Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago
4.1
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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4.1
2,143 reviews
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YuppieLionheart
Philippines674 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Fort Santiago is a historical landmark in the Philippines and is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila. The place has a minimal entrance fee which can be paid in cash before you enter the fort or you may also get your tickets in advance via Klook to avoid long lines. You may use my discount code KRISTINEMAEBKLOOK.
Written August 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.
dennisalexandrov1976
Moscow, Russia4,776 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
Fort Santiago, a 16th-century military installation. During World War II, it was captured by the Japanese and severely mined during the famous Battle of Manila in February 1945. In the basements of the fort, the Japanese tortured and killed locals, eventually killing more than 100,000 people. Today, it is home to a museum where you can see the heritage of the Spanish colonial period. One of the museums in the fort features the great Filipino national hero Jose Rizal. It was here that he was imprisoned until his execution in 1896. It won't take long to visit this place, but I think it's worth it. It cost me 150 pesos to enter. Walked quietly along the sea from the hotel, passing through the historic district of Intramuros.
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Written October 13, 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.
Abovetheclouds
2,534 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
We went early on a Saturday morning. It was busy but not super busy. January 2025, and entrance fee was PHP 75 for an adult which was very reasonable. Have cash and small notes to hand. To some, yes it just looks like ruins but this is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila built by the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. There are some information boards in English but there are a number of historical landmarks in the area and it is easier to hire a guide to take you. Not that easy to navigate or get a taxi. A guide will cover the highlights. I know these are ruins, but I still think that they should be better maintained.
Written January 3, 2025
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.
ちっくるの妻
Manila, Philippines5,523 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
There was no noticeable congestion, perhaps because it was a weekday.
Many of the exhibits mentioned atrocities committed by Japanese troops during World War II.
Adults pay 75 pesos, students pay 50 pesos with student ID.
Many of the exhibits mentioned atrocities committed by Japanese troops during World War II.
Adults pay 75 pesos, students pay 50 pesos with student ID.
Automatically translated
Written October 23, 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.
MNM1011
Decatur, IL3,171 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We visited here on a walking tour from our ship. Sandy and Letty were our guides.
So much blood has been shed here and it's so nice to see that it's been converted into a park. I'm also glad that they have preserved its history which I hope will never be duplicated.
Sandy and Letty did a great job of pointing out everything and telling us the stories of what transpired here.
So much blood has been shed here and it's so nice to see that it's been converted into a park. I'm also glad that they have preserved its history which I hope will never be duplicated.
Sandy and Letty did a great job of pointing out everything and telling us the stories of what transpired here.
Written November 7, 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.
hannah.b0nana
Quezon City, Philippines12 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
As the title suggests, there’s nothing much to see anymore. They removed Rizal’s last footsteps but one of the staff said they’re going to replace it soon.
If you have a portable mini fan, kindly bring it with you as it could get really hot in Fort Santiago (even in the entire Intramuros). The museum has an aircon though so your fan can get some rest.
I used to come here when I was studying the Life and Works of Rizal. If you have the time, you might want to read everything you’ll see. His life was really interesting and colorful.
They also honor discount cards and I did not feel discriminated when I showed my PWD ID and my friend’s student ID.
This is a fun experience if you’re doing school stuff about the national hero or if you’re just really into history.
If you have a portable mini fan, kindly bring it with you as it could get really hot in Fort Santiago (even in the entire Intramuros). The museum has an aircon though so your fan can get some rest.
I used to come here when I was studying the Life and Works of Rizal. If you have the time, you might want to read everything you’ll see. His life was really interesting and colorful.
They also honor discount cards and I did not feel discriminated when I showed my PWD ID and my friend’s student ID.
This is a fun experience if you’re doing school stuff about the national hero or if you’re just really into history.
Written November 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.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA4,577 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
Its a quick stroll thru the fort and along the wall fortifications though I didn’t find it that impressive. The best part was the dungeons and the Rizal Museum. Lovely grounds have potential, just seems to be not too well maintained.
Written March 12, 2025
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.
Kim
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
We arrived in the early afternoon expecting a couple of hours would be sufficient to see all of Intramorus. When we realised this walled city spanned 64 hectares we wondered what we would have to miss, then Hero and Justin arrived offering us a guided city tour in his Ferrari, how could we say No? Cost was 350P per person per 30 mins. For us the whole tour took 3 hours. With entry fees to some museums approximate cost $3000P per person (including a tip).
The tour saved us so much time and Justin, our guide, was informative about local history and historical characters. We would have missed so many aspects of Intramorus if not for the inside knowledge of Hero and Justin.
Justin is also a talented photographer and knew the best spots and angles to capture memories of our time at the various churches and significantly historical places. I would also recommend the guided tour at Museo St Agustin. We were lucky enough to witness a wedding in progress at St Agustin’s Church.
The tour saved us so much time and Justin, our guide, was informative about local history and historical characters. We would have missed so many aspects of Intramorus if not for the inside knowledge of Hero and Justin.
Justin is also a talented photographer and knew the best spots and angles to capture memories of our time at the various churches and significantly historical places. I would also recommend the guided tour at Museo St Agustin. We were lucky enough to witness a wedding in progress at St Agustin’s Church.
Written February 25, 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.
Spotty-Leopard
Singapore, Singapore205 contributions
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.
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.
Stephen T
8 contributions
Apr 2023
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.
Written April 29, 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.
Regular entrance fee is 50 for students with school ID. 75 pesos for the rest👌
Written March 6, 2020
gud day, how about an educational tour for 30 students and 2 professors, how much its cost/ entrance fee?
Written November 6, 2018
We were charge Php 75 each to enter the Fort. You might get a discount if you’re taking your students for a tour. It’ll be best if you contact them ahead of time plus get a curator to give you the tour. Enjoy!!!
Written November 6, 2018
Do they have public carpark?
Written September 3, 2018
They do have a car park space about 1 street away but it is a private one !
Written September 5, 2018
I am not sure what Irt po? However, my husband had driver for the / weeks he was there. I would advise it if you can do it. Driving is very chaotic there and so different than in the States and Europe
Written July 6, 2018
Hi everyone! We're planning to schedule a non-commercial shoot on the first week of August. May I ask if there is a permit or fee needed for the said shoot? Thank you very much in advance!
Written July 22, 2016
I don't think there is a charge to shoot anything. Everyone is helpful and friendly.
Written July 22, 2016
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