If you have huge shopping needs, head to the biggest malls in the Philippines. From stores to restaurants, and even cinemas and theme parks, these shopping centres have everything to make a shopper’s life easier.
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Of course we start this list with SM Mall of Asia, fondly known as SM MOA. It is one of the biggest malls in the Philippines and one of the largest shopping centres in the world. Today, the mall and its complex continue to expand with new attractions and establishments.
Apart from the obvious space for retailers and restaurants, SM Mall of Asia also houses a ton of options for entertainment. Want to escape the heat of Manila? Put on a pair and hit their ice rink. Or maybe compete with friends at the bowling centre? Visitors can also pass by the music hall for small concerts or exhibits. There’s also a theme park with an uncompromising view of Manila Bay!
These attractions are just a scratch on the surface of a whole trove of entertainment when visiting SM MOA. We haven’t even gone through SMX Convention Center, SM MOA Arena, SM Science Discovery Center, and the largest IKEA store in the world. SM MOA has a little something for everyone, and maybe even more!
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There is no mistaking the size of SM North EDSA. This establishment launched the SM Supermall string of shopping centres, after all! Affectionately called SM North by its patrons, this mall is absolutely gargantuan and unmissable, especially during heavy EDSA traffic. It is also the largest SM Supermall in the Philippines today.
SM North is so immense in size that it has entire buildings designated for specific needs. These buildings can be accessed through their main entrances or the connecting walkways inside the malls. Needless to say, there is a plethora of shopping options and food establishments inside SM North.
SM North also has the Sky Garden, a lush green lung in the establishment populated by a combination of small, speciality shops, and al fresco restaurants. Nearby is the Sky Dome, a small concert venue. SM North also holds another IMAX Theatre, as well as a Director’s Lounge cinema. Who knew that SM North could hold all of these venues?
Right in the heart of Mandaluyong City lies the iconic SM Megamall. And with a name that grand, it’s not hard to see why it is one of the biggest malls in the Philippines. To put things in perspective, this superstructure can hold a whopping four million people with ease!
SM Megamall’s marvellous size lets a huge number of retailers set up their shops here. These include a Uniqlo and an H&M, both of which are three levels high. These two superstores, along with other high-end fashion boutiques, found their home inside the conveniently named Mega Fashion Hall. Aside from the stores, the Mega Fashion Hall is also an esteemed events venue for small fashion shows.
But, that can’t be all there is inside Megamall. Of course not! This mall also has its own exhibit hall called the Megatrade Hall, where notable speciality conventions take place. And, like SM MOA, Megamall has its own Olympic-size ice skating rink, as well. We also established earlier that malls with an IMAX theatre should be really big to house their screens. Guess another mall in the Philippines that has one of these cinemas?
Glorietta is a classic destination in Makati. It is almost a cultural icon, especially among denizens who frequent the Makati CBD throughout the years. Glorietta went through a lot of changes since it opened way back in 1991, and the mall has only seemed to grow in size since then. Just how big was the mall? Well, Glorietta is one of the first malls in the Philippines to house an indoor amusement park, just big enough to house a small roller coaster track!
But, as the saying goes: The more things change, the more they stay the same. After an explosion back in 2007 forced the mall to rebuild, its expansion followed close. From having only four sections, Glorietta birthed its fifth section for an entirely different building not far from the complex. This building adds even more tenants to Glorietta’s growing roster of retailers.
Despite all of that, Glorietta still retains the charm it had through all the years. Its historic activity centre can now accommodate even bigger events, restaurant options are at an all-time high, and attractions seem to increase periodically. Plus, with its integration with its neighbouring stores like Greenbelt, The Landmark, SM Makati, and Rustan’s Makati, retail therapy in Glorietta has never been easier.
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Robinsons Place Manila continues to be a lovely commercial space for Manilenyos. Two historical buildings flank this mall: UP Manila Campus and Philippine General Hospital. It goes without saying that Robinson’s Manila would always have a steady influx of shoppers and visitors because it is very convenient to access.
This mall went through two expansions that significantly boosted retail options for customers. The Padre Faura Wing was the first expansion which continues to be an asset for the mall. Major brands such as Bench, Nike, Anta, and Uniqlo set their shops on this wing. The Pedro Gil Wing has the main mall embedded in it. Customers can find the food court here, as well as a bowling alley. Midtown Atrium was the last of these expansions which houses high-end shops, restaurants, and the activity centre.
Having an indoor amusement park would easily count any mall as one of the biggest malls in the Philippines. Festival Mall has two of these, not counting the small racetrack and the railroad on its ground floor. Fancy riding a Ferris wheel or a high-speed roller coaster while being protected from the elements? Spend a bit of time inside Pixie Forest or X-Site for their rides and games.
Shops like Robinsons Department Store, Savemore Supermarket, and Ace Hardware help bolster the stores inside Festival Mall. But if that’s not enough, Landmark Department Store takes shopping sprees in Festival Mall to new heights. After shopping, shoppers can enjoy the Water Garden which provides a relaxing view after walking through the mall’s boutiques.
SM Seaside City Cebu is a mall fitting for the Queen City of the South. It is the largest shopping mall in Cebu City and ranks fourth among the biggest malls in the Philippines. It’s a fairly new mall which continues to grow popular among Cebuanos.
Its circular main mall has extensions which retailers and restaurants populate to the brim. The Seaside Tower acts as the mall centrepiece and stands at a 147-metre height. Inside this tower are restaurants, cafes, and a viewing deck at the top of Seaside Tower, where diners can relax and take in a truly majestic 360-degree view of the Metro Cebu skyline.
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Ayala Center Cebu acts as the centrepiece for Cebu Business Park. It is one of the most popular malls in the city, with a daily average of 85,000 visitors coming and going through the mall, with estimates reaching as high as 100,000 visitors during weekends. That is a lot of foot traffic!
Good thing that the mall can accommodate all of them at once. With the help of a four-level commercial expansion and a lush garden suited for al fresco dining, Ayala Center Cebu makes it easy for shoppers to choose. The Ayala Center Cebu Tower is also worth a visit, even if it’s just for the multilevel H&M boutique inside!
Davao City also has a contender for the biggest malls in the Philippines. Gaisano Mall of Davao is the largest mall in the King City of the South and in the entirety of Mindanao. This mall boasts six floors of commercial space and a multi-level car park building for its shoppers.
One of the more notable places to visit when at Gaisano Mall of Davao is The Peak. This open space inside the mall is a great place to relax after shopping in one of the many, many stores found in Gaisano Mall. There are also a few al fresco food outlets stationed at The Peak, letting diners enjoy some fresh air.
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SM Lanang Premier was once the site of a golf course. Today, it is an enormous commercial space that welcomes Davaoeños with a wide span of shopping choices and food options. Notably, it is one of the closest malls to Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
The Premier on SM Lanang’s name isn’t just for show either. SM Lanang’s complex has the first SMX Convention Center in the entirety of Mindanao. Aside from this, it also hosts an IMAX theatre and a bowling alley for entertainment. True to the list, SM Lanang also has a dedicated al fresco fountain court.
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The biggest malls in the Philippines possess endless amounts of retail goods and restaurants that are ready to entertain us. The choices can be overwhelming though. So when shopping inside any of these malls, pack a lot of energy and patience. More importantly, resist impulse buying!
Featured image credit: SM Supermalls Official Website
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