10 Best Things To Do In Paranaque, Philippines

things to do in paranaque philippines
Maria Lona
Maria Lona 
Updated
| 5 min read

Paranaque is one of the most important points of navigation in the Philippines. The hub from which the international airport is lodged, used to be a place where traditional livelihoods flourished. Due to its propinquity to the shores, trading with Indonesians, Malays, Indians, and Chinese was made possible. Items such as rice, salt, fish, shoes, slippers and weaved materials were common things that were traded then.

It has been a center for trading, and up to this day, Paranaque continues to be one. Baclaran is one of the busiest market places in the country today, and seaside restaurants are a must-visit. Additionally, one of the most active parishes in the metro, Baclaran Church, is also located here. When visiting the metro, these are some places to go.

1. Play with some of Dreamworks favorites at DreamPlay

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

As Metro Manila transitions into Alert Level 1 today, March 1, we are pleased to announce that DreamPlay will be...

Posted by DreamPlay on Monday, February 28, 2022

If you’re a fan of Dreamworks and their various films, you’re in for a treat at DreamPlay. Located inside the City of Dreams, this theme park has integrated live and digital play spaces that feature many of Dreamwork’s iconic and popular characters from Kung Fu Panda to How to Train Your Dragon.

Some attractions you’ll find include the Dreamtheater, Dreamworks Dreamtales, Shrek’s Swamp Stomp, and Wall of Destiny. With so many iconic characters and great attractions, DreamPlay guarantees that both adults and children will have a lot of fun. DreamPlay regularly posts updates about their establishment on either their website or Facebook page. We recommend you check out these websites to be up-to-date on current events around this attraction.

DreamPlay

Address: Aseana Ave, Tambo, Parañaque, Metro Manila

Website: DreamPlay

Opening hours: 4am - 12:05am (daily)

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2. Enjoy The Fountain at Okada Manila's dancing waters at night

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Fountain, The Promise | Okada Manila

Did you know that The Fountain takes its name and shape from the country’s national flower? As water and light dance, The Fountain blossoms into a massive sampaguita, forming eight mini-petals and four bigger ones—each of them dangling magnificently mid-air, as if aware of its splendor and grace. The Fountain, like the sampaguita, is a symbol of promise and devotion to service.

Posted by Okada Manila on Thursday, June 11, 2020

The Fountain is an additional treat given by Okada Manila to its guests and visitors. One of the many highlights of the famous casino resort, The Fountain truly shines once the sun goes down. Starting at 6pm, The Fountain will conduct a fountain show where its waters dance to the tune of one song which makes for not only a great view, especially from the resort’s hotel rooms, but would also make for a great photo opportunity.

To top it all off, these shows are conducted every hour until the clock strikes 10pm, or until midnight if it’s Friday and Saturday.

The Fountain at Okada Manila

Address: Okada Manila, Parañaque, Metro Manila

Website: Okada Manila

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3. Vows of forever at St. Andrews Cathedral

Posted by The Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew on Friday, 25 November 2011

The seat of Catholicism in the city of Paranaque is otherwise the Diocesan Shrine of the Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso. Established on May 11, 1580, for the sole purpose of allowing the Augustinian missionaries to convert the natives to Roman Catholicism, the mission house was made official and declared Paranaque (Palanyag at that time) as an independent town and hence declared it as the Parish of St. Andrew the Apostle. St. Andrew was chosen to be the patron saint as he is believed to be the patron saint of fishermen.

The parish actually covers cities of Las Pinas, Paranaque, and Muntinlupa. There was a time in 1662 when the Chinese pirate, Koxinga, terrorized Manila. Governor de Lara ordered the demolition of all stone churches including convents outside of Intramuros to strengthen Manila’s defense against the threat and hinder the adversary from using the structures for their defense. It was only after the 4 centuries reign of the Augustinian friars that vivid changes were made by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Replacements were actually made in the altar, where a dome was designed to house the structure of the cross signifying the presence of Jesus in the midst of the span. In 994, this was again replaced by an enthroned image of the Lady of Buen Suceso in the center Tabernacle. And in 1997, this was once again redesigned with a touch of the baroque style and the addendum of the image of St. Andrew the Apostle, found on the right-hand side of the altar, while the image of St. Joseph is found on the left and the image of Our Lady of Buen Suceso at the center.

A massive renovation happened in 2005 which led to the establishment of the separate side chapels for the altar. The addition of the vibrant colored stained glass windows depicting the life of Jesus has intensified the aura from within. The marble replacements on the floor add to the grand sight that you see, where roofs and ceiling also served as color palettes of sights fitting for a shrine. The addition of the air-conditioning units will cool you down as the metro heats up and the people surge in the area. This transformed site is best for a vow you will have to make and keep forever.

St. Andrews Cathedral

Address: Quirino Avenue, La Huerta, Parañaque 1700

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4. Crossroads for an artistic expression

Gallery view

Posted by Wendi Garcia on Thursday, 8 September 2016

Rarely do you see a venue solely designed for the purpose of expression. Kulay (color); Diwa (spirit or thought) is a privately owned venue for large-scale art exhibits; an outdoor garden that is ideal for cultural programs, performances or sculpture installations. This is a place which serves as a cultural outpost making arts accessible to people from the south of Manila.

