Top 5 Nationalities Visiting the Philippines in 2026 — And Why Makati is the Perfect Base for All of Them

May 22, 2026

The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s most visited destinations — and the mix of nationalities arriving at its airports in 2026 tells a fascinating story about what the country offers and who it attracts. From South Korean beach lovers to Australian adventure seekers, each nationality comes searching for something specific. And for all of them, one truth holds: the best base in the Philippines is not a beach resort. It is a well-managed, high-floor condo in Makati — clean, connected, walkable, and packed with everything an international visitor needs within easy reach.

This guide covers the top five nationalities visiting the Philippines in 2026, what each group is searching for, and exactly why a Stay N Cee condo in Makati is the smartest choice for every single one of them.

The Numbers: Who Is Actually Coming to the Philippines in 2026

The Bureau of Immigration recorded an almost 8% increase in total arrivals in the first half of 2025, with the top five source markets being the United States with 753,544 arrivals, South Korea with 745,623, Japan with 256,776, China with 229,915, and Australia with 188,082.

The Philippines welcomed more than 1.2 million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026 alone, reflecting renewed global interest in Philippine destinations — from pristine beaches to vibrant cities — at a time when many travellers are seeking unique cultural and natural experiences across Southeast Asia.

Roughly 70 percent of international tourists in the Philippines are repeat visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more — making the country one of the highest repeat-visitation destinations in Asia.

These are not one-time tourists ticking a box. These are travellers who come back, who know what they want, and who increasingly understand that Manila — and Makati specifically — is the best base for their Philippine experience.

#1 — South Korea: The Philippines’ Biggest Tourist Market

South Korea is the single largest source of foreign visitors to the Philippines — and has been for years. South Koreans took a 26.98 percent share of total Philippine arrivals from January to October 2024, with 1.32 million arrivals — an 11.39 percent increase year-on-year, further cementing South Korea’s position as the Philippines’ leading tourist market.

What South Koreans search for when visiting the Philippines:

South Korean travellers are drawn to the Philippines for a specific combination of things: tropical beaches and island destinations, affordable luxury compared to Korean prices, a warm climate that is the polar opposite of Korean winters, and the general ease of travel in a country that welcomes Korean visitors with visa-free access and an enormous infrastructure of Korean restaurants, Korean-speaking guides, and Korean-friendly services built up over decades of heavy tourism.

South Korean tourists seeking authentic cultural interactions are increasingly drawn to urban experiences in Manila, which allow them to engage with local traditions and modern Filipino life during their stay. Cities like Manila, Cebu, and Clark, combined with islands such as Boracay and Bohol, create itineraries that mix culture, adventure, and relaxation.

Manila is almost always the entry and exit point for South Korean visitors — and an increasing number are spending serious time in the city rather than treating it as a transit hub. The restaurant scene, the nightlife in Poblacion, the weekend markets, and the Michelin-recognised dining in Makati are converting South Korean visitors who arrived expecting a quick stopover into guests who extend their stay.

Why Makati works for South Koreans: Makati’s restaurant scene includes an excellent range of Korean food — from barbecue to jjajangmyeon to Korean-style cafes — reflecting the decades of Korean visitor influence on the neighbourhood. The area is safe, clean, and professionally managed in a way that South Korean visitors who are accustomed to high urban standards immediately recognise and appreciate. Fast WiFi, pool access, and a central location for day trips to Intramuros, BGC, and the islands make Makati the obvious base.

#2 — United States: The High-Spending, Long-Staying Visitor

Americans are the second largest source market for Philippines tourism and, critically, among the highest-spending visitors the country receives. Receipts per arrival in the Philippines reached $1,631 — considerably higher than the Southeast Asian average of $1,085 — and the average length of stay was 11 nights in 2024.

What Americans search for when visiting the Philippines:

Americans visit the Philippines for a combination of cultural familiarity and lifestyle value that is unique to this destination. English is spoken everywhere. The dollar goes dramatically further than at home. The nightlife in Poblacion, Makati is genuinely world class at a fraction of US prices. The food scene is now Michelin-recognised. And the historical ties between the Philippines and the United States create a cultural warmth that Americans find nowhere else in Asia.

