Things to do in Metro Manila, Luzon: The Best Museums

May 8, 2022 Joeann Galban

Discover the best top things to do in Metro Manila, Philippines including Myth of the Human Body, Museo Filipino Intramuros, San Agustin Museum, Ayala Museum, Money Museum, Philippine Science Centrum, Art in Island, Sining Kamalig, National Museum Of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History.
Restaurants in Metro Manila

1. Myth of the Human Body

Boom na Boom Boom Na Boom Complex, Pasay, Luzon Philippines +63 916 321 1445 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Myth-of-the-Human-Body-Exhibit/125938784125974
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Myth of the Human Body

2. Museo Filipino Intramuros

Intramuros 423 Magallanes Street, Barangay 655 6th Floor, JS Contractor Building, Manila, Luzon 1002 Philippines +63 2 310 9291 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/museofilipino
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 87 reviews

Museo Filipino Intramuros

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.

3. San Agustin Museum

Calle Real del Palacio Intramuros, Manila, Luzon 1002 Philippines 63 2 527 4061
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 405 reviews

San Agustin Museum

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. Ayala Museum

Makati Avenue cor. De La Rosa Street Greenbelt Park, Ayala Center, Makati, Luzon 1224 Philippines +63 2 757 3000 [email protected] http://www.ayalamuseum.org/
Excellent
49%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 863 reviews

Ayala Museum

This place is temporarily closed.

Reviewed By OfeliaG46 - Limeuil, France

No queues, no crowds in our early after lunch visit to the Ayala Museum. Reception at ticket booth was helpful and friendly. We started with the temporary exhibit of Mark Lewis Lim Higgins on the ground floor. It was a fascinating mixture of his paintings in an installation of some kind of rich warehouse, overflowing with silks, ceramics, gold and spices reminiscent of what were exported during the galleon trade. The muted atmosphere, the dim lights, the scent of incense and spices transported us to another time and place! Then we went up to the 4th floor to marvel at the gold collection: objects dug up mainly in Agusan and testimony to the extraordinary skill of local goldsmiths of the 10th - 13th centuries. The excellent ceramic collection of Roberto Villanueva held our attention for its scope, its richness and its beauty. A well-designed diorama, a narrative in a nutshell, traces the history of the Philippines from prehistoric times to the present. It was a well-spent and profitable afternoon!

5. Money Museum

A. Mabini St. & P. Ocampo St. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Manila, Luzon Philippines +63 63 297 7071 http://www.bsp.gov.ph/about/facilities_money.asp
Excellent
40%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Money Museum

6. Philippine Science Centrum

E-Com Building, Riverbanks Center, Marikina, Luzon Philippines 63 2 942 5136 [email protected] http://www.science-centrum.ph
Excellent
42%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Philippine Science Centrum

7. Art in Island

175 15th Ave. Cubao, Quezon City, Luzon 1109 Philippines +63 2 421 1356 http://www.facebook.com/artinisland
Excellent
52%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 403 reviews

Art in Island

Reviewed By darrenbK493NG

This place is a lot of fun to visit with some great pictures to be had best shared with either friends or a loved one!

8. Sining Kamalig

Upper Ground Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City, Luzon Philippines +63 2 622 1325 [email protected] http://www.worldexperience.ph/art
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Sining Kamalig

Sining Kamalig has transformed from a gallery space towards pop ups . Our exhibits will be all over Metro Manila, due to collaborations we have with other places. Our mission is to let everyone discover art, young or old, Filipino or non-Filipino. We are not bound to stable place. Everywhere in Metro Manila, you can enjoy the beautiful and interesting changing exhibition of Filipino artists. Most recognised artists but also upcoming artists have exhibited and are still active in Sining Kamalig. You can find us on Facebook for the latest exhibits. Do you want to discover it yourself and get inspired?

9. National Museum Of Anthropology

Ermita, Manila, Luzon Philippines +63 2 528 4912 http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Anthropology/Anthro.html
Excellent
51%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

National Museum Of Anthropology

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.

10. National Museum of Natural History

Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Manila, Luzon 1000 Philippines
Excellent
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 78 reviews

National Museum of Natural History

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.

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