Fort Santiago Tours and Activities

One of the most important sites for Philippine history in Manila, Fort Santiago was built by the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi as a defensive fortress designed to protect the newly formed city. The fort is a key feature of the famous walled city known as Intramuros — a complex of manicured gardens, fountains, lily ponds, and sunny plazas, as well as the Rizal Shrine museum, located in the building where Dr. Jose Rizal (a Philippines national hero) was incarcerated during the late 19th century.
The Basics
When to Get There
Discovering Fort Santiago's Dark History
The 16th-century Fort Santiago is an ideal place for a quiet picnic or a scenic walk. The site's extensive military history and impressive architecture make it an absolute must for visitors to Manila, so a visit is typically included in half- and full-day city tours. These tours often also include visits to other historical sites, such as the American Cemetery and Memorial, Fort Bonifacio, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, and sometimes a cruise on Manila Bay.
How to Get to Fort Santiago
- Fort Santiago is a must for history buffs in Manila.
- Don't forget your camera; there are plenty of photo ops inside the fort.
- Families with kids can utilize the small playground found within the fort.
- There's plenty of shade in the fort, but be sure to bring water, sunblock, and insect repellent on warm days.
Fort Santiago is located on Santa Clara Street along the Pasig River near Rizal Park. The easiest and most convenient way to visit the fort is on a guided tour of Old Manila, but it's also possible to go on your own via public transportation. If you're riding the LRT, get off at Central Station and make the short walk to the fort entrance, or get off at Carriedo Station and ride a jeepney toward Mabini. The driver can let you off near the gate.
When to Get There
Fort Santiago is open daily from 8am to 6pm, but many travelers choose to visit in the morning when the weather is still relatively cool, ending the visit with a shaded picnic lunch. The Rizal Shrine within the fort has limited hours on Mondays.
Discovering Fort Santiago's Dark History
While Fort Santiago is today a quiet escape for the people of Manila, its past was more tumultuous. During World War II, the site's Spanish colonial era military barracks held hundreds of Filipino and American POWs. Visitors can also see a dungeon cellblock where Rizal spent his last night, as well as a set of brass footprints in the pavement marking his last steps to the spot where he was executed.
Address: Santa Clara St, Manila, Philippines
Hours: Open daily 8am-6pm
Admission: Adults: 65 PHP; Children: 50 PHP
22 Tours and Activities to Experience Fort Santiago
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Private Half-Day Manila with Rizal Park and Fort Santiago
2
See the main highlights of Manila on a stress-free half-day tour, ideal for visitors with limited time in the capital city. With just your private guide and party, you’ll tick off top anila attractions such as Fort Santiago, the American Memorial Cemetery, and Rizal Park and Shrine. Travel between landmarks with ease in an air-conditioned vehicle and relish the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off.
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From
$100.00
Price varies by group size
From
$100.00
Price varies by group size

Private Half-Day Makati (Old Manila) with Intramuros
4
If you’re a history buff, Makati (Old Manila) is a must-see during your time in the Philippines. Discover historical information you may have missed on a private half-day tour of Makati (Old Manila), a great introduction for first-time visitors. Check off highlights such as San Agustin Church and Museum, Rizal Park and Shrine, Fort Santiago and Intramuros, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for added convenience.
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From
$121.80
Price varies by group size
From
$121.80
Price varies by group size

Intramuros: History of Old Manila | Manila Walking Tours (with transportation)
9
Get a comprehensive tour of Manila in just a day on this bus excursion. You'll travel with a small group of just 12 people or fewer, which lets you enjoy an intimate atmosphere and plenty of chances to ask questions. Listen to commentary on the history of Manila over the last 400 years, tracing its history from Malay to Spanish to Japanese to Filipino.
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From
$76.93
Price varies by group size
From
$76.93
Price varies by group size

Intramuros: History of Old Manila | Manila Shore Excursion
2
"Intramuros: History of Old Manila" is a tour walled city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. This tour is best for guest who want to know the history of Manila and the Philippines. This is a history-and-culture-anchored tour that involves part walking, horse-back riding and museum visits.
We curated this tour to tell more than 400 years of history in more or less 4 hours.
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From
$76.93
Price varies by group size
From
$76.93
Price varies by group size

Private Half-Day Shore Excursion in Manila
2
When your cruise ship docks in Manila's port, benefit from personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this half-day private tour. Skip the large group tours and get the chance to ask plenty of questions of your dedicated guide as you visit the highlights of Manila. Stops include city landmarks such as St. Agustin Church, the American Cemetery, Casa Manila, Fort Santiago, and others.
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From
$112.83
Price varies by group size
From
$112.83
Price varies by group size

