Fort Santiago Tours

Experience the sights and learn about the history of the two bustling districts of Manila and Makati in this guided tour. This full-day tour is perfect for history and art lovers as it gives you a chance to visit one of the best museums in the country. Your tour will begin after picking you up in your accommodation, where you will head to the monument of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, which is the point from where all distances from Manila are measured. Afterwards, you will explore the historical district of Intramuros on foot, home to Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, which is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will continue on to Casa Manila, which is a museum depicting the colonial lifestyle during the Spanish colonization. Of course, a visit to Manila isn’t complete without visiting the National Museum, which contains numerous works of art, historical artifacts, and specimens which are related to the cultural heritage of the Filipino people. Up next, you will be driven to the business district of Makati, where you will visit the Nielson Tower, a structure which resembles an airplane from a bird’s-eye view. It used to be an airport which was the base of the American Far Eastern School of Aviation. Nowadays, it is home to Blackbird, which made use of the old airport’s facilities such as the passenger terminal, check in area, and the control tower and integrated it with the design of the restaurant. You will also explore the nearby Ayala Avenue, which is home to numerous skyscrapers and offices, yet still maintains its relationship with nature through its many landscaped urban parks. Your driver will bring you back to your hotel at the end of the day. Join us on this tour and learn more about the past in Manila, while seeing the present development of the city in the district of Makati. This is the perfect tour to experience the two aspects of Metro Manila. Check availability by choosing a date above.

Ride comfortably around Intramuros on bamboo bikes with this Bambike full-day tour. As a bonus, all tour participants will get a free reuseable bottle to avoid the use of single-use plastic and to promote more eco-friendly choices. This is the perfect tour for history lovers as you will get to learn about Manila’s rich history and includes a visit to the Manila American Cemetery which played a big role in World War II. Starting from the monument of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, which is the point from where all distances in Manila are measured, you will continue on to Casa Manila, which is a replica of a Spanish colonial mansion from the late 19th century. This is also the headquarters of Bambike Ecotours. From here, you will be lent a bamboo bike, which you can use to ride around Intramuros with your tour guide, and you will pass by important landmarks such as Fort Santiago, which guards the entrance to the Pasig River. You will also visit the historical San Agustin Church, which is the only structure left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in World War II.  Up next is the National Museum, one of the most popular museums in the country which is rich in Filipino art and relics of history. The whole complex comprises of three museums: The Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Anthropology museum. There is even a mini-mangrove forest recreation inside the museum which houses wildlife whose natural habitat are mangroves. You will definitely learn a lot about the Philippines in this exhibit. The last stop on this tour is the American Cemetery, a 152-hectare plateau which contains the largest number of graves of deceased soldiers during World War II. Most of these soldiers lost their lives in New Guinea and the Philippines. There is also a chapel in the middle of the cemetery which is made to honor these fallen heroes. After you’re done, your guide will drive you back to your hotel, ready to share your newfound knowledge with friends and family. Experience this jam-packed tour of Manila in an eco-friendly way! You will even get to take home a souvenir from Bambike Ecotours which you can reuse during your other travels. Check availability by choosing a date above. 

Discover the highlights of Intramuros and Rizal Park in Manila by joining this day tour. Perfect for history enthusiasts, this tour will take you to various locations that helped shape the course of Philippine history.  You will meet your guide in front of Fort Santiago in Intramuros. Listen closely as your guide briefs you about the day’s activities. You will start with a walking tour inside Rizal Shrine Museum. Learn about the National Hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, during the museum tour. Here you’ll see artifacts from his childhood, writing journey, and pivotal moments leading up to his death. Hop aboard the horse-drawn carriage which is the main highlight of the tour. Along with your guide, you’ll visit historical sites, such as the Premier Church of the Philippines, the Manila Cathedra. You will also visit the Palacio del Gobernador, which was the first official residence of the Spanish Governor-General in the country. You will pass through Casa Manila, a Spanish colonial home showcasing the lives of the upper class during the Spanish Era. Take photos of the oldest church of the Philippines, San Agustin Church, as you’ll also be seeing it up close. You’ll stop at the Philippine Presidents’ Gallery where you can immerse yourself in the history of politics, as well as visit the former location of Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters. After passing through the historical fort called Baluarte de San Diego, your carriage will bring you to Rizal Park. Together with your guide, you’ll be dropped off at the visitors’ center for briefing. Rizal Park, also called by the locals as Luneta Park, is a big park dotted with historical markers, plazas, open lawns, paved walks, open-air concert hall, and many more. Enjoy the excursion and make sure to take a photo with the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal before going back to Intramuros. Now it’s time to visit the various schools within the walled-city such as Lyceum, Mapua, and many more. After that, you’ll make your way to Fort Santiago where your tour ends. Don’t miss out on this cultural immersion in the walled city of Intramuros by booking this tour. Check the availability by choosing a date.

