Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago has a savage history. Over the centuries many Filipinos were imprisoned, tortured and left to drown in the Fort's notorious dungeons, which were beneath the high tide level.
The Philippines' national hero, José Rizal, was imprisoned here for almost two months before his execution in 1896. You can visit his cell (now the Rizal Museum).

San Agustin Church
San Agustín Church is a Roman Catholic church located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros. Completed by 1607 it is the oldest church currently standing in the Philippines. In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, under the classification "Baroque Churches of the Philippines".

Manila Cathedral
At the center of Intramuros is the grand Manila Cathedral. In Spanish colonial times, this was the seat of the Spanish Archbishop of Manila, who had jurisdiction over the entire archipelago.  This structure is actually the sixth church to occupy the site. The first one, built in 1581, was razed to the ground two years after it was built. The present structure was completed in 1958. The Cathedral's crypts serve as a final resting place for former Archbishops of Manila, just as the crypts of St. Peter's in the Vatican do for the bodies of former Popes. Among those interred in the Cathedral's crypts is Jaime Cardinal Sin, one of the ringleaders of the 1986 Edsa Revolution that ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Chinatown (Binondo)
With its maze of narrow streets, storehouses, bazaars, restaurants and business establishments, Binondo seems hardly changed after centuries as the city's Chinese borough. Still bustling with endless commercial activity, this former core of international trade has now become a haven for those in search of authentic oriental cuisine and bargains. Ongpin, the major artery that cuts through Chinatown's heartland is an enticing treasure trove of gold-smithery, countless eateries serving traditional Chinese dishes and pastry shops with tempting oriental delicacies. One of the most famous sites in Chinatown is a Catholic church,  Binondo Church is one of the oldest places of worship in the Philippines.

Santa Cruz Church
The first Santa Cruz Church was erected in 1608 by the Society of Jesus, better known as Jesuits, as a parish church for the swelling ranks of Chinese immigrants to Manila, many of whom had converted to the Catholic faith. The original structure was twice damaged by earthquakes and totally destroyed in World War II. The present building, completed in 1957, is essentially Baroque.

Coconut Palace
The Coconut Palace at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex was commissioned by Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1981. He declined the offer, saying that it was an ostentatious option. Now, it is a museum, with a butterfly garden and an orchidarium. The Coconut Palace Manila is made of nearly 70% chemically treated coconut lumber. All of the components of the coconut tree have been used in the creation of the Coconut Palace. Each of the suites is named after a specific region of the Philippines and displays handicrafts these regions produce.

Rizal Park
Rizal Park was built as a tribute to nationalist hero José Rizal, who was executed here in 1896. Today it is a more tranquil place with a monument to the hero at the centre. Rizal Park, locally known by its previous name Luneta Park or just Luneta, is like an oasis for relaxation and fun in the midst of Manila. Situated next to Intramuros, overlooking the picturesque Manila Bay. Rizal Park has gardens, historical markers, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, an open-air concert hall, an artists' sanctuary, a light-and-sound theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds and dozens of fountains.