1) Fort Santiago​

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Guarding the entrance to the Pasig River you’ll find Intramuros' premier tourist attraction: Fort Santiago. Within the fort grounds are an oasis of lovely manicured gardens, plazas and fountains leading to its arched gate and pretty lily pond. Within is the beautifully presentedRizal Shrine museum, the building where Dr José Rizal – Philippines’ national hero – was incarcerated as he awaited execution in 1896. It contains various fascinating displays of Rizal memorabilia and a re-creation of his cell and the courtroom trial.

 

2) San Agustin Church

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The San Agustin Church was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Built between 1587 and 1606, it is the oldest church in the Philippines. The massive facade conceals an ornate interior filled with objects of great historical and cultural merit. Note the intricate trompe l’oeil frescoes on the vaulted ceiling. Be sure to check out the tropical cloisters as well as the slightly shabby gardens out the back. The present structure is actually the third to stand on the site and has weathered seven major earthquakes, as well as the Battle of Manila. It’s an active church and much in demand for weddings and other ceremonies.

 

3) Chinese Cemetery

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As in life, so it is in death for Manila’s wealthy Chinese citizens, who are buried with every modern convenience in the huge Chinese Cemetery. It's far from your ordinary cemetery and instead feels like a residential suburb with streets lined with mausoleums – some that feature crystal chandeliers, air-con, hot and cold running water, kitchens and flushing toilets (in case the interred are caught short on the way to paradise).

 

4) National Museum of the Filipino People

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Within a resplendent neoclassical building, this superb museum houses a vast and varied collection, including the skullcap of the Philippines’ earliest known inhabitant, Tabon Man (said by some to actually be a woman), who lived around 24,000 BC. A large section of the museum is devoted to the wreck of the San Diego, a Spanish galleon that sank off the coast of Luzon in 1600, with salvaged items such as shell-encrusted swords, coins, porcelain plates, jewellery etc on display.

 

5) Ayala Museum

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This gleaming museum features four floors of superbly curated exhibits on Filipino culture, art and history. At the heart of the collection is a brilliant exhibit consisting of 60 dioramas that succintly, yet effectively, trace the nation’s history, which kids will also love. The collection of pre-Hispanic gold jewellery and objects is another highlight with some exquisite pieces. The museum’s rotating art exhibits tend to showcase Filipino masters such as Luna and Amorsolo, and occassionally international shows such as Yayoi Kusama.