Manila is the capital and the second largest city of the Philippines. It is undoubtedly the most crowded city with a population of more than 12 million.
The weather is usually tropical with high humidity. It never snows but it rains from May to November. Typhoons can occur from June to September and can cause flooding in parts of the city.
Manila attracts more than 1 million tourists annually who visit the country to enjoy the cultural capital as well as the beautiful beaches and resorts of the neighboring cities such as Boracay.
There are different ways to enjoy the city but you have to make sure you have your own driver to take you around. Also, make sure to enjoy the local Filipino dishes to learn more about the culture. Here, you will always find the younger generation obsessing over their mobiles and tabs and taking endless selfies. A recent local study shows that the most used hashtag #selfie comes from Manila and this is why it is called the selfie capital.
Where to go in the city:
Manila Bay and Bay walk is a must see; this long natural harbor overlooking the sea features the best sunset you will ever see in your life. I have never seen so many shades of pink and orange in one place as at the Manila Bay. It’s the perfect place where you can take a long walk and chill during the sunset hours.
Makati is the place to see and be seen at. It’s the business and financial district of the Philippines where you can find the finest hotels, shops, boutiques and malls lining up in one row. You can also enjoy an elegant local or international meal here. The Greenbelt mall is one of the biggest and luxurious in the Philippines where you can find internationally celebrated brands located at a few minutes walk from the world-class residential Trump Tower.
Star City is one of the popular amusement parks in Manila where you can enjoy affordable adventurous rides such as roller coasters and many others.
If you are looking for more adventure, you should visit the Manila Ocean Park in metro Manila that allows you to be exposed to aquatic and marine life. You can enjoy different water activities such as diving, swimming with the sharks, snorkeling and others.
Mall of Asia is the largest mall in Asia, and not just in the Philippines. It’s not only a shopping destination; it also accommodates local and international restaurants and coffee shops. Entertainment is big in this country so the mall offers an everyday live band that sings at night for visitors of the mall. The mall is also known for hosting concerts for famous local and international singers such as Beyonce, Maroon 5 and others. There are also movie theaters where you can watch the latest box offices releases.
If you are interested to learn more about the Filipino culture, you should visit the National Museum where you will find many cultural treasures such as clothing and archived photos that explain the cultural history of the region.
Another interesting historic place is the Intramuros, which is the Spanish old town of Manila. It comprises historic buildings, parks and statues of the country’s heroes. The Kalesa or horse carriage will take you around the area. The Fort Santiago is a must see museum as it was the residence of Filipino hero Jose Rizal during the Spanish times and the sixteenth century.
One of the most beautiful places to see is the Rizal Park located across Roxas Boulevard and the Manila Bay. You can picnic here, watch the dancing fountains or simply enjoy live music concerts for free. You have to try the cart ice cream here
Binondo is the world’s first China town, which is another cultural place for you to see in the city. It’s totally Chinese with the influence of Philippines; you can enjoy street food, shop for less and enjoy Chinese theater in the middle of the street.
One of the most interesting things to do is to ride the local Jeepney, colorful, artistic and rustic WWII Jeeps used as affordable transportation around the city. You should ride it at night to experience the music and lights in the crowded streets.
Exquisite culinary experience
Food is one way to learn about a certain culture and Filipinos are very proud of their gastronomy. There are hundreds, if not thousands of local restaurants in every district. The best kind of Filipino food is the one cooked Grandma’s way or as they call it Lola style. It’s hearty, warm and cooked with love.
The Filipino cuisine is influenced by different cultures such as Malaysian, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese. There are some dishes you must try in the capital of Philippines, such as Adobo, which has Mexican roots. It’s cooked with chicken in vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper, soy sauce and other spices. Kare Kare is a warm beef stew along with the most delicious sauce made from ground-toasted rice and crushed peanuts and is usually eaten with rice and bagoong, shrimp paste. Lumpia is a Filipino version of egg rolls made with vegetables and chicken.
Another interesting dish is the Pancit habhab which is mostly famous in Quezon. It is basically vegetable noodles with meat served on a banana leaf.
One of my personal favorites is Pan de sal, which are small buns usually served for breakfast. The best way to eat it is either by dipping it in your morning coffee or with butter and jam.
How to reach there:
It’s a 11-hour journey to Manila. Saudia Airlines offers straight flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Manila. You can enjoy your trip in one of their luxurious 747 airplanes amid extremely professional crew who will definitely help you pass time in comfort.
Where to stay:
Makati is the financial center of the Philippines. It has the highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the country. All major banks, corporations, department stores as well as embassies are based in Makati.
One of the most luxurious hotels in the city is the Fairmont Makati. It is located in the heart of Makati and is only walking distance from the best shopping centers and restaurants in the area. On the same property, the Raffles and Fairmont Makati are the latest additions to the Manila luxury hotels, opening their doors in December 2012.