A significant portion of American visitors are also balikbayan — Filipino-Americans returning to visit family — and this group consistently chooses Manila as their base, with Makati being the preferred accommodation area for those who want comfort and convenience alongside their family visits.

Why Makati works for Americans: Everything Americans expect from a premium urban lifestyle is available in Makati at a price that feels almost impossible back home. A high-floor condo with pool, gym, fast WiFi, and a private balcony overlooking the city costs a fraction of a comparable hotel room in New York or Los Angeles. The bars in Poblacion serve excellent cocktails for $3 to $5. The Michelin-recognised restaurants run $15 to $30 for two. Americans who stay in Makati consistently describe the experience as one of the best value-for-quality decisions they have ever made while travelling.

#3 — Japan: The Detail-Oriented, Experience-Seeking Visitor

Japan saw the most substantial percentage growth among top source markets, with arrivals surging by nearly 30 percent to 321,913, placing it third among the Philippines’ top visitor nationalities.

What Japanese tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:

Japanese visitors are drawn to the Philippines for its natural beauty — the pristine diving in Palawan and Cebu, the white sand beaches of Boracay, and the rich marine environments that make the Philippines one of the world’s premier dive destinations. Japanese tourists also have high standards for cleanliness, service quality, and food — and Manila’s premium districts deliver on all three.

Japanese visitors are returning to explore the country’s pristine beaches, coral reefs, and natural attractions. Travel between Japan and the Philippines is growing fast.

Manila is the gateway for Japanese visitors en route to the islands — and an increasing number are discovering that Makati itself deserves serious time. The Japanese food scene in Makati is genuinely excellent. The cleanliness and professional management of buildings like The Gramercy Residences align with the standards Japanese visitors expect. And the walkability of the Greenbelt area reduces the transport friction that Japanese travellers, accustomed to excellent urban infrastructure at home, find frustrating about less-managed parts of Manila.

Why Makati works for Japanese visitors: Makati is the most organised and cleanest urban district in Metro Manila — which matters enormously to Japanese visitors who have high expectations for their environment. The area has excellent Japanese restaurants, clean and well-lit streets, professional building management, and fast dedicated WiFi. For Japanese travellers spending a night or two in Manila before or after island destinations, a Stay N Cee condo in Makati is the obvious base.

#4 — China: The Shopping, Dining, and Leisure Visitor

China experienced a strong rebound in Philippine tourism, recording a 25.46 percent increase with 280,301 visitors, reflecting the resurgence of travel from the mainland market.

What Chinese tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:

Chinese visitors to Manila are drawn by a specific set of attractions: the integrated resort and casino complex around Entertainment City in Pasay, the shopping in Makati and BGC, the food scene which includes excellent Chinese and Filipino-Chinese cuisine in Binondo — the world’s oldest Chinatown — and the general affordability of Manila compared to major Chinese cities.

Manila’s Entertainment City casinos — Okada Manila, Resorts World, and Solaire — are a major draw for Chinese visitors specifically, and the city has invested significantly in catering to this market. But the broader Chinese tourist profile in Manila has evolved significantly beyond casino tourism toward food, shopping, and lifestyle experiences.

Why Makati works for Chinese visitors: Makati is central to everything Chinese visitors want in Manila — Binondo is a 25-minute Grab ride, the shopping at Greenbelt and Glorietta is premium and familiar, and the restaurants cover Chinese cuisine alongside Filipino and international options. The professional management of Stay N Cee properties — with 24-hour security, clean facilities, and reliable fast WiFi — meets the quality standards Chinese visitors expect from premium accommodation.

#5 — Australia: The Adventure-Seeking, Lifestyle-Driven Visitor

Australia ranked fifth among the Philippines’ top source markets in the first half of 2025, with 188,082 arrivals — a strong and growing number that reflects the deep travel connection between the two countries.

