Intramuros plays an important role in the history of the Philippines. Also known as the Walled City, Intramuros was built by the Spaniards more than 400 years ago and served as the Spanish government’s seat during its colonization in the Philippines.
Intramuros is located in Manila, the heart of the Philippines. Going inside this walled city has a lot of defensive structures. They were built to protect the city and prevent threats from Chinese pirates and other invaders. These structures are preserved and are now part of the country’s rich history.
You’ll never run out of fun activities to do in Intramuros! Here are some cool things you can do during your visit:
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Your tour in Intramuros won’t be complete without riding a kalesa! Each ride costs around Php 350 to Php 500, but it will take you to different historical landmarks.
If you want to have a taste of heritage cuisines, Barbara’s is definitely for you! The antique and old decorations paired with the best Filipino dishes are simply one of a kind. You will also get to see cultural shows here!
You might have known Jose Rizal through history books, but have you seen his works before your eyes? Learn more about our national hero by visiting the Rizal Shrine. You can see his memorabilia and works that are in his actual handwriting. He spent his last days in Fort Santiago, and that’s where he wrote the poem Mi Ultimo Adios.
Once you’re inside Intramuros, there are a lot of remarkable places you can go and explore. Here are some of the most visited places in Intramuros:
Fort Santiago is the top most visited site in Intramuros because of its Hispanic stone fortress. It is a large place where you can find old dungeons, gardens, a mini-museum, and even kalesa you can ride on.
San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines, and it was declared as a UNESCO Heritage site. It features a Baroque style of architecture with antique altars inside. Another fact you should know is that Miguel Lopez de Legazpi is buried here in this church.
The Manila Cathedral is the first cathedral ever built in the country. It lies in the center of Intramuros, and it has gone through several disasters. Despite this, it’s still worthy of being visited because of the generational stories it brings to everyone.
Aside from the Spaniards, the Chinese also significantly influenced the Filipinos during the pre-colonial and the colonial period. Bahay Tsinoy is a museum where it has dioramas of Tsinoys with their roles in society in the past, and how the Filipinos benefited from them.
If you want to catch a glimpse of how the wealthy people lived during the Spanish Period, head over to Casa de Manila. It presents expensive furniture and antique interiors. You will also see how the rich do business with one another here.
Planning to visit Intramuros in the next coming days? Checkout the weather in Intramuros.
Intramuros can be easily accessed because it is located in the heart of Manila. But if you live outside Metro Manila, traveling here is also easy. If you arrive from NAIA, you can take the following:
This means of transportation is the most convenient way to get to Intramuros. However, be prepared to pay a hefty price because the traffic in Manila can be heavy.
You can ride a bus going to Intramuros, but it doesn’t stop right in front of the gates of Intramuros. You can ride a bus and get off at Manila City Hall. From there, walk the pedestrian underpass until you reach Padre Burgos Street. When you exit Padre Burgos Street, go to Victoria Street. This street will lead you to Intramuros.
The Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 and the Metro Manila Rail Transit are the train lines where you can go to Intramuros. The nearest train station to Intramuros is Central Station in LRT 1. Get off from Central Station, and walk the pedestrian underpass going to Padre Burgos Street, then Victoria street.
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