Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
4
About
This museum and public park was built as a stone fortress at the turn of the 17th century and marked the beginning of the walled city's riverside barricades.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Stephen T
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Intramuros Tour
    Really interesting. Well worth having the official guide show you around. He made it really come alive. There's a table inside the Fort where he is sitting and one price covers the whole group.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 29, 2023
  • YuppieLionheart
    Philippines305 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Educational place to visit!
    A historical landmark in Manila located inside Intramuros. Fort Santiago is an open area so it is important that you bring your umbrella. If ever you get hungry while roaming around there are various cafes inside wherein you can grab some food and drinks. If you reach the back end of the fort, you'll see the beautiful view of Pasig River and the Binondo-Intramuros bridge. The entrance fee is cheap.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 19, 2023
  • Ryan
    19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful historical landmark in Manila
    This is my second time visiting this historical landmark. I really like how it looks today and the place is well maintained, lively and beautiful. There are souvenir shops and foods also. A must see when you visit Manila.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 23, 2023
  • roaming_kiwi58
    Christchurch, New Zealand2,827 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see part of historical Manila
    Fort Santiago was built in 1571 by the Spanish as a citadel for Manila. It was badly damaged during World War II. Since 1953 it has been reconstructed, and ongoing work continues. It is within the old historical part of Manila known as the Intramuros. There is a lot of interest within the fort, both historically, and shops selling all sorts of food and souvenirs. There is an entry charge. When we visited it was 75 pesos for adults, but as seniors (even not locals) we got in for 50 pesos each. A must see when in Manila, as part of visiting Intramuros.
    Visited March 2023
    Written July 1, 2023
  • Aussie Travel
    Geelong, Australia160 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting local history
    Was tricky to get to and a long way from Makati but once there I enjoyed walking the grounds and the museum was interesting. There’s no doubt the Filipinos adore Jose Rizal as can be seen by the artwork etc I found the vertebrae in a cabinet disturbing it was definitely sad the way he died. I learned something historical so that’s a bonus
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 27, 2023
  • tigger_W
    Ipoh, Malaysia236 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historical place in Manila!
    Historical place at manila. have to buy ticket at the entrance. There are lots of tour guide asking for city tour. Unsure if they are the licensed tour guide The fort is not not really that big. Maybe spending 1 hour is enough. However there are many other tourist spots around that area.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 3, 2023
  • Dan L
    Bunbury, Australia7,494 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of Manila's oldest fortifications.
    The fort dates to 1571, built by Spanish governor Miguel López de Legazpi as a defensive citadel against the Muslim forces that had been defeated. Destroyed in 1574 in an attack by the Chinese and their pirate leader, Limahong, a more substantial structure was required resulting in the construction of the present fort between 1589 and 1592. It was destroyed during WW11 and restored from 1950 onwards after being declared a Shrine of Freedom. Imposing main gate and bastions and a historic landmark.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 19, 2023
  • Nick K
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must See
    Easy enough to walk through and see by yourself. I chose not to get a guide. The visitor center inside the main gate was able to provide a map and that was enough for me. Easily spent 2-3 hours walking around, could be done quicker. Definitely a must see for any time spent in Manila
    Visited January 2024
    Written January 6, 2024
  • Jason S
    Melbourne, Australia1,693 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice fort to see and explore
    Fort itself is more of a ruin that an active fort, worth a look around and only 75 peso entry. Some areas are ok to see and you can get a good feel how fort would have worked, surrounding walls in good shape and good to see. Dungeon area very well preserved and explained with the horrors that occurred in there, also on day I visited lots of school groups so good that local students explore history of country. In all good to see and do, you can visit in under an hour.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written January 21, 2024
  • Spotty-Leopard
    Singapore, Singapore171 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fort Santiago - poignant place
    There is an entrance fee of Peso 75 per adult. The toilets are clean. One interesting practise is to discard used toilet paper into the dustbin and not into the toilet bowl to prevent clogging the sewage system. There is a dungeon which you can explore to experience the amazing underground cavity space. The park also housed some unexploded cannons.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,122 reviews
Excellent
701
Very good
962
Average
384
Poor
62
Terrible
13

Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,506 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Fort Santiago is a paid attraction, but it (unfortunately) isn’t worth the money, especially for wheelchair users. Note that only cash or an online ticket is accepted.

The grounds of the fort are compact, and the views of the river at the end are neat. However, there wasn’t much room for interaction. I couldn’t go into any of the buildings with my wheelchair, and many paths had stairs. There was a small gift shop, but the restaurant was closed and seemed like it was closed for years—very neglected. It would’ve been awesome to be able to buy water in the heat of the day, but perhaps I should’ve checked the gift shop.

Moreover, I wish there were more signs explaining the meaning of the architecture. I could’ve taken a guided tour, but I tend to like doing things independently, especially after a long day sightseeing other places. I sort of drove around, snapping pictures of things, without comprehending what they actually were or why they were there.
Written March 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

youbel1970
Brussels, Belgium1,318 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Was a very nice day and walk to get there.
Not too warm and nice to visit in the morning.
Take 2 good hours and take time to read each info in English.
Hard history to know and love the gardens that are so pretty.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Spotty-Leopard
Singapore, Singapore171 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
There is an entrance fee of Peso 75 per adult.

The toilets are clean. One interesting practise is to discard used toilet paper into the dustbin and not into the toilet bowl to prevent clogging the sewage system.

There is a dungeon which you can explore to experience the amazing underground cavity space.

The park also housed some unexploded cannons.
Written February 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Theo
Le Bugue, France10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
When you want to combine history and a quiet park, this museum is the place to visit. The dungeon is perhaps to be avoided by children, the pictures are too harsh.
Written February 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,693 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
Fort itself is more of a ruin that an active fort, worth a look around and only 75 peso entry.

Some areas are ok to see and you can get a good feel how fort would have worked, surrounding walls in good shape and good to see.

Dungeon area very well preserved and explained with the horrors that occurred in there, also on day I visited lots of school groups so good that local students explore history of country.

In all good to see and do, you can visit in under an hour.
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angelica D.
Fredericton, Canada22 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was a lovely tour and very thought provoking. Good price to enter but lots of scam activity outside the venue. Inside was fine.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick K
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024
Easy enough to walk through and see by yourself. I chose not to get a guide. The visitor center inside the main gate was able to provide a map and that was enough for me. Easily spent 2-3 hours walking around, could be done quicker. Definitely a must see for any time spent in Manila
Written January 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tara S
Melbourne, Australia18 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We were quite excited to see part of Manilas history, unfortunately other than ruins with a walk through dungeon there is not much to see here. A guided tour with a tour guide might be valuable to provide more interesting information.
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan L
Bunbury, Australia7,494 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
The fort dates to 1571, built by Spanish governor Miguel López de Legazpi as a defensive citadel against the Muslim forces that had been defeated. Destroyed in 1574 in an attack by the Chinese and their pirate leader, Limahong, a more substantial structure was required resulting in the construction of the present fort between 1589 and 1592. It was destroyed during WW11 and restored from 1950 onwards after being declared a Shrine of Freedom. Imposing main gate and bastions and a historic landmark.
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luh K. A. Mega Andhini
Bali, Indonesia252 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Huge historical place that will give you a very good lesson about nationality and faith. You can feel like what was happened many moons ago in this place, its a sad story though.
Written December 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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FORT SANTIAGO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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