What Australian tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:

Australians are among the most adventurous and lifestyle-conscious visitors the Philippines receives. They come for Siargao’s surf breaks, Palawan’s island hopping, Cebu’s diving, and — increasingly — Manila’s food and nightlife scene which Australians, accustomed to premium urban lifestyle at home, find excellent value and genuinely high quality.

The Philippines is one of the most popular short-haul international destinations for Australians — direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Manila are well-established, and the time zone proximity makes it practical for even short stays. Australian visitors tend to be confident, experienced travellers who know what they want and research their accommodation carefully before booking.

Why Makati works for Australians: Australians respond strongly to the combination of quality and value that Makati delivers. The pool culture at premium condo buildings — something Australians relate to deeply — the excellent food scene, the walkable neighbourhoods, and the genuine nightlife in Poblacion all connect with what Australian visitors look for in an urban stay. Australians who discover Makati through a Stay N Cee booking consistently extend their Manila portion of the trip once they experience the neighbourhood.

One Address That Works for All Five Nationalities: The Gramercy Residences, Makati

What all five of these nationalities have in common — despite their different motivations, preferences, and travel styles — is that they all benefit from the same things when choosing accommodation in Manila: a clean, well-managed building in a safe neighbourhood with fast WiFi, pool access, and proximity to the best the city has to offer.

The Gramercy Residences at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati delivers all of it. A 73-floor iconic tower with a legendary Skypark on the 36th floor featuring multi-level infinity pools, a three-storey waterfall, a lagoon pool, full gym, spa, and the 71 Gramercy rooftop bar on the 71st floor. Walking distance to Poblacion’s nightlife. A short Grab to Greenbelt, Binondo, Intramuros, and BGC. Professional 24-hour security and management that meets the expectations of international visitors from Seoul, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, and Sydney alike.

This is why it is our top recommendation regardless of which country you are travelling from.

All Stay N Cee Properties — Where Every Nationality Feels at Home in Manila

All four Stay N Cee condos are in Makati — available on Airbnb and Booking.com for nightly and weekly stays, or contact us directly for monthly rates.

1. Condo with Pool — The Gramercy Residences ⭐ Top pick for all international visitors Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati The flagship Stay N Cee property. 73 floors, Skypark multi-level infinity pools, gym, spa, 71st floor rooftop bar, 24hr concierge. Walking distance to Poblacion nightlife. The address that works for every nationality, every travel style, and every reason people visit Manila. Amenities: Multi-level pool · Gym · Spa · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning · Laundry · 24hr security · Rooftop bar 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-with-pool-in-makati-the-gramercy

2. 50F Sunset View — Fast WiFi, Pool, Own Balcony Makati CBD 50th floor with a private west-facing balcony and panoramic Manila Bay sunset views. Pool and full building amenities. Fast dedicated WiFi. Ideal for couples and solo visitors who want the best views in Makati every evening. Amenities: Private balcony · Pool · Fast WiFi · Panoramic sunset views · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/50f-sunset-view-fast-wifi-pool-own-balcony

3. Condo Living — Pool, Balcony, Gym, Fast WiFi Makati CBD Spacious and well-equipped. Pool, private balcony, gym, and fast WiFi. The right choice for visitors spending a week or longer in Manila who want proper space and comfort alongside a great location. Amenities: Balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-living-pool-balcony-gym-fast-wifi

4. Stay in Makati — Cozy 1-BR, Gym, Pool, WiFi, Netflix Makati CBD The complete Manila setup for solo travellers and couples from any country. Private balcony, Netflix, gym, pool, and fast WiFi. Everything you need to feel genuinely at home in Manila from the first night. Amenities: 1-Bedroom · Netflix · Private balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/stay-in-makati-cozy-1-br-gym-pool-wifi-netflix

Frequently Asked Questions

Which nationality visits the Philippines the most? South Korea is the Philippines’ largest tourist market, accounting for over a quarter of all international arrivals. The United States ranks second, followed by Japan, China, and Australia. Together these five nationalities represent the majority of all international tourism to the Philippines.

Why do South Koreans visit the Philippines so often? South Koreans are drawn to the Philippines for its tropical beaches and islands, affordable luxury compared to Korean prices, warm climate, visa-free access, and the extensive Korean-friendly tourism infrastructure that has developed over decades of heavy visitation. Manila is the primary entry point and an increasingly popular destination in its own right.

