Intramuros Travel Guide: How to Go To, Places to Visit, Things to Do

From Clark and other nearby provinces

Unfortunately, this one isn’t recommended due to the high fare you will incur (the chances of finding a driver willing to take you to such a faraway place is very low anyway).

Your best bet is to take a bus—different bus lines have terminals and stops around Metro Manila where you can get off, with the closest ones in Manila itself and Pasay City. 

The three main train lines running in Metro Manila can take you near Intramuros: Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2, and the Manila Metro Rail Transit. 

Anyone coming in from nearby cities or provinces can get off the station nearest to them and still reach Intramuros because all three lines are connected.

MRT and LRT1 connect at Baclaran and North Avenue Stations, MRT and LRT2 meet at Araneta-Cubao, and LRT1 and 2 are joined at Doroteo Jose.

The station closest to Intramuros is the LRT1 Central Terminal Station. LRT1 runs from Baclaran to Monumento.

Although it is the nearest, you still need to do a big deal of walking to get to the eastern side of Intramuros, that’s why some opt to hail a cab from here.

If you do decide to walk, head to the Manila City Hall first, then take the pedestrian underpass that will help you get across to Padre de Burgos Street.

Upon exiting, you'll see Victoria Street, which will lead you right into Intramuros. From here, you’ll have to walk to reach the western side where many of the sights are located.

Buses are the best way to get to Intramuros, Manila if you’re coming from farther places, although there are also bus lines that loop just around Metro Manila.

Keep in mind that there is no public transportation that stops directly in front of the gates itself, so you still need to do some walking from the closest unloading areas. 

From NAIA 

You can take the Airport Loop buses in any of the NAIA terminals. Stops include Baclaran, Pasay Rotonda, and Taft Avenue stations of the LRT and MRT. You can ride the LRT line from any of these stations and get off at Central Station to get closer to Intramuros. 

From Clark and other neighboring provinces 

Nearby provinces all have bus lines that stop or pass through Manila. Many of them may not directly have a stop close to Intramuros, but you can always take a cab or jeep, or get off at the nearest LRT station, to get to Intramuros. 

An excellent alternative to hailing a cab is to book a car through the ride-hailing app Grab. Grab Philippines also offers a GrabTaxi (a regular metered taxi) and GrabShare (carpooling option). 

A huge saturation of Grab cars are in Metro Manila, so you’re sure to book one if you’re already here and want to reach Intramuros (though you will have a hard time booking during peak hours).

Unfortunately, Grab cars are rare in more rural areas. In addition, even though there are other ride-hailing apps in the country like Owto or MiCab, they are not as prominent as Grab.

Getting a car rental in Manila and driving yourself is possible. Book a car in advance, or you can avail of one if you arrive through NAIA Terminals 1, 2, or 3. Just make sure you have the requirements to rent a car in the Philippines. Be mindful that traffic in Manila is no cakewalk—you’ll need patience and skills.

Despite its relatively small land area (approximately 67 hectares), it can still get tiring to explore the entirety of Intramuros in one day on foot.

While you can definitely walk to sights that are at least 10 to 15 minutes away from each other, such is still quite a feat if you’re planning to explore different locations in a day, especially under the sweltering heat.

Fortunately, different kinds of public transport are still available within the walled city, either take you from point A to point B with ease or let you experience some sort of blast from the past or a look into the future. 

Pedicabs are almost similar to tricycles, but think bicycle instead of a motorcycle. They are comparable to rickshaws, with a side compartment attached on one side of the bike. And, like tricycles, pedicabs are often used to pass through inner, narrower roads. 

In Intramuros, pedicab terminals are everywhere. If there’s a line, line up and wait for your turn to be serviced. You can also hail and ride if you happen to spot one while strolling, as long as there’s no passenger in it, of course.

Unfortunately, its small size only has space capacity for two small people. There are also pedicabs that you can rent to take you to all the sights—after all, the drivers should be knowledgeable about the place.

Horse-drawn carriages or kalesa/karwahe were prominent in the 18th century. Understandably, today, it isn’t the most efficient land transportation anymore; and so, these remnants of the past are now mainly used for tourism purposes only. 

Riding a kalesa is perfect for a leisurely, old-fashioned trip around Intramuros. Similar to pedicab drivers, the kalesa’s coachman can also guide you to the sights you want to visit when you book a kalesa tour in Intramuros. Kalesas can accommodate 1–3 passengers. 

If the kalesa ride lets you experience the golden years of the humble carriage, then a ride in the modern e-trike should snap you right back into the present time. The three-wheeled electric vehicles (EV) were launched in 2016 and stop at 13 spots with the trip spanning around in 25 minutes. 

