Manila: Where History Meets the Hustle of Modern Life!
Makati, the premier business and lifestyle district of Metro Manila, is a shopper’s paradise with upscale malls like Greenbelt and Glorietta.
Shopping
Shop till you drop in Makati’s upscale malls, from Greenbelt to Glorietta, where luxury, dining, and entertainment meet in style.
Nightlife
Makati’s nightlife pulses with rooftop bars, trendy lounges, and lively clubs, offering something for every night owl in the city.
Restaurants
Makati boasts a vibrant dining scene, from gourmet restaurants to cozy cafés, serving flavors from around the world in style.
Makati: Where Style, Skyscrapers, and Street Life Meet!
When I stay in Makati, I love how everything is right at my fingertips. The city is home to over a dozen major malls, like Greenbelt, Glorietta, and SM Makati, where I can shop, dine, and even catch a movie all in one place. Beyond shopping, the dining options are incredible — from high-end restaurants to cozy cafés serving local and international cuisine. Staying here makes it easy to enjoy both the modern comforts of the city and its lively, cosmopolitan energy.
My first trip to Makati was in late 2024. I booked Fairmont Hotel in the center of Makati in proximity to a couple of shopping malls notably Glorietta and Greelands Shopping Strip. The location is ideal if you want to enjoy modern suburb of Mania with a number of quality hotels, bars and restaurants within a walking distance.
The Greenbelts Shopping Area is an urban oasis in the middle of concrete jungle with many popular restaurants including People’s Palace, Itiliannis, Tin Tai Fung and Manam Greenbelt.
The foodcourt at the Glorietta Malls is a great place for a quick bit offering plenty of local delights as well as western food. I enjoyed some noodle dishes and Mexican food at a cafe in the Mall. The shopping mall offers a wide range of services including phone accessories stall, eletronic good, local clothing brands and very trendy hair-dressing salons.
Shop Till You Drop in Makati: Manila’s Ultimate Retail Paradise!
Makati is truly a shopper’s paradise, with a variety of malls that cater to every taste and style. “Greenbelt” is perfect for those who enjoy luxury brands, open-air gardens, and fine dining, while **Glorietta** offers a lively mix of high-street fashion, electronics, and entertainment. **SM Makati**, located in the heart of the business district, combines convenience with a wide selection of shops, from global brands to local favorites. Each mall is more than just a shopping destination — they are hubs of activity, perfect for people-watching, catching events, or simply enjoying the city vibe.
Beyond shopping, Makati’s malls also provide countless dining options, from casual cafés to gourmet restaurants, making them ideal spots to relax after a busy day of exploring. Many of these malls feature cinemas, art spaces, and family-friendly entertainment, so there’s something for everyone. Whether I’m hunting for the latest fashion trends, enjoying a gourmet meal, or just soaking in the bustling city energy, Makati’s malls make every visit convenient, exciting, and unforgettable.
Savor Makati: A Food Lover’s Playground of Flavors!
Makati is a true haven for food lovers, offering an incredibly diverse range of culinary experiences. From upscale fine dining in malls like Greenbelt and Glorietta to cozy cafés and casual eateries tucked along tree-lined streets, there’s something for every palate. You can savour authentic Filipino dishes, indulge in Italian pastas, Japanese sushi, Korean barbecue, or innovative fusion cuisine. Trendy brunch spots, gourmet bakeries, and lively food markets like Salcedo Saturday Market add to the city’s vibrant food scene. No matter what you crave, Makati makes every meal an adventure, blending flavours, ambience, and a cosmopolitan vibe in one bustling district.
I enjoyed a lavish dinner at People’s Palace, a popular Thai restaurant in Greenbelt, Makati. The atmosphere was very lively and the modern Thai menu offered a good mix of Thai dishes utilising local ingredients like pomelo. I enjoyed the fresh pomelo salad and juice with a number of popular Thai dishes like deep-fried tilapia and green curry dishes. The cafes on the ground floor adjacent to People’s Place are packed with local crowds enjoying a mix of Italian and Japanese cuisine.
