Top Things to do in Manila this 2026

You may have already tried a Bambike tour around Intramuros, joined a Binondo food crawl, or taken a calesa ride through old Manila. These classics still hold their charm, but the city is quietly offering new ways to experience its history and culture. If you are looking for fresh, meaningful things to do in 2026, Intramuros is a good place to start.

1. Go museum hopping in and around Intramuros Intramuros is home to several compact yet rewarding museums that are easy to explore in one day. Visit Casa Manila for a look at colonial domestic life, step inside the San Agustin Museum within the UNESCO-listed church, explore Chinese Filipino history at Bahay Tsinoy, or see religious art and artifacts at the Museo de Intramuros. Just outside the walls, the National Museum Complex brings together fine arts, anthropology, and natural history in beautifully restored neoclassical buildings.

2. Shop within the historic walls Plaza Roma has become more lively with the Banchitto Daily Bazaar, where local vendors sell crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. On weekends, Mercadillo adds a festive atmosphere with pop-up stalls and food finds, giving visitors a reason to linger and explore Intramuros at a slower pace.

3. Join the Intramuros Heritage Walking Tour This three-hour guided walking adventure takes you deep into Manila’s historic walled city. You will explore centuries-old landmarks, enjoy small tastes of Filipino flavors, and experience genuine Filipino hospitality along the way. The tour is proudly managed by Bambike Ecotours, drawing from over a decade of experience in sustainable and community-based tourism.Join here: https://bambike.com/service-page/intramuros-heritage-walking-tour

4. Coffee break at Café Y Ruedas Located along Victoria Street inside Intramuros, right beside the old Intramuros Golf Course, Café Y Ruedas is a relaxed, alfresco stop surrounded by greenery and stone walls. Its name translates to “Coffee and Wheels,” a nod to its origins as a cyclist-friendly café and a place where good coffee meets the joy of moving through the city. It is an ideal pause between tours, whether you are walking or riding.

5. Local flavors at Batala Bar Batala Bar can be found inside the Plaza San Luis Complex at the corner of General Luna and Real Streets, directly across San Agustin Church. Set within a restored heritage building, it offers local craft beer, creative ice cream, and Filipino fusion dishes. The space blends historic surroundings with contemporary Filipino ideas, making it a great spot to unwind after a day of exploring.

6. Explore Intramuros on a Bamboo Pedicab For a quieter, more sustainable way to get around, try a bamboo pedicab experience. It is a relaxed ride through cobblestone streets that allows you to take in details you might otherwise miss.Experience it here: https://bambike.com/service-page/intramuros-bamboo-pedicab-experience

7. Get your Intramuros Passport The Intramuros Passport adds a playful layer to sightseeing. This small booklet can be stamped at participating sites within the walls, turning your visit into a self-guided challenge and sometimes offering discounts or special perks along the way. Learn more at: facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration

8. Try alternative city tours with Renacimiento Manila Renacimiento Manila offers unique, research-driven tours that rethink how people experience the city. Some even use the LRT-1 as part of the journey, revealing urban landmarks and stories from a commuter’s perspective.Learn more at: https://facebook.com/RebirthManila

9. Walk along the Pasig River Esplanade The growing Pasig River Esplanade is slowly reconnecting people to the river that shaped Manila’s history. It is a pleasant place for sunset walks, casual people-watching, and seeing how the city is reclaiming its waterways.

10. See Intramuros at sunset or at night with Bambike Intramuros takes on a different character under the setting sun or evening lights. Bambike offers a range of tours that highlight these moods while weaving together heritage, storytelling, and sustainability.See all tour offerings here: https://bambike.com/ecotours

In the end, discovering Manila in 2026 is not about rushing from one attraction to another. It is about choosing experiences that allow you to feel the city, listen to its stories, and support the communities that keep its heritage alive. Intramuros shows that history is not frozen in the past. It lives in shared meals, quiet walks, thoughtful tours, and small choices that value people and place. When travel becomes more intentional and socially conscious, it turns into something deeper, a connection that stays with you long after you leave the walls.