Explore Intramuros: Introduction to Philippine History
Description
The classic Manila sightseeing tour begins in Intramuros, the historic walled city that was the heart of the Philippines for over 300 years. Known as one of the top things to do in Manila, Intramuros offers a fascinating glimpse into the nation’s colonial past and how history shaped the Philippines today. On this Intramuros walking tour, you’ll explore centuries-old landmarks such as Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila, each revealing stories of Spanish rule, American influence, and wartime resilience. Cobblestone streets, ancestral homes, and leafy courtyards make the city feel like an open-air museum. This Manila city tour is perfect for first-time travelers or returning visitors, an Intramuros tour is a must-have experience on any Manila travel itinerary.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We'll see the oldest stone church in the entire country and the only survivor of the bombing of Manila during WW2.
The Museum beside the Church, here we learn more about the Spanish Galleon Trade that spanned the whole world. We shall also learn about the Catholic Church and see the various artifacts through the centuries.
A turn of the 19th century house, we will see firsthand a recreation of what homes of the upper crust of society looked like in old Manila.
A monument to remember the innocent casualties of WW2. Here, we learn a bit more about the Philippines and its role in the second great war.
The seat of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.
The old Spanish military fort. Here, we learn more about one of the Philippine's heroes and the movement for independence from Spain.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(83)
Pat was amazing! He was extremely thorough of the history of the Intramuros and highly entertaining as well. I would highly recommend as a great introduction to Philippine history and the right amount of time.
I really enjoyed the guided tour of Intramuros. Patrick was a great guide, so knowledgeable and friendly. I really enjoyed how he brought to life the buildings, the art, historical artefacts and the history. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Jian is so knowledgeable when it comes to the history of The Philippines. He shared it in a manner that was engaging and interesting. Jian is a credit to his country.
I was the only one who signed up for the tour so it ended up being a private tour and Jian was excellent! Knowledgeable, kind, and interesting. Would absolutely recommend this tour.
Patrick was an amazing tour guide. He was knowledgeable, pleasant and took care of me well. I definitely met my goal of learning more about the Philippines and its place in the world. Doing this tour when I first arrived helped me plan the rest of my stay. Patrick’s knowledge was amazing. I got a sense of the importance of the Philippines in world history and why its location was so important to Europeans in world trade. I gained an appreciation of the diversity here in that the Philippines is a cluster of islands each with its distinct culture. I saw a bit of the political struggles and the brave people who fought against oppression for the good of the country’s future. Highly recommend tour.
Amazing must see guided tour of Intramuros. Pat is a very knowledgeable guide, the pace was perfect, and full of educational facts and history. Pat was 15 minutes early (right on time) and even shared more history over a local cafe pastry. Highly recommend this tour, and request Pat.
Jian was a wonderful guide. I ended up being the only guest that day, so I got a private tour with him, which was fantastic, personal, and allowed for a lot of detail. We toured the St Augustin Church, Casa Manila, and the Fort Santiago plaza. Weather rained us out for a longer stay at the Fort and Manila Cathedral, but that left room for a Tricycle ride through Intramuros and a deeper discussion over coffee, between locations. Highly recommend Jian and his company for this and the other tours they offer. If we're back in Manila I'll definitely look for more experiences with Jian!
This was an excellent tour! Jian is quite knowledgeable about history, and loves sharing all sorts of interesting trivia and facts. He gave a very good overview of Philippine history, as well as explaining how it impacted Filipino culture. He was happy to answer all sorts of questions. I would highly recommend this tour! (Also, I went during a slow time for tourism, so I actually had a solo tour.)
About an hour into the tour I pulled my friend aside to thank them for finding us the world’s best tour… Jian is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter and it really shines through.
This is a VERY informative tour. The guides, Jian and Patrick, are extremely knowledgeable about Filipino culture and history, and the sites visited throughout Intramuros are fascinating. The tour structure and pace was perfect. I highly highly recommend this tour. It was absolutely worth the price we paid and I'd 1000% do it again.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you found the tour highly informative and enjoyed exploring Intramuros with Jian and Patrick. We're glad the pacing and structure worked perfectly for you. Your strong recommendation means a lot to us, and we’d be honored to welcome you again!