Step into Makati: Discover the City’s Charms One Walk at a Time!
Walking along the streets of Makati you will see high-rises, office building five star hotel and Art Galleries. Ayala Musuem is a must loation for art and culture lovers who want to learn about the amazing history of The Philippines in a very interactive manner. Makati is also, home to street art with many amazing cultural murals and wall art around Poblacion and Lepazgi Village.
Don’t miss the amazing hidden cafes in the neighbourhood including the Commune, The Yardstick and the Commune. Hop into jeepney ( a modified jeep for transport) and enjoy the local transport experience first-hand. The weather can be hot and humid and jeepeneys crowded with local commuters, the experience, however, is worth it.
Street vendors selling popular delights can be found on the roadside. Try Taho( sweet tofu) and banana cue which is popular local snacks.
BURGOS STREET MAKATI
Burgos Street, Makati – Where the Night Comes Alive.
If you’re wandering through Makati after dark, chances are you’ll end up on Burgos Street, the city’s famous nightlife strip in Poblacion. Known as Makati’s mini red-light district turned entertainment hub, Burgos Street buzzes with neon lights, lively bars, karaoke joints, and late-night eateries that never seem to sleep.
By day, it’s a fairly ordinary street lined with small shops and cafés — but when night falls, it transforms into a playground for locals, expats, and travellers looking for fun. From classic pubs like Handlebar to rooftop bars with skyline views, Burgos offers something for everyone. Don’t miss nearby hidden gems in Poblacion’s side streets, where creative cocktails, street art, and live music add to the area’s eclectic charm.
Whether you’re bar-hopping with friends, people-watching over a cold beer, or just soaking in the city’s energy, Burgos Street is the place to experience Makati’s wilder, more playful side.
NIGHTLIFE IN MANILA
Manila is great for a little fun in the sun, but its after-dark edition offers riotous delights. Go PubCrawl for hopping between bars/pubs with a group of locals. Travel to Manila for the quintessential Manila bar experience.
Enjoy 2 drinks with entry tickets, a cozy, luxurious ambience, some poolside fun and live music at Revel at The Palace (38th Street, Bonifacio) or head over to Black Market (Sabiao Street- free entry) nightclub for a more casual Manila nightlife experience.
If you have a hankering for mermaid fishing, Air Force One Manila (Gentlemen’s Club/KTV) has a fine selection for all sorts of entertainment and after-dark fun. It offers a spa experience, dance shows, ramp walks, and drinks with a twist. Makati nightlife is an experience unto itself. Walk down Manila’s famous red-light districts, including Makati and EDSA Complex (Pasay City) to meet Manila street girls.
Try your luck at Okada Casino, built to put Manila on the map as a casino destination and the establishment boasts international standards.
WHERE TO STAY IN MAKATI?
I stayed at 4-star hotel, Citadel Inn centrally located next to the greenblets. I picked the hotel online offering amazing deals for a 3-night stay. The establishment is old but well-managed and equipped with all basic amentities with a roof-top pool commanding amazning views of Makati district. With such proximity to the malls, i enjoyed shopping and exploring the area at my own pace without the hassle of using public transport. I highly recommend this hotel for budget conscious travellers looking for a quality accommodation in the heart of Makati.
Alternatively, be in the lap of luxury and gaming heaven with your stay at Solaire Resort & Casino (200 USD) in Paranaque, Manila 5.5 KM away from Ayala Center. The Fairmont, Makati (112USD) and Raffles, Makati (202 USD) are also popular options for a luxurious stay in the heart of Makati.
Other interesting places to stay include the Manila Bay Area and Chinatown. You can have some family time at H2O (77USD), Manila’s first aquarium-themed 4-star hotel with a spa, fitness room, conference room, and children’s pool. Located behind Rizal Park, it is only 2 minute walk from Manila Bay.
