City Essentials: First Day

Three people walking in front of Fort Santiago's main gate in Manila.

Two women walking on Escolta Street in Manila with colonial buildings in the background.

Three people walking along a riverside walkway in in Manila

Two people on a rooftop overlooking a cityscape with tall buildings in Manila

The main gate of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

View of the Pasig River with Jones Bridge in Manila.

5 (31)

Your Perfect First Day in Manila: Rhythm, Stories & Getting Around

3 hours English

5 (31) 100% Personalized

Ease into Manila with a host who helps you find your rhythm, understand contrasts, and navigate confidently from day one.

kuya Pepe

Allie

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

3 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Transport Mode:

Walking experience (may use public transport for long distances)

Meeting point:

Plaza de Roma, Plaza de Roma, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What’s Included:

Tailored itinerary based on your preferences

A knowledgeable host who knows the hidden gems

Flexible start times to fit your day

What’s Excluded:

Food, drinks and shopping expenses

Transport fares or attraction entry fees

What makes it special

This three-hour experience blends practical tips with textured local stories, helping you navigate Manila’s contrasts with cultural depth and real-world insight.

Key Highlights:

Understand how to get around jeepneys, LRT, and local tips
Explore Intramuros beyond the guidebooks
Feel the contrast between colonial calm and Chinatown buzz
Choose between quiet courtyards or bustling shrines
Learn how locals eat, shop, and unwind
End with personalized tips for tomorrow’s plans
Enjoy meaningful context without information overload

What travelers think of our City Essentials: First Day experiences in Asia

Philip 6 February 2026

Excellent tour guide and excellent tour!

Kris 6 February 2026

Pakkard was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed how personable, detailed, knowledgeable, and kind she was.

Barbara 5 February 2026

We had a brilliant guided city tour with Kay on our first full day in Tokyo. It was our first visit to Japan and we were staying in Shinjuku, and we hadn’t even attempted the subway yet as it felt very overwhelming. Kay very kindly offered to meet us at our hotel rather than a nearby station and showed us how to use the subway system. He was fantastic at explaining everything, including how to download passes onto our Apple Wallets and how the different subway lines work. This made getting around for the rest of our trip so much easier and gave us the confidence to use the subway several times a day. Kay planned a great half-day tour and took us to places he thought we’d enjoy, including Meiji Jingu Shrine, the war memorial shrine and park connected to the Imperial family, Electric Town in Akihabara, and Harajuku with its lovely shopping streets. We covered a lot in a short time without it ever feeling rushed. Kay was super friendly, very knowledgeable, and made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye at the end. Thanks to Kay, the rest of our stay in Tokyo was so much easier and more enjoyable. Highly recommended!

Jackie 3 February 2026

Mark is a good man.Caring and knowledgeable,exceptionally well mannered,considerate and polite. Mark met all the requests we had advised you of before the tour.His ability to share his extensive knowledge of Singapore is impressive. A very good tour Thank you

Faisal 8 November 2025

Leo has really deep knowledge when it comes to the culture, to the city and even to the society. I loved that! He is very polite and he can takes very good care of the experience. He plans it well ahead of time and makes sure that it is as tailored to your preference as possible.

Louriz Ann 4 October 2025

The Manila tour was a wonderful experience that gave me a deeper appreciation for our local culture and history. While it may feel like a basic tour for locals, I believe foreigners will be truly amazed by the rich traditions and stories that our city has to offer. Visiting Luneta Park and Intramuros was especially memorable—each place is filled with historical significance that reflects the country’s past and resilience. Although the walking part of the tour was a bit tiring (it was my first time doing a walking tour in Manila!), it was definitely worth it. Overall, this experience is one for the books, especially for those who want to explore the true beauty and heritage of Manila. I would suggest adding more stops and historical points to make the tour even more immersive and educational.

