform you a little.
What did these eyes see and hear?. I saw what those older brothers did, my young Turkish brothers who had never seen anything in their lives.. So please also know these. Whether you do it or not. In these countries, nobody falls in love with your dark eyebrows and chases after you.. I wanted you to know…
Therefore, as in the majority of Asian countries, sex tourism has taken off in the Philippines as well.. People are confused about what to do because of poverty.. Since it is not possible to live on 3-5 dollars a day, young Filipino girls have preferred sex work, which is an easier way of earning money, where they earn approximately 30-50 dollars a day.
My memories come alive as I write.. If you talk to those girls, see how pathetic they are, you’ll know what I mean.. Nobody is a prostitute for their pleasure.. But believe me, the situation in most poor countries in Asia is very, very different from ours or Europe…
Go, see, witness…
7. Where are the GPlaces to Smash in Manila ?
Where to visit in Manila ? Highlights of our Manila trip, Philippines : Hardly any places to visit. But very likely, you will have to spend at least 1 night here. Since the transfers are always from here, you will have the opportunity to see the city, albeit a little.. “Well, let’s see for ourselves.. Maybe we’ll like it.” Since I guessed what you said, I still made a route for you.
Philippines Manila : Manila City Map for those who say Where is Manila
Almost all of the places to visit are in the city’s Ermita area and the old city area known as Intramuros. I’ve included a map of the places to visit in the city to help. The yellow one is the old town area. Most attractions are in that area.
- Rizal Park : We start the tour from Rizal park in Ermita region. This is the heart of Manila. The most powerful uprisings against the Spanish colonies and Dr.. It is the center of the freedom struggle started by Jose Rizal. While you’re here, you can visit the Chinese and Japanese gardens inside. Especially the answer to the question of what to do in Manila: Wander around Rizal Park. It should definitely be on the list.
What to do in Manila : Wander around Rizal Park
- Intramuros Region : We leave Rizal Park and walk to the Intramuros Region, the old city, which is right across from it. a district.
The place where Manila was first established and the city’s most important tourist attraction. You will feel the effects of Spanish Architecture while visiting the region.. There is no entrance fee. In addition, churches, museums, hospitals, which are most places to visit, are in this region.
Intramuros Entrance
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- San Agustin Church : We walk through the walls to the old city. Everywhere people who want to show you around will disturb you.. If you wish, you can let them guide you at a very affordable price.. You can even rent a carriage and tour the area with a phaeton.
After entering the city walls, you will see this church on the left. Actually, it is both a church and a museum.. It was the only structure in Intramuros that was not bombed during World War II.. In addition, the oldest church in the Philippines.
By the way, you can go to Casa Manila, one of the important museums across the street.. You can relax a little by drinking coffee at the cafes on the lower floors at the exit.
Places to Visit in Manila : San Augustin Church
- Manila Cathedral : We continue our route of places to visit in Manila. After leaving the church, you can visit this cathedral, which is just around the corner.. If you’re lucky, you can even witness the wedding ceremony.
The Wedding We Met in Manila Cathedral
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- Santiago Castle (Fort Santiago) : We are advancing to the Santiago castle, which is the last stop of the old city and is located in the northern part of the old city.. This place was used as the place where the Spaniards collected their spoils in 1571.. It has also witnessed the history of the Philippines for years as a prison, torture and death center.
Forth Santiago : Santiago Castle
Forth Santiago : Santiago Castle
- Binondo China Town : We are now leaving the Intramuros area. After a 3-4 hour tour of the old city, we go to Binonda Chinatown in the north of the city. This is Manila’s Chinatown.
You can see the effects of Chinese culture and taste Chinese food.. This area is a very dirty area.. While in Chinatown, you can go to Lucky China Town AVM to breathe.. Because both the stench and humidity in the air make it very difficult for people to breathe.
Binondo Chinatown
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- Quiapo Church: The church where I saw the Negro Jesus Statue. There is no other joke. You can observe the life of the local people in the market located around the church.. But it’s not essential, obviously.. pretty nasty. Sellers, beggars everywhere… You can witness the real face of the country and poverty once again.
- San Sebastian Church : If you are still not tired of seeing churches and the dirt in the city, you can see this church, which is the last church.
- Manila Bay : It’s time to watch the sunset in the afternoon. We jump into a taxi, we say to the taxi driver, “Meet us with the sea. That’s enough for us, Sir.”. We throw ourselves to the seaside to relieve the tiredness of the day.. We rest our souls and dive into deep thoughts. One cannot help but question his life.. We face ourselves a little…
8. How many days to stay ?
How many days is enough for places to visit in Manilada? I recommend staying 2 days max.. It’s a pretty depressing city and there aren’t many landmarks to see.
Places To Visit In Manila : Manila Streets
It is unbelievable that a country with such beautiful islands, sea, beaches and diving spots can have such a bad capital city.. Therefore, I recommend lowering your expectations.
9. What should not be left without doing in Manila?
Jeepney
- Without visiting all the above-mentioned attractions as a route
- Without using the public transportation vehicles used by the local people
- Without living the nightlife in Manila
- Without getting a massage
rotation…
10. When to go to Manila?
When is the best time to go to Manila? As I mentioned before, it is also useful to go to Manila in the January-May period.
Manila Trip : Manila Streets
Everything went pretty well since we made a Manila Trip in February.. It was a very nice holiday thanks to the weather conditions and the weather conditions that allowed our plans.
11. What are my suggestions for you that I did not do in Manila?
- If you are a museum lover, you can visit the Ayala Museum. You can see important periods in the history of the Philippines in three dimensions.
- Because I’ve seen a zoo many times before, I didn’t choose it.. But if you want, you can visit Manila Ocean Park and Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden located here.
- You can visit Santo Tomas University, Asia’s first university.
- Location outside of China You can visit the only Chinese Cemetery in the area.
Manila Travel Guide : Seafood Market Malate
I didn’t visit these places because I was tired of traveling to museums, universities, cemeteries and discovered that I was not happy with anything other than the sea-sand-sun trio.
Also, time did not run out.. If you want to visit the places I mentioned above, it would be useful to stay for 2 days.
12. My Warnings About Manila
- People are usually pretty kind. But still, be careful not to go into alleys.
- Because you are a tourist, you will see vendors who will try to sell everything for much more money than it actually is.. Always bargain.
- Be careful not to eat or drink in public.
- Wherever you go, there is often traffic in this city.. Always make your plans with the possibility of traffic.
- Manila weather can be very volatile. Sometimes it is extremely hot, sometimes you can surrender to the rain suddenly.
- Be careful to go to the places I mentioned above in Manila nightlife.. Do not believe the fraudulent taxi drivers who make up lies to take them to nonsense environments.
Places To Visit In Manila : Evening Markets
My Manila Travel Notes and suggestions about places to visit in Manila are finished. Manila is an unnecessary capital in general terms. I don’t think it will affect you much. But it’s still good to see, if you follow the routes I mentioned above, you can spend 1-2 days
The next stop is Coron Island.. I suggest you watch my video until the end and subscribe to the channel for free
We stayed in this city for 1 day and 2 nights.. 1 day was quite enough for Manila Trip. From here we flew to the island of Coron. We witnessed magnificent views during the flight that took about 1 hour.. Believe me, after seeing those reefs, beaches, islands, deep blue sea, you don’t have a clue about Manila’s filth.
Click on the Philippines link Philippines travel guide you can get plan and route suggestions from my post
I hope you have a great time in Manila and enjoy the wonderful islands of this magnificent country.. next stop. Coron Island, which hosts one of the most important lakes in the world, Lake Kayangan…
