Quezon City

Quezon City (QC) is the largest city in Metro Manila by both area (161 km²) and population (over 2.9 million). It served as the capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976 and remains the seat of the House of Representatives and key national institutions (BSP, IBON). QC is a study in contrasts: the old Commonwealth-era administrative core around the Quezon Memorial Circle; the bustling shopping districts of Cubao, Trinoma, and SM North; the bohemian food-and-art strips of Maginhawa and Katipunan; and the sprawling gated subdivisions that house much of Metro Manila's middle class. The city's climate matches Metro Manila's tropical wet-and-dry pattern.

Quezon City is Metro Manila's best-connected suburb. MRT-3 (North Avenue, Cubao, Kamuning) and LRT-2 (Anonas, Katipunan) crisscross the city. Major bus terminals (Cubao) serve provincial routes to Baguio, the Ilocos region, the Cagayan Valley, and the Bicol region. By car, EDSA, Quezon Avenue, and the Commonwealth–Aurora corridor are the main arteries.

Jeepneys, buses, and tricycles are ubiquitous. The MRT/LRT lines are convenient but crowded during peak hours. Grab is widely available.

• Quezon Memorial Circle — A 27-hectare national park at the centre of QC, dominated by the 66-m-tall Quezon Memorial Shrine. The park contains a museum, a planetarium, jogging paths, and a weekend market. Free entry.

• Art in Island (Cubao) — A 3D interactive art museum with over 200 trompe-l'œil murals. Great for photos. Entry ₱500. Open daily.

• Eastwood City — A walkable urban township with shops, cinemas, restaurants, and a nightlife strip. Adjacent to the east side of QC.

• Araneta Coliseum (Cubao) — A historic domed arena built in 1960, one of the largest indoor venues in Asia. Hosts boxing, concerts, and sporting events.

• Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center (Quezon Avenue) — A 22-hectare nature reserve with a zoo, botanical garden, and fishponds. Entry ₱50. Open Tue–Sun 8AM–5PM.

• Food crawl in Maginhawa — The epicentre of QC's food scene: dozens of restaurants in a single street strip, from ramen to burritos to Filipino fusion.

• Catch a concert at the Araneta Coliseum — Check the schedule for local and international acts.

• Visit the weekend markets — The Quezon Memorial Circle Sunday market (organic produce, crafts) and the Maginhawa Sunday food market.

• Jog at the La Mesa Ecopark — A 33-hectare forest park with a lagoon, biking trails, and a canopy walk. Entry ₱50.

• Eat & Grease (Maginhawa) — Filipino comfort food: lechon kawali, sisig, and crispy pata. Main courses ₱200–400.
• Silya de Roda (Maginhawa) — Vintage-themed café serving Filipino breakfast and desserts. Try the ube pancakes. ₱250–400.
• Hapag (Maginhawa) — Modern Filipino fine dining with tasting menus (₱1,200–1,800 per head). Book ahead.
• North Park (Cubao and Tomas Morato) — Famous for wonton noodle soup and dim sum. ₱200–400 per order.

• Tomas Morato (Timog Avenue area) — QC's bar-and-club strip. B-Side, Fiama, and Tipple & Slaw are popular. Beer from ₱80.
• Coffee at Katipunan — The Katipunan Avenue area (near Ateneo and Miriam College) has dozens of cafés ideal for studying and socializing.

• Budget: Z Hostel Cubao (Gen. Romulo Street, dorm beds ₱500–700); Tambayan Capsule Hotel (Cubao, pods ₱500–800).
• Mid-range: Seda Vertis North (North Avenue, rooms from ₱4,000); Hotel Rembrandt (Timog Avenue, rooms from ₱2,500).
• Upscale: Novotel Manila Araneta Center (Cubao, rooms from ₱5,000); Joy Nostalg Hotel (Eastwood, rooms from ₱6,000).

• SM North EDSA (the Philippines' first SM mall) and Trinoma — Two massive adjoining malls at North Avenue with hundreds of shops, restaurants, and cinemas.
• Cubao X — A creative hub in a retro compound with vintage stores, art galleries, coffee shops, and pop-up markets. Great for local designer goods.
• Farmers Market (Cubao) — One of QC's largest fresh-produce markets.

• Manila (20 min via MRT/LRT) — Historic Intramuros and Binondo.
• Banana Island (Banana Island, Pasig River) — A small resort island with pools and weekend events.
• Bulacan (1 hour north by bus) — Barasoain Church (Malolos) and the Biak-na-Bato National Park.