Intramuros at Night: 10 Things to Do in the Walled City

Intramuros at night transforms into a unique mix of romance and mystery. Its cobblestone streets, illuminated by Spanish colonial-style lamps, offer a serene stroll past centuries-old churches.

Yet, the historic Walled City also hides tales of intrigue and the paranormal. Visitors exploring after sundown may encounter sites that evoke curiosity, history, and spine-tingling stories.

Also read: 14 Haunted Places in the Philippines & the Stories Behind These

Haunted Intramuros spots to check out at night

Intramuros is home to centuries-old buildings and historic landmarks. Many carry stories of the past that can feel eerie, but they provide valuable insight into the city’s rich history. Night visitors should tread carefully and respectfully while exploring these sites.

1. Observe the relics inside the San Agustin Museum

Image credit: San Agustin Museum Official Facebook Page

Located beside San Agustin Church, San Agustin Museum hosts relics that are integral to the history of the Catholic faith and its role in developing Intramuros. Among these relics are hymnals, texts, and other items for rituals to conduct masses and other duties for priests who practice inside San Agustin Church.

Among its exhibits are robes and religious garments historically worn by priests, along with statues of saints. The displays provide insight into the museum’s sacred heritage, though some items may feel unsettling to sensitive visitors.

Also read: 10 Stunning Churches in the Philippines Every Pinoy Must Visit

2. Dine inside Ristorante Delle Mitre

Image credit: Ristorante Delle Mitre Official Facebook Page

Continuing with relics and their characteristics, Ristorante Delle Mitre features these items and more inside their restaurant this time. The food they serve is good, no doubt. But for some people, being surrounded by saints that stare into you while dining is just awkward. It doesn’t help that there are framed robes of priests who have since been long gone. So make sure to order their best-seller for a bit of reprieve.

Also read: 10 Classic Restaurants in Intramuros for Timeless Filipino Cuisine

3. Visit Fort Santiago at night

Image credit: Intramuros Administration Official Facebook Page

For a disturbing walk in the past, Fort Santiago has activities and shrines inside it that detail what went through inside the structure. This fort was built during the Spanish colonial period and served as a prison which saw a lot of use throughout the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations. A majority of the prisoners were tortured and executed inside the fort’s very walls. Most notably, this is where Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal spent the last few days before his execution. Fort Santiago preserves historical cells and relics from its time as a prison during Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations. Visitors can learn about these historical events, including Jose Rizal’s imprisonment before his execution.

Also read: The Dungeon of Fort Santiago Now Open to Fully Vaccinated Visitors

4. Pass by the many universities inside Intramuros

Image credit: Lyceum of the Philippines Official Facebook Page

Many college students stay late inside Intramuros at night to accomplish scholastic duties. But there are certain times that they would wish they were at home instead rather than inside these academic institutions for rather terrifying reasons.

There are four colleges inside the Walled City: Mapua Insititute of Technology, Lyceum of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and Collegio de San Juan de Letran. While entirely different schools, each of them have one thing in common: urban legends. The universities inside Intramuros have inspired local urban legends, from mysterious figures to ghost stories passed down through generations.

5. Visit any of the nearby historic buildings outside the Walled City

Image credit: patrickroque01

Once you conclude your tour around Intramuros at night, you can visit a number of historical buildings that also have rich stories to tell. You can always visit any museum at the National Museum Complex for stories about history. But for our pick, one of the most dread-inducing structures in Manila has to be the Manila City Hall or the Manila Post Office.

Just a few minutes outside the Walled City, Manila City Hall is another old structure that sits right in the heart of Manila. Many employees recount that the building is home to many spectral figures and that certain areas experience sudden temperature drops. Needless to say, not a lot of the workers stay in for long once office hours are done.

As for the Manila Post Office, a lot of guards on night patrol in the building dread looking inside its rooms. Reports of objects being knocked over and areas where breathing is constricting seem common inside the post office. Reports of unusual occurrences, such as unexplained noises or objects moving on their own, have been shared by some night-shift staff.

Also read: Dark Tourism in the Philippines: What Is It, And Is It Ethical?

Intramuros at night: a classic beauty

Of course, you can always enjoy Intramuros under the veil of the night without the scares. Its mysterious nature is made more alluring by its Spanish colonial-inspired street lamps. While yes, it can be terrifying in certain places, there is no denying that Intramuros is a different character once the sun sets. Visit these places to calm your nerves if things get too scary!

6. Have dinner at La Cathedral Cafe

Image credit: La Cathedral Cafe Official Facebook Page

Before you begin your journey inside Intramuros at night, fueling your stomach is always a good idea. For a hearty meal and an atmospheric night, dine beside the belfries of Manila Cathedral at La Cathedral Cafe. This rooftop dining space provides a scenic view of Intramuros. Its proximity to the cathedral belfries makes it a great spot for photos, too.

7. Attend an evening service inside the Manila Cathedral

Image credit: The Manila Cathedral Official Facebook Page

Looking for immediate refuge in Intramuros? Why not visit the Manila Cathedral during evening services? It is certainly an important site for Filipino Catholics and one of the most beautiful places inside the Walled City, especially the plaza at night. Should you need a few blessings, go inside and meditate in this bastion of faith and strength for guidance.

8. Chill on top of the Sky Deck

Image credit: The Bayleaf Intramuros Official Facebook Page

If you find a hangover more horrific than ghosts and ghouls, you can chill on top of the Sky Deck. This rooftop bar at the top of The Bayleaf Intramuros is known for its scenic, 360-degree view of Manila. Apart from the alcohol, Sky Deck also serves impressive food choices, offering a menu filled with modern Filipino fusion for hungry patrons. The Sky Deck features panoramic 360-degree views of Manila, live acoustic performances on weekends, and occasional themed events.

Also read: 9 Haunted Hotels in the Philippines for a Spooky Staycation

9. Play golf at the Club Intramuros Golf Course

Image credit: Club Intramuros Golf Course Official Facebook Page

If you want to try out playing golf but easily get irritated by the heat of the sun, you can book your tee times at Club Intramuros Golf Course during the evening. The greenery is more than well-lit and the breeze is much cooler. Time your smashes right to avoid having your golf ball land in the spine-chilling water though!

10. Leave the Walled City through the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge

Image credit: patrickroque01

Maybe Intramuros at night is too scary for you and you want to hightail it out of the Walled City. If you’re looking for an escape route, pass through the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge. This tied-arch bridge is barely a year old but is one of the most popular landmarks in Manila. While the bridge is impressive to see in daylight, it shines at night when its lights turn on. Not only are the bridge lights pretty to look at, but they also serve as a beacon to guide the lost. Plus, the bridge is a great shortcut to the Chinese restaurants in Binondo!

Also read: 10 Things to Do in Binondo, Manila — the Oldest Chinatown in the World

We can only hope that visiting Intramuros at night is a way to get to know the historic city intimately. But in this case, intimacy comes at a cost. One gets to know every detail, with some being more gruesome than others. Regardless, the stories we learn in the Walled City should be taken as lessons rather than just trivia. Intramuros wouldn’t be as interesting without its history, after all.

Also a word of advice: Don’t look behind you.

Featured image credit: Andrey Khrobostov via Canva Pro
Facebook image credit (L-R): Rschdsltng; La Cathedral Cafe | Official Facebook Page