As the country attempts to shift back towards how life used to be, many different establishments are finally being given the ‘go signal’ to open up. Among these establishments are museums scattered all over Luzon. In celebration of this wonderful news, we decided to collate a list of the Best Museums You Can Now Visit On a Day-trip From Manila.
Below you will find the description and directions to each artistic location. Bear in mind that most of the museums included in this list only accept fully-vaccinated visitors with pre-booked reservations.
5 Best Museums to Visit Within Metro Manila
1. National Museum of the Philippines
- Location
- Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila
- Operating Hours
- 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (AM Session)
- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (PM Session)
- Tuesdays to Sundays
- Scheduling Process
- Reserve a slot online at least one day before your visit through the National Museum of the Philippines website by clicking ‘book a tour’.
- Directions
- From EDSA, ride the MRT to Taft Avenue Station.
- Transfer to LRT 1. There’s a footbridge connecting MRT Taft Station to LRT 1 EDSA Station.
- Board the train and alight at U.N. Avenue Station.
- The museum is just a few minutes walk from the station.
- Description
- The National Museum of the Philippines serves as an umbrella government organization that branches into several national museums here in the Philippines. However, the National Museum of the Philippines acts as the headquarters. Here, you’ll find ethnographic, anthropological, archaeological, and visual arts collections, which even include Juan Luna’s Spoliarium.
2. Pintô Art Museum
- Location
- 1 Sierra Madre St, Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal
- Operating Hours
- 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Tuesday to Sunday
- Scheduling Process
- Guests must fill out and submit a health declaration form before leaving the museum
- Directions
- Take a jeepney, FX, or UV to Antipolo from Metro Manila.
- Alight at any of the following landmarks in downtown Antipolo: Antipolo Church, Robinsons Antipolo, or Ynares Center.
- From the landmark, hire a tricycle to take you to Pinto Art Museum or Grand Heights Subdivision where the museum is located.
- Description
-
The Pintô Art Museum is an exhibition space and contemporary museum. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Joven Cuanang, you can expect to see galleries in mission-style buildings amid lush gardens, exhibiting both contemporary and native art.
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3. Art Sector Gallery and Chimney Cafe
- Location
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Eastridge Ave, Binangonan, Rizal
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- Operating Hours
- 12:00pm to 8:00pm
- Scheduling Process
- Walk-in guests are permitted
- Directions
- Take a UV Express from SM Megamall or Starmall Crossing to Angono or Binangonan (alight at Scrapyard).
- Walk to 7-11 Angono corner Colonel Guido Road
- Take a tricycle or grab going to Art Sector Gallery from there (150-200/pax).
- Description
- Nestled in the hills of Binangonan, Rizal, the Art Sector Gallery was designed by the multi-awarded artist Antonio Leaños. Within the museum’s walls, you can expect to see masterpieces of local Filipino artists. In addition to the art, the museum’s rooftop offers a fantastic 360 view of city lights, Laguna de Bay, mountains, and sunset.
4. Blanco Family Museum
- Location
-
312B A. Ibañez St, Angono, 1930 Lalawigan ng Rizal
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- Operating Hours
- 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Scheduling Process
- Walk-in guests are permitted
- Directions
- Take a P2P bus from Makati to Antipolo (SM City Masinag)
- Take a jeep from Antipolo to Angono
- Either walk or take a tricycle going to Blanco Family Museum
- Description
- The Blanco Family Museum is the passion project of Jose V. Blanco and his six children. Housing approximately 400 artworks, expect to see works done by the talented members of the Blanco family.
5. Intramuros Sites and Museums
- Location
-
Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
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- Operating Hours
- 5:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Scheduling Process
- Walk-in guests are permitted
- Directions
- Take the LRT-1 and alight at the Central Terminal Station
- Walk five minutes to Manila City Hall
- Take the pedestrian underpass that takes you across Padre de Burgos Street
- Description
- Intramuros is a window into the olden times and serves as home to Spanish-era landmarks such as Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral houses, San Agustin Church, and more. Unlike the other museums on this list, Intramuros stretches out over a large area of land, which presents the possibility of traveling its streets through horse-drawn carriages, otherwise known as kalesa.
These are just a few of the best museums that you can now visit within the perimeter of Metro Manila. However, museums aren’t the only things opening up, cinemas are as well! With that in mind, be sure to check out the 10 Must-Watch Movies When Cinemas Open in The Philippines, Ranked.
