20+ Things To Do When You Visit Intramuros
Intramuros isn’t just old walls and field trip memories—it’s a time capsule with better lighting and way better food now. If you’re planning a stroll through the Walled City, things to do when you visit Intramuros go beyond snapping photos by Fort Santiago. You’ve got bike tours, cafes in old convents, art tucked inside ruins, and stories that somehow stick even after you’ve left. It’s history, yes, but with better snacks and less chalk dust.
20+ Best Things To Do in Intramuros Manila for First-Time Visitors
Go to Rizal Shrine
Photo via @oliianders / Instagram
The Rizal Shrine, also known as the Museo ni José Rizal Fort Santiago, is a museum dedicated to the life work of José Rizal. It is located inside Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, beside the Plaza de Armas
- Admission fee: For Adults Php 75.00, Php 50.00 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
- Address: Fort Santiago, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Phone: (02) 7263 8821
Walk through Fort Santiago
Inside this fortress, thick stone walls and massive gates hold stories from hundreds of years ago. Walk through its dark dungeons, climb the stone ramparts, and feel the shift between then and now. It’s history you can walk on.
- Admission fee: For Adults Php 75.00, Php 50.00 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 6am– 10pm
- Location: Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Phone: (02) 8527 3155
Visit the Museo Filipino Intramuros
Just behind Manila Cathedral, Museo Filipino packs a lot of history into a short visit. Old photos, maps, and illustrations guide you through the country’s journey from pre-colonial times to today. It’s a great place to start before heading deeper into Intramuros.
- Location: Museo de Intramuros, Arzobispo cor. Anda Sts., Intramuros, Manila
- Opening hours: Saturday to Sunday 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
- Entrance Fee: PHP 75.00 (Regular rate); PHP 50.00 (Discounted rate)
- Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/mdi
See the San Agustin Church
San Agustin Church isn’t just old—it’s the oldest stone church in the country. Earthquakes tried to bring it down, but it’s still standing. The church holds centuries of history, with stone walls, quiet corners, and a ceiling that looks like it’s carved—but isn’t. If you’re the type who enjoys long walks and short prayers, this spot might be for you.
- Address: General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Phone: (02) 8527 2746
Go to the Manila Cathedral
This isn’t just another church—it’s the center of Catholic life in Manila. The cathedral honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it’s where big national events often happen. Look up at the high ceilings, then step outside and watch the mix of tourists and locals passing by.
- Address: Cabildo, 132 Beaterio St, Intramuros, Manila
- Phone: (02) 8527 3093
Bike around Intramuros with Bambike Ecotours
Want to explore Intramuros without walking too much? Hop on a bamboo bike and cruise past historic landmarks instead. The ride lasts about 2.5 hours and covers 8 to 10 major sites—just enough history without feeling like homework. Each tour runs with small groups, so things stay casual and easy to follow.
- Price: ₱₱₱₱
- Location: Bambike HQ, Plaza San Luis Complex. Real St, corner M General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila
- Instagram: @bambikeecotours
- Phone: 0977 781 5322
Visit Silahis Art & Artifacts Inc
Think of Silahis as a museum and gift shop rolled into one. It’s four floors of stories, colors, and history. From tribal textiles to old-school maps, every floor shows a different slice of the Philippines. You’ll see items from Luzon to Mindanao—without even leaving Intramuros.
- No Admission
- Address: 744 General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila
- Phone: (02) 8527 3841
Dine in Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant
Since the early ’90s, it’s been serving classic Filipino dishes in a space that feels both familiar and proud. Live cultural performances often go with the meal, so it’s not just lunch—it’s a whole story on your plate. If you want history and lechon in one sitting, this spot makes it easy.
- Price: ₱₱₱-₱₱₱₱
- Location: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Instagram: @barbarasrestaurant
- Phone: (02) 8527 4083
See remnants of history in Museo San Agustin
More than just another old church, this museum holds centuries of stories behind thick stone walls. You’ll find ancient books, art, and religious relics that show how the Spanish shaped local life.
- Admission fee: Php 200.00 for general admission and Php 160.00 for students with valid ID
- Address: HXQF+JXP, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila
- Email: museosanagustin.manila@gmail.com
- Phone: (02) 714 6889
Eat at La Cathedral Cafe
The place feels like a break from walking. The food hits the spot. The coffee actually wakes you up.It’s simple, warm, and has that “you’ll want to stay longer” kind of pull. Bonus: you’re right by the church—so blessings feel part of the menu.
- Price: ₱₱-₱₱₱
- Address: 636 Cabildo St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Instagram: @lacathedralcafe
- Phone: 0977 420 4749
Go to Ilustrado Restaurant
Ilustrado Restaurant feels like a throwback, but in the best way. It mixes old Manila with a casual, artsy mood. You’ll walk past a Spanish-style courtyard and maybe spot a few art posters before heading inside.
