Malabon

Malabon is a coastal city in northern Metro Manila, tucked between Navotas and Valenzuela on the edge of Manila Bay. Known as the "Garden of Vegetables" during the Spanish era due to its fertile alluvial soil, Malabon today is a dense, low-lying urban area crisscrossed by rivers and canals — the city is famously flood-prone. Despite its industrial reputation, Malabon preserves a traditional Tagalog urban character with old wooden houses and a strong seafood tradition. The city's climate is the same tropical wet-and-dry pattern as the rest of Metro Manila.

Malabon lies off C-4 Road (McArthur Highway). Jeepneys and buses from Manila's Divisoria and Cubao reach Malabon in 45–90 minutes. By car, take the C-4 Road north from Navotas or the McArthur Highway from Caloocan.

Tricycles are the primary local transport within the city's narrow interior streets. Jeepneys run along the main thoroughfares (C-4, McArthur Highway).

• Malabon Church (Immaculate Conception Parish) — A Spanish-era church built in 1623, rebuilt in the 19th century. Its three-storey façade and bell tower are distinctive landmarks.

• Centro de Malabon — The historic town centre with preserved bahay-na-bato (stone houses) and the old municipal building (now the Museo ng Malabon).

• Museo ng Malabon — A small local museum housed in a heritage building, covering the city's history, fishing industry, and culinary traditions.

• Boat trip along the Malabon River — Rent a small boat (bangka) to explore the riverside communities and get a sense of the "Venice of Malabon" nickname.

• Visit the Malabon Fish Port — Early morning (4–6 AM) to see the day's catch auctioned.

• RGS Breadhaus (Gov. Pascual Avenue) — Famous for soft ensaymada (Filipino brioche with butter and sugar) baked fresh daily. A box of 6 from ₱200.
• Adobo sa Dilaw — Malabon's signature dish: chicken or pork adobo cooked with turmeric (dilaw), giving it a yellow colour. Try at any local karenderia (₱80–120 per serving).
• Pancit Malabon — Thick rice noodles in an orange shrimp-infused sauce topped with oysters, squid, chicharon, and hard-boiled eggs. The original is from Malabon's own Pancit Malabon kiosks (₱100–150).
• Dory's Kitchenette (McArthur Highway) — Affordable Filipino meals including sinigang na baboy and kaldereta (₱100–200).

Sago't gulaman (tapioca in brown sugar water) and buko juice are sold by street vendors throughout the city.

• Budget: Reddoorz Malabon (McArthur Highway, rooms from ₱800).
• Mid-range: OYO 388 Hotel 89 (Potrero, rooms from ₱1,200).

• Malabon Public Market — Fresh seafood — prawns, crabs, bangus (milkfish), and dalagang bukid — at wholesale prices. Also known for the local longganiza (sausage).

• Navotas (10 min by tricycle) — The fishing capital of Metro Manila.
• Valenzuela (15 min by jeepney) — Historic Polo Church and the Valenzuela Museum.
• Bulacan (30 min north by jeepney) — Historic churches and the Barasoain Church in Malolos.