For budget hotels in Manila stay at BCD 58 Ohana Hostel (11 USD), a 5-minute drive from Rizal Park. Cheap accommodation in Makati means a stay at La Casita Mercedes 23 minutes from Ayala Center on foot.
How to travel to Manila?
AirAsia and Cebu Pacific offer great travel deals to interesting destinations in the Philippines, including Manila. I booked a flight from Sydney to Manila with a 3-hour layover in KLIA2 in Kuala Lumpur. The flight to Manila from approximately 4 hours. AirAsia offers the cheapest airfare between these destinations.
The main airport in Manila is Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Public transport is quite efficient, but you will definitely be shocked by seeing the number of cars on the road. Manila is notorious for its traffic jams, which I observed firsthand. Therefore, give yourself enough time when planning an excursion or catching a flight from Manila.
Using Public Transport in Manila
If you plan to use local transport, download the GRAB ridesharing application to enjoy hassle-free travel in Manila. Jeepneys and public buses are Manila’s principal modes of transport. They run along with specified points; just ask the locals which one to take to get to your destination. You can also use the Grab App with an additional PHP. The taxis are notorious for trying to carry small change and make sure the driver runs the meter.
Renting a car is a hassle-free option for a relaxed travel experience. The shortest route from Metro Manila to Makati is AH26 on a rental car (20min) or take the MRT from Quezon in 1USD to Buendia (16min).
Ayala Museum and Dessert Museum in Manila
The Ayala Museum in Makati is a must-go tourist spot in Manila. Its 4 floors will take you from the rich ancient history of the region to local and contemporary art and the diorama experience (Tuesday-Sunday 9 am -6 pm, 100 PHP).
Museo Pambata (Roxas Boulevard) is the ideal place for some fun yet educational activities for children. Here you can interact with the displays; learn about the working of the human body, step into the marketplace, an old church, or ride a Spanish galleon (PHP 150). Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Roxas Boulevard) for a fix of contemporary art alongside Pre-Hispanic jewellery and Neolithic utensils (PHP 100)
You cannot visit Manila and not see the quirky, flamboyant Dessert Museum whether you are with friends or family 8 eight larger-than-life dessert-themed rooms will make you take pictures, slide through doughnut holes, walkthrough candy grooves, and eat curated desserts along the way. Get the ticket online from the KLOOK website for a discount on the money without compromising on the experience!
Theme Park in Manila
The Manila Ocean Park is home to 14000 species of aquatic life indigenous to Southeast Asia, it boasts amazing viewing tunnels and adventures like swimming in a mermaid costume (350/head), shark and ray encounters (550/head), and underwater diving adventures (995PhP/head). Don’t miss out on the chance for a discount from the Klook website.
Check out the Star City theme park (Pasay City) for that quintessential adventure ride experience.
Casinos in Manila
Manila’s casino scene is vibrant and world-class, offering glitz, glamour, and excitement that rivals Las Vegas. 🎰 From the luxurious City of Dreams Manila and Okada Manila to the lively Resorts World Manila, the city is a playground for those who love gaming, entertainment, and nightlife. Whether you’re here to try your luck at the tables, enjoy fine dining, or catch live performances, Manila’s casinos promise an unforgettable experience filled with energy and elegance.
MALL OF ASIA
The Mall of Asia (MOA) in Manila is one of the largest shopping complexes in the Philippines — and a destination in itself! 🛍️🌅 Located by the beautiful Manila Bay, it offers everything from high-end fashion and local brands to world-class dining and family entertainment. Visitors can enjoy the MOA Eye Ferris wheel, an Olympic-sized skating rink, and stunning sunset views from the baywalk. Whether you’re shopping, dining, or just soaking up the lively atmosphere, the Mall of Asia delivers the ultimate Manila experience in one vibrant spot!
