the PHILIPPINEs GATEWAY CITIES
ways t
36 13 AUGUST 2026
Manila
he Philippines is rightly praised for its pristine beaches, but its cities – which reflect the island nation’s mixed
Indigenous, Malay, Spanish, Chinese and US heritage – are getting their moment in the spotlight too. Construction of a new airport in Manila is due to be completed in 2028, and operators including Wendy Wu Tours, Mercury Holidays and Regent Holidays have recently added Philippines options. Most of these new itineraries add time in its cosmopolitan cities, catering for clients seeking authentic local experiences that go beyond beach resorts and offer extra cultural context. These might include coffee and chocolate farm visits, tours of local homes or jewellery-making with artisans. These buzzing cities also offer an introduction to the fantastic food scene of the Philippines, whose first Michelin Guide launched last October, recognising fine dining in Manila and Cebu. As a destination expert – and proud half-Filipina – here are three cities worth selling, each making an ideal gateway to the 7,641 magical islands of the Philippines.
As the capital city, Manila is the most likely entry point for clients. Instead of sending them straight on to islands such as Palawan or Boracay, suggest a day or two to recover from the jet lag and explore what Manila has to offer. In the centre is the small, walled
city of Intramuros, the one-time Spanish capital, covering just a quarter of a square mile. Book a bamboo bicycle tour that pedals past the neo-Romanesque Manila Cathedral towards Fort Santiago, where writer and national hero José Rizal, who led the movement against Spanish colonial rule, was imprisoned before his execution.
Across the Pasig River is Binondo,
the world’s oldest Chinatown, where stalls sell fusion dishes such as lumpia (spring rolls) and pancit (stir-fried noodles). To the south of Intramuros is Rizal Park, surrounded by the National Museums of Anthropology, Natural History and Fine Art. Here, art-loving clients can view the country’s most famous painting, the seven-metre Spoliarium canvas, by 19th-century painter Juan Luna. Fans of life’s finer things should visit Makati, Manila’s financial district. By day, they can browse the Greenbelt 5 mall, where designers have reimagined traditional costume and craftsmanship into
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