Makati City, Philippines – A Treasure Trove of History, Culture and Entertainment
There are plenty reasons why Makati City, Philippines is a top destination for tourists. Aside from malls, offices, and various accommodation options in Makati, the metropolis also has some interesting places you should not fail to visit. From historical sites to entertainment hubs, the city surely has something for every kind of tourist. Below is a list of Makati's must-see attractions:
1. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church. Also known as the Guadalupe Ruins, this church in Guadalupe Viejo was founded by the Augustinian friars in 1603 and completed in 1629. Built in honor of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, it features Spanish Renaissance and early Baroque architecture. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is also a popular venue choice for weddings in the city.
2. Filipinas Heritage Library. Located in the triangular area formed by Ayala, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenues, the place was formerly the Manila International Air Terminal or Nielson Airport, established in 1937. Ceasing its operations in 1948, the airport's runways were transformed into streets during the height of Makati's development. The airport's control tower, a small Art Deco edifice, was converted into a library featuring a vast collection of Filipiniana books. Today, besides being a repository of Filipiniana references, it also serves as a venue for exhibits, workshops, corporate functions, and other special events.
3. Museo ng Makati (Makati Museum) and Ayala Museum. Both showcase Makati's culture and heritage. Museo ng Makati was once the city's first town hall, built in 1918. It has been restored in 1990, and now has a collection of ethnographic and archeological artifacts, well-preserved relics, and photographs and murals. Ayala Museum, on the other hand, began as a venue for celebrating Philippine history and iconography before its transformation into a gallery of fine arts and history. Some of the works of renowned painters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel are on display here.
4. Parks. In the midst of tall skyscrapers and colossal edifices, one will find patches of green in strategic places around Makati City. There is the Greenbelt Park, located within the Greenbelt Malls, which features an artificial duck pond and a small chapel. Another one, situated behind the Philippine Stock Exchange, is the Ayala Triangle Park. The Legaspi and Salcedo Parks are also a favorite among locals, as they turn into a market selling organic food and other merchandise during weekends.
5. Music and entertainment spots. Craving for a dose of live music? Makati is brimming with them. Bars in the hotel and mall area offer mainstream sounds, but if you want some local indie, electronica, reggae, and rock, you'll find it in the city's smaller streets. Hidden gems of live entertainment include Saguijo in Guijo Street, B-Side in Malugay Street, Handle Bar in Polaris Street, and Penguin Café in Kamagong Street.
These are just some of the attractions you'll find in the city considered as the Philippines central business district. So if you're visiting the country soon, choose an accommodation in Makati City [http://www.lplsuitesgreenbelt.net/rooms.php] that is near these places.
1. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church. Also known as the Guadalupe Ruins, this church in Guadalupe Viejo was founded by the Augustinian friars in 1603 and completed in 1629. Built in honor of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, it features Spanish Renaissance and early Baroque architecture. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is also a popular venue choice for weddings in the city.
2. Filipinas Heritage Library. Located in the triangular area formed by Ayala, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenues, the place was formerly the Manila International Air Terminal or Nielson Airport, established in 1937. Ceasing its operations in 1948, the airport's runways were transformed into streets during the height of Makati's development. The airport's control tower, a small Art Deco edifice, was converted into a library featuring a vast collection of Filipiniana books. Today, besides being a repository of Filipiniana references, it also serves as a venue for exhibits, workshops, corporate functions, and other special events.
3. Museo ng Makati (Makati Museum) and Ayala Museum. Both showcase Makati's culture and heritage. Museo ng Makati was once the city's first town hall, built in 1918. It has been restored in 1990, and now has a collection of ethnographic and archeological artifacts, well-preserved relics, and photographs and murals. Ayala Museum, on the other hand, began as a venue for celebrating Philippine history and iconography before its transformation into a gallery of fine arts and history. Some of the works of renowned painters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel are on display here.
4. Parks. In the midst of tall skyscrapers and colossal edifices, one will find patches of green in strategic places around Makati City. There is the Greenbelt Park, located within the Greenbelt Malls, which features an artificial duck pond and a small chapel. Another one, situated behind the Philippine Stock Exchange, is the Ayala Triangle Park. The Legaspi and Salcedo Parks are also a favorite among locals, as they turn into a market selling organic food and other merchandise during weekends.
5. Music and entertainment spots. Craving for a dose of live music? Makati is brimming with them. Bars in the hotel and mall area offer mainstream sounds, but if you want some local indie, electronica, reggae, and rock, you'll find it in the city's smaller streets. Hidden gems of live entertainment include Saguijo in Guijo Street, B-Side in Malugay Street, Handle Bar in Polaris Street, and Penguin Café in Kamagong Street.
These are just some of the attractions you'll find in the city considered as the Philippines central business district. So if you're visiting the country soon, choose an accommodation in Makati City [http://www.lplsuitesgreenbelt.net/rooms.php] that is near these places.
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