Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
4
About
This museum and public park was built as a stone fortress at the turn of the 17th century and marked the beginning of the walled city's riverside barricades.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Kim
    Sydney, Australia13 contributions
    A guided tour at Intramorus
    We arrived in the early afternoon expecting a couple of hours would be sufficient to see all of Intramorus. When we realised this walled city spanned 64 hectares we wondered what we would have to miss, then Hero and Justin arrived offering us a guided city tour in his Ferrari, how could we say No? Cost was 350P per person per 30 mins. For us the whole tour took 3 hours. With entry fees to some museums approximate cost $3000P per person (including a tip). The tour saved us so much time and Justin, our guide, was informative about local history and historical characters. We would have missed so many aspects of Intramorus if not for the inside knowledge of Hero and Justin. Justin is also a talented photographer and knew the best spots and angles to capture memories of our time at the various churches and significantly historical places. I would also recommend the guided tour at Museo St Agustin. We were lucky enough to witness a wedding in progress at St Agustin’s Church.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 February 2023
  • Stephen T
    7 contributions
    Intramuros Tour
    Really interesting. Well worth having the official guide show you around. He made it really come alive. There's a table inside the Fort where he is sitting and one price covers the whole group.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 29 April 2023
  • YuppieLionheart
    Philippines292 contributions
    Educational place to visit!
    A historical landmark in Manila located inside Intramuros. Fort Santiago is an open area so it is important that you bring your umbrella. If ever you get hungry while roaming around there are various cafes inside wherein you can grab some food and drinks. If you reach the back end of the fort, you'll see the beautiful view of Pasig River and the Binondo-Intramuros bridge. The entrance fee is cheap.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 19 June 2023
  • Ryan
    19 contributions
    A beautiful historical landmark in Manila
    This is my second time visiting this historical landmark. I really like how it looks today and the place is well maintained, lively and beautiful. There are souvenir shops and foods also. A must see when you visit Manila.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 23 June 2023
  • roaming_kiwi58
    Christchurch, New Zealand2,826 contributions
    Must see part of historical Manila
    Fort Santiago was built in 1571 by the Spanish as a citadel for Manila. It was badly damaged during World War II. Since 1953 it has been reconstructed, and ongoing work continues. It is within the old historical part of Manila known as the Intramuros. There is a lot of interest within the fort, both historically, and shops selling all sorts of food and souvenirs. There is an entry charge. When we visited it was 75 pesos for adults, but as seniors (even not locals) we got in for 50 pesos each. A must see when in Manila, as part of visiting Intramuros.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 1 July 2023
  • Aussie Travel
    Geelong, Australia160 contributions
    Interesting local history
    Was tricky to get to and a long way from Makati but once there I enjoyed walking the grounds and the museum was interesting. There’s no doubt the Filipinos adore Jose Rizal as can be seen by the artwork etc I found the vertebrae in a cabinet disturbing it was definitely sad the way he died. I learned something historical so that’s a bonus
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 27 October 2023
  • tigger_W
    Ipoh, Malaysia235 contributions
    Historical place in Manila!
    Historical place at manila. have to buy ticket at the entrance. There are lots of tour guide asking for city tour. Unsure if they are the licensed tour guide The fort is not not really that big. Maybe spending 1 hour is enough. However there are many other tourist spots around that area.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Anne S
Leeds, UK567 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The fort itself is virtually a ruin, but the information and photos in the dungeon about the Japanese occupation were quite sobering. The dungeon felt quite oppressive with just a few tourists in it, so we could only imagine what it was like when it was a real dungeon.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tigger_W
Ipoh, Malaysia235 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Historical place at manila. have to buy ticket at the entrance. There are lots of tour guide asking for city tour. Unsure if they are the licensed tour guide
The fort is not not really that big. Maybe spending 1 hour is enough. However there are many other tourist spots around that area.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aussie Travel
Geelong, Australia160 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Was tricky to get to and a long way from Makati but once there I enjoyed walking the grounds and the museum was interesting. There’s no doubt the Filipinos adore Jose Rizal as can be seen by the artwork etc
I found the vertebrae in a cabinet disturbing it was definitely sad the way he died.
I learned something historical so that’s a bonus
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BalkrishnaShroff
Mumbai, India20,885 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This historical site is number one tourist attraction in Manila. It was built by Spain in 1571. During World War 11 and Spainish Empire, a lot of people died here in prison. Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, also known as Mahatma Gandhi of Philippine , was imprisoned here before execution in 1896. The entry fees are 75 pesos for adults and 50 pesos for students and senior citizens. It is open from from 9 AM to 11 PM from Monday to Friday and 6 AM to 11 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Last entry at PM.
Not to be missed...
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ANGRY P
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Amazing Place, very historical and educational. A great experienced for everyone especially for the children.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rovemae Joy F
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Such an Amazinggggg and beautiful place to visit with family and friends. Will surely come back soon
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gayle
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Family
Amazed with this historic view and beautiful place to visit in the Philippines. Amazing tourist spot here in Manila.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

roaming_kiwi58
Christchurch, New Zealand2,826 contributions
Mar 2023
Fort Santiago was built in 1571 by the Spanish as a citadel for Manila. It was badly damaged during World War II. Since 1953 it has been reconstructed, and ongoing work continues. It is within the old historical part of Manila known as the Intramuros.
There is a lot of interest within the fort, both historically, and shops selling all sorts of food and souvenirs.
There is an entry charge. When we visited it was 75 pesos for adults, but as seniors (even not locals) we got in for 50 pesos each.
A must see when in Manila, as part of visiting Intramuros.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ryan
19 contributions
Jun 2023
This is my second time visiting this historical landmark. I really like how it looks today and the place is well maintained, lively and beautiful. There are souvenir shops and foods also. A must see when you visit Manila.
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

YuppieLionheart
Philippines292 contributions
Jun 2023
A historical landmark in Manila located inside Intramuros. Fort Santiago is an open area so it is important that you bring your umbrella. If ever you get hungry while roaming around there are various cafes inside wherein you can grab some food and drinks. If you reach the back end of the fort, you'll see the beautiful view of Pasig River and the Binondo-Intramuros bridge. The entrance fee is cheap.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Fort Santiago (Manila) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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