Malate, Manila

A historic district by the bay. Malate is a district in the southern part of the city of Manila, stretching between Manila Bay and the older quarters to the north. With roots in the Spanish colonial era, it grew into a fashionable residential and entertainment neighbourhood in the twentieth century and remains one of the city's most characterful areas, mixing heritage churches, old houses, hotels and nightlife.

Church and plaza at its heart. The district centres on the Malate Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies, a weathered stone church of Baroque character facing a plaza and, beyond it, the open expanse of the bay. The surrounding streets preserve pockets of prewar architecture alongside newer developments, and the nearby Rajah Sulayman Park and bay-side promenade recall the area's long relationship with the sea.

A quarter of many moods. Malate has long had a reputation for its restaurants, bars and clubs, drawing a cosmopolitan crowd in the evenings, while by day it is quieter, with students, churchgoers and residents going about their lives. It sits close to Manila's museums, universities and the tourist belt of Ermita, forming part of the walkable heart of the old city near the waterfront.

Visiting. Malate is easily reached from Ermita and Rizal Park, and is well placed for watching the famous sunsets over Manila Bay from the seafront. There is no admission to the district; costs range from cheap eateries to mid-priced hotels and bars. The area rewards wandering on foot, though care with traffic and personal belongings is sensible after dark. Combine a visit with the neighbouring bay walk and the churches and plazas of the surrounding historic districts. Antique shops and old apartment buildings line some of the side streets, hinting at the district's fashionable past.