Intramuros & Fort Santiago Guided Tour

Step back more than four centuries into the heart of Spanish-colonial Manila on this guided walk through Intramuros, the original walled city. Founded in 1571, Intramuros was the seat of Spanish government in the Philippines for over 300 years, and its thick stone walls, cobbled streets, churches and plazas still echo with that history. A knowledgeable guide brings the stories to life as you explore landmarks like San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Manila Cathedral.

The centrepiece is Fort Santiago, the citadel guarding the mouth of the Pasig River. Here you walk through stone gates and ramparts to the Rizal Shrine, the cell where national hero Jose Rizal spent his final hours before his execution in 1896, and trace his last footsteps marked in brass on the ground toward the spot of his death. The fort's gardens, dungeons and river views make it one of Manila's most moving historical sites.

Along the way your guide weaves together the Spanish, American and Japanese-occupation chapters of Manila's past, explaining how much of Intramuros was destroyed in 1945 and lovingly restored since. Lasting around three hours, the tour is an easy, walkable way to understand the soul of the Philippine capital, often enhanced with traditional kalesa horse-carriage rides through the cobbled lanes.