What is the best area in Manila for international tourists? Makati CBD is the best area for international visitors of all nationalities. It is the safest and most walkable district in Metro Manila, has the best restaurant scene including Michelin-recognised dining, excellent nightlife in Poblacion, clean and professionally managed residential towers, and easy access to every major Manila attraction and day trip destination.

Why should international visitors choose Stay N Cee in Makati? Stay N Cee manages four premium short term rental condos in Makati — all with pool, gym, and fast WiFi. The properties are managed to a consistent standard that meets the expectations of international visitors from South Korea, the US, Japan, China, and Australia. The Gramercy Residences at Century City is our flagship property and the top choice for any nationality visiting Manila in 2026.

How long do international visitors typically stay in the Philippines? The average length of stay for international visitors in the Philippines is 11 nights — nearly double the Southeast Asian average. The majority of visitors are repeat travellers who stay longer and spend more on each trip, making a well-managed condo rental a significantly better choice than a hotel for anything beyond a two-night stay.

Book Your Manila Stay With Stay N Cee

Whatever country you are travelling from — we will help you find the right condo for your dates, group size, and budget. Message us directly for the best rates on weekly and monthly stays.

🌐 Book or enquire: https://www.stayinmakati.com/contact

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayinmakatibystayncee
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/639279652985

15 Best Things to Do in Manila in 2026 (And Why Makati is the Perfect Base for All of Them)

May 6, 2026

Manila gets a complicated reputation. Ask ten travellers about it and you will get ten different opinions — chaotic, electric, exhausting, fascinating, underrated. All of them are correct. But here is what every single one of those travellers agrees on: once you actually spend time in Manila, really spend time in it rather than passing through, it gets under your skin in a way few cities do.

This guide covers the 15 best things to do in Manila in 2026 — from the historic and cultural to the hedonistic and delicious — plus exactly why basing yourself in Makati puts you closest to all of it with the least friction possible.

1. Walk Through Intramuros — Manila’s 500-Year-Old Walled City

Intramuros is where Manila’s story begins. Built by the Spanish in 1571, this walled city sits on the southern bank of the Pasig River and contains Fort Santiago, the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church (the oldest stone church in the Philippines), Casa Manila, and several smaller museums — all within a 0.67 square kilometre area.

The best way to experience Intramuros is on foot or by bamboo bicycle — rentals are available at the entrance gates. Community-led walking tours run daily and go deep into the colonial history, wartime stories, and architectural details that a self-guided wander will miss. Allow at minimum two hours, more if you want to explore properly.

From Makati, Intramuros is a 20–30 minute Grab ride depending on traffic. Go in the morning when it is cooler and the light on the stone walls is at its best.

2. Visit the National Museums — Free Entry, World-Class Collections

The National Museum complex near Rizal Park comprises three separate buildings: the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History. All three are free to enter and together form one of the most impressive museum experiences in Southeast Asia.

The Fine Arts building houses the works of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo — including Luna’s enormous Spoliarium, which fills an entire wall and stops most visitors in their tracks. The Anthropology building covers the depth and diversity of Filipino cultures across the archipelago. The Natural History building is the newest and architecturally the most dramatic, with a spiral staircase rising through a glass atrium.

Plan at least half a day for all three. From Makati, it is a 20-minute Grab ride.

3. Eat Your Way Through the Salcedo Saturday Market

Every Saturday morning, the Salcedo Village basketball court in Makati transforms into one of the best food markets in the Philippines. Local producers, artisan bakers, specialty coffee roasters, and homegrown food vendors set up from around 7 AM until midday.

This is not a tourist market. It is where Makati residents do their weekly shop — and the quality reflects that. Expect freshly baked sourdough, artisanal cheeses, Filipino heritage rice, craft hot sauces, homemade jams, fresh-pressed juices, and a rotating cast of prepared food stalls serving everything from Japanese onigiri to Filipino longganisa rice bowls.

