Manila is the lively capital city of the Philippines and is one of the fastest growing Asian travel destinations. Some of the benefits of spending a part of your vacation in the capital are that local residents generally speak excellent English and prices for hotels, restaurants and shopping is considerably less expensive when compared to many other major Asian cities.

Obviously there are many beautiful and historic landmarks which travelers can visit during their vacation. I have listed some of the top Manila tourist attractions for you.

Greenbelt Park

It can be hard finding a quiet and peaceful spot in this major city so if you are looking for one then be sure to head over to the Greenbelt Park which is located in the Ayala Center. There is a nice church located at Greenbelt Park and it is located right next to the Ayala Museum.

National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines is the ideal place to visit if anyone is interested in learning more about the history and culture of this impressive nation. One of the highlights of this wonderful museum is the display of treasures which were found in the wreck of a 17th century battle ship. Opening hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 until 17:00.

Manila Cathedral

No visit can be complete without visiting the magnificent cathedral which was completed nearly 50 years ago. The original one was built in 1581 and another 4 were built in between.

Fort Santiago

The Fort Santiago was built the Spanish occupiers who occupied the country for over three hundred years. It was completely destroyed during the Second World War however it was restored in 1950. The Fort Santiago is open to the general public daily from 08:00 until 18:00.

San Agustin Church

This is the oldest church in the entire country and was constructed over four hundred years ago. It has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a major historical and cultural destination for locals and tourists. Opening hours of the San Agustin Church are daily from 07:00 until 18:00.

About the Author:

James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section on Karon Beach.