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.

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 with our shore excursion group. Fascinating historical area dating to 1571 when the fortified walled area was founded by Miguel López de Legazpi, Spanish conquistador. Our tour included some of the main attractions, San Agustin Church & Museum, Fort Santiago and Casa Manila Museum. There is so much to see within these ancient walls, a couple of days would be justified in order to understand and appreciate these historical fortifications and their role where once was a Muslim kingdom.

Intense Filipino History. Worth getting a guide and spending the few hours walking though the surrounds, the dungeons, the old Fort Santiago, the ground, the Spanish barracks, the American barracks, and the incredible history of Manila, and the Philippines. Learning and not forgetting the history and atrocities of the Japanese Occupation. And finally, enjoying a horse carriage ride around the old city walled perimeter.

My mom and dad were teenagers during the Japanese occupation. There’s a lot of sad history but it should be kept alive so it’s not relived or forgotten. We didn’t book a tour, but once we arrived, there are plenty of motor bikes offering tours. Be careful on creating a time frame because they will continue the tour and then charge more for their service. Carl, our driver, was great until it came to that point. We still paid and gave him a tip but warned him not to do this to future travelers. Overall, Intramuros is worth a tour. Afterwards, nearby, is the Manila Chinatown, also worth a visit.

Wow! An absolute must if you are visiting Manila. A chance to view some of the historical architecture that has influenced buildings, life and culture in the Philippines. We can all have an opinion on the fairness of history, but this living town allows one to walk where those influences started 400+ years ago. The buildings are great, they city wall is amazing and the church leaves one feeling quite insignificant given it's splendor and history. Top marks Manila.

it's not bad but you will find better Spanish cultural heritage in lots of other towns or countries. If you have a few hours to kill why not visit a museum or a church. No guide required. It's reasonably clean and safe unlike the rest of Manila Ermita or Malate which is filthy

I strolled Intramuros for an hour or two (on a 100 degree day, mind you), and the sights I saw were quite interesting and unique. The cathedral in particular was beautiful. I enjoyed people-watching and watching locals live their lives. However, the construction…every corner I turned, workers were digging up the road. I understand they’re trying to preserve and improve things, but from this one experience at an objective point of view, I really disliked the roadwork. Driving my electric wheelchair on the streets to begin with, already stressful as is, was made nearly impossible with construction part of the equation. There also weren’t many places to go in (at least that seemed open to visitors) and not many places to eat that weren’t blocked off. I got a bit lost and confused at times when trying to find my way around, which is often part of the fun, but Manila as a city in general did not impress me. Subjectively. Perhaps experience Intramuros for just an hour en route to something else (e.g. Fort Santiago). I may return once construction season dies down.

This is a lovely part of Manila however I did not feel safe as a woman alone walking around. I am well traveled having been to regions which are known for harassing tourists this was the worst I have experienced. Even bet Tunisia and Morocco and Egypt. The moment I hopped out of taxi someone ran up to me offering a tour and this continued throughout my whole time there. The area itself is lovely some great architecture and could be turned into a proper money maker if tourists weren’t being harassed. I wanted to eat lunch in the area but ended up going back to hotel so I could have some peace and quiet.

Walking through the historic streets of Intramuros felt like stepping back in time, with the ancient walls and beautiful architecture making it feel really authentic. Fort Santiago was fascinating too, with its well-preserved structures and stunning views of the city and the river. Our guide was fantastic, full of interesting stories and insights that made the whole tour come alive. It was a perfect way to dive into Manila's rich history and culture, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city for the first time.