If you are staying at any of our Stay N Cee properties, this market is practically on your doorstep. The Legazpi Sunday Market, one street over, runs on Sundays with a similar format. Two weekends in a row and you will have eaten better than most restaurant meals at a fraction of the cost.

4. Explore Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

BGC — or The Fort, as it is still often called — is Manila’s most planned and walkable urban district. Built on the site of a former US military camp in Taguig, it is now a grid of wide pedestrian-friendly avenues lined with public art installations, restaurants, bars, and high-rise offices and residences.

Bonifacio High Street is the main outdoor shopping and dining strip. The Mind Museum is one of the best science museums in Southeast Asia and worth a visit if you are travelling with children or just enjoy interactive exhibitions. Track 30th is a well-designed urban park used for morning runs, evening strolls, and occasional outdoor events.

BGC is a 15–20 minute Grab ride from Makati — close enough to visit easily, different enough in character to feel like a separate city.

5. Have Dinner at a Michelin-Recognised Restaurant in Makati

The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Philippines 2026 landed in October 2025 and most of the starred restaurants are in Makati. This is genuinely historic — the first time Philippine cuisine has been formally recognised by the world’s most prestigious restaurant guide — and 2026 is the year to experience it.

Helm in Makati earned Two Michelin Stars in its very first year of eligibility, making it the highest-rated restaurant in the entire inaugural Philippine selection. For something more accessible, the Bib Gourmand list — exceptional food at moderate prices — has 19 entries across Manila and Environs, many of them in or near the Makati CBD.

Staying in Makati puts you within a short Grab ride of the highest concentration of Michelin-recognised restaurants in the country. Plan at least one dinner at a starred restaurant during your stay — book well in advance as tables are filling up fast since the Guide’s release.

6. Watch the Sunset from a Makati High-Rise

One of the most underrated free experiences in Manila is watching the sun go down from a high floor over the city. Manila Bay sunsets are legendary — the combination of the bay’s position, the tropical atmosphere, and the city light pollution creates colours that photographers travel specifically to capture.

From the upper floors of The Gramercy Residences at Century City — our flagship Stay N Cee property on Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion — you get unobstructed views across the Makati skyline toward Manila Bay. The 71st floor rooftop bar, 71 Gramercy, is one of the best sunset spots in the city. Guests staying in our condo units have access to pool areas with panoramic views as a daily amenity, not a special occasion.

Our 50F Sunset View listing is named exactly for this reason — the west-facing private balcony at 50 floors up delivers one of the best sunset views in Makati every single evening.

7. Bar Hop Through Poblacion

Poblacion is Makati’s most exciting neighbourhood right now. A dense grid of streets in the southern part of Makati that a decade ago was a quiet residential area, it is now the most concentrated nightlife zone in Metro Manila — with everything from hole-in-the-wall craft beer bars and mezcal lounges to late-night record stores and rooftop cocktail bars all packed into a walkable few blocks.

The area operates on Filipino time — it gets going properly from 10 PM onwards and runs until early morning. The best approach is to start with dinner somewhere on the edges of the neighbourhood, then drift inward as the evening progresses. There is no fixed circuit — the best nights in Poblacion are the ones you did not plan.

The Gramercy Residences at Century City sits in the Poblacion area of Makati, which means you are walking distance from the heart of the nightlife scene. This is a genuine advantage — no late-night Grab surge pricing, no waiting for a car after midnight.

8. Visit the Ayala Museum

The Ayala Museum in Greenbelt, Makati is one of the best private museums in the Philippines. It houses a remarkable collection of pre-colonial gold artefacts, including the Pectoral Butuan — a pre-colonial gold disc from Agusan del Norte that dates back over a thousand years. The diorama gallery on the upper floors walks visitors through the entire sweep of Philippine history in a way that is genuinely engaging rather than dry.

Entry is ₱425 for adults. Allow 90 minutes to two hours. The museum is located inside the Greenbelt complex, which means you can combine it with lunch at one of the Greenbelt restaurants without needing transport.

