4 days in Manila: itinerary for first-timers (2026)

Old Manila (Intramuros, Rizal Park, Binondo and Quiapo) fills the first three days. The last day moves to modern Makati and BGC. Traffic is heavy, so keep each day in one area.

Day 1: Intramuros, the walled city

Morning: Start at Fort Santiago (opens 8:00, ₱75), then walk the walls to Baluarte de San Diego.
Afternoon: Visit San Agustin Church and Museum (₱200, cash only) and Casa Manila or Centro de Turismo Intramuros (both closed Mondays).
Evening: Return to Fort Santiago in the evening if you like; it stays open until 22:00.
Getting around: Intramuros is compact and easy to explore on foot. Avoid Mondays, when the museums are closed.

Tours for day 1 ↗

Day 2: Rizal Park, National Museum and Ocean Park

Morning: Spend the morning at the free National Museum (from 9:00), starting with Fine Arts or Natural History.
Afternoon: Walk through Rizal Park to the Rizal Monument and the Chinese and Japanese gardens.
Evening: Visit Manila Ocean Park behind Quirino Grandstand (open until 18:00).
Getting around: Take LRT-1 to United Nations station, then walk.

Tours for day 2 ↗

Day 3: Binondo and the Golden Mosque in Quiapo

Morning: Walk Binondo, Manila's old Chinatown, past Binondo Church and Escolta.
Afternoon: Head to Quiapo for Dhuhr at the Golden Mosque on Globo de Oro Street, then have a halal lunch in Quiapo's Muslim area.
Evening: Return to your hotel by ride-hailing app.
Getting around: Use a ride-hailing app or a metered taxi from a reliable company; don't hail taxis on the street.

Tours for day 3 ↗

Day 4: Makati and BGC

Morning: Visit the Ayala Museum in Makati (Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00).
Afternoon: Walk Ayala Triangle Gardens, then cross to BGC for Bonifacio High Street and its parks.
Evening: For halal dinner, New Bombay on Ayala Avenue is listed on Zabihah as certified halal.
Getting around: MRT Line 3 Ayala station serves Makati. BGC has no train station, so use a bus from Market! Market! or a ride-hailing app.

Tours for day 4 ↗

Go deeper

Details for every stop

Things to do in ManilaHours, prices and how to get to each sightSee the sights → Tours in ManilaGuided tours and tickets on KlookBrowse ↗

Plan the rest

More for your trip to Manila

Where to stay in ManilaThe best areas, comparedRead →eSIM for the PhilippinesPlans, prices and setupRead →Things to do in Manila9 sights with hours and pricesRead →Manila travel hubFlights, when to go, entry rules and every guideRead →

Getting there

Cheapest flights from Canada

Toronto → ManilaYYZ–MNL Vancouver → ManilaYVR–MNL Calgary → ManilaYYC–MNL Edmonton → ManilaYEG–MNL Winnipeg → ManilaYWG–MNL

Everything for this trip: Manila travel hub: flights, when to go and all our guides →

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Sources

Checked October 1, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

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