Here’s what your experience could look like

These are just suggestions from our hosts to inspire your day. Your host will tailor the experience to suit your interests and tastes

Meeting point

Plaza de Roma, Plaza de Roma, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines

Walled Intramuros at Your Own Pace

Old Manila’s heart, where stories linger in stone and silence

Your Perfect First Day in Manila: Rhythm, Stories & Getting Around

Start in Intramuros, Manila’s colonial core. You might follow your host through Fort Santiago’s gardens or pause at San Agustin’s carved façade. Choose between a leafy courtyard or the old university streets, your host adjusts to your pace and what draws your curiosity.

Escolta or Binondo, You Choose the Texture

Manila’s contrasts unfold through faded grandeur or market pulse

Next, contrast calls. You might stroll Escolta’s quiet arcades and vintage cafés or follow incense trails in Binondo’s temples and markets. Your host helps shape the moment, whether that’s pausing for a temple visit or exploring design details over street snacks.

By the Pasig, A Moment to Reflect or Plan Ahead

End where Manila’s skyline meets tomorrow’s plans

End near the Pasig River, maybe at Jones Bridge or Maestranza Walk, where domes, jeepneys, and skyline meet. You could sketch the view, sip something cool, or plan tomorrow’s route. Your host offers ideas and insights to help your Manila days flow confidently.

Optional Close: Rooftop Reflections

Escolta from above, where old buildings meet creative energy

If there’s time (and interest), your host might guide you to a low-key rooftop tucked atop Escolta’s First United Building. Here, you’ll find creative studios, a gentle breeze, and a panoramic sense of the city’s layers. A final quiet contrast to carry into the rest of your stay.

Real Stories, Real Connections

Colourful Streets & Cultural Beats

Urban Harmony in Every Smile

Rainforest Whispers & Waterfall Wonder

Chopsticks & Chuckles

Between Columns and Culture

Golden Hours, Golden Rings

An effortless journey with unforgettable faces

Where iconic meets intimate in one perfect pause

A night to remember – soaking in the sparkle of the skyline with great company

Unexpected corners, unforgettable moments

From city peaks to memory highs – a skyline framed by connection

City stories on tracks and smiles on repeat.

Standing in awe beneath timeless grandeur

FAQs

Your questions, answered

Is this a traditional tour or something different?

This isn’t a traditional tour with a fixed script. It’s a fully personalized day shaped around your interests, whether it’s culture, history, neighborhoods, or hidden local spots. Your host is a knowledgeable local, more like a friend showing you their city. It’s flexible, one-on-one, and tailored entirely to you.

What if I don’t know what I want to explore?

That’s completely fine! Select an experience theme or a flexible discovery experience, and after booking, answer a few questions so your host can design the perfect experience for you.

How does personalization work?

After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire where you can share your interests, travel style, and any must-see spots. Based on that, we’ll match you with a local host who’ll reach out to plan your personalized itinerary..

Will I know my itinerary in advance?

Yes, you will have the opportunity to chat with your host directly and agree on a plan for the day. However, there’s always room for spontaneity and local surprises!

Will I see famous landmarks or just hidden gems?

Both! Your host will take you to iconic sights if you want to see them, but they’ll also introduce you to places and stories most travelers miss.

Can I request specific places or types of stops?

Yes! After booking, you will receive a questionnaire where you can highlight must-visit spots and anything else you’d like to include, and your host will craft your experience around them.

Can I change the meeting place?

Yes, you will be in touch with your host before your experience, and you can agree on a different meeting point with them. Your host can meet you anywhere central that’s convenient.

Can my host meet me at my accommodation?

Hotel meet-ups are available upon request in central areas. If you're staying outside the city, your host will recommend the best meeting spot and guide you with directions.

See what a personalized experience feels like!

Start Booking with us

★★★★★

Georgios

15 February 2026

Alex is absolutely the best! couldn't recommend her more! She gave us great background on Japan and Kyoto history and a local perspective.

Andrea

GJ was the best host with a litany of facts and tidbits about Korea. She would answer my questions like Google! I loved laughing with her and exchanging stories. I wish I could have spent the entire day with her because of how engaging and animated she is — GJ truly gave me a deeper appreciation for Korea’s culture, politics, history, and even art. 10/10 experience.

Melissa

19 February 2026

Knowledgeable thoughtful tailored to what we wanted