9. Eat Street Food at Quiapo and Binondo

No trip to Manila is complete without eating your way through Binondo — the world’s oldest Chinatown, established in 1594 — and the surrounding Quiapo district. The food here is Manila at its most unfiltered: pancit Canton freshly tossed in enormous woks, tikoy (sticky rice cake) sold from shopfronts that have been in the same family for three generations, siopao, hopia, and the best fried squid balls you will find anywhere in the city.

Quiapo is also home to the Quiapo Church and the Black Nazarene — one of the most significant Catholic devotional sites in the Philippines. The chaotic, densely packed street market surrounding the church is an experience in itself.

Allow a full morning for Binondo and Quiapo together. This is best done on a weekday when the crowds are slightly more manageable. A Grab from Makati takes about 20–25 minutes.

10. Spend a Morning at Greenbelt

Greenbelt is not just a mall — it is the social infrastructure of Makati. Five interconnected open-air pavilions spread across a beautifully landscaped campus in the centre of the Ayala Triangle, containing restaurants at every price point, specialty retail, a cinema, and the Ayala Museum. The outdoor terraces between the pavilions are where Makati’s professional class has lunch, holds informal meetings, and spends weekend mornings over long coffees.

For first-time visitors, walking all five Greenbelt pavilions in order gives you an orientation to Makati’s character that no hotel lobby can provide. Greenbelt 1 and 2 are casual. Greenbelt 3 is the cinema and mid-range dining. Greenbelt 4 and 5 move into higher-end restaurants and international brands. The Salcedo community market is a 10-minute walk away.

All four Stay N Cee properties are a short Grab ride from Greenbelt. Some are within walking distance.

11. Take a Day Trip to Tagaytay

Tagaytay sits about 60 kilometres south of Manila — roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car depending on traffic — and offers a completely different climate and pace from the city. At 700 metres above sea level, it is noticeably cooler, and the main attraction is the view of Taal Volcano rising from its lake within a lake — one of the most unusual volcanic landscapes in the world.

Tagaytay is an easy day trip from Makati. Leave early to beat the traffic, have breakfast at one of the cliff-edge restaurants overlooking the caldera, and return in the afternoon. Several operators offer Taal Volcano boat rides and hikes for those who want to get closer.

12. Catch a Concert or Live Event

Manila’s live entertainment scene in 2026 is genuinely world-class. Major international artists now consistently include Manila on Asian tour stops, playing at venues including the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, the Theatre at Solaire in Pasay, and the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. The K-pop touring circuit has been particularly active, with multiple major acts scheduled throughout 2026.

Check local listings before you travel — there is almost always something happening during any given week in Manila. From Makati, all major venues are accessible by Grab in 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.

13. Visit Manila Ocean Park

Located along the Manila Bay waterfront near Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park is TripAdvisor’s top-rated tourist attraction in Manila — and the consistently high rating is earned. The main aquarium is genuinely impressive, with walk-through tunnels and a diverse collection of Philippine marine life. There are also additional attractions including an ice skating rink, a jellyfish exhibit, and a birds of prey show.

It is particularly good if you are travelling with children, but the main aquarium holds up for adults too. Allow 2–3 hours. From Makati, it is a 20–25 minute Grab ride.

14. Explore the Legazpi Sunday Market

Similar in format to the Salcedo Saturday Market, the Legazpi Sunday Market takes place every Sunday morning in Legazpi Village, Makati. It is slightly larger and more eclectic than Salcedo — with more antique and craft vendors mixed in alongside the food stalls — and draws a reliable crowd of Makati residents, expats, and weekend visitors.

The market is best from 7 AM to 10 AM before the heat builds up and the crowds thicken. Bring cash. Bring a tote bag. Come hungry.

15. Experience the Manila Bay Sunset from the MOA Baywalk

The SM Mall of Asia Baywalk along Manila Bay in Pasay is one of the most popular sunset spots in the city for a reason — the unobstructed western horizon over the bay creates spectacular conditions for the golden hour, and the baywalk is well-designed for an evening stroll. The MOA complex itself is enormous and contains restaurants, entertainment venues, and a ferris wheel.