This also serves as a place of cultural interactions which come from the local regions, within Southeast Asia or from any other part of the world. Arts in any form and style that are expressed in so many varied ways for you to interpret are well showcased here, where you can enjoy, or even bring them home to share or remember forever.

Kulay Diwa Gallery

Address: 25 Lopez Avenue, Lopez Village, Sucat, Parañaque, 1700

Website: Kulay Diwa Gallery

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5. Food and art asylum

We think it's a great idea to have dinner at an art gallery tonight.

Posted by Artists Haven on Friday, 24 July 2015

Time to take a break after a long day of hosting art workshops! Hope everyone had a blast creating and learning new things with us.

Posted by Artists Haven on Saturday, 15 August 2015

An IG-worth 2 story cafe and art gallery is a great experience for most people who love art and food. The pink colored walls at one point, the curated artworks and the fascinating cuts, winds, and curves of the place are all a fun to be around. Tables and chairs that come in all sizes and shapes, with colors that come in dots or in floral patterns will surely make your day memorable. As colorful as the location, the menu is a lineup of varied propositions to a craving soul.

You should be able to try the artists’ titled menu of an oil-based spaghetti pasta with bits of chicken and mushrooms, which they call Andy Warhol’s Mushroom Pasta, which would cost you about USD 5.60. Or you can try the all-time favorite lechon kawali dubbed as Monalisa’s Cheeks, which is at USD 3.90. So try to drop by the Artists Gallery!

Artists Gallery

Address: 190 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque 1700

Facebook: Artists Gallery

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6. Playbook Video Game Lounge and Bookshop

Posted by PlayBook Video Game Lounge + Bookshop on Monday, 15 May 2017

Millennials could probably never stand just sitting down, doing nothing. Playbook allows the fingers to tinker on the keys, to lift you up, and even cry out for the win. The tech-y children of the present generation would be the most likely to appreciate a visit to this site, where they could unleash their energies in a few ways.

The bookworms of the past or maybe some from the present could dig into the pages of the numerous selections made available for the patrons. With all that has been going on in the new world, this side of Paranaque you should see and conquer.

Playbook

Address: 2nd Floor, Pergola Mall, BF Homes, Aguirre Ave, Parañaque, 1720 Metro Manila

Website: Playbook

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7. Feel a sense of calmness in the busy streets

Posted by Yoga Philippines on Thursday, 2 March 2017

Most physical exercises have always proven that the body’s happy hormones soar high after an encounter with overcoming the self. Yoga Philippines will bring you to an experience where one can be, rather than do, and where one becomes more aware, rather than always coming into action.

You can actually have sessions not only for yourself but also for the children. Or perhaps you might like to have duo session with your partners. Somehow, these several sessions with yoga experts will bring you to a more tranquil sense of who you are, a sense of calmness that exudes from within.

Yoga Philippines

Address: Aguirre Ave, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

Website: Yoga Philippines

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8. An all-season destination at the metro

Explore the marine wonders of the Oceanarium tunnel, only at Manila Ocean Park. #MOPMoments Photo by Mikal Mian

Posted by Manila Ocean Park on Saturday, 29 April 2017

In this part of Paranaque, the first world-class marine theme park and premiere educational facility rests; Manila Ocean Park. With the ocean-themed hotel and the tunnel, from which you see the different aquatic animals gliding gracefully under the waters, brings you that holiday where the peak of fun is suitable for all ages.

Manila Ocean Park

Address: Manila Ocean Park, Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd, Ermita Manila, Philippines 1000

Website: Manila Ocean Park

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9. Wildlife sanctuary in the National Capital Region

Black-winged Stilts April 2, 2017 Las Pinas Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area

Posted by Randy Ladaga on Wednesday, 12 April 2017

It is quite odd to see a sanctuary within the city, and the metro at that. At the stretch of the Manila-Cavite Expressway is a parcel of green from which behind it, are a variety of species of birds. Get up close with these lingering graceful creatures feeding on insects and small seashells that abound in the area. Drop by the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area to see some of nature’s beautiful creatures.

Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area

Address: Freedom Island Trail (Rail Road), Parañaque, Metro Manila

Website: LPPCHEA

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10. Seal that Paranaque moment with a good bite from the streets

This is a place where the best barbecue sauce has been enticing customers from all walks of life and regardless of their status within society. People on wheels who might look like they are going to a chic restaurant, would leave you asking ‘what’s in this grub?’ It’s just the char-grilled meat-on-a-stick meals that keep people coming back for more. Quite a great place to seal the day and wind down. Grab a stick at Mang Raul’s!

Mang Raul's

Address: BF Almanza Village, Las Pinas City, Metro Manila 1750

Facebook: Mang Raul’s BBQ Haus

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Take a casual tour in Paranaque

9439BF Homes, Sucat, Parañaque City 31
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Judgefloro used under CC0

Usual ways of spending time for a day can be as exciting as you want them to be. Just follow our list to fun and create your own great memories in Paranaque!

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Have a tasty private dinner at Linamnam MNL

Contributed by Trip101 Traveler, Pamela Loh

Source: Pamela Loh

I had been looking forward to the private dining tasting menu at Linamnam. The 11-course tasting menu featuring Filipino food uses all locally sourced produce. It was created by the young and talented chef, Don Baldósanos. What a treat it was. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re planning to visit Metro Manila.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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An educator who never believes that a doctorate degree is enough to explore a wonderful world. A mother of three who loves to bake, design and learn new things each day and an adventurer who never...Read more

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