Manila i Filippinerna - spännande stad trots dåligt rykte

Writer: Helena Bergström

Manila in the Philippines is a capital city where many people land by plane, only to travel on to the country's many beautiful islands. A bit of a shame! It's true that in Manila you will find poverty and unsafe neighbourhoods, but this is also an exciting city filled with bustling markets, huge shopping malls and interesting history.

Table of contents

Holidays in the Philippines

We visited the Philippines in the winter of 2013/2014, when in addition to Manila we visited Sabang and Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro and the island Boracaywhere you can enjoy White Beach, among others. Other favourites include Cebu and Palawan, with El Nido.

The Philippines offers over 7000 islands with magically beautiful sandy beaches, boat rides, dense green vegetation and cosy beach restaurants with low prices. Perhaps it's not surprising that people are rushing away from the capital Manila?

Manila, Philippines

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is located on the western coast of the island of Luzon and has around 1.7 million inhabitants, or around 11.5 million inhabitants if you count the entire metropolitan area (Metro Manila). The metropolitan area includes a number of larger cities such as Quezon City, Kalookan City and Pasig.

Manila does not have a good reputation. Other Asian capitals, such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, exerts much greater appeal to tourists. Manila is a sprawling city that is difficult to grasp. Poverty is evident in some places, and there are several areas considered unsafe. This means that not that you need to feel worried, but you should check which areas are safe to move around in, and you should not flaunt expensive jewellery or camera equipment.

Manila's dramatic history

The name Manila is a corruption of 'Maynilad', which means there is mangrove. The city was once founded by the Malays and conquered in the 16th century by the Spanish. Manila was then the capital of the Spanish colony of the Philippines, from 1565 to 1898.

In the Seven Years' War between France and Britain, Spain chose to support France, resulting in the occupation of Manila by Britain. The city was then occupied by the United States, which held it until 1946. During World War II, the city was occupied by Japan and destroyed. almost entirely. Very sad!

Shopping in Manila

The Greenhills shopping centre in Manila is really big, and you'll find everything here. Well, if you're looking for quality, this might not be the place to go. But if you want to make some bargains in the form of cheap clothes, bags or interior design - well, this is a mecca! If there was any shopping for us? Yep, a black handbag for me that I was really happy with. Then there was a sushi too!

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Crazy restaurant experience

In the evening we had a crazy experience at the restaurant. The singing cooks and waitors, together with Anders and Anita who we met on the flight to the Philippines. When we arrived, we first thought it felt like a slightly uncomfortable place because it was bright like an office in the daytime, but after a while we got caught up in the crazy atmosphere. And that it was so bright? Well, it's apparently quite normal in this part of the world...

The chefs sang with hysterical enthusiasm, drummed on the pots and pans and invited the guests to dance, while the waitresses danced around in long skirts and the band played. The closing number of the evening was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. All the staff danced with us and the enthusiastic Japanese guests. What an end to the trip!

How was the food? Yes, it was really good! We got both stews and fried goodies and everything was served fresh on green leaves. If we first felt a little hesitant, we changed our minds. A place we can definitely recommend if you want to experience a fun and different evening!

Living in Manila

Many people say to stay in Makati, which seems to be one of the safest areas. We stayed in two different hotels, one at the beginning and one at the end of our stay, but we don't remember the name of the first one. The second hotel is called Greenstone Hotel and is located in Makati.

Here we got a 50 square metre apartment and it felt really luxurious to live this big. The advantage of the low prices is that you can treat yourself to a little extra luxury without it being too expensive. For the large and luxurious room we paid 700 SEK per night (winter 2013/2014).

The bathroom was large and fresh, and we had nothing to complain about. It is not very often that we stay in such a luxurious place, so we took the opportunity to enjoy it! It was almost as if we could have hung out in the hotel room all day, but of course we did not.

Travelling to Manila

Travelling to the Philippines is not difficult. Several different airlines fly to Manila in the Philippines, such as Qatar Airways, but also many others. You will arrive at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and from here you can easily get to any of the city's hotels.

If you are already on one of the islands in the Philippines, it is possible to travel to Manila by boat. We travelled by boat from Boracay to Manila which was a cheap and reasonably comfortable way to travel. By booking first class (not expensive) we got both a cabin and a hot meal.

9 Comments

Add yours →

Znogge says:

This is probably the case in many cities. You should avoid certain areas and make do with your small camera. With common sense, you don't have to give up a destination.

16 October 2018 - 7:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Totally agree! With some common sense you can travel to most places.
  
  16 October 2018 - 18:54
  
Biggeros says:

Thanks for the tip!
My daughter, boyfriend and best friend and boyfriend were in the Philippines last year. They travelled by boat to different islands and then spent the last few days in Manila with her friend's father and wife. The islands were the most popular, of course. Unfortunately, my daughter stepped on a sea urchin the first week. It ended well and she just waited for the spines to disappear by themselves. The restaurant is right up my street. Food and song?

16 October 2018 - 16:08

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It sounds like a lovely trip, and great to have friends to visit! Nasty about the sea urchin, but glad it went well of course. And of course I understand that the islands are the most attractive. That was the case for us too 😉 But fun to see Manila too!
  
  16 October 2018 - 18:56
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

The Philippines and Maila are destinations we never discussed. At the same time, I think common sense and normal caution apply here, just like in other similar cities.

16 October 2018 - 16:40

Steve says:

The Philippines and Manila certainly offer plenty of excitement. And fantastic experiences not least. Personally, I haven't even thought about going there, but as usual it tickles when you describe travel destinations.

Of course, food is associated with joy.

16 October 2018 - 17:58

BP says:

I wonder if it isn't time for the Philippine Tourist Board to start sponsoring you.
I would probably like the islands and especially Manila, but after all the natural disasters in the area, I would probably not travel there.

16 October 2018 - 19:17

Lena - gott för själen says:

Hehe, yes that crazy awful light in the restaurants in Asia! It was awful in Thailand. And the high volume of both voices and music. Or so called music. Sure, it has its charm with things that are different from what you are used to. That is, among other things, why you travel. 🙂

Hug Lena

16 October 2018 - 19:27

Christine - 29° says:

We are actually looking at the Philippines now for the upcoming trip, so let's see if it goes there. 🙂

17 October 2018 - 18:43

Manila in the Philippines - exciting city despite bad reputation

Writer: Helena Bergström

Holidays in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines

Manila's dramatic history

Shopping in Manila

Crazy restaurant experience

Living in Manila

Travelling to Manila

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9 Comments

Znogge says:

Helena says:

Biggeros says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Steve says:

BP says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Christine - 29° says:

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