Philippines · WALKING TOURS
Old towns here are built for feet and hostile to everything else. These 15 walks cover Intramuros, Binondo and central Cebu, priced by length, with a note on the ones that run after the heat drops.
Meet guide Mari at Grand Cafe 1919 in Binondo for two hours of Filipino street food, local history, and small-side-street discoveries. Expect 6 to 10 tastings, from kwek kwek and pancit palabok to turon and halo-halo, plus a jeepney or tricycle ride.
“It was great. Mari is very kind , the best tour Gide in Manila. Highly recommended”
Spend three hours on foot in Intramuros with a DOT-accredited English-speaking guide. Russell, Steven, Jerome, Jonathan, and other local guides lead you through Fort Santiago, Rizal’s final days, wartime memorials, churches, and Casa Manila. Admission, water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are included.
“Jonathan was a pleasure to have as a tour guide. He was extremely kind and knew his stuff”
Walk through Intramuros with an English-speaking guide such as Ann or Andre, visiting Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila. Expect about three and a half hours of history, light snacks, bottled water, and a kalesa or tranvia ride.
“Andre was an amazing tour guide! His informative and humorous tour was enlightening to my Canadian children with Filipino descent. Great job Andre!”
Start at Ayala Terraces at 4pm and follow guides such as Kyle, Phillip, Necian, or Lorelie through Cebu’s old quarter. Expect historic landmarks, a jeepney ride, Carbon Market, and several local food stops. The tour ends at Freedom Park, not at your hotel.
“Thoroughly recommend this tour! A friend and I had such a great time, walking, learning and eating our way through the real Cebu.”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Jen, Eric, or Grace for a six-hour Manila outing through Quiapo Market, Binondo Chinatown, and Intramuros. You will sample local food, use public transport, and ride a traditional bamboo bike. Bring water, a hat, and comfortable shoes.
“This was an absolutely perfect way to see a good sample of Manila. Jen was well informed, fun and made the very hot day a wonderful experience. Loved being able to take all the various transport options in the city and the pace was perfect too - plenty of time to get water, use the washroom, and eat interesting things while learning about the city and seeing the sights. 10/10 would recommend this.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Figaro Cafe for a 2.5 to 3-hour walk through Intramuros. Guides such as Mari and Tess connect Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila with Filipino history, family stories, photos, and a short Lamborghini bike ride.
“Love Mari and her knowledge, humor, passion, and experience. We only had a 12 hour layover in Manila and chose to do a tour to see some of the city and learn some history. She was excellent and highly recommend!”
Spend 4 to 5 hours exploring Manila’s walled city with guides such as Andre, Andrei, or Andrea. Visit Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, Manila Cathedral, and Casa Manila, then ride a horse-drawn carriage when the group has more than four people. Pickup, transport, water, and entrance fees are included.
“It was a wonderful day discovering Manila’s history! Andre is so knowledgeable and such a nice guy. His passion for his city and his country are infectious. He even treated us all to some cheese and avocado ice cream, which was a really nice touch on a very hot and humid day. Highly recommend Don’t Skip Manila Tours!”
Spend two to three hours walking Intramuros with guides such as Mari or Victor. Visit Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila while hearing the darker stories of war, colonial rule, and Filipino life. The small group is capped at 10 people.
“Amazing tour in the Intramuros area!! Mari was such a knowledgeable, funny host and we learned so much about Filipino history during our tour. Really enjoyed it and would highly recommend Mari!”
Start at Quiapo Market, sample Filipino food in Binondo, then explore Intramuros by foot and bike. Guides such as Mike, Fred, Eric, and Jen bring Manila’s past and present to life. Transport can include jeepneys, ferries, buses, tricycles, and tuk-tuks.
“Our guide Fred was very knowledgable and created a fun experience! He also recommended things to do that we tried afterwards such as the Barbara’s Heritage Dinner/Show and drinks at the penthouse bar at Bayleaf Hotel- both were excellent!”
Meet Jane at Casa Manila for an English-guided walk through Intramuros, Manila’s old walled city. See San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, and other historic sights while learning how walls, moats, cannons, churches, and plazas shaped the city. Bring water, sunscreen, and good shoes.
“Jane is very knowledgeable , pleasant and heart warming . The passion and love for what she does is evident when we walked with her . She knows the history , is very helpful and adjusting , having a senior in the group . Maraming Salamat”
Meet at 1919 Grand Cafe for a two-hour walk through Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Your local guide, often Mari, leads you to Chinese street food, old buildings, markets, photo spots, and Filipino-Chinese landmarks. Food costs extra, and the group is capped at 10 people.
“We had an amazing time during the food tour in China Town with Mari! Mari has a super energetic and bubbly personality and really thought of everything. She gave us a nice mix of the history of the place as well as all the best local Read more”
Join local guide Mari, or another Tagalog and English-speaking guide, for a small-group tour of Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Walk old streets, see early buildings, learn about Chinese merchants, and buy your own dumplings, noodles, and desserts. Food costs extra.
“Awesome tour, Mari was super friendly, bubbly and full of information. Very accommodating as well when timing didn't quite work. The food we got to try was delicious and she took us to places we never would have found on our own. Absolutely worth it and we'd book her again in a heartbeat for another tour if we ever come back to Manila.”
Meet Edison, or confirm your assigned guide, at Manila Cathedral for a private walking day through Intramuros, museums, parks, and the Pasig River Esplanade. You set the pace and may skip stops. Your guide shares Filipino history and takes edited mobile photos for delivery after the tour.
“This was brilliant for solo traveller - perfect tour of the museums and a walk through parks, Fort Santiago and Intramuros. Ed is the perfect guide taking good care of me all day - willingly sharing broad knowlege of the city and it’s history - and a terrific photographer as well.”
Spend 3 to 3.5 hours walking through Intramuros with English-speaking guide Andre. Visit Fort Santiago, the Rizal Shrine, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, and the Memorare Manila 1945 memorial, with a short kalesa or tranvia ride and refreshments included.
“Andre war super. Exzellentes Englisch. Begeistert von seiner Heimatstadt. Erzählt die Geschichte des Landes als "Geschichtenerzähler", spannend. Konnte jede Frage beantworten. Vielfalt der Tour ... Fort, Museum, Kutschfahrt um die Intramuros, Avocadoeis ...”
Spend three hours walking through Intramuros with an English or Tagalog-speaking guide. Visit San Agustin Church and Museum, Casa Manila, Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, and the Memorare Manila 1945 memorial. Jerome is one guide named in past bookings, and groups are limited to 15 people.
“Very informative, funny and engaging tour guide. We loved it.”
Pick an island, a reef or a waterfall.
