Part of Metro Manila, Pasay is a high-energy city brimming with busy markets, neon-lit karaoke bars and sprawling mega-malls. It's a great base for exploring the Filipino capital and is surrounded by family-friendly amusement parks, world-class art galleries and colonial churches.

Things to do

Pasay City is home to the SM Mall of Asia, one of the biggest shopping centres on the planet. Inside you'll find hundreds of retailers, plus an IMAX theatre, food court and Olympic-size ice-skating rink.

Star City Amusement Park is one of Manila's top family-friendly attractions. It's perched on the banks of Manila Bay and is loaded with thrill rides, including the Star Flyer inverted roller coaster and the Jungle Splash log flume ride. Guests can also enjoy paintball, laser tag and arcade games.

At sunset, join locals as they stroll along Baywalk, a waterfront promenade lined with open-air cafes and street-food stalls. It's a great place to pick up colourful souvenirs and sample Filipino specialties like roasted "lechon" pork and multicoloured "halo-halo" shaved ice desserts.

There's plenty of culture to soak up in Pasay City. As you stroll around the downtown core, you'll see landmarks like the Baroque-style Malate Church that watches over Plaza Rajah Sulayman. From here you can walk to the GSIS Museum of Art, which showcases everything from colonial paintings to contemporary sculptures.

Getting around

Pasay City is located six kilometres from Manila. Jeepneys are the most popular mode of local transport, but you can also ride buses and metro trains to Manila in around 45 minutes.