Intramuros Walking Tour in Manila's Walled City
by Don't Skip Manila
Overview
This walking tour in Manila's Intramuros district covers over 400 years of Philippine history in about 3.5 hours. The route begins at Fort Santiago, a citadel built by Spanish governor Miguel López de Legazpi as part of Manila's original defenses. Visitors spend about an hour exploring the fort's grounds. Next, the tour visits the Rizal Shrine within Fort Santiago, where José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution in 1896. The museum displays memorabilia and marks his final walk with bronze footprints on the ground. Afterward, the group walks to the Manila Cathedral, the Minor Basilica dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Manila. Participants then enjoy a ride around the walled city by kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) or tram (Tranvia). The tour continues to the Memorare Manila Monument, which honors lives lost during the 1945 battle for Manila’s liberation. A brief visit to San Agustin Church, completed in 1607 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, follows. The final stop is Casa Manila, a museum housed in a stone-and-wood colonial-style building from around 1850 that illustrates life during Spanish rule. The tour includes an English-speaking local guide, bottled water, and snacks. Tips and hotel transfers are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a citadel constructed by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi to protect the newly established city of Manila. It is part of the walled city's defensive structures and is visited for about one hour.
60 min
Rizal Shrine - Fort Santiago
The Rizal Shrine museum is located inside Fort Santiago where José Rizal was held before his execution in 1896. The museum holds memorabilia of Rizal, and bronze footprints on the ground mark his final walk from his cell to the execution site. The visit here takes about 30 minutes.
30 min
Manila Cathedral
Manila Cathedral, officially the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is located in Intramuros. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the Philippines, and serves as the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Manila. Visitors spend about 20 minutes here.
20 min
Kalesa or Tranvia ride
Participants take a ride around Intramuros in either a kalesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage, or a Tranvia, a tram that tours the walled city.
Memorare Manila Monument
The Memorare – Manila 1945 Monument commemorates the lives lost during the battle for the liberation of Manila fought from February 3 to March 3, 1945, between Filipino and American forces against Japanese troops. The stop lasts about 20 minutes.
20 min
San Agustin Church - Immaculate Conception Parish
San Agustin Church, completed in 1607, is a Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. The visit is approximately 15 minutes.
15 min
Casa Manila
Casa Manila is a museum depicting colonial lifestyle during Spanish rule. Housed in a stone-and-wood structure from around 1850, it is located in Barrio San Luis, one of Intramuros' original villages, near San Agustin Church. The visit here is about 30 minutes.
30 min
Meeting point
Meeting Place: Fort Santiago Ticket Booth Meet your *Don't Skip Manila Tour Guide* at the Fort Santiago Entrance Ticket Booth.
End point
End Point: Casa Manila, Plaza San Luis Complex
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.