Our list of the best places to shop in Manila shows you the most interesting malls, markets, and stores in the Philippines’ capital city.
When it comes to shopping, Manila is on par with most Asian capitals like Bangkok or Singapore.
The best places to shop in Manila are ultra-modern shopping malls and street markets.
Even if you don’t like shopping much, most of the best places to shop in Manila also have a lot of places to eat and drink, as well as things to see and do.
Shopping Malls in Manila:
SM Mall of Asia
One of the biggest malls in the Philippines is SM Mall of Asia.
It is in the popular area of Manila Bay Front, has a floor space of more than 40 hectares, and has a wide range of fashion shops, restaurants, bars, a concert ground, a science center, a convention center, and three movie theaters.
There is also a small park where you can picnic or relax and feel the sea breeze.
You can spend the whole day at SM Mall of Asia without walking by the same store twice.
Divisoria Market
People know Divisoria Market for its retail and wholesale shops.
However, if you don’t want to shop on the street, you can go to one of the malls with hundreds of these cheap stalls.
Inside, it can be like a maze, so if you see something you like, buy it right away or write down the stall number in case you want to get it later.
Here, haggling is expected, so don’t be shy and try your hardest. Most of the time, if you buy a lot of something, you’ll get a great deal (about 5 to 6 pieces of the same item).
Silahis Arts & Artifacts
The Silahis Center is a store with several floors to buy antiques and Philippine arts and crafts.
With a large collection of artifacts, an art gallery on an entire floor, and a beautiful old building in the Walled City of Intramuros, shopping here is more like going to a museum than a store.
The Silahis Center wants to show how the Filipino people lived, especially when Spain ruled them.
Legazpi Sunday Market
The Legazpi Sunday Market is a wonderful collection of stands that sell everything you could want in a market.
They sell handmade items like bags and slippers made of straw and wood.
You’ll also find fresh fruits and vegetables, local and international food, potted plants, and many organic produce and healthy foods.
You can eat grilled seafood and meat, popular local dishes, and Filipino street food like pig and chicken organs on a stick.
There are also a lot of dishes from other countries at the Legazpi Sunday Market.
These include Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, and Moroccan dishes.
Robinsons Place Mall
Robinsons Place Mall is a popular place to shop because it is in the middle of Manila and is easy to get to.
Even though the shopping mall is getting a little old, it still has everything you need.
It has department stores, boutiques, chains, independent restaurants, a food court, and many other things to do, like a movie theater.
So people with a mid-range budget can enjoy shopping there.
Balikbayan Handicrafts Center
The Balikbayan Handicrafts Center has been around for a long time and has stores in Pasay, Trinoma, and Makati Avenue.
Its showroom, which is 2300 square meters, has high-quality items made of wood, shell, bamboo, vines, resin, and clay.
The store is known for selling traditional handicrafts, furniture, and jewelry from the Philippines.
Check out its pearl and coral jewelry collection if you want to buy handmade necklaces and earrings.
168 Shopping Mall
168 Shopping Mall is a popular shopping spot in Manila’s Chinatown.
This 5-story complex is a 5-minute walk from Divisoria Market and has a wide range of cheap shoes, bags, toys, and other goods.
On the third floor is a food court where you can get local food for a good price.
The 168 Shopping Mall has food carts and restaurants on the ground floor, the second floor, and all over.
Shangri-La Plaza
Shangri-La Plaza is a high-end shopping mall with more than 300 stores and restaurants selling clothes and home goods.
Shangri-La Plaza is connected to the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel and has a more high-end feel than most Manila shopping malls. However, this makes it less busy than most malls.
At Shangri-La Plaza, you can shop for high-end and mid-range brands like Elizabeth Arden, Cartier, GAP, Brooks Brothers, and Mango.
In addition, many cafes and restaurants on-site serve food from all over the world.
Greenhills Mall
Greenhills Mall has been around since the 1970s, and it still gets a lot of shoppers who want to buy a wide variety of brands and products.
The mall also has live events all year, like music festivals and cultural shows. Greenhills Mall is in a rich part of Manila.
On weekends, it’s usually the busiest because many outdoor stalls sell cheap souvenirs, clothes, and furniture made by hand.
St Francis Square
St. Francis Square comprises two squares that are only a few meters apart.
Both squares have a lot of places to eat, shop, and have fun.
On national holidays in Manila, events are usually held outside in this open-air area with a great vibe.
Shopping at St. Francis Square is a nice change from the many air-conditioned malls in the Philippines’ capital.
Before you go…
So that’s it! These are just some of the malls you can visit while in Manila! There are other shopping malls you can check out, but for us, these places are one of the best malls to visit while visiting Manila! I hope this article has helped you find the right mall for you! Happy Visiting!
Check out my next article: “10 Interesting Facts about Manila!“
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