This is a good option for an early evening activity before dinner. From Makati, a Grab to MOA takes about 20–25 minutes.

Where to Stay in Makati for All of This: Stay N Cee Properties

Makati is the best base for everything on this list. It is centrally located for day trips in any direction, has the best restaurant and nightlife scene in Metro Manila, and is served by the Ayala MRT Station for quick connections across the city. Every Stay N Cee property puts you in the heart of it.

All four condos are available on Airbnb and Booking.com for nightly and weekly stays. Contact us directly for monthly rates.

1. Condo with Pool — The Gramercy Residences ⭐ Top pick Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati · Walking distance to Poblacion nightlife · Short Grab to Greenbelt 73-floor iconic tower with legendary Skypark — multi-level infinity pools, waterfall, lagoon pool, full gym, spa, and 71st floor rooftop bar. The ultimate Makati address for everything on this list. Amenities: Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning · Laundry · 24hr security · Bath · Coffee 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-with-pool-in-makati-the-gramercy

2. 50F Sunset View — Fast WiFi, Pool, Own Balcony Makati CBD · Panoramic Manila Bay sunset views from your private balcony every evening 50th floor with a private balcony built for exactly the kind of sunset Manila is famous for. Pool and full building amenities included. Amenities: Private balcony · Pool · Fast WiFi · 50th floor · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/50f-sunset-view-fast-wifi-pool-own-balcony

3. Condo Living — Pool, Balcony, Gym, Fast WiFi Makati CBD · Ideal for longer stays and travellers who want space to spread out Spacious condo with pool, private balcony, gym, and fast WiFi. Great for those spending a week or more exploring Manila properly. Amenities: Balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-living-pool-balcony-gym-fast-wifi

4. Stay in Makati — Cozy 1-BR, Gym, Pool, WiFi, Netflix Makati CBD · Perfect for solo travellers and couples · Netflix for evenings in after long days out Private balcony, Netflix, pool, gym, and fast WiFi. The complete setup for a week of exploring Manila from a comfortable home base. Amenities: 1-Bedroom · Netflix · Private balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/stay-in-makati-cozy-1-br-gym-pool-wifi-netflix

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Manila in 2026? The top experiences in Manila in 2026 include walking through Intramuros, visiting the free National Museums, eating at Michelin-recognised restaurants in Makati, exploring the Salcedo Saturday Market and Legazpi Sunday Market, bar hopping through Poblacion, and taking a day trip to Tagaytay. Based in Makati, all of these are easily accessible.

Is Makati the best area to stay in Manila? Yes — Makati is consistently the best base for first-time and returning visitors to Manila. It has the safest and most walkable streets in Metro Manila, the best restaurant scene, the Ayala MRT Station for public transport, and is centrally located for day trips across the city and beyond.

How do I get around Manila as a tourist? Grab is the most reliable and comfortable way to get around Manila. It is fast to book, metered, and significantly safer than flagging down a random taxi. The Ayala MRT Station in Makati connects to EDSA, which runs the length of Metro Manila from Taft to North Avenue. For short trips within Makati, many destinations are walkable especially in the Greenbelt and Legazpi Village area.

Is Manila safe for tourists in 2026? The Makati CBD, BGC, and other major tourist areas of Manila are considered safe for visitors. Standard city travel precautions apply — use Grab rather than unmarked taxis, keep awareness of your surroundings, and avoid unfamiliar areas late at night. Makati in particular has a strong visible security presence and is widely regarded as one of the safest districts in Metro Manila.

How many days do you need in Manila? Three to five days is the ideal length for a first visit to Manila — enough to cover the major historical sites, experience the food scene properly, take a day trip to Tagaytay or BGC, and get a genuine feel for the city’s character. For those who want to eat through the Michelin list or explore Manila’s nightlife seriously, a week is better.

Get in Touch — Book Your Makati Base

We will help you find the right condo for your dates, group size, and budget. All units are available on Airbnb and Booking.com, or reach us directly for the best rates on weekly and monthly stays.

🌐 Book or enquire: https://www.stayinmakati.com/contact
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayinmakatibystayncee
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/639279652985