Welcome to Intramuros, a captivating historic walled area located in the heart of Manila, Philippines. This cultural gem, with its Spanish colonial heritage, holds a treasure trove of fascinating experiences waiting to be discovered.

In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the top 10 must-do activities in Intramuros, offering a mix of rich history, scenic charm, and unforgettable adventures that will make your visit truly memorable.

1. Rent a Filipiñiana Terno or barong 

Address: Heirloom Filipiniana Rental, Plaza San Luis (PSL), Real cor., Cabildo St., Intramuros, Manila

Website: klook.com

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 7 PM

Price:

• For 1 Hour rental of attire – P150 

Renting a Filipiñiana Terno (for women) or Barong (for men) from Klook when visiting Intramuros is a must-do to fully immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the country. 

Wearing these iconic outfits not only pays homage to the Philippines’ history while exploring Intramuros, but it also offers a chance to capture stunning photos that reflect the destination’s charm.

2. Take a tour via Kalesa or Carruaje

Address: Castillan Carriage Tour Assistance Services, NIA Cmpd. Sta. Clara Street Intramuros, Manila

Website: http://www.castillantours.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/castillantoursmanila/ 

Email: jaystamaria3@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0998 8577 854 | 8995 8800

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Sunday 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Price:

• Intramuros Carruaje Tour (1 Hr) – P2000 (minimum charge per 4 persons)

+ P500 (additional per person)

* Use of horse-drawn carriages with a Tour Guide

• Intramuros and Rizal Park Carruaje Tour (2.5 Hrs) – P4000 (minimum charge per           

4 persons)

•  P1000 (additional per person)

* Use of horse-drawn carriages with a Tour Guide

Taking a Kalesa/Carruaje tour in Intramuros is a unique way to travel back in time and enjoy a nostalgic journey through the cobblestone streets, allowing you to appreciate Intramuros at your own pace. 

3. Rent a bamboo bike and explore

Address: Bambike HQ, Plaza San Luis Complex, Real St. or General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://www.bambike.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAMBIKE/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambike/

Email: info@bambike.com 

Contact Details: 0977 781 5322‬

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM

Price: 

• Bamboo Bike rental – For 1 hour – $4

• For 1 hour and 30 minutes – $20
• For 2 hours and 30 minutes – $35

*Minors are not allowed to rent a bike unless they are accompanied by their parent or guardian.

Renting a bamboo bike from Bambike  not only allows you to explore Intramuros on your own time but is also a sustainable and eco-friendly way to explore the historic city. 

It promotes responsible tourism and helps the locals because their bike builders (a.k.a. Bambuilders) are from Gawad Kalinga, a community development foundation working to alleviate poverty in the Philippines.

4. Explore Fort Santiago’s dungeons

Address: Sta. Clara St., Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/fs/ 

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 11 PM, last entry is 9 PM
• Saturday to Sun –  6 AM to 11 PM, last entry is 9 PM

Price:

• Regular rate – P75 
• Discounted rate – P50 (18 and under, senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, and government employees.

Fort Santiago is a must-visit for those seeking a dark and thrilling experience. Its eerie dungeons hold a haunting history of imprisonment and torture during the Spanish colonial period and World War II.

It is also a powerful place to connect with the past and learn about the struggles of significant figures in Philippine history, such as Dr. Jose Rizal, making for an impactful and educational journey.

5. Walk around Baluarte de San Diego’s garden

Address: Sta. Lucia St. cor. Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/bsd/ 

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM, last entry is 4 PM

Price: 

• Regular Rate P75.00 (Regular); P50.00 (Discounted*).
• Discounted rate – P50 (18 and under, senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, and government employees.)

If you enjoy architecture, the Baluarte de San Diego is a must-see for its well-preserved example of Spanish colonial architecture from the late 16th century. As one of the oldest forts in the Philippines, its blend of Spanish and Filipino styles offers a captivating sight.

Baluarte, once a defense and prison complex during the American occupation, is now surrounded by gardens, offering a peaceful and serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

6. Take Instagrammable pictures in Casa Manila

Address: Casa Manila, Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna cor. Real Sts., Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/cmm/ 

Contact Details:

Operating Hours:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM

Price: 

• Regular rate – P75 
• Discounted rate – P50 (18 and under, senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, and government employees.)

Casa Manila is a living museum inspired by a house built in the 1850s on Jaboneros Street in Binondo’s Chinese district. Visiting it offers you a fascinating glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of a wealthy Filipino family during the Spanish colonial period. 

As you explore the furnished rooms, featuring period pieces from Europe and China, you’ll be transported back in time and see how the old elite family lived, dined, and entertained guests.

7. Eat Filipino or Spanish food from famous restaurants in Intramuros

If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic dining experience, then you must eat Filipino or Spanish food from famous restaurants in Intramuros. You won’t be disappointed!

Try these famous restaurants in Intramuros to indulge in the rich flavors and unique culinary heritage of the Philippines.

Ilustrado Restaurant

Address: 744 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Intramuros, Manila

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilustradorestaurant 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilustradorestaurant/ 

Email: catering@ilustradorestaurant.com.ph 

Contact Details: 0939 920 6822 

Operating Hours:

• Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 8 AM to 10 PM
• Tuesday – 8 AM to 9 PM
• Saturday – 9 AM to 10 PM
• Sunday – 8 AM to 7 PM

Ilustrado Restaurant is housed in a refurbished Spanish colonial mansion filled with beautiful artworks and antiques. Their menu features modern Filipino dishes that are made with fresh, local ingredients. 

