Malls and Design in Manila

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Malls are at the centre of daily life in Manila. They are cool, safe and full of food, shops and cinemas, and many people spend a whole day in one. Some are among the largest in Asia. Beyond the malls, the city has a growing design scene with local brands, galleries and creative spaces. This guide covers the best places to shop and look at modern design.

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia, in Pasay on Manila Bay, is one of the largest malls in the country. It has hundreds of shops, an ice rink, cinemas, a big food hall and an arena for concerts and sports. Behind the mall is a seaside walk where people come to watch the sunset over the bay. A large Ferris wheel stands near the water. The mall gets very crowded on weekends and holidays. Go on a weekday if you can, and plan for traffic when leaving in the evening.

Makati and BGC malls

Makati's Ayala Center links several malls, including Greenbelt and Glorietta, with gardens and walkways between them. Greenbelt has many restaurants around a central garden, plus local and international fashion brands. In BGC, Bonifacio High Street is an open-air shopping street, and SM Aura and Uptown Mall are close by. Rockwell's Power Plant Mall, in a quieter part of Makati, is known for its calm feel and good restaurants. These malls are smaller than Mall of Asia but more pleasant to walk.

Local brands and design shops

Many malls now have shops selling Filipino-made goods. Look for bags and home items woven from local fibres, wooden furniture, ceramics and natural soaps. Some stores focus only on local makers and small brands. Filipino designers are also known for clothes made with piña, a fine fibre from pineapple leaves, and other natural textiles. Weekend markets and pop-up fairs in Makati and BGC are good places to meet young designers. Prices for handmade items vary widely, so look around before you buy.

Galleries and creative spaces

The Ayala Museum in Makati shows Filipino art and has a modern building with changing exhibitions. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, now in BGC, and many private galleries show contemporary Filipino artists. In old Manila, Escolta Street was once the city's main shopping street. In recent years, young artists and small businesses have moved into its old buildings, with studios, cafés and pop-up markets. Check opening days before you go, because many galleries close on Mondays or between shows. Small entry fees are common, and some galleries are free.

Malls and Design at a glance

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