Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Think hidden gems, insider stories, and all the local vibes. Ready to find your private tour of Manila? Your adventure-packed day is just one click away!
Top 5 tours in Manila
Make your stay in Manila complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Manila
101 reviews
3 hours | city highlight tours | Manila
Want to see the best of Manila? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Manila!
Ready to taste the best food in Manila? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Manila.
Tagaytay is a favorite getaway for those seeking a break from Metro Manila and nearby areas. Its cool weather and beautiful surroundings make it a perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Head out of Manilla and discover one of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines. Join me for a fun and exciting canoe ride and enjoy your gateway to nature!
A whole day tour to the rural villa of Hacienda Escudero that can become on a multiple day tour, if you decide to book a stay on one of the picturesque cottages at the lake.
"Jhon Mar is an excellent guide. We thoroughly enjoyed his tour of the Quiapo district. He was very knowledgeable and gracious with his time. He was responsive to our questions. We highly recommend Jhon. "
"During my layover, Bernadette took the time to tour me around Manila, taking me to wonderful local places and customizing our itinerary for spots I would enjoy. She was accommodating, thoughtful, and flexible. This experience was fun, safe, and meaningful to see the authentic Manila. I would highly recommend and am very grateful for Bernadette!"
"Rodolfo customized our tour to include only certain spots in Manila that I was interested in seeing and to show us around Quezon City, where I was trying to assess the neighborhood of a childhood home I hope to recover. He was accommodating when I accidentally booked the tour for the wrong date. He suggested we hire a car and driver at very reasonable rate and they picked us up at our hotel in QC. He was knowledgeable and was able to alter the tour when it started to rain. Rodolfo was also very good about communicating before the tour date so that we knew our special requests would be accommmodated. Cannot recommend him enough."
"As first time travellers on a short schedule we really wanted someone who would take care of everything for us. Juliet was wonderful. She ensured we experienced the top spots in Manila, whilst making sure we were comfortable and well cared for. Even the last minute change due to rescheduled flights was no problem. Everything except meals and shopping was all included which made it simple to get around. And our driver Anton was great. Perfectly safe in some crazy traffic! We definitely recommend Juliet to anyone 💜"
"We arrived in the Philippines for a few weeks of birding but realized we needed some historic grounding to appreciate where we were. Greg was able to fill in the gap with a few hours chock full of information that helped give our visit historic context as well insight into current day life in the Philippines. "
Kerry and JanAbout local GregManila, March 27, 2025
5.0
Great tour guide
"We enjoyed our time with Rodolfo in Manila. He presents well, gives details when and where needed and always added local flair and insights into the buildings, area and places we visited. He took us into spots the larger tour groups did not get to and managed to get us into the church that was closing for lunch. He’s a charmer. He moved to our pace of walking and we thoroughly enjoyed the day: especially a cold beer after our long walk at the Manila Hotel. Such a wonderful spot. Our Bar server at the Manila Hotel (Andy) was a wonderful host too. "
"Spending a couple of days in the bustling metropolis of Manila can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors and those traveling with children. Whenever I visit a new city, I like to use *With Locals* to get my bearings and gain a deeper understanding of both the destination and its people—beyond just the tourist highlights.
This time, we were fortunate to find Rodolfo, a kind and knowledgeable guide with a wealth of local insights. One of the restaurants he took us to held a special place in his heart—his mother used to bring him there as a child, though it was originally tucked away in a different alley, which we also got to explore. As we walked through the city, he shared stories from his life over the decades, giving us a richer perspective on Manila’s history and culture.
We opted for a combined food and history tour, which proved to be an excellent choice. Rodolfo was incredibly flexible, willing to tailor the experience to our interests and schedule. We could have easily explored more—tasted more, seen more—but after six hours, our children were understandably exhausted.
I highly recommend Rodolfo. He made us feel both well-informed and well cared for, and nothing was ever too much trouble.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
KimberleyAbout local RodolfoManila, February 21, 2025
5.0
Amazing Manila with Juliet
"We had a great time on our full day tour of Manila with Juliet and our driver Anton. We hit all the highlights and still had time for everything even though i asked her to adjust some things. The traffic was horrible but Anton kept his cool and did a great job negotiating the traffic. And as an extra, unfortunately we got sent to the wrong terminal at the Manila airport but I hit them up real quick on WhatsApp and they turned around, came back and got us to take us to the right terminal. That's above and beyond the call of duty!
"
"Better from Manila you can not imagine…
Correct,lot of expirience and knowledge about history and politic ,more then correct and friendly…
If we come back he is only one solution..
Thanks a lot "
"Do not hesitate to book your tour with Rodolfo. He is very accommodating ( our ship arrival was delayed ) . Rodolfo is very knowledgeable and he shares many details with you . It was a pleasure to have such a guide . He knows the facts and tries his best to introduce his country .
5/5 ."
AleksandraAbout local RodolfoManila, December 29, 2024
Enjoy the Best of the Manila Like a Local
Why is Withlocals the best place to buy a tour?
Private & Personal
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Tailored to your wishes
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Chat before you book
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Travel that supports locals
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
Feel good about where your money goes
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Trusted by millions
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Secure & flexible booking
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Private & Personal
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Tailored to your wishes
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Chat before you book
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Travel that supports locals
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
Feel good about where your money goes
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Trusted by millions
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Secure & flexible booking
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Private & Personalized Tours in Manila with a Local
When you hit the road and land in a new city like Manila, there's an exciting way to dive into its soul: personalized local tours. Forget the typical touristy routes – these tours are like having a local friend show you around all the cool spots.
Imagine having someone who lives and breathes Manila spill its secrets. That's what local guides bring to the table. They know the hidden alleys, the best bites, and stories that never made it to the guidebooks. Whether you're into munching through food tours, wandering the city's streets, or going off the beaten path, a local guide hooks you up with a private tour that's authentically Manila.
The best part? These tours are all about you. No herding in big groups or rushing through places you're not interested in. With private tours, you're the boss. Whether it's snapping pics at iconic landmarks, diving into history, or checking out the art scene, the tour is tuned to your vibes at your tempo.
But it doesn't stop at city limits. Day trips let you escape the urban jungle and explore nearby wonders. And if you're just setting foot in Manila, kickstart tours give you a taste of everything. Think of it as a crash course in Manila awesomeness, guided by a local who knows the city like the back of their hand.
So, next time you're in Manila, ditch the ordinary. Grab a local tour and unlock the city's real magic – the stories, flavors, and places that make it uniquely Manila. Get ready to explore like a local!