Wondering what to do in Makati for 2 days? Two days are enough to explore the city at a comfortable pace, from Makati’s cultural and shopping districts to its restaurants, cafés and lively evening scene. Start with the city’s central attractions before spending the second day exploring neighbourhoods, local food and places to unwind. This 2-day Makati itinerary keeps nearby stops together and leaves enough time between activities for meals, breaks and spontaneous discoveries.
Your 2-Day Makati Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Makati, Discover Makati Culture, Dining & Nightlife
Morning: Arrival And Check-In
Start the trip close to I’M Hotel rather than heading straight into a full sightseeing schedule. Poblacion gives you restaurants, cafés and nightlife within the neighbourhood, while the nearby Makati CBD adds green spaces, shopping and city views without requiring a long cross-city journey.
- Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and make your way to I’M Hotel at 7862 Makati Ave, Makati City, 1210 Metro Manila, Philippines. The hotel is approximately 7.5 km from NAIA, with actual travel time depending on traffic.
- If you arrive before the 2:00 PM check-in time, leave your luggage with the hotel and keep the morning flexible.
Afternoon: Discover Makati Culture
- Start at Ayala Museum, approximately 1.7 km from I’M Hotel. Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the main galleries, including the museum’s 60 historical dioramas and collections covering Philippine history, archaeology, art and culture. The museum’s pre-colonial gold collection also provides a closer look at the Philippines before Spanish rule.
- Continue to Greenbelt, stroll through the lush pathways of Greenbelt Park, visit the Greenbelt Chapel, browse local and global boutiques, or pause for lunch and coffee at an open-air café.
- Move on to Glorietta, connected seamlessly to Greenbelt. Use the afternoon to browse its expansive retail stores, local craft shops, and dining choices—offering a complete shopping experience in the heart of the district.
- Finish at Ayala Triangle Gardens, approximately 1.1 km from I’M Hotel. The gardens occupy the former Nielson Field, Manila’s first commercial airport, and are now surrounded by the high-rise towers of Makati’s business district. Walk through the landscaped grounds and public monuments before heading back to the hotel.
Evening: Unwind at I’M Onsen Spa, Then Enjoy Dinner and Rooftop Drinks
- Unwind at I’M Onsen Spa, where the Wellness Suites feature two carbonated Onsen pools, a Finnish sauna and a steam room. Allow enough time for your chosen spa experience and confirm your access, treatment reservation and package inclusions in advance. If you have booked a massage, schedule it before dinner so you do not have to rush between activities.
- Have dinner at Osteria M, I’M Hotel’s Filipino-Italian restaurant at the lobby level. The restaurant serves dishes including pasta and pizza and is currently listed as open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. If you have already had lunch here, you can choose another dining outlet or eat in the surrounding neighbourhood instead.
- Continue to Antidote Gastropub on the rooftop for bespoke cocktails, tapas and panoramic views of Manila’s skyline. The bar is known for its luminescent jellyfish tank and currently operates daily from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Reservations are recommended around sunset and on weekends, and the dress code is smart casual.
- Adjust the order to suit your reservations. If sunset views are your priority, visit Antidote Gastropub before your spa session or dinner. If wellness is your main priority, enjoy the Onsen first and finish the evening with dinner and rooftop drinks. Avoid scheduling a long treatment, sunset drinks and a full dinner too close together.
Day 2: Local Makati Experiences Before Departure
Morning: Breakfast and a Slow Start at I’M Hotel
- Start with breakfast at The Common Good Restaurant. Daily buffet breakfast is served from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
- Head to Salcedo Village, known for its tree-lined streets, quiet residential charm, and vibrant café culture. Walk through the peaceful neighbourhood pathways, admire the urban greenery, and experience a softer, more residential side of Makati away from the high-rise central business district.
- Visit the weekend markets (like Salcedo Saturday Market if it lines up with your stay) for local street food and fresh breakfast options.
Lunch: Local Café Selection
Instead of a formal restaurant lunch, spend your midday sampling Makati’s renowned café culture. Choose one of these popular local spots nearby based on your preference:
- Wildflour Café + Bakery: A staple in Makati’s dining scene, famous for its freshly baked breads, pastries, specialty coffee, and hearty brunch-style meals.
- Toby’s Estate: A cozy, relaxed coffee shop offering specialty single-origin coffees, espresso drinks, and light lunch fare in a bright, modern setting.
- The Wholesome Table: Perfect if you prefer clean, organic meals, offering fresh salads, nourishing bowls, and comfort dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Afternoon: Poolside Relaxation And Departure Prep
- Swim at the Mermaid Pool, I’M Hotel’s acrylic-bottom infinity pool on the second floor. The pool has a maximum depth of four feet and overlooks the Makati skyline, making it suitable for a relaxed swim or time on the surrounding loungers. It operates daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and is reserved primarily for registered in-house guests.
- Pack & Prepare for Check-Out: Allow sufficient time to return to your room, pack your luggage, and complete your check-out rather than scheduling another tight attraction immediately after lunch.
- Airport Transfer: Once checked out, travel directly from I’M Hotel to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for your onward flight.
How to Get Around Makati in 2 Days
Makati is relatively easy to navigate, with Poblacion and the central business district forming the main areas covered by this itinerary. For journeys beyond these areas, several transport options are available depending on how much convenience, local experience or flexibility you want.
