Location: Manila
Top Things to do in Manila
Things to do in Manila, Luzon: The Best Museums
Metropolitan Manila encompasses six cities and 12 towns. Located on Manila Bay in the South China Sea, and bisected by the Pasig River, the capital of the Philippines is historic and modern, rich and poor. A popular sight is the walled area called Intramuros. The capital during Spanish colonization, Intramuros has retained old dungeons and gunpowder rooms but added art galleries and theaters. The city is filled with museums, shops, parks and churches, plus enough nightlife to last until dawn.
Restaurants in Manila
1. Museo Filipino Intramuros
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
Museo Filipino is a historical museum gallery in Intramuros, Manila (just behind Manila Cathedral) that gives tourists a birds-eye view (30-minute crash course) on Philippine history. Using illustrations procured from the early 19th century, pictures from the US Library of Congress, and other sources, Museo Filipino narrates Philippine history from the pre-colonial period until the present-day administration. It is a good jump off point in Intramuros because it also highlights the owners' favorite places of interest in Intramuros, such as the Memorare, the gardens, the wall, the monuments of Queen Isabella and King Philip of Spain, etc. Entrance fees (with complimentary freshly-brewed coffee): Students - P80.00 Residents - P100.00 Non-residents - P200.00
Reviewed By Borjavv
I found this museum a very informative visit, spending over one hour there. Well worth a visit if you are staying in Manila.
2. Presidential Museum and Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
The Presidential Museum and Library is the primary office within the Office of the President responsible for preserving, managing, and promoting the history and heritage of the Philippine Presidency, and particularly of Malacanan Palace as its official seat. It is the principal historical and artistic repository in support of the institution of the Presidency and for the benefit of the Republic and the Filipino people. It exercises primary curatorial, conservation, preservation, custodial, and advisory responsibilities over structures, and facilitates the conduct of tours of designated areas within the Palace. It was created in 2004 with the implementation of Executive Order No. 366, Issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which merged the Presidential Museum and the Malacanang Library into one office as the Malacanang Museum. The collections of both offices were integrated and housed in Kalayaan Hall, while others were placed in off-site storage facilities.In 2010, Executive Order No. 880 Was issued, placing the Malacanang Museum under the supervision of the National Museum for museological and related policy purposes. Later on, Executive Order No. 4, Promulgated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, placed the Malacanang Museum under the supervision and control of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. The issuance likewise renamed the Malacanang Museum as the Presidential Museum and Library.
3. San Agustin Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 405 reviews
Reviewed By kanemochi - Seattle, United States
The San Agustin Museum is attached to the magnificent and historical San Agustin church. You should visit both the church and the museum on the same visit. The museum is spread over the entire massive grounds over two floors. Many of the pieces tell the story of the evolution Christianity in the Philippines. You could easily spend at least a couple of hours in just the museum itself. I spent a few hours on the entire property including the church. There are two beautiful gardens on the property. Be sure and look for the turtles in the inner garden fountain. Don’t get too close to the fountain because they’ll swim underwater. They appear to be shy and very aware of people.
4. Money Museum
5. Bonsai Library and Museum
6. Silahis Arts & Artifacts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Welcome to Silahis Center! Your best museum ambience store taking you around the Philippine archipelago through arts and crafts. Since 1966 Silahis has been dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of the multi cultural heritage of the Philippines and its people through a greater appreciation of their culture and crafts. Now in a museum atmosphere with five departments these traditional artifacts and cultural crafts are synthesized with contemporary crafts and accessories expressing our eclectic Philippine lifestyle. SILAHIS ARTS AND ARTIFACTS- Ground Floor -showing artifacts and crafts as well as folk art from all the peoples of the archipelago. CHANGRONG ANTIQUE GALLERY-Second Floor -reflecting the greatest external influence on Philippine culture and our long trading relationship with the Asian mainland; excavated porcelain, old maps, textiles, and primitive art. TRADEWINDS BOOKS - Second Floor -because we want to see ourselves among our neighbors; specializing in old and new publications on Asia, The Philippines and The Pacific, Art, culture, history, literature, travel. GALERIA DE LAS ISLAS -Showing fine arts, original prints and sculpture KAYAMANANG ASYA, INK. -Bringing to the public the very best of the Philippine art, antiques and collectibles.
Reviewed By bklynbubba
There is a very good gift shop here as well as that rarity in the Philippines - an excellent book store. I made a special trip here just to buy some history books. You can spend as much or as little time as you like here.
7. Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD), Manila
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
As part of the artistic community of the College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) is a unique institution that offers the experience of and exposure to contemporary art and its various publics, with a focus on Manila, Philippines as context. Distinct for its position as a non-collecting institution, MCAD’s contemporary art exhibitions, public programs, as well as other cultural and art-inspired undertakings showcase the possibilities of technology, new media and presents content that encourages engagement with art and culture, its practice and production, as well as its presentation and interpretation.
8. National Museum Of Anthropology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By kanemochi - Seattle, United States
This museum is across the street from the National Museum. I would recommend at least a few hours to view the multiple floors of displays dedicated to Filipino history and culture or a full morning or afternoon. Don’t make the mistake of trying to visit both the National Museum and the Museum of Anthropology in just one day. There simply would not be enough time considering both are open for 7 hours per day and the National Museum can easily take an entire day for most people. I believe any visitor to a new country should make a good faith effort to gain a fundamental knowledge of that country’s history and culture. The Museum of Anthropology does an exceptional job of sharing the history and culture of the Philippines and the Filipino people. All displays feature well written summaries of that display’s particular subject. Many displays feature excellent videos for viewing. Brief written summaries accompany all displayed artifacts as well. Most people do a quick walk through looking only at the displayed artifacts. I highly recommend stopping and reading (at least occasionally) the written summaries for the displays. You’ll gain a much better understanding and appreciation of what you’re looking at.
9. National Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By MakotoPhil - Saitama, Japan
The museum was free of charge, and is close other museums in the area, so you can also visit other museums as well. The other government-funded museums were also free of charge. The museum is a repository of species that can be found in the Philippines, but there are plenty of them. In every floor and section of the museum, you’ll find different kinds of ecosystems where those species thrive. There was also a life-size model of Lolong, probably the world’s largest saltwater crocodile that has ever lived or captured. There were few people when I visited and the building was spacious and had a cozy atmosphere. If you’re interested about species in the Philippines, it’s a great place to visit. Some people mixes up this museum with the other museums. This museum is for appreciation of the different species and ecosystems in the Philippines. If you’re interested about Philippines’ ancient civilization and artifacts, then the National Museum would be the place to go; and for learning about the different ethnic groups in the Philippines, the Museum of Anthropology would be the place to visit.
10. Chinatown Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
The Chinatown Museum is a community space that aims to share a visual story of Binondo as one of the oldest Chinatowns in the whole world. Each gallery focuses on various influences that have shaped the cultural, social, and economic threads that have formed Binondo, as we know of it today.
Reviewed By sakubenjose - Sydney, Australia
Content of the museum was quite exhaustive, in my opinion. Very helpful in learning the history of the Filipino-Chinese people. Prepare to spend half a day if you intend to go through all of the exhibits.