Private Old and New Manila City Tour
9
Explore Manila on a 4-hour private tour with a guide who introduces you to the city's historical and modern-day aspects. You'll visit heritage attractions such as Intramuros and Rizal Park, take a walk through Chinatown, and meet locals at a public market. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; food, drinks, and entrance fees are at your own expense.
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From
$180.76
Price varies by group size
From
$180.76
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Half-day Old and New Manila Tour
Join this fully guided tour of Manila’s past and present. This sightseeing tour of Manila starts at the American Cemetery and Memorial, a resting place of the soldiers who lost their lives during the WWII. Continue to the Old City of Manila as you drive via the scenic Roxas Boulevard, one of the best locations to see the beautiful Manila Bay sunset.
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From
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From
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Full-day Manila and Tagaytay Tour
Begin the day with a drive to the picturesque city of Tagaytay, a popular tourist destination because of its cool climate and picturesque scenery. Admire breathtaking views of the lake from this wonderful vantage point at the People's Park. The tour includes a stop for a brief lunch in one of the local restaurants where you can enjoy a sumptuous Philippine cuisine.Your sightseeing tour of Manila starts with a visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial. This tour includes a stop at the Luneta Park, which is also called Rizal Park, one of the most significant tourist spots located in the heart of Manila.
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$169.24
From
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Old Manila Tour
Filipino heritage has been carved by many cultures. Firstly, by the Malays and the Chinese. In the old city of Intramuros, there is the Spanish Baroque dominance and for the rest of the downtown areas there is a strong American Art Deco influence that made an impact in Philippine architecture, education, heritage and history.
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From
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A private Historical Manila Journeys
A private tour to historical site in Manila. Visit must see landmarks like Rizal Park, Fort Santiago & Intramuros. A 30 minute horse drawn cart experience inside the walled city visiting historical sites like World heritage site “ San Agustin, Manila Cathedral & museums.
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From
$123.08
From
$123.08
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Absolutely recommended Manila sightseeing tour
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is one of the largest megacities in Asia, yet it is a city with a long history of Spanish rule and mixed cultures.
About four and a half hours from Tokyo, the Philippines is a beach resort on Cebu Island and Boracay Island with a general image, but if you want to feel the heat of Southeast Asia, it is also recommended to visit Manila.
Please use it if you are staying in Manila for connecting to Cebu Island trip.
In the scenery of the Philippines and the Spanish streets that are not a bit like Asia
You can enjoy the whole day to shopping for World Heritage and souvenirs.
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From
$196.38
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From
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Old Manila Half Day Tour (Local Snacks & Bottled Water Included)
Old Manila Half Day Tour offers a glimpse of Philippine's rich history through exploring its capital city's most historical places.
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From
$65.00
From
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Manila, the best of the city in 2 days
This tour of the city of Manila for two days, offers you the possibility to see and enjoy the most interesting, both historically and culturally.
More and more, he will do it with a private Spanish guide who lives in the Philippines for much of the year, knows the places well and knows how to move around the city.
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Half-Day Manila City Tour
1
Manila is a big city, but on this guided tour you can see the must-visit sites without the hassle. From the Spanish colonial-era walled city of Intramuros to sprawling Rizal Park, your local guide will explain the fascinating history behind what you’re looking at, so you come away with a greater understanding of Manila and the Philippines.
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From
$84.62
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Shared Old Manila Tour
Explore the City of Manila and discovery what's with the City of the old time. Join travelers from around the world in exploring Manila with an English-speaking tour guide. Visit the city's most popular attractions and experience a bit of local culture.
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From
$121.80
Price varies by group size
From
$121.80
Price varies by group size

Shared Half-Day Shore Excursion in Manila
1
When your cruise ship drops anchor in Manila, make the most of even limited time in the capital of the Philippines on a half-day shore excursion. Designed specifically for first-time visitors on a time budget, this tour transports you between landmarks such as San Agustin Church and Museum, and the walled city of Intramuros in air-conditioned comfort.
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From
$97.44
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Private Half-Day Shore Excursion Old Manila
This private half-day tour is an ideal way to see the highlights of Old Manila in a short time. Make the best of your time in the city by zeroing in on one area, thus avoiding getting stuck in the notorious traffic. You’ll learn all about the history of the city, from the Spanish colonial era until the present, with your knowledgeable local guide.
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From
$134.62
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From
$134.62
Price varies by group size

Private Half-Day Shore Excursion Old Manila by Calesa
See the main highlights of Manila by Calesa. Venture out and see St Agustin Church and other famous city landmarks.
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From
$100.00
Price varies by group size
From
$100.00
Price varies by group size

Private Half-Day Shore Excursion by Foot
Avoid getting stuck in the infamous traffic jams of Manila on a half-day shore excursion that allows you to tick off more attractions in less time. Rather than traveling by coach or car, you’ll get a more intimate glimpse into the Philippines’ capital as you explore the historic walled city of Intramuros on foot. Exploring the area with a guide means that you’ll be party to insider information that you may otherwise have missed.
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From
$83.34
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From
$83.34
Price varies by group size

Manila Old and New: Sightseeing Tour Including Intramuros and Fort Santiago
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Discover the top sights of Manila on a 4-hour sightseeing tour by coach with an expert guide. Take in the City of Makati and Old Manila, including landmarks such as Nielson Tower, American Cemetery and Memorial and the old walled city of Intramuros. Walk through Intramuros to see UNESCO World Heritage sites including San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago, and learn about the nation's history and heroes like Dr Jose Rizal. You'll gain insight into the Philippine's history, the Spanish colonial era and vibrant modern-day Manila.
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From
$47.99
From
$47.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Manila Super Saver: Manila Sightseeing plus Tagaytay Tour with Taal Volcano
60
Visit scenic Tagaytay and the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, with this guided, full-day, Super Saver combo tour. First, travel to the holiday town of Tagaytay, featuring Taal Volcano Island, an active volcano surrounded by Taal Lake. Then explore Manila, home to the baroque, 16th-century, San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and military prison. Lunch, any necessary entrance fees, plus a Manila hotel pickup and drop-off included.
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From
$118.00
Price varies by group size
From
$118.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Manila By Night Tour
By joining this tour, you will witness how the New Manila looks like at night after the appointment of the New Mayor, Francisco Moreno Domagoso, also known by his screen name as Isko Moreno.
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From
$80.00
From
$80.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More