Learn about the history of the Philippines when you visit Intramuros in Manila on a horse-drawn carriage. Taking you on an excursion inside the walled-city, this budget-friendly tour is perfect if you want to explore the various tourist destinations inside and learn its significance for the Filipino people while riding a unique transportation. The day begins when you meet your guide at Fort Santiago for a short walking tour inside the Rizal Shrine Museum. While here, you’ll be able to learn about the Philippine’s National Hero, Jose Rizal, and how he changed the course of the nation through his writings. After the walking tour, you will board a carruaje or a horse-drawn carriage manned by a rig driver; signaling the start of the cultural immersion around the vicinity of Intramuros. Along with your guide, you’ll pass through the Manila Cathedral first. It is the main Roman Catholic Church and is considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the country due to its rustic and classic interior. Afterwards, you’ll pass through Palacio del Gobernador next. Built in 1976, the government building was used as a headquarters during the Spanish colonization. You’ll also be seeing Casa Manila, where one can witness how high-class Filipinos lived during the Spanish colonial times. Beside it, you’ll be seeing the oldest church in the country, San Agustin Church. Built in 1571, it stayed firm despite the destruction caused in Intramuros during World War II. You’ll make your stop at the Philippine President’s Gallery, where you can learn about the history of the presidents of the country. After walking through the wall, you’ll arrive at the former location of Gen. MacArthur Headquarters. Learn about his pivotal role in the country’s history before passing through Baluarte de San Diego, a historical fort that stood the test of time and helped defend the land of the Philippines. Discover the historical wonder of Intramuros in this one of a kind horse-drawn carriage tour in the city of Manila. Check availability by choosing a date above.

Intramuros, Metro Manila — Explore the historical Walled City of Intramuros, Manila on eco-friendly bamboo bikes through this guided tour. If you want a unique experience in a well-known tourist destination, this budget-friendly experience is perfect for you. Intramuros is the oldest district of Manila and is also known as the “The Walled City” due to the massive stone walls that completely surround the area. With this tour, you’ll get to know its rich history on a handmade bamboo bike made by local craftsmen. The tour starts when you arrive at the Bambike HQ at the Plaza San Luis Complex. Come early so you will have time to choose your bamboo bike. Each bike is distinct with different designs, so feel free to state your preference. This tour also provides other modes of transportation for individuals who are not comfortable using a bike. Your first destination is Plaza San Luis, currently a cultural and commercial complex composed of five houses. You will stop here and your guide will tell you about the tourist attraction. You will then go to the Japanese cannons and the beautiful Puerta Real Gardens. Take a moment to appreciate the greenery before heading to your fourth stop, Puerta Del Parian.  After hearing about this gateway, you will check out the ruins of Aduana Building next, which is located just outside the walls of Intramuros. From there, you will go to the historic Manila Cathedral that was built in 1571. It's the very first cathedral in the Philippines. If you’re lucky, you might even catch an ongoing wedding there. The Manila Cathedral is in front of Plaza de Roma, one of the major public squares of the city. The final stops are the famous Fort Santiago, which was used as a defense fortress of the city in the past, and the San Agustin Church, which has been rebuilt three times due to war and natural disasters. With all the gorgeous cobblestone streets and impressive architecture, soak in all the sights as your friendly Bambassador tour guides discuss in detail the story behind each site before biking back to the Bambike HQ, which signifies the end of the tour. Pedal your way around the historic city of Intramuros on a unique, eco-friendly bamboo bike in this guided Bambike tour. Check availability by choosing a date above.

Pack light and bring out your camera for a half-day walking tour around the Walled City of Intramuros in Manila. If you’re a history enthusiast, this tour is a perfect portal to one of the most historic sites in the capital of the Philippines.  You will meet your tour guide at the Fort Santiago entrance gate. Fort Santiago is one of the most important historical sites within Metro Manila. Built by the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571, Fort Santiago served as a defensive fortress for then newly established city of Manila. During your tour, go on a scenic walk around the fort which boasts impressive architecture and extensive military history. Learn about the last remaining days of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Fort Santiago before his execution - from learning about the original copy of “Mi Ultimo Adios” to Rizal’s vertebra damaged by the firing squad. You will also find eerie dungeons just outside the Rizal Shrine which were used as prison cells during World War II. Pay your respect in the memorial cross built for the victims at Fort Santiago. You'll head next to the iconic Manila Cathedral. Also known as the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, this church has been a venue for papal masses in the country with Pope Francis in 2015, Blessed Paul VI in 1970, and St. John Paul II in 1981.  After exploring the cathedral, explore the cobblestone streets of Intramuros by a kalesa or a horse-drawn carriage ride. Visit the Memorare Manila 1945 monument built to commemorate the lost lives during the Battle of Manila. Cap off the tour with a visit to Casa Manila, a museum that resembles a 19th-century mansion. The two-story museum depicts the colonial lifestyle featuring paintings, furniture, tableware, and books from the Spanish Era. Get ready to explore the Walled City of Intramuros and discover why it's a must-visit culture space in the country. Check availability by choosing a date above.