19 Date Ideas in Manila: Unique, Fun & Budget-Friendly

1. Cycle Around Intramuros on a Bamboo Bike

Want to go sightseeing in Intramuros with a fun twist? Go on a bamboo bike tour in Intramuros and explore the walled city together on two wheels! This local initiative called “Bambike” was created to raise environmental awareness, urging travelers to reduce carbon footprints and support sustainable tourism.

• Check out this San Agustin Church to Manila Cathedral tour

Biking is fun, but it’s even better when you have someone close to you enjoying the cool breeze and places to visit in Manila for couples. For a more romantic bike date, treat your significant other to a bambike sunset tour, or if you have more time, you can go on other Intramuros Manila tours to learn about its history. 

2. Explore Old Manila on a Horse-Drawn Carriage

If you want to treat your mi amor to a classic romantic date in Manila, exploring Intramuros and other areas of Old Manila or Intramuros by joining a horse-drawn carriage tour is a must!

You’ll be passing through various historical sites such as Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and Rizal Park, a brief testament to our colonial past. Indeed, there’s nothing more enriching than learning about the heritage of Manila on a horse-drawn carriage tour with someone dear to you. It's also near some of the best Manila staycation hotels if you're planning one with your partner.

3. Go Museum-Hopping at the National Museum Complex

Show off your extensive knowledge of art or learn about it together by treating your date to a visit to the National Museum Complex.  There are four major sections within the complex: the National Museum of Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, the National Museum of National History, and the National Planetarium. Its extensive collections and exhibits make it one of the best museums in the Philippines. 

The good news is that you and your date can enjoy the various exhibits often included in National Museum tours in one day! Museum-hopping isn't for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to give it a chance. After all, you'll have the chance to share your thoughts about the different pieces of artwork and artifacts within the complex, and it's also one of the most  affordable date ideas in Manila. 

4. Have a Sweet Time at Dessert Museum or Bakebe

Photo from The Dessert Museum day pass

Plan a sweet escape and head to the Dessert Museum! It’s one of the most popular date spots in the metro, thanks to its whimsical rooms.

They have 8 mouthwatering Instagrammable rooms, including Banana Beach, Bewitched Bakery, and Kake-Pop Kourt, where you can jump, slide, and strike a pose together. You can even surprise your date by buying him or her candy-themed gifts at their confectionery shop!

Photo from Bakebe day pass

If you are handy in the kitchen, you may also want to book day passes at Bakebe! Show them the sweet side of you by baking a cake, cupcakes, or other tasty treats. Even if you're not an expert baker, don't worry, as an instructor will be guiding you along the way. 

5. Break Out of an Escape Room

Photo from Mystery Manila

Get an adrenaline rush without having to leave the city! Figuring out how to navigate and break out of an escape room is an exciting way to bond with your date.

This cool date idea in Manila will test both your communication and problem-solving skills. There are plenty of escape rooms in Manila you can try, such as Mystery Manila, Breakout Philippines, Left Behind Philippines, and more.

6. Go on a Binondo Food Crawl

They say that the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, which is why going on one of the famous Binondo food tours is a great idea for a casual or spontaneous date.

When going on a food trip to the best Binondo restaurants, make sure to visit popular and hole-in-the-wall places and try Filipino-Chinese delicacies such as dim sum, dumplings, stuffed shrimp, oyster cake, lumpia, milk tea, and the infamous Soup #5. After all, nothing breaks the ice more than great food and great conversation.

7. Enjoy a Romantic 1-Day Date at Okada Manila Hotel

Photo from Okada Manila day pass

If you want to indulge for just one day without breaking the bank, bring your date to Okada Manila. You don’t even have to check in at one of their luxurious rooms to try the many amenities of the 5-star hotel! 

For starters, Okada Manila has at least a dozen dining outlets, so you won’t run out of choices whether you want to enjoy Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Italian, or Filipino cuisine. Explore the hotel and check out its majestic fountain and lush garden. For a relaxing time, book a treatment at either The Retreat Spa or Sole Retreat.

Tip: End your afternoon with a romantic Okada Manila sunset experience before enjoying a buffet dinner. 

8. Play at Indoor Playgrounds

Photo from Jumpyard

Feel like a kid again when you bring your date to indoor playgrounds, such as a trampoline park or ball pit! Jump up and down the different trampolines, dive into the huge foam pools, play basketball and dodgeball, and more when you visit the popular ones in Manila — Jumpyard and Trampoline Park.

You can also try diving into an adult ball pit by visiting Ball Pit Manila! Reminisce and share childhood stories with your date as you enjoy this fun date place in Manila.

If you and your date don't mind being slimed, you can also book a Gootopia day pass each, so that you can challenge each other with the help of their fun obstacles.

9. Watch Movies at Unique Cinemas

Photo from Cinema '76

Nothing is sweeter than watching a romantic flick or an action film (or both!) with someone you like, sharing popcorn and small fits of giggles throughout the movie. If you’re tired of the same old routine, spice it up by bringing your date to unique movie theaters, which are mostly located in Quezon City.

Looking for an indie film to watch? Go to Cinema ‘76. Fan of the classics? Visit Cinematheque Centre Manila. Want to have a foot spa while watching? Blue Day Water Spa is calling. Curl up with your loved one and get the full cinematic experience aside from other fun things to do in Quezon City.

