Intramuros in Manila

Location: Intramuros is located in the heart of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. It is bounded by the Pasig River to the north, Padre Burgos Avenue to the south, Bonifacio Drive to the west, and Claro M. Recto Avenue to the east.
Opening hours: Intramuros is open 24 hours a day, but some of the attractions may have different operating hours.
Reason to visit: Intramuros is a must-visit place for tourists in Manila. Here you can enjoy a relaxing and scenic walk, ride a kalesa, or join a guided tour.

Intramuros, which means "within the walls" in Spanish, is a historic district in Manila, Philippines, that was once the center of Spanish colonial rule in the country. It is a place where you can experience the rich history and culture of the Philippines, as well as enjoy the beauty and charm of its architecture, museums, churches, and monuments. In this article, we will explore some of the attractions and activities that you can see and do in Intramuros, as well as some tips and information on how to visit this remarkable place.

What You Can See and Do Here

Fort Santiago is the oldest and most famous fortification in Intramuros, where the national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned and executed by the Spanish colonial authorities in 1896. You can visit the Rizal Shrine, which displays his personal belongings, writings, and artworks, as well as the dungeons, gardens, and plazas that surround the fort. 

Location: at the northwestern tip of Intramuros, near the Pasig River. 
Entrance fee: P75 ($1.5 USD) for adults and P50 ($1 USD) for students and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Opening hours: The fort is open every day, from 8 am to 11 pm.

Minor Basilica, also known as San Sebastian Church, this is the only all-steel church in Asia and one of the few in the world. It was designed by a Spanish architect and built by Belgian engineers in the late 19th century. It features a Gothic Revival style, with stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and paintings.

Location: at the eastern edge of Intramuros, along Claro M. Recto Avenue. 
Entrance fee: P100 ($2 USD) for adults and P50 ($1 USD) for students and PWDs.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral): This is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila and one of the oldest churches in the country. It was originally built in 1571, but was destroyed and rebuilt several times due to earthquakes, fires, and wars. The current structure dates to 1958, and features a Romanesque-Byzantine style, with a dome, a bell tower, and a crypt. 

Location: at the center of Intramuros, facing Plaza de Roma. 
Entrance fee: P50 ($1 USD) for adults and P25 ($0.5 USD) for students and PWDs.
Opening hours: The church is open every day, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines and the only surviving structure from the original Intramuros. It was built in 1589, and has survived several calamities, including the Battle of Manila in 1945, when most of Intramuros was destroyed by the Japanese and American forces. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and features a Baroque style, with a trompe l'oeil ceiling, a pipe organ, and a museum. 

Location: at the southern part of Intramuros, along General Luna Street. 
Entrance fee: P200 ($4 USD) for adults and P160 ($3.2 USD) for students and PWDs.
Opening hours: It is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

National Museum is a complex of museums that showcase the art, history, and culture of the Philippines. It consists of the National Museum of Fine Arts, which displays paintings, sculptures, and other works by Filipino artists; the National Museum of Anthropology, which exhibits artifacts, textiles, and other items related to the pre-colonial and colonial periods of the Philippines; the National Museum of Natural History, which features specimens, models, and interactive exhibits of the flora and fauna of the Philippines; and the Planetarium, which offers shows and lectures on astronomy and space science. 

Location: At the western edge of Intramuros, along Padre Burgos Avenue. 
Entrance fee: free for all visitors.
Opening hours: Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Rizal Park: This is a large urban park that is adjacent to Intramuros and serves as a tribute to Jose Rizal and other heroes of the Philippine Revolution. It is a popular recreational area, where you can find gardens, fountains, statues, monuments, museums, and other attractions. It is also a good place to rest and walk.

Location: at the southern end of Roxas Boulevard, near the Manila Bay. 
Entrance fee: free for most areas, but some attractions may charge a nominal fee.
Opening hours: The park is open from 5 am to 9 pm every day.

Finally, take a Kalesa ride to enjoy your leisure time: This is a traditional horse-drawn carriage that can take you around the streets of Intramuros and let you experience the old-world charm of the place. After sightseeing in Intramuros area you can hire a kalesa driver to take you to Manila Bay to enjoy the waterfront views.

How to get there

You can take the LRT-1 and get off at the Central Station, then walk to the Manila City Hall and take the underpass to Victoria Street, which leads to the entrance of Intramuros. 
Alternatively, you can take a jeepney, a taxi, or a Grab car and ask the driver to drop you off at any of the gates of Intramuros.

When to visit

The best time to visit Intramuros is from October to May, which is the dry season in the Philippines. This way, you can avoid the rain and the humidity, and have a more comfortable and pleasant experience. You can also visit Intramuros during the night, when the walls and the buildings are illuminated by lights, creating a more romantic and magical atmosphere.