Location: Quiapo, Manila
Starting Point: Legarda LRT
End Point: Carriedo LRT
Distance: 1.7 km
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Named after the kiapo or water lettuce that once thrived along Pasig River, Quiapo is one of Manila’s old districts packed with colorful market stalls, colonial churches and rundown Spanish-period houses. Since the 1970s, business establishments began to move out to other cities leaving much of the area to deteriorate. However, people still flock here to pay homage to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church, and shop for a variety of cheap products like fruits and vegetables, plastic ware, medical supplies, electronic goods and bootlegged DVDs. Taking a walk through its crowded streets provides a immersion into the city’s elegant past, chaotic present and the day-to-day rush of Manileños.
• Alight from the Legarda LRT 2 Station, and walk to San Sebastian Church – the only all-steel church in Asia.
• Walk down R. Hidalgo St. – once the most beautiful street in Manila – admiring the rundown Spanish period houses.
• Turn right at A. Bautista St. and drop by Bahay Nakpil-Bautista and see the neighboring Boix House.
• Traverse Quezon Blvd. via the pedestrian underpass, and emerge at Quiapo Church
• Have your fortune told at Plaza Miranda
• Walk down Quezon Blvd to check out the handicraft market under Quezon Bridge – Ilalim ng Tulay aka “Il de Tul” .A cheap place to shop for souvenirs!
• Return to R. Hidalgo St. – this section of the street is lined by camera stores. Hunt for vintage finds!
• Turn right into Carriedo St. and shuffle through the chaotic market stalls towards Carriedo LRT Station. You can board the train, or continue your walk to Manila Chinatown. Read DIY Walking Tour – Manila Chinatown.
(L-R) Boix House, Carriedo Street & San Sebastian Church
Insider Tips:
1. Wear comfortable, modest clothing. Rubber shoes will do you well during rainy days, when some areas become filthy.
2. Keep an eye on your belongings – watch out for touts and pickpockets!
3. Do the walk on the weekend to experience the colorful chaos of Manila’s downtown markets.
thanks for this, i have walked this streets before but i haven’t enjoyed or enjoyed it yet. thanks for the twit reply.
You’re welcome, journeyingjames! Enjoy your walks. Tell me about your Quiapo walk – I’m open to suggestions on how to improve this walk 🙂
You may want to drop by Raon as well for the electronics and the “fire sale” price hardware implements. Not too far away, there’s also U-belt or university belt where you can have your summa cum laude made for the right price. 🙂
You may also includes the amulet stores and different “pampa” medicines besides quiapo church; the old hopia stores and great tasting Excelente ham.