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Manila is one of the best places to visit when you’re in the Philippines. No trip to the Philippines should ever end without you going to the capital because that is where you will get to experience different factors that the region has to offer ranging from the rich culture to cheap souvenirs. From amazing architectural designs to various entertainment options, Manila will leave you impressed. When it comes to shopping, this capital also has you covered. Several options available, ranging from shopping malls to markets for those who want cheap items or expensive ones.
Shopping in Manila
Divisoria
There is a very good chance that when you’re doing your research on a visit to the Philippines, shopping in Manila will be a top item in the list. It is prevalent and is loved due to many affordable items. Most of the Philippines retailers shop here because they get discounted wholesale prices. However, you will still find great bargains even if you don’t buy in bulk or also if you’re a tourist. Most of the items sold here are not authentic, but they are still high quality and offer great value. Shopping here is part of the Philippine culture, and the fact that you’ll be able to find everything varying from shoes to bags and purses is an added advantage. You may even find other household goods in this market at very affordable prices. On the downside, it is usually very crowded, but getting through the crowd should be part of your experience. The large crowds make it harder to get through the market during peak seasons, such as Christmas or Lenten. You can go early to avoid the crowds.
SM Mall of Asia
If pushing your way against crowds isn’t something you’re interested in, you can try the SM Mall of Asia or MOA as popularly known in the region. This is one of the largest malls in the whole Philippines and is also the twelfth largest in the entire world. Apart from the fact that you’ll be able to find everything you need to do your shopping in Manila, you should also visit it because it is one of the best tourist attractions sites in the country. You also have a great view of the Manila Bay Front. Here you’ll find boutiques with some of the widely known designer clothes and jewelry, restaurants, movie theatres, and bars. There are also conference centers, a science center, and a convention center together with an amusement park outside. The size of this mall and everything it has makes it harder to explore in one day. You can easily get derailed as you try to explore everything, and you may not be able to complete your shopping. It’s therefore advisable to start by shopping if you have urgent items you want to buy before exploring the other facilities. You can also visit their website at www.smsupermalls.com to get up to date information.
Quiapo
This market is very similar to Divisoria to a point where they are known as rivals. Haggling is allowed here, so feel free to use that to get even cheaper rates. This market has a wide range of goods, but most of them are handmade. It is the perfect place to get souvenirs to take back to your home country, but you can also buy some essentials to use while still enjoying your visit. Some of those goods include tissue boxes made from unique materials, hand-woven shopping bags, decorative bamboos, and other creative items like ornaments. There are also fruits and vegetables as well as clothes and shoes. If you are in Quezon, then it’s better to visit this market instead of Divisoria.
Greenhills Mall
This is one of the oldest malls in the Philippines and is one of the best places to go shopping in Manila, especially if you want jewelry and cellphones. The mall hosts a variety of shops with different brands of products and is also the venue for some events. Visiting this mall on the weekend will give a better experience because that is when most vendors who don’t own shops within the mall put up stalls outside. The outside stalls will have different handmade products, including furniture and clothes that you can buy at bargain prices. There are also eateries that you can visit to taste some of the Philippines delicacies. If you want a place to experience the cultural experience of the locals, such as music and other performances. The mall isn’t usually as crowded as Divisoria so you will be more comfortable, but you will still find everything you need conveniently. You can get more information by visiting their website at www.shopgreenhills.com.
SM Megamall
This is another brand of the SM malls, and it is also just as exciting as the others. It has over 500 stores, but more than half are restaurants and eateries. This makes it one of the perfect places to sample some of the local cuisines. The mall comprises of two separate building that is joined by a bridge and is ideal for families as well. If you travel to the Philippines with your kids, you can take them to this mall, where they will find a lot of enjoyable activities to keep them busy such as the laser tag center, VR center, and a skating rink. As one of the largest malls in the world, it has a variety of goods ranging from affordable to very expensive. Whether you want locally made products or those made by some of the world-renowned designers, you find them in this mall. The mall also hosts some of the largest supermarkets in the country as well as a cinema.
Next to the SM Megamall is the Robinsons galleria, with it is some of the essential providers such as travel agents. There are also hardware stores in the complex where you can find different types of beautifully crafted items to take home as souvenirs. The galleria also has different types of food stalls, including international fast food outlets.
Tiendesitas
This is another place to visit while shopping in Manila. that has state of the art products manufactured locally and internationally. Tiendesitas complex has four different buildings with shops selling products like accessories, shoes, trending fashionable clothes and antiques. It is known as one of the friendliest places in Manila, with vendors being very accommodative. This makes a good place to visit even if you don’t want to buy anything. It is located in Pasig, but getting here shouldn’t be a problem because there is a shuttle transporting people from Delicacies Village every hour. It is less crowded than all the other malls and markets, which makes it great if you like quietness during your shopping sprees. You will also find a fitness center and many dining places. Although the shops are distributed among the buildings, building B is mostly occupied by diners. While the rest has a mixture of other shops, including those that sell handicrafts. You can find additional information on their website at www.ortigasmalls.com .
Baclaran
This market has been around since the 1980s, and it remains one of the Philippines’ markets frequented by locals and tourists shopping in Manila. Initially, the market space was smaller, which made it harder to get around, but it has since been enlarged to make it more navigable. It is one of the best open markets in terms of organization, but the goods sold here are mostly imports from China. If your goal is to buy local products, then it may not be the best place for you. Finding what you need here is easy because of the categorization of the shops. Food dealing clothes are usually grouped from those selling shoes, food, and other products. However, the cheap nature of the products attracts huge masses, so you should be prepared for the hectic movement. It becomes more crowded on Wednesdays and weekends, so you should visit on the remaining days of the week.
Archaic Shop
This is a single store that has a wide variety of artifacts. The unique nature and high-quality standards of the products have landed this shop in many magazine features. From furniture, watches, accessories, and bags, you’ll find whatever you need here. The highly organized store also has designer products as well as those that are rarely found. All you need is an eye for detail and a good taste, and you’ll end up with very valuable items from this store.
Legazpi Sunday Market
The fact that this market has goods that have been made by the locals. This is what makes it one of the best places to go shopping in Manila. From accessories to slippers and other house-ware items, you’ll find everything in this marketplace. There are also fruits and vegetables, potted plants, and different cuisines for you to sample. The cuisines are not just local. You can find Indian food, Mexican foods, Malaysian foods, Thai, and Malaysian foods, among many others.
Balikbayan Handicrafts Center
As the name suggests, this is another place that sells Philippine handcrafted goods exclusively. Different types of accessories are available, ranging from necklaces to bracelets and rings, and they have all been made with high-quality materials such as pearls and wood. There is also furniture available in this store, with everything being made with a high level of precision and creativity. If you want something to remember the Philippines by then, this is the perfect place to get it.
When shopping in busy markets like Divisoria, it’s advisable to look after belongings and be wary of your surroundings. Pickpockets have been known to target busy markets. It’s also advisable to use local currency when visiting the best places to go shopping in Manila. This will save you from disappointment in case the store doesn’t accept credit cards.