Best of Metro Manila - Sample 3-Day / 2-Night Itinerary
So you want to check out Metro Manila? Regardless thew length of your stay, you can have a great time here if you plan it properly.
Of course I'm recommeding these itineraries purely from the perspective of an expat - middle-age man who has a family and decent budget. If you want backpacking / mountain-treking / hostel-hopping type of trip, check other websites.
Day One
| Morning | Manila | Arrive Manila - Go straight to MOA for lunch and shopping, take a walk along the seaside |
| | | Lunch at the MOA food court, a cultural experience in itself, Tokyo Cafe (great coffee and crepe!) or one of the 2nd floor ocean-facing restaurants |
| Afternoon | Manila | Manila City Tour - Rizal Park, Intramuro, Chinatown, Ocean / Pier / Jumbo Restaurant, take a nice old colonial drive along the city wall, ride the horse carriage |
| | | One of the Old Churches - San Augustine Church [Highly Recommended - it's real old and the museum is like falling apart], Cathederal of Manila, or Binondo Church [most photogenic of all] |
| Evening | Manila | Dinner at a restaurant in Oceanside dampa (fish market) or for a real local treat go for Aristocrat. |
Day Two
| Morning | Makati | Ayala Museum and/ or SM Department Store in Ayala Center |
| | | Greenbelt tour - Focus on G4 and G5. check out the Filipino designers on the 2nd floor; mainly for walking around, not for shopping unless you have a very healthy budget |
| | | Lunch at Bizu, People's Palace or one of the Greenbelt 5 haute cuisine restuarants |
| Afternoon | San Juan | Greenhill Shopping Center - Souvenir and knock-off fashion shopping, get ready for lots of bargains and bargaining! |
| | Ortigas | Megamall if more shopping in desired, or massage at one of the hotels or The Spa |
| Evening | Ortigas or Antipolo | Dinner at one of the restaurant in Shangri-La Plaza in Ortigas or a very local Dad's buffet inside the Megamall (don't forget the tip the singers!!) For the more adventureous type, head up for Antipolo for a breathtaking view of Metro Manila. Cloud 9 give you the best view with edible (barely) local food. |
Day Three
| Morning | Makati | Get a haircut, do facial at a hotel, swimming under the morning sun, or have a long buffet breatfast at a hotel (best are EDSA Shangri-La and Mandarin) If you are staying in Makati and this is a Sat, you can take a stroll at the Salcedo Sat Market. |
| | | Lunch at one of the true local favorites - Gerry's, Max's or Dencio's, whichever is closest to you |
| Afternoon | Taguig | Market! Market! at the Fort for souvenir and native product shopping; the Metro mall and supermarket may also have some native products for last-minute pasalubong shopping; for a taste of history, visit American Cemetery in the Fort. |
| | | Departure from Manila |