- Price: ₱₱₱-₱₱₱₱
- Address: 744 Cabildo Street, corner Recoletos St, Intramuros, Manila
- Instagram: @ilustradorestaurant
- Phone: (02) 8527 2345
See the American Barracks
The American Barracks feels like a war story left out in the sun too long—faded, cracked, but still hanging on. It once held soldiers, weapons, and even Elpidio Quirino, back when he was just a detained senator.Now, the ruins beside Baluartillo de San Francisco Javier carry scars from war and time. If you squint a little, you can almost hear the boots, the orders, and the silence that followed.
- Admission fee: For Adults Php 75.00, Php 50.00 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
- Address: 1002 Unnamed Road, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
- Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/2022/09/30/american-barracks
See the Palacio Del Gobernador General
Palacio del Gobernador may look like just another office building now, but it sits on layers of history.It once housed Spanish governors, stood through colonizers, and was rebuilt in 1976. You’ll find it just southwest of Plaza Roma, looking serious but still part of Intramuros’ long timeline. Not the flashiest stop, but it reminds you that history also lives in concrete and corners, not just old churches.
- Location: HXRC+RX9, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila
- Phone: (02) 8559 9119
Look beyond the walls of Baluarte de San Diego
Baluarte de San Diego might look like an old stone maze at first, but it’s actually one of Intramuros’ oldest defenses. Built in the late 1500s, this circular bastion once guarded Manila from pirates and foreign invaders. Today, you’ll see thick stone walls, grassy walkways, and a quiet garden in the middle of old ruins. It’s a good place to pause and imagine how the city stood its ground through centuries of war and change.
- Admission fee: For Adults Php 75.00, Php 50.00 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
- Location: HXPG+564, Sta. Lucia St, Intramuros, Manila
Roam around Plaza de Roma
This public square feels like Intramuros’ front yard. It’s right in the center of the walled city, surrounded by old streets and layered stories. Locals pass through, tourists pause, and pigeons act like they run the place. Grab a seat, take a minute, and let the quiet buzz of the plaza do its thing.
- Location: Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
Have a cup of coffee in Cafe Intramuros
Café Intramuros sits right across San Agustin Church, blending Spanish-era surroundings with updated Pinoy comfort food. It feels like a break from the usual walking tour—iced coffee in hand, church bells in the background.
- Price: ₱₱₱-₱₱₱₱
- Location: Stall 1-C Plaza San Luis Complex Gen. A. Luna St, cor Real St, Intramuros, Manila
- Instagram: @cafeintramuros
Shop in The Papier Tole Shop
The Papier Tolé Shop feels like a cabinet of curiosities exploded—in the best way. You’ll find handmade soaps, old postcards, quirky notebooks, and ref magnets with serious throwback energy. It’s a solid stop for gifts you won’t regret or forget.
- Price: ₱₱-₱₱₱
- Location: HXQG+V52, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila
Ride around Intramuros in a Kalesa
It’s not every day you get to tour a city by horse. Intramuros still lets you try that. You’ll usually find kalesas parked near Fort Santiago or Plaza Roma. Just walk up and ask. The ride moves slow—perfect for catching small details most people miss on foot. Expect stops near Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and the Plaza San Luis Complex. No need to plan. The best part? The horse does the walking. You just sit back and enjoy the street noise and old walls.
- Price: ₱₱₱₱
- Website: https://intramuros.gov.ph/calesa
- Phone: 09567441884
Rent a Tranvia
Want to rest your legs but still see everything? Hop on the tranvia—an old-school tram that does the touring for you. It runs through Intramuros’ top spots, and yes, it looks like something straight out of a postcard. Book ahead through the Intramuros Administration, then just sit back while the tram rolls past cathedrals, ruins, and plazas.
- Price: ₱₱₱₱
- Book a ride: Book here
Walk along the walls of Casa Manila Museum
Casa Manila Museum feels like walking into someone else’s home—someone from the 1800s with very expensive taste. Inside this colonial-style house, you’ll find carved furniture, giant mirrors, and rooms that make you wonder how people lived in layers of clothing. It’s one of those places that makes history feel less like a lecture and more like quiet nosiness with permission.
- Admission fee: For Adults Php 75.00, Php 50.00 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs.
- Location: Casa Manila, Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna cor. Real Sts., Intramuros, Manila
- Book a guide: Book here
Get a glimpse of Destileria Limtuaco Museum
Need a break from the usual museum route? Step into a stone house that smells like sugarcane and history. This spot honors the oldest distillery in the Philippines. It’s part museum, part time machine—with a splash of sugarcane wine on the side.
- Entrance fee: Adults Php 100.00, students/senior citizens with discount Php 50.00
- Location: 481 San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLCIMuseum
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