The stops are as follows: Round Table, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, San Diego Gardens, the office of the Department of Labor and Employment, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Plaza Roma, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, Manila High School, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, National Press Club, and the office of Bureau of Immigration.

Aside from regular trips, the EVs can also be chartered for a tour around the historical landmarks of Intramuros. 

Tickets can be bought at booths located near Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila, Round Table, Manila HS, Lyceum, and Bureau of Internal Revenue office. 

Photo by Travels With A Hobo

While it does sound like fun to roam around Intramuros on a bike—one made of bamboo, to boot—the only way to do so is to join an Intramuros tour. Bambike Ecotours offers this one-of-a-kind bamboo bike tour in Intramuros that is both exciting and educational. 

Bambike is a socio-ecological enterprise, with the bicycles being made by the “Bambuilders” of Gawad Kalinga, a community development organization for the poor. 

If you’re up for the challenge, grab an Intramuros map and do a walking tour from one attraction to another. Aside from the unpredictable weather, you also need to mind the cars passing by, as some streets almost have no pavements for pedestrians to walk on. This means that you have to share the road with automobiles.

Photo by Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

Because the space inside Intramuros is somewhat limited, it only makes sense that only a few accommodations will be available for those who would like to stay within the walls for the entirety of their trip—some are even on the pricey side. However, there are more options beyond the walls. 

There is a lot of activity happening in Intramuros, Manila, or just about any district or city in the Metro.

However, the capital city never neglects tourism, so whatever kind of traveler you are: a backpacker with enough in the pocket or perhaps a seasoned traveler who saved up for a week-long exploration, there’s bound to be an ideal lodging option for you inside and outside Intramuros. 

Hotels

Both budget and high-end hotels can be found here in Manila—in fact, Manila Hotel, one of the most prominent names in luxury accommodations—is very close to Intramuros. However, being one of the main tourist attractions of the country, Manila caters to penny-pinchers and budget travelers, too.  

Apartment and Condominium Units for Rent

Rentable units around Intramuros can be found mostly on Airbnb. There are a lot of condominiums and apartments in Manila, mainly thanks to the recent boom of the real estate industry.

Many of these rooms can be rented out for different reasons, making it an affordable option for tourist lodging.

Intramuros is one of the 16 administrative city districts of Manila and belongs to the fifth of the six congressional districts.

It shares the same congressional district as Ermita, Malate, Southern Paco, Port Area, and San Andres Bukid. These six administrative districts cover 11.56 sq. km. of the total land area of the city. 

With that said, if you’re on the hunt for accommodations closest to the walled city, you’re better off choosing one in Ermita which has the most diverse choices near Intramuros.   

Ermita

Ermita is a district of significance not only because it is the civic seat of Manila, but also because it is a vast financial, educational, cultural, and commercial hub.

Located in the central area of the city, it was a posh neighborhood with large mansions during the early 20th century alongside the district of Malate. However, both were bombed during WWII and reconstructed for commercialization. 

The district is now known for housing the city government in Manila City Hall, the judicial arm of the Philippine government (Supreme Court of the Philippines, Court of Appeals, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice), and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines headquarters.

Of course, one shouldn’t forget that Ermita is where Rizal Park is located. The widest urban public park in the Philippines, this is where the monument of the national hero Jose Rizal stands. 

Other places of cultural and social importance here are the National Museum, National Library of the Philippines, National Archives of the Philippines, Quirino Grandstand, Manila Ocean Park, and Philippine General Hospital.

Because of these sites and a few restaurants and bars catering to travelers, it’s no surprise that Ermita also houses quite a few hotels and accommodations ready to play host to visitors of the city. 

Port Area

When compared to Ermita’s lure, the Port Area district can look quite lucklaster. While it may not have swanky party places or museums showcasing significant artworks, the Port of Manila is still highly relevant to the city in terms of trade and finance.

This is also where the Philippine Ports Authority is headquartered. Despite that, looking for a place to stay here may prove quite challenging. 

Because Manila is one of the centers of tourism in the country, hotels and other accommodations in the city make sure that their guests are well-taken care of.

They may all have their own brand of hospitality, but they also share the same warmth for their guests that the Filipinos are known for. 

Keep your money for more important activities and get accommodation that won’t eat up your budget. Here are some picks both within and beyond the walls.

