Intramuros
NeighborhoodsHistoric Walking Areas
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Intramuros, "The Walled City," is the oldest district in Manila. This is what remains of the fortified city, which was the seat of power during Spanish Colonial times (1521-1898).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Sarah_nz31
    Leichhardt, Australia280 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beware of public holidays
    I was not aware that it was Holy Week / Maundy Thursday when I visited. Many buildings / attractions were closed. I would strongly advise to research any holidays / events that might result in closures in advance. For some reason I assumed it would be much like the Medina in Fes, Morocco, being a walled city. Intramuros was quite different - I found it relatively dirty and unkempt. There is some printed information at each point of note on signs, but for the best experience I would recommend hiring a guide, which I did not do.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written April 10, 2023
  • Karlusia
    Warsaw, Poland935 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place
    The historic Intramuros houses objects from Spanish times, such as Fort Santiago with a large, stone gate and national hero museum José Rizala. In the richly decorated Manilian cathedral, you can admire bronze and stained glass, and in the museum at the church of St. Augustine - works of art and figures on religious themes. The Casa Manila Museum is filled with furniture and works of art from the time of the Spanish colony. Horse carriages called Palesa glide on the cobbled streets.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 13, 2023
  • Eve L Kelly
    Adelaide, Australia10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Spanish heritage
    Intramuros is probably the most tourist asset that Manila has, aside from shopping malls. Going around its streets and churches you can imagine how live was during the Spanish empire period. I truly recommend to visit intramuros when staying in Manila
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 24, 2023
  • BigBlock13
    Brisbane, Australia30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great touristy spot.
    Very beautiful spot in Manila, with lots of historical buildings and history to explore. Everywhere you look is something to see. Downside can be the number of kids flocking to the tourists hoping for a monetary handout.
    Visited April 2023
    Written June 4, 2023
  • roaming_kiwi58
    Christchurch, New Zealand2,827 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting historical area of Manila
    Intramuros is the historic old walled city part of Manila. The original fortifications were mainly built by the Spanish. Much of the area was flattened during World War II, and has been later rebuilt. It is an interesting part of Manila to investigate. We walked here from where our cruise ship docked at the port of Manila. Spent a couple of hours wandering the streets of the Intramuros. If you go into Fort Santiago there is an entrance fee, but the rest of the area is free of charge. You can of course make donations in the churches. Definitely the number one place to visit when in Manila.
    Visited March 2023
    Written July 1, 2023
  • Marikrisvi S
    Quezon City, Philippines112 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Weekly Sales Training
    Was assingend to do Sales Training with this company. As their office is near San Agustin Church and other places to see. My last time in Intramuros is when we had this field trip in Elemntary.But to see again that im working i think i have to say that i appreciate the view that gives you the old historic vibe. If your a foreigner and have to chance to visit this place. You should defintitly. Also the restos here are so good.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled on business
    Written August 15, 2023
  • Nana Boakye
    Willingboro, New Jersey3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    My Take
    It was ok. I think if I had a tour guide I would have enjoyed better. The holding cell was looking like a slave cell. I think they called it the dungeon. But it was a great to know a little history of the Philippines.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 26, 2023
  • Czar Emmanuel
    Manila, Philippines6,268 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Old walled city of Manila
    Intramuros (literally, "within the walls") is the historic center of Manila. It is surrounded by thick stone walls and a vast golf course. Inside you can visit what is left of Manila after it was destroyed by the Japanese during World War 2. You can walk its cobble stoned streets and visit Fort Santiago, the Manila Cathedral, the San Agustin Church, etc. There are also lovely restaurants and souvenir shops. You may also want to try the "calesa" (horse-drawn carriage) that would take you around Intramuros up to nearby Rizal Park, but it's a bit pricey. 😉
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 27, 2023
  • Nitro Cars
    Sydney, Australia15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Intramuros, Manila. The city within a city.
