Gamechanging Walking Tours and Crawls You Haven't Heard Of In Manila

Sometimes, what you’re looking for is right underneath your nose. Such is the case with these unique Manila tours you may not have heard of. You don’t have to wander far from the metro to discover a wealth of hidden secrets just waiting to be discovered. fall in love with the Filipino culture once again with these reimagined and specially-curated tours of Manila.

Are you up for a coffee date? Join other coffee enthusiasts and learn about Third Wave Coffee Industry in the country. Delve deep into the country’s coffee culture, as well as interesting trivia on the nuances of beans and roasting techniques. This half-day Manila tour will bring you to secret coffee spots that only the serious coffee junkies know of. Visit Ella and the Blackbird, SGD Coffee Bodega, Commune Café + Bar, Habitual Coffee, and The Curator — places that know, appreciate, and serve truly great coffee.

Address: Meet up at McDonald’s Katipunan

Opening Hours: 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm (tour duration)

Have you heard of Manila Cinematheque Center, Black Maria Cinema, and Cinema ’76? These are just a handful of the microcinemas in the metro. In this Manila tour, you get an exclusive invite to these boutique screening halls where Philippine cinema is enjoyed, studied, and celebrated. Each one is small slice of heaven for film enthusiasts, especially as each features local indie productions that elevates your viewing experience. This full-day, local tour comes with a guide, snacks, coffee, and a full movie.

Address: Meet up at Robinson’s Place Manila

Opening Hours: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm (tour duration)

Learn about Philippine history through art in this Manila tour. Think of this as your history class, only way more interesting and engaging. Your well-versed guide will walk you through the rich culture of the Filipino people as preserved in the various works of art that have survived the ages. Visit Ayala Museum, National Museum, Fort Santiago, Bahay Tsinoy, and the Manila Collectible Co. or Distileria Limquaco. This full day tour includes a lunch stopover at Aristocrat and ends in SM Mall of Asia.

Address: Meet up at Starbucks, Greenbelt 3

Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (tour duration)

Contact Details: 63 998 544 8140 (look for Bernice Termulo)

A cemetery may seem like an odd place to go on a tour of, but Ivan Man Dy has made a name for this very popular tour for years. Short of making the dead come to life, this Manila tour sneaks you in the Chinese Cemetery where you not only get to see intricate funerary architecture up close, but also get the info on the lives and legacies of the Filipino-Chinese families that are laid to rest there. This is a short tour, just a two and a half hours long, but it’s definitely worth it.

Address: Chinese Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 8:50 am (meet up time at Chong Hock Temple)

The walled city of Intramuros is witness to many key events of our nation’s history. It houses a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has This 2.5 hour Manila tour brings you within its walls and stood firm through the colonial era and World War 2. gives you a glimpse of what life was like in the olden days. Visit sites such as Plaza de Roma, Manila Cathedral, San Ignacio Ruins, San Agustin Church and Monastery, and Barrio San Luis. Whether you’re Pinoy or not, this tour will surely make you appreciate the Philippines more.

Address: Plaza Roma, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm (last tour starts at 4:30 pm)

Are you ready for a half day of eating? Best to prepare your appetite because this specially-curated Manila tour by Fat Girls Day Out promises a feast! Filipino cuisine is distinct in that it is fusion of various flavors that have influenced our history. This half-day tour begins at the historical Rizal Monument and brings you food hopping to Casa Armas, Szechuan House, Cafe Adriatico, and Seaside Dampa. Feast on some well-loved dishes, and a few soon-to-be faves.

Address: Meet up at Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd Ermita, Barangay 666 Zone 72, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 10:30 am - 3:30 pm (tour duration)

Go green as you wander around Intramuros on a bamboo bicycle! Bambike is a product of Filipino ingenuity, made with all-natural bamboo and abaca that is sturdy and comfortable by a local social enterprise. Tis Manila tour takes you sightseeing within the Walled City with an experienced tour guide, or explore on your own. Did you know that you can bike on top of the walls? The Sunset Tour includes a complimentary drink at Bayleaf Hotel’s SkyDeck, while the Intramuros Experience includes a ticket to Fort Santiago and a guide. Level up to the Half-Day Cultural Package which includes a lunch buffet with live music after your tour.

Address: Bambike HQ, Plaza San Luis Complex. Real St .cor General Luna St. Intramuros, M, Intramuros, 1002 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Contact Details: +63 977 781 5322

Socials: Facebook and Instagram

View Old Manila through a new lens. Instead of just memorizing facts and figures, this Manila tour actually lets you experience the wonder that is the Philippines’ capital. You can’t help but be fascinated with the tidbits shared by your experienced guide. This specially-curated tour by Fat Girls day Out brings you around historical spots, parks, museums, and cinemas. This full-day tour won’t be complete without the food, and the package already includes a stop at The Aristocrat Restaurant and the famous Dampa.

Address: Meet up at Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd Ermita, Barangay 666 Zone 72, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 9:00 am

Food trip! Reacquaint yourself with the beginnings of Tsinoy culture and the food we have come to love in this tour of Binondo. This Manila tour is one of the crowd favorites, because who wouldn’t want to go restaurant hopping with a foodie who knows all the secrets of Binondo? Go on a 3.5 hour food munchfest of dimsum, hopia, siopao, and the like. Get ready to binge on Chinatown delicacies, and set aside some budget for treats to bring home!

Address: Meet up at Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo church) Plaza L.Ruiz, Binondo, Manila, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (last tour starts at 2:30 pm)

Go on a tour of Malacañang, the country’s presidential palace and witness to the secrets of the nation’s history. The original structure traces its roots as a summer house back in the 1750s, and has since evolved to the seat of power that it is today. This private guided Manila tour starts and ends at the Legarda Mansion, and includes a snack and a walk around the surrounding San Miguel district.

Address: Meet up at Legarda Mansion, Arlegui St., San Miguel, Manila, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: 8:50 am - 11:30 am (tour duration)