10. Have a Blast at Upside Down Museum (Temporarily Closed)

Photo from Upside Down Museum

No need to conceptualize the perfect date in Manila, as Upside Down Museum will take care of it! With 15-themed rooms, you have many options to choose from to get that creative pose with your partner.

Hold hands at the Cupid’s Corner, test your flexibility at the Levitation Area, practice domesticity at the World of Comfort, and much more. It’s one of the best family-friendly museums in Manila; a must-visit if you’re looking for laughs and a good time.
*Update: The Upside Down Museum is temporarily closed

11. Channel Your Creativity at Sip & Gogh

Photo from Sip & Gogh

Here's a unique anniversary or creative date idea in Manila: Show your artistic side by bringing your date to Sip & Gogh, the first paint studio in the metro. They have various workshops; one of them is dedicated to couples wanting to learn more about each other through art. It’s a creative way to catch a glimpse of your significant other’s inner world.

The good news is they have multiple branches in Manila alone! If you have kids with you, you can bring them with you as the establishment is family-friendly. Cap off your date by keeping each other's artworks, gushing about them while on your date in Manila, and hanging them on your wall after the date.

12. Have a Maginhawa Food Trip

Photo from Streat: Maginhawa Food Park

If you’re tired of the usual Filipino restaurants and bars, bring your date to Maginhawa in Quezon City! It’s known for its mixture of food stalls, instagrammable diners, eclectic food parks, and a fusion of local and international delicacies.

Try out Friuli Trattoria’s Margherita pizza, Crazy Katsu’s chicken katsu, Van Gogh is Bipolar’s lover’s feast, or explore on your own and choose among the multiple dining options. After all, sharing meals is an intimate way to get to know each other.

13. Stroll at Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ever wanted to walk hand-in-hand with someone you like in an urban city? Head to Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. This natural oasis has a casual yet romantic ambiance, perfect for getting to know each other more in the middle of the business district.

What’s more, is that you can enjoy their lights and sound show during the holiday season. It's one of the best places to spend the Christmas season in the Philippines. Cap off the night by treating your date to dinner at a restaurant within the area or at one of the best Manila buffet restaurants. If you're up for it, you can recreate cute K-drama scenes at samgyupsal restaurants in Manila!

14. Unwind and Relax at La Mesa Eco Park

Photo from La Mesa Eco Park

Have some quality time at La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City with your date! It’s an eco-park that features an abundance of flora and fauna.

Aside from admiring the beautiful gardens and towering trees, you can try fishing, swimming, biking, horseback riding, bird-watching, butterfly trailing, archery, basketball, overnight camping, and more during your visit. Whether it’s the first date or an anniversary, you can’t go wrong with bringing your date to this lovely nature park!

15. Stroll Around MOA By The Bay

Photo from the Philippine Department of Tourism

Did you know that SM Mall of Asia (MOA) isn’t only famous for being the largest shopping mall in the Philippines? Their Bay Area (often called “Seaside”) is a popular date location for a majority of couples, and it's easy to see why.

You can stroll around, watch the sunset, admire the sea, dine in at one of the restaurants in the area, or try their amusement rides, including the Pirate Ship and the MOA Eye.

16. Ride a Gondola at Venice Grand Canal Mall

Photo from Venice Grand Canal Mall

Tired of the usual shopping malls in the metro? Take your date to Venice Grand Canal Mall, a picturesque lifestyle and shopping center that is reminiscent of Italy’s romantic city. It's one of the most photographed locations in Manila.

Stroll hand-in-hand, get some ice cream, secure a love lock, and eat delicious pastry with your date. You don’t have to go to Italy to enjoy a romantic gondola ride!

17. Listen to Live Music

Photo from the Philippine Department of Tourism

Going to a gig or chilling at a pub with live music is a great way to spend the night with your significant other and is the perfect late-night date idea in Manila. Not only will you get to discover each other’s music tastes, but you’ll also be able to support OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and local artists.

Some of the acclaimed bars and pubs in Manila that you can bring your date to are SaGuijo, ‘70s Bistro, 19 East, and 1 2 3 Block.

You can even serenade your date by participating in one of their open mic nights or suggest a song for the live band to sing. Trust us, it's the perfect date spot to make your partner happy! 

18. Chill at Rooftop Bars

Photo from Z Hostel Bar

Nothing screams “romantic” more than sumptuous food, a glass of wine, and astounding views of the city. Luckily, there are a lot of rooftop bars in the metro that offers a gorgeous panoramic view of Manila’s skyline. Some of them can be found in Makati hotels. 

Firefly Roofdeck Bar, Z Hostel Bar, and Antidote are just some of the popular ones in Makati and nearby top things to do in Makati. Treat your date to a lovely dinner and get to know each other more until sundown. If you're up for it, you can even book a Poblacion roof deck hopping tour so you can visit several in one night!

19. Play at Boardgame Cafes

Roll the dice and break the ice by bringing your favorite person to a board game cafe in the Manila area! It’s a great idea for casual dates and random hangouts as you get to test each other’s strategies and wits.

It doesn’t matter if you win or lose! By the end of the date, both of you are winners for putting the effort into getting to know each other better.

Make Your Date Unforgettable!

Whether it’s a first date or your 10-year anniversary, you don’t need to spend a lot to plan an unforgettable date. It's more of how you treat your significant other in ways that would draw them closer. At the end of the day, what really matters is having a laugh and sharing a meaningful conversation that both of you will remember for years.

Plan the perfect date by checking out some of the best Manila tours and activities that you can book.