Known as the “Walled City,” Intramuros is a place rich in history and culture. With its cobbled streets and preserved architecture dated hundreds of years ago, it will have you second-guessing whether you are still in the Philippines or not. That is why many foreigners and locals never miss an Intramuros tour when in the city.

In between the walls of Intramuros is the mark that 300 years of Spanish rule have left in the form of grand churches and colonial houses. While you can just wander the streets on your own, the best way to get a deeper understanding of the country’s history is with a historic Intramuros walking tour.

You may relax in the grounds and lily pond of the Fort Santiago and take a leisurely stroll inside.

There is a lot to see inside the fort, including the Rizal Shrine museum, the Baluarte de Santa Barbara, the Baluartillo and Reducto de San Francisco Javier, the Plaza De Armas, the Rizaliana Furniture Hall, the Rajah Sulayman Theater, and the Almacenes Reales, which are real estate-owned warehouses.

Hundreds of civilians and guerrillas were imprisoned, tortured, and killed in these dungeons during the Japanese Occupation of WWII. The fort has been rebuilt despite being severely damaged by earthquakes and warfare.

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral, is the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within today's modern city of Manila, Philippines. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country. The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila.

The cathedral was originally a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958.The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.

Adjacent to San Agustin Church, the San Agustin Museum showcases the rich history of Catholicism in the Philippines.

In 1973, the monastery was converted into a museum. The galleries within have a huge collection of religious art and antiques from around the globe, including the Philippines, Spain, Mexico, Singapore, and China. You can also find ceramics, botanical drawings, liturgical goods, antique furniture and art pieces on display – from paintings, sculptures, and furniture. The San Agustin Museum will help you to learn more about the history of Catholicism in the country.

You can ride a kalesa, an old-fashioned way to get around the walled-city. In the 18th century, horse-drawn carriages in the Philippines were mostly reserved for high officials.

Most of the kalesas can be found outside Manila Cathedral. To get the best of your Kalesa trip, make sure to first negotiate the price before setting out to avoid getting ripped off. As of now, the regular price of a kalesa ride is 500 pesos per 30 minutes.

If you’re into arts and crafts, you’ll also enjoy going to arts and souvenir shops. There are a number of craft shops around Intramuros. One of the very unique shops is the Papier Tole Shop, a quaint little store said to have been established in 1668.

Before you head out of the Plaza San Luis Complex, make a side trip to the Casa Manila. An Intramuros tourist spot, this museum depicts life during the Spanish occupation in the country. It's a three-floor Filipino colonial mansion that was inspired from a house in the 1850s.

Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Located right next to Manila Cathedral, this little coffee shop has equal amounts of heritage, aesthetic, and convenience. You can head here for a light snack or some drinks after mass at the cathedral.

The space used to be the church’s ground belfry, where seven big bells from the main bell tower are housed. The seven big bells were said to be founded by one of Germany’s best bell-founders post-World War II, Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling. Now, the large bells also serve as a key motif in the cafe.

Mondays to Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays to Sundays 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Now possibly considered an Intramuros staple, Batala Bar is well-known for its ice cream, local beers, and for being a purveyor of skillfully made local crafts (it’s also by the same creator of Bambike, which offers bike rentals and bike tours in Intramuros).

They also offer other Filipino-inspired dishes and drinks, such as the mais con yelo shake—a drink version of the popular sweet merienda, as well as desserts like the perfectly balanced sweet-tart calamansi curd pie. Pasta, sandwiches, and rice meals are also available (with vegan-friendly options, too, like their plant-based Wholesome Sisig).