MANILA 🇵🇭

Exploring Manila’s Makati: A Tale of Three Neighbourhoods.

When you think of Manila’s modern heart, Makati often comes to mind, however, we picked this area as it had good reviews for tourists and it had different pockets to visit. Within this urban core lie three unique areas worth discovering: Bel-Air, Greenbelt, and Poblacion. Each brings its own energy, rhythm, and charm.

1. Bel-Air: Calm Behind the Buzz

Tucked just off the bustling avenues, Bel-Air Village offers an unexpected pocket of calm in the middle of the city. It’s a well-maintained residential enclave, home to embassies, expats, and local families. The streets are wide and leafy, and there’s a real sense of community here. It’s also just a short walk to the main roads, so you get the peace without missing out on convenience.

Some local food, we avoided all the Starbucks
Beautiful sculptures
Very leafy
The local library
Jeepneys – best way to travel
These underground pedestrian walkways are fantastic

2. Greenbelt: Luxe and Lifestyle

A Manila icon, Greenbelt is more than just a mall – it’s a lifestyle complex that blends luxury shopping, lush gardens, fine dining, and a serene chapel at its centre. Whether you’re sipping coffee, shopping high fashion, or attending mass under the trees, Greenbelt offers an upscale escape right in the middle of Makati’s CBD. Great for business travellers or anyone looking for a polished Manila experience, just be aware, the designer shops are pretty pricey.

Garden Chapel
We couldn’t believe we found an M&S
They really look after their cats here

3. Poblacion: Manila’s Creative Pulse

Just a few blocks from the business district, Poblacion is where Manila lets its hair down. It’s gritty, colourful, and constantly evolving. With its street art, hole-in-the-wall bars, and indie eateries, Poblacion has become the city’s go-to spot for nightlife and creative culture. If Greenbelt is the polished suit, Poblacion is the leather jacket and we had really wanted to see the not so polished side of Makati.

Beautiful church
Love how the city lights up at night

Final Thoughts

Makati isn’t one-note, it’s a patchwork of experiences. Whether you’re after the quiet charm of Bel-Air, the refined atmosphere of Greenbelt, or the electric buzz of Poblacion, there’s something here for every mood and moment. However, Makati is just one part of Manila. There was SO much more to explore but we only had a couple of days to see the sights…which means that we will have to come back again!

15 thoughts on “MANILA 🇵🇭”

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  1. It’s hard to believe that some of the streets are leafy, considering the climate I think Manila has, Wayne. But I love how those streets look well maintained and clean as well. The library looks an interesting place. I’m guessing the shopping centre was air-conditioned? Trust you guys to find a M&S store. They appear in the least expected places. Good to hear you avoided Starbucks for places to eat.

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    1. Thank you Hugh for your comment. I too was shocked by the leafiness but they do have a lot of rain. It’s great to see they’re making green spaces in the cities, it’s unbelievable the difference it makes. Yes the malls all had great air condition which is a welcome retrieve from the humidity. No Starbucks for us, their coffee is terrible and like to try and support local (better coffee too).

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  6. Oh, so you visited Makati too. I worked at Ayala Avenue, Makati CBD for more than twenty years. They have another Bank of the Philippine Islands where I used to worked at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue. Thanks for another feature of our country Wayne.😍

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