Best Five Romantic Places in Metro Manila to Visit on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the usual dilemma for many couples is where to spend it. There are a lot of romantic places in the Philippines, mostly involving sand, but for most people in Manila a Valentine’s Day date precludes a trip out of town. Here are 5 of the best places for a romantic date with your significant other right here in the Metro.

Intramuros

This “walled city” was actually the seat of government during the Spanish era and a fortress back in the day. It is consequently rich in history, and a throwback to the days when horse-drawn carriages were the main means of transportation. The very atmosphere of the city breathes romance as you stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and explore the various installations including the beautiful San Agustin Church and the Rizal Museum. Finding a place to eat is not a problem as the place is full of famous restaurants, not the least of which is the Sky Deck View Bar of The Bayleaf Hotel, where you can have a spectacular view of Manila Bay at sunset.

Rizal Park

It is a standing joke that Rizal Park aka Luneta is the place to go for a romantic date when you don’t have money for anything else, but in fact Rizal Park is an excellent romantic destination no matter the condition of your wallet. It is chock-full of historical monuments and boasts the Chinese and Japanese Garden, Butterfly Pavilion, National Museum, Manila Ocean Park, and the Planetarium. There are a lot more places in the 16-plus hectares that is Rizal Park and you cannot hope to see everything in one go, but it is fun to try.

Fort Bonifacio

Fort Bonifacio, which we now know as Bonifacio Global City (BGC), was actually Fort McKinley when the Americans acquired it in 1902. It was turned over to the Philippine government in 1949 and became the headquarters of the Philippine Army in 1957. It was later renamed Fort Bonifacio. In 1995, the first plans for what is now BGC began. So what makes it a romantic destination? There’s the Heritage Park, of course, but the main attraction of BGC is novelty. Rapid development in the district has spawned glittering and innovative attractions for all visitors, although the Fort Strip is where the first nightspots came into being, and it is still a very popular place for a couple out for a night in the town.

Manila Bay

When we say Manila Bay, we are actually talking about the two-mile stretch of Roxas Boulevard right across Malate Church called Baywalk (aka Boardwalk), which is a strategic spot to watch the famous Manila Bay sunset. There is a wide promenade built along the seawall that makes an early evening stroll pleasant despite the background Manila traffic. The sea breeze is invigorating and the promenade is dotted with numerous open-air cafes, and it is near Malate where there are even more nightspots you can go to once the sun has set. It is truly romantic for a couple in love, and a memorable experience.

Eastwood

Once a long stretch of overgrown grass, Eastwood is now the center of commerce as well as entertainment. It has spurred the rapid development in the district of Libis in Quezon City. It is a mecca for BPOs so naturally there are a lot of things to do and see. It is safe and comfortable to stroll along the various establishments out in the open air because Eastwood was built for walking traffic. If you want a slowly revolving bird’s eye view of the city lights while dining, you can eschew the ground level restaurants in favor of the 100 Revolving Restaurant on the 33rd floor of the MDC Building.

There you have it, the best places to be during Valentine’s day in Metro Manila. Make sure you make your reservations early because all restaurants are sure to be jam packed with amorous couples on the day of hearts.