    Step back in time to the old walled city - a city within a city. Established during Spanish colonial times 1571 till the American (1898) and Japanese occupation of World War II. Upon arriving you will be doing a lot of walking best to avoid the rainy (June - Oct) and hot seasons (April, May) November to February is probably the best weather to be site seeing. Lots to see like historical buildings, churches, plazas, Manila Cathedral, Rizal shrine, museums and the fortifications of Fort Santiago.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 11, 2023
  • SingaporeGirl
    Singapore, Singapore522 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The 'must' of every Manila visit - Intramuros
    For anyone visiting Manila, this has to be your first stop. No other place combines the history, the background, the mood of the city as much as Intramuros, once the 'walled city' relegated to the Spanish from the 1500s on through Manila's liberation by American troops who drove their tanks into the gates of Fort Santiago during the second World War. Do not hesitate in hiring one of the guides who will greet you upon arrival; these guides are superb. They know their history and the stories that make Intramuros come alive. We thought we'd spend an hour and spent nearly three.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 15, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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itravel
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Some of the places were fine but the scamming made it NOT worth it at all. We had a 14 hr layover in Manila (2 young women) and decided why not go see something and check off another country (from what we heard it was no more dangerous than any other city). Saw all the forums about Intramuros and thought why not. As soon as we got out the cab at the church we were bombarded by pedicab drivers that would not take no for an answer and followed us up to the church and followed us when we got out. As we soon realized things were farther apart than anticipated we told the man who cut his price from 350 to 200 php fine and took the ride. It started off good but was longer than expected and he was full of compliments(some inappropriate) and buttering us up. We weren’t buying it but kept the smile on our faces. He eventually pulls out his price sheet and what a magic trick. Different paper FOR SURE, way different price. What was 200 for a ride with no time limit became each per half hour. We argued and he just stared at us. It was him (the guide) and another man was driving the bike. Being two young girls we thought it best to pay and flee and not find out what happens when you refuse. Guy repeatedly told us his name was Sam but as he was full of sh—!, I doubt that was true. Everytime we got into the pedicab he put his hand on the bar as a “reminder to not bump our head.” I suspect it was to keep us from noticing the two different papers taped to the top of the cab. So frustrating because we know better. 🙄 Cherry on top, during our Taxi ride back to the airport, we got caught in traffic at the same red light 5 rounds. Halfway through a homeless looking man walked by swinging a gun. We were terrified because we were stuck bumper to bumper. Thankfully he kept walking and didn’t look our way but even our cab driver looked concerned and inched up as much as he could as the man walked past. So yea it’s a hard no and a never going back.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bklynbubba
Brooklyn, NY430 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Before visiting Intramuros the first thing you have to realize is that the place was almost totally destroyed during the Battle of Manila at the end of WWII. The Japanese dug in, refusing to surrender or declare Manila an open city (as the Americans had done four years earlier) so the Americans bombed the crap out of them and consequently most of Intramuros was destroyed. San Agustin Church was the only building left partially standing. Whether that was a miracle or not is still being debated. What was once referred to as 'The Pearl of the Orient' was gone forever. Efforts have been made to restore some buildings, the cathedral has been rebuilt, and San Ignacio church is being rebuilt as a cultural center.The walls are intact, and there are a few museums and restaurants scattered about, as well as the San Agustin church and convent. Like their other southeast Asian neighbors, the Filipinos have no great affection for their colonial dominated past. However Intramuros could become a symbol of so much more, if proper development and even some reconstruction is carried out. A fair comparison can be made to Kota in Jakarta. I'm certainly not advocating turning the place into a disnified version of what it once was. But it can become the living heart of the city it once was. There is still lots to see and do here. A walk around the walls is an unforgettable experience, as is gazing across the Pasig River from Fort Santiago. There is also an excellent bookstore in the Silahis Center. And people do still live here, so the place is far from dead. If you are interested in Philippine history this is a good place to learn more. I've visited several times and learn something new with each visit. More needs to be done to return Intramuros to the the cultural and historical center it should be. Come early in the day, walk around, maybe do one or two of the museums and churches, then have lunch, and continue your tour in the afternoon, maybe ending with a walk around the walls. And don't forget that view over the river from Fort Santiago. You won't be disappointed, and may even start thinking about history, and cities, and people, and wars, and................