Signature dishes include Adobo Flakes with Calamansi, Sinigang na Bangus (sour soup with milkfish), and Laing (spicy pork stew).

Patio de Conchita

Address: Beaterio St., Intramuros, Manila 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatiodeConchitaintramuros/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patio_de_conchita/ 

Email: patiodeconchita@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0977 288 0904

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 8 PM

Patio de Conchita, a renowned buffet restaurant, is conveniently situated close to Manila Cathedral. For an affordable price of just P400 per person, their sumptuous buffet offers a wide array of classic Filipino dishes to delight your taste buds.

Balai Maria

Address: Knights of Columbus Bldg., Beaterio St., Intramuros, Beside Manila Cathedral, Manila

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balaimaria19/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balaimaria_/ 

Email: balaimaria2019@gmail.com

Contact Details: 0955 795 1902

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM

Balai Maria is housed in a traditional Filipino home, with the interior decked with exhibits of unique Filipino contemporary artworks.  

Their menu features Filipino dishes like Bali’s Bicol Express (spicy stew), Dinakdakan (Ilocano delicacy consisting of pork head parts, face, and liver), and Danggi’t Laing (fish and shredded taro leaves with meat/seafood cooked in coconut milk).

8. Watch a cultural show at Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://www.barbaras.ph 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbarasHeritageRestaurant/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarasrestaurant/ 

Email: barbarasfoods@yahoo.com 

Contact Details: 02 8527 4083

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM

Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant not only serves delicious Filipino cuisine but also offers a delightful cultural show featuring Filipino traditional dances and music. 

Additionally, they also have an attic museum, an art gallery, an auction house, event rooms, and a bed and breakfast. Visit their website for more information and reservations. 

9. Liquor tasting in Destileria Limtuaco Museum

Address: 481 San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila

Website: https://destileria-limtuaco-museum.business.site/ | http://www.limtuaco.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLCIMuseum/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destilerialimtuaco/ 

Contact Details: 02 485 9621

Operating Hours:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM

Price:

• Entrance Fee –  P100
• Liquor Tasting – P100 (per person)

If you’re a fan of liquor, then you’ll definitely want to do a liquor tasting at the Destileria Limtuaco Museum. You’ll get to try a variety of different liquors, including some that you might not have tried before. 

Aside from that, you will learn about the distillery’s history and the various types of liquor produced in the Philippines over the years.

10. Light a candle in San Agustin Church

Address: General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaConsolaciondeIntramuros/ 

Email: sanagustinchurch1571@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0966 865 5436 | 02 8 5273841

Operating Hours:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday to Sunday – 8 AM – 5 PM

Add a touch of serenity to your visit by lighting a candle at San Agustin Church, the oldest church in the Philippines.

This symbolic act allows you to offer a prayer or reflection in this historic and sacred place, making your experience even more meaningful and memorable.

11. Buy souvenirs from the Silahis Center

Address: 744 General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila 

Website: https://silahis.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilahisCenter/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silahiscenter_ph/ 

Email: silahiscenter@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0966 865 5436 | 02 8 5273841

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM

For unforgettable keepsakes, don’t miss the chance to purchase souvenirs from Silahis Center. This multi-story shop is a treasure trove of antiques, Philippine arts, and handicrafts. 

With its extensive collection, an entire floor dedicated to an art gallery, and its charming location in a historic building within Intramuros, shopping here feels more like a fascinating museum exploration than a regular store visit.

12. Chill at the latest cafes in Intramuros 

After a day of exploration, treat yourself to relaxation and chill at the newest cafes in Intramuros. These trendy spots offer a cozy atmosphere and a chance to unwind while savoring delicious drinks and snacks.

La Cathedral Cafe

Address: Cabildo St. Intramuros Manila 1002 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacathedralcafe/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacathedralcafe/ 

Email: lacathedralc@gmail.com

Contact Details: 0915 512 3317

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 10 PM

La Cathedral Cafe is a charming and picturesque coffee shop that provides a delightful rooftop view of the Manila Cathedral. You can enjoy pastries, coffee, pasta, Filipino dishes, and more while admiring Intramuros’s historic architecture and ambiance.

Batala Bar

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna Street, cor Real Street, Intramuros, Manila, 1002

Website: https://batalabar.business.site/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatalaBar/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batalabar/ 

Email: batalabar63@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0917 896 4703

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 8:30 PM

Batala Bar is a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the best craft beers and home-cooked food the Philippines has to offer. 

You can also discover new handmade local products at the Philippine Artisan Trade Gallery, where the bar is located.

Cafe Intramuros

Address: Cafe Intramuros, Stall 1-C, Plaza San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafeintramuros 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeintramuros/ 

Email: cafeintramuros.2022@gmail.com 

Contact Details: 0969 425 9294 

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Thursday – 10 PM to 7 PM

Cafe Intramuros is a charming cafe that serves Filipino and Spanish cuisine in a colonial-style setting. You can also relax on their garden patio, where you can see the San Agustin Church and other landmarks of Intramuros.