White Knight Hotel Intramuros

Photo by White Knight Hotel Intramuros

Despite being a hotel inside Intramuros, room rental in White Knight Hotel is quite budget-friendly. But aside from having a nearby lodging, located just inside Plaza San Luis Complex, White Knight Hotel also has a tie-up with Club Intramuros for a golf package. It’s also a great place to hold weddings and birthdays.

Casa Bocobo Hotel

Photo by Casa Bocobo Hotel

If you want somewhere even cheaper, go out of the walls and into Jorge Bocobo Street in Ermita for Casa Bocobo Hotel. For an affordable price, you can have basic conveniences like air-conditioning in your room, Wi-Fi, cable TV, orthopedic bed, and even a buffet breakfast.

In addition, shopping malls, historic landmarks, and other places of interest are all just walking distance from it. 

If you're looking for more than enough services without breaking the bank, these mid-range accommodations should cost you a little bit more, but you’re sure also to get you more bang for your buck.

Hotel H2O

Photo by Hotel H2O

Located on the waterfront and just beside the Manila Ocean Park, Hotel H2O is a few minutes away from Intramuros but is an ideal accommodation for those who also want to explore other parts of Manila, especially those bringing along their children. 

Rooms and common areas in Hotel H2O are all equipped with Wi-Fi. Other conveniences include LCD TVs with cable channels, pillowtop, and 24-hour room service.

In-room massages, hypo-allergenic bedding, and iron and ironing board can also be requested. For those looking to relax, there is a café and lounge, as well as a poolside bar. 

Luneta Hotel 

Photo by Luneta Hotel

The hotel itself is a historic landmark that has since undergone countless renovations. While it may not be as vast as the other hotels in this list with only 27 rooms, Luneta Hotel still offers quality service for the right prices. 

There’s complimentary Wi-Fi for both rooms and public areas, LED TV with premium channels, and minibars. If you want to drink outside your room, there’s both a café and bar/lounge here. Staff can also help arrange tours for you, and the hotel has a nightly turndown service. 

Don’t be afraid to splurge all you want—if you have the money for it!—at these high-end hotels in and around Intramuros.

Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

Photo by Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros

The boutique Bayleaf Hotel is run by the Lyceum of the Philippines University for the benefit of their Hotel and Restaurant Management students.

The Bayleaf's rooftop, where one of their restos Sky Deck is located, is one of the hippest chill-out places in Intramuros with the best view of the Manila sunset.

Each of its 57 rooms comes with high-quality beddings, mini-bar, safety deposit box, a 32-inch LCD TV,  Wi-Fi, and many other amenities. Aside from Sky Deck, there are also other restos in Bayleaf Intramuros, making it an ideal stop for traveling gourmands.

Manila Hotel

Photo by Manila Hotel

Perhaps one of the most prominent five-star hotels in the Philippines, Manila Hotel has been the home to Filipino elites and International names alike. Its amenities are just as luxurious as the grand chandelier hanging in the main lobby, the hotel's centerpiece.

All 515 rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, 42-inch TVs with premium cable channels, and deep-soaking bathtubs to end your day on a bubbly note.

There are six restaurants where you can get your fill, including swim-up and poolside bars. For fitness enthusiasts, there are aerobics, yoga, and pilates classes that you can avail of.

The walled city isn’t that big, and compared to other tourist destinations in Metro Manila, there are limited activities and sights that you can go to within the walls.

However, the great thing about exploring Intramuros is that every site that you go to is rich in significant history, and they’re just a walk away from each other, to boot.

Video by the Philippine Department of Tourism

A visit to Intramuros isn’t complete without getting close to what made it so celebrated—the stone wall, garrison, and fortification that protected the colonizers and elites who once lived here. These strongholds still enclose the city today, with only a small stretch open near the Pasig River. 

The most popular of the forts would have to be Fort Santiago in the northwestern end. It’s the former seat of power of the Spanish military, where many prisoners were taken into its jails and dungeons.

The most popular prisoner is Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero. Rizal spent his last days in Fort Santiago before he was ultimately executed in December 1896 at the nearby Luneta Park. 

Nowadays, the fort is visited for its iconic gate featuring an image of St. James the Moor-slayer, the patron saint of Spain, and the Rizal Shrine, a museum dedicated to its most recognized inmate. 

Other forts that you can visit include Baluarte de San Diego (the oldest one, which surrounds the remains of what used to be the fort of Nuestra Señora de Guia), Puerta de Isabel II, Puerta de Santa Lucia, Baluartillo de San Jose and Reducto de San Pedro, Puerta Real and Revellin de Real del Bagumbayan, Baluarte de San Andres, Baluarte de San Gabriel, and many others.