Intramuros Walking Tour by Don't Skip Manila
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Intramuros, a district of Manila City, is also known as the Old Manila. Book this tour if you want a full-history tour about the story of Manila and the important events that shaped the Philippine history.
This walking tour tell the story of the Manila - from the pre-colonial times, Spanish Colonization, American annexation, Japanese Occupation and the post-war Manila. If you have less than 4 hours but you want to hear more than 400 years of Philippine history, this is the tour for you and your group.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This walking tour includes a moderate amount of walking. it is advised to wear comfortable clothing in a tropical climate.
Guests are advised to dress casual. A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No mini-shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a citadel first built by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros.
Rizal Shrine
José Rizal, one of the Philippine national heroes, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. The Rizal Shrine museum displays memorabilia of the hero in their collection and the fort features, embedded onto the ground in bronze, his footsteps representing his final walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution.
What‘s Included
English-speaking local tour guide
Bottled water
Snacks
Tips and gratuities
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Horse carriage ride
Options
Intramuros Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours: This tour usually takes 3 hours and might extend depending on the size of the tour. Average number of steps is 4,000 steps.
Refreshments: A local ice cream and bottled water will be served.
Walking Tour
Horse-drawn Carriage or Tram
Reviews
80 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended Manila activity
Lissa B,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the only tour we booked during our trip to Manila and I'm so glad we did. The last time I went to Intramuros was when I was a young child so to come back as an adult, it felt different and I understood the history a lot better and appreciated the Philippine culture a lot more. We came a bit late but our tour guide was nice enough to wait for us. From the start of our tour, I thoroughly enjoyed the background, the insight, and the physical artifacts that supported the whole tour. Intramuros/Fort Santiago is a bastion of Philippines history and to be able to hear more about Jose Rizal's contribution to Philippines independence made me more proud to be Pilipino. Seeing the dungeon where many people suffered and perished was nothing short of heartbreaking. I can only imagine the pain and helplessness of those who were left in that dungeon. After that, I enjoyed the small break with our sorbetes (ice cream) and water. After Fort Santiago, we came to Manila Cathedral. It was also my first time seeing that church. It's not as big and grand as other cathedrals in other countries but the inside was very ornate and looks wonderful. It's amazing to see the headquarters of the Philippines Catholic Church. The kalesa ride was pretty fun. It was our first time. Also, to have a driver who knows the history of the area was an added bonus. He was also pretty funny so we had a great time while riding the kalesa. After the ride, we ended up in San Agustin Church. When we got there, there was a baptism that was happening so we weren't able to get in but we still got a historical lesson of the church. Last but not least, we got to see the Plaza San Luis Complex where a grand house was set up to look how it was back during the Spanish colonial times. It was great seeing antique furniture and all the accoutrements that were used back in the day. It was also interesting to see how this mansion came about. I won't get into more detail for potential people who want to do this activity but you will be surprised. Overall, I highly recommend this activity, especially if it's your first time in Manila or you're just curious. Our tour guide was awesome, engaging, and very knowledgeable.
Great tour
Jan R,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Interesting & informative. Our guide was very enthusiastic & had a sense of humour. Well worth doing.
Outstanding Tour!
Michael N,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ann provided a comprehensive tour and history of the Philippines—truly outstanding & highly recommended!
A must do in Manila
sean-barbour,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great way to learn about Manilas' rich cultural history. Anne was an amazing guide she was full of interesting facts and her charming social ability made it feel like a friend was showing us around (an extremely well informed friend 😉) Every sight we seen added another layer in explaining how Manila became the melting pot it is today. We also took the china town food tour which I highly reccomend, everything was tasty and each bite told a further story of Manila. I will be recommending this to everyone I know who's visiting the city.
Avoid this attraction nothing to see
Mark W,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Most of the attractions were closed and under construction nothing to see a long journey to visit Intramuros waste of time Avoid the place and do something else !! On top of this they have a bad attitude and charge full price for a guided tour with little to see 🤨
Glad we didn't skip this Manila tour!
Wander787770,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very happy we didn't skip Manila. We learned so much about the history of Philippines, Intramuros, the Spaniards, Jose Rizal the Philippine hero, WWII and the occupation of the Japanese and the occupation of the Americans. Our tour guide Andre' was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of historical insights about Manila that I never knew about. It was a fantastic tour and I highly recommend it to those visiting Manila and even those who live here in Philippines. Thank you Andre' for opening our eyes about how far Philippines has come from the past history. -Amazing!
Engaging and informative walking tour
honeyjelly,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We toured our foreign boss in Intramuros. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it as a local. There were new fun facts that I only learned during the tour. Andre, our tour guide, was very engaging and informative. He even had a background music when we moved from one stop to another. I recommend getting him in case you have option. We also had free bottled water and sorbetes i.e. local ice cream. We rode the Tranvia, visited churches and had the house replica as our last stop. There was a sticker giveaway as well. We're a semi private group. I think this is a good way to refresh history even for kids and an informative background of getting to know our country for foreigners. Even though it might be pricey for some, the 3 hours overall tour is worth it. Will recommend this to others.
Don’t skip Manila :)
Odyssey54035613135,,Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved the experience. Visited the walled city and learnt about the history of Manila. Our tour guide Annie was super friendly. Highly recommended- and don’t skip Manila :)
History 101
smquinsaat,,Jun 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Andre was very engaging and energetic in his discussion of history. This is a really great tour if you want to learn about the history of Intramuros from Spanish colonization to Japanese occupation.
Best tour of Intramuros Manila
Stevbshir,,Apr 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Andre was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and also humorous. He was also passionate about his country and in particular Manilla. Well worth doing this tour.
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Operated by Don't Skip Manila