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelAdventureGurus
Bethesda, MD345 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Business
If youbgave a day or less in Manila and don’t know what to do- the least you can see is this. The buildings are not that impressive but it still nice- the history is very interesting. I especially liked how lively everything was- these are not ruins that only tourists visit, but a fun and vibrant part of the city where locals live, work and relax.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aaqarsh Aiyyar
Chennai (Madras), India2,454 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Solo
Once the seat of the colonial spanish rule, the "walled City" or intramuros offers a touch of an historical setting in a modern city. The architectural designs are amazing. One can see a lot of statues of the spanish Kings and queens. The Manila cathedral and the Fort Santiago are attractions in the Intramuros. Travel could be through the Intramuros battery operated vehicles. This is a must-visit site, if you are in Manila city.
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Makoto
Saitama, Japan53 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
Intramuros, Manila’s walled city, has preserved a lot of its architecture: the cathedrals, colonial buildings, cobbled streets. It’s a great stroll. There were also places where you can buy souvenirs.

Intramuros covers a large area. It also is home to several universities. There were illegal settlers around the area. Once they’re relocated, Intramuros would be a better place to visit.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah_nz31
Leichhardt, Australia280 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
I was not aware that it was Holy Week / Maundy Thursday when I visited. Many buildings / attractions were closed. I would strongly advise to research any holidays / events that might result in closures in advance.

For some reason I assumed it would be much like the Medina in Fes, Morocco, being a walled city. Intramuros was quite different - I found it relatively dirty and unkempt.

There is some printed information at each point of note on signs, but for the best experience I would recommend hiring a guide, which I did not do.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Soymoosemom
Oakville, Canada356 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
First time visiting Intramuros with family. We took the museum tour which was a bit long to be in the dark, but very educational on the Spanish impact on Philippine history. We took the calesa (horse drawn carriage) around the old town, stopping by the Manila Cathedral. Amazing to see buildings and walls that are hundreds of years old. Really special place to visit if you are in Manila.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,301 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
This was excellent to see but the man who charged a lot in horse and then wanted more was not so good. We saw more ourselves and the Rizal Museum, the church and al the laces were great to see It is a walled area within Manila. Fort Santiago was the best though and I got scratched arms going down to the jails! The whole area is 100s of years old and dates from the Spanish time
Construction of the Spanish walled city began under the orders of the Spanish imperial government in the late 1500s to protect the city from foreign invasions,
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Czar Emmanuel
Manila, Philippines6,268 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
Intramuros (literally, "within the walls") is the historic center of Manila. It is surrounded by thick stone walls and a vast golf course. Inside you can visit what is left of Manila after it was destroyed by the Japanese during World War 2. You can walk its cobble stoned streets and visit Fort Santiago, the Manila Cathedral, the San Agustin Church, etc. There are also lovely restaurants and souvenir shops. You may also want to try the "calesa" (horse-drawn carriage) that would take you around Intramuros up to nearby Rizal Park, but it's a bit pricey. 😉
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sri Babbai Sri ... a
San Diego, CA23 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Not much to see. They bi cycle tricycle was uncomfortable and a bit of a tourist trap. It is really too fart to walk so if there is something you specifically want to see. I would skip most of it. The best part to me was the churches. One had been built and rebuilt on the same location seven times. I asked to go up to the second level but nobody there could tell me to whom I would address that question. Not much help from the guy in charge and he seemed to only say "closed". Overall it has some interesting sites but don't go on a hot day. The pictures are about as good as the real thing except for the churches. I would go to those again. There seems to be no way to avoid the drivers who are relentless and prices are negotiable. I advise walking away several times before agreeing on a price. I got my little tour for 180 pesos.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Intramuros, Manila

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