Has it been a while since a destination has stolen your heart? In the Metro Manila area of Philippines, the heart-shaped city of Mandaluyong offers a reprieve from the fast pace of the big city…but not too much of a reprieve.
Kick back with all the warm-weather activities, historical tours and baller shopping venues you’d expect from a major metropolis—minus the queues of tourists. Sure, you’re a tourist too, but you can see the country like a local while on holiday in Mandaluyong. Stuff your face with fusion cuisine on a food tour, mall-hop and shop till you drop, then reward your valiant holiday-making efforts with a spa day. If you really want to get away, take heart (last cardiac metaphor, we promise)—you’ll be a short drive from the beaches and waterfalls in General Nakar. Win-win. Plus, you can snag some Mandaluyong package deals right here and getaway on the fly! Win-win-win.
If you’re a history buff, kick off the adventure at San Felipe Neri Church, the oldest church in the city, built during the 1860s. Prefer being lost in the present moment? Leave behind the brick and mortar beauty of San Felipe and pamper yourself at one of the many day spas—Mandaluyong may have a funny name, but the locals take luxury very seriously. While you’re in a fancy-pants mood, pick up one of lastminute.com.au’s awesome Mandaluyong car hire options and drive out to the neighbourhood of Wack-Wack Greenhills to wack some balls around at a country club—we mean golf balls, by the way. Love the green? There’s more nature where that comes from! You won’t be far from General Nakar, a lush, forested area right on the coast. Who said booking packages to Mandaluyong meant you couldn’t flirt with other towns?
Don’t get lost in the mountains, because you have some shopping to do—a lot of shopping. From the SM Megamall to the retail skyscraper called The Podium, Mandaluyong is for shopaholics. In St Francis Square Mall you can even hit the gym for a little mid-haul workout (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Don’t leave the mall just yet! There’s also some great spots for stuffing your face. Sure, you’ll find some grab-and-go fried foods (into it!), but you can also get your mouth around some amazing fusion cuisine. They say the best way to learn about a new culture is to eat dinner. Well, the Philippines are a literal melting pot with Spanish-inspired spices and Asian flavours. Crunch into some lumpia—like spring rolls—by the dozen, and slurp some hearty hot and sour sinigang soup!
When you’re ready to twerk it and work it, you…should probably go somewhere else. Part of Mandaluyong’s magic is that it’s super close to all the colourful clubs and swanky bars in the nation’s capital. You can even book a Manila holiday package and plan on a long, non-stop night.
At lastminute.com.au, we have heaps of travel deals, so you can mix and match cheap holidays to Mandaluyong. You know you want to.
Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2024
Reviewed on 1 May 2024
Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024
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^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.com.au from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.