The 280-room Fairmont Makati shares ballrooms and other facilities. You can tell where you are simply by looking at the color of the marble flooring: Raffles (white) and Fairmont (auburn gold).
The hotel allows you to discover an elegant culinary experience with trendy seating and lounges featuring local and international dishes under one roof. Spectrum is the hotel’s innovative all-day dining restaurant where guests can enjoy international cuisine with five ‘Culinary Theatres’ surrounding the main dining room and lounge seating areas. Cafe Macaron offers a tantalizing selection of freshly baked goods, desserts, pralines and pastries specializing in the famous French treat Macaron. The Fairmont Lounge is the first you see once you enter the hotel, which serves stylish, and elegant afternoon tea and snacks. Right by the swimming pool is the Pool Bar that offers a great variety of snacks, light bites and fresh juices only suitable for an outdoor area. By next year, the hotel will be opening their exclusive five star French restaurant which will be open for hotel guests and outside visitors.
After a long day discovering the city, you should pamper yourself with one of the best treatments offered by the hotel’s Willow Stream spa. It’s the perfect place to escape the noise of the city and focus on yourself and clear your thoughts. You should try the deep cleansing facial. The 90-minute Traditional Hilot Foot and Body Massage is also a must try. It helps to energize your body and ease your jet lag.
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Manila — world’s selfie capital
Manila — world’s selfie capital
Russian cyclist finds warm welcome on Saudi Arabia’s roads
- Anna Rodnishcheva’s ride through Kingdom is defining chapter in solo expedition
- Rodnishcheva cycled to Aqaba, crossed the border into Saudi Arabia, and has since traveled through Tabuk, AlUla, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif on her way to Riyadh
MAKKAH: Solo adventurer Anna Rodnishcheva, 27, has undertaken an ambitious journey that spans countries, climates and cultures — on a bicycle.
Born and raised in Moscow and trained as a biologist before becoming an event photographer, she now finds herself pedaling thousands of kilometers across unfamiliar landscapes in pursuit of discovery, connection, and the simple joy of movement.
In her conversation with Arab News, Rodnishcheva offered a detailed account of her ongoing route in Saudi Arabia, describing how the expedition is her third major cycling adventure.
After previously riding from Moscow to Sochi and later from Vladivostok to Sochi — a route that stretches across the entirety of Russia — she felt compelled to explore foreign lands by bicycle.
She set off from Moscow heading south last June, passing through Russia, Georgia, and Turkiye before flying from Antalya to Amman. She cycled to Aqaba, crossed the border into Saudi Arabia, and has since traveled through Tabuk, AlUla, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif on her way to Riyadh.
Rodnishcheva explained that physical preparation played only a small role in her planning. She began slowly and allowed her body to adapt naturally over the first month.
The true challenge, she said, was in the mental and financial preparation. She spent a year and a half planning the journey, even though she originally intended to postpone it for several more years.
Ultimately, her belief that “life is short” convinced her to start with the resources she already had. Although she sought medical evaluations and additional vaccinations, she was unable to complete them all and decided to continue regardless.
Her journey through Georgia and Turkiye presented unexpected difficulties. Simple tasks such as finding groceries or locating bicycle repair shops became more challenging outside of Russia, where she knew how to navigate on a budget.
She also encountered language barriers, though the situation improved when a local cyclist joined her in Georgia. The intense midsummer heat added another layer of difficulty, but she had prepared herself for such conditions.
One of the most striking moments of her trip occurred as she crossed from Jordan into Saudi Arabia. She described the experience as surreal and emotionally overwhelming, likening it to the adventures of a literary hero traveling across the Arabian Peninsula.
Her anxiety eased unexpectedly when she got a flat tire at the border, bringing her back to the present.
Despite being warned that crossing by bicycle would be prohibited, the process went smoothly, and she was struck by the friendliness of both Jordanian and Saudi officials. She expressed particular surprise at meeting a female Saudi passport officer, an encounter that challenged her previous assumptions about women’s roles in the Kingdom.
Rodnishcheva said the hospitality she had experienced in Saudi Arabia surpassed anything she had encountered on previous journeys. Drivers frequently stop to offer her water, fruit, or sweets, and several families have generously hosted her in their homes or guest flats.
She emphasized that she feels completely safe traveling across the Kingdom, especially on the open roads between cities, noting the strong and visible security presence.
She has also observed significant differences in weather. While the stretch from the border to Jeddah was hot despite being winter, the climate changed dramatically after climbing Al-Hada in Taif, turning cooler and windier — a climate she compared to Russian summers.
Rodnishcheva documents her travels primarily through Russian-language platforms such as VK and Telegram. Although she maintains YouTube and Instagram accounts, she explained that her schedule left little time for frequent updates.
Offering a message to women around the world who dream of embarking on similar adventures, she said such journeys were “not as scary as they seem before you start,” though they may not suit everyone.
Her closing advice? “Listen to your heart.”