Airport Transfer
- Price: From PHP 2,300 per trip with I’M Hotel
- Best For: Airport arrivals and departures with luggage
- Route: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ↔ I’M Hotel
- Distance: Approximately 7.5 km
An arranged transfer is useful when you want your first and last journeys in Manila to be straightforward, particularly after a flight or before an early departure. I’M Hotel can arrange the service subject to availability and confirmation, while Grab and taxis provide alternatives if you prefer to book transport independently.
Grab and Taxis
- Price: Approximately PHP 75–500+ per trip, depending on distance, traffic and demand
- Best For: Direct door-to-door journeys
- Ideal For: BGC, Rockwell, airport transfers and destinations outside central Makati
Grab and taxis are the simplest choice when a destination is not convenient to reach on foot or would require several public-transport changes. Grab also allows you to see the estimated fare and pickup location before confirming, which is useful when planning a short itinerary around changing traffic conditions.
MRT-3
- Price: Approximately PHP 6.50–14 per trip under the current 50% fare discount
- Best For: Longer journeys along the EDSA corridor
- Ideal For: Connecting Makati with other parts of Metro Manila
- Nearest Useful Station: Ayala MRT Station
MRT-3 is worth considering when your plans extend beyond Makati and road traffic could significantly affect the journey. It is less relevant for the short distances in the main itinerary, but becomes more useful when connecting with other areas of Metro Manila.
Jeepneys and E-Jeepneys
- Price: From approximately PHP 13 per trip for traditional jeepneys; modern jeepneys have higher minimum fares
- Best For: Short local journeys
- Ideal For: Travellers comfortable with local public transport
- Practical Tip: Check the displayed route before boarding
Jeepneys are a low-cost way to experience everyday transport in Makati, but they are less straightforward for visitors who are unfamiliar with local routes. They work best when you already know your destination and are comfortable confirming the route and drop-off point before boarding.
Buses and One Ayala
- Price: From approximately PHP 15 per trip for BGC Bus services; longer bus and P2P routes cost more
- Best For: Connections beyond central Makati
- Main Hub: One Ayala
- Ideal For: BGC, EDSA corridor and selected Metro Manila destinations
One Ayala is particularly useful when your plans include destinations outside the central Makati area. The hub brings several public transport services together, making it easier to switch between rail and bus connections instead of arranging a separate car for every longer journey.
How Much Do 2 Days in Makati Cost?
Use the table below as a planning guide for a 2-day, 1-night Makati trip based around I’M Hotel. The estimate follows this itinerary, with Day 1 covering Poblacion and the Makati CBD and Day 2 focused on breakfast, wellness and departure. Prices exclude flights and shopping and can vary by travel dates, room type, dining choices and transport.
Category | Reference details | Estimated cost | Total estimated cost |
Accommodation | 1-night stay at I’M Hotel (Classic Studio, Executive Prestige or 1-Bedroom Suite) | Around PHP 4,500–10,000+ per room/night depending on room category and travel dates | Around PHP 4,500–10,000+ per room |
Airport transfer | NAIA ↔ I’M Hotel | From PHP 2,300 per trip (hotel transfer) | From PHP 4,600 return |
Local transport | Grab, taxi, MRT-3, jeepneys or buses around Makati | PHP 100–800 per person | PHP 100–800 per person |
Sightseeing | Ayala Museum, Greenbelt, Glorietta and Ayala Triangle Gardens | Free–PHP 500+ per person | Free–PHP 500+ per person |
Wellness experience | I’M Onsen Spa treatments or selected wellness experiences | Depends on the treatment selected | Optional add-on |
Hotel facilities | Mermaid Pool, fitness centre and selected in-house facilities | Included for hotel guests | PHP 0 |
Small extras | Coffee, snacks and incidental spending | PHP 200–800 per person | PHP 200–800 per person |
Why I’M Hotel Is The Ideal Base For Your 2-Day Makati Itinerary?
I’M Hotel is a luxury 5-star hotel in Makati, offering contemporary accommodation, dining experiences and wellness facilities for travellers exploring the city. Located in Poblacion, the hotel provides a convenient base for a 2-day Makati itinerary, with easy access to the city’s dining, nightlife, shopping and cultural attractions.
For a 2-day Makati itinerary, I’M Hotel offers different room categories to match different travel needs, from travellers looking for a convenient city base to guests who prefer more space for a relaxed stay:
- Classic Studio: Features a practical studio layout with a comfortable sleeping area and essential amenities, making it suitable for solo travellers and couples looking for a convenient base to explore Makati’s attractions, dining and nightlife.
- Executive Prestige: Offers a more spacious 40 sqm layout with a dedicated workspace and added living comfort, ideal for business travellers or guests combining a short Makati getaway with remote work or longer downtime in the room.
- 1-Bedroom Suite: Provides a separate bedroom and living area for added privacy and space, making it a suitable choice for couples planning a more comfortable stay or small families who prefer extra room during their city break.
Travellers can relax at the Mermaid Pool, enjoy wellness experiences at I’M Onsen Spa Wellness Suites, or dine and enjoy evening drinks at Osteria M and Antidote Gastropub. For guests looking to combine city exploration with a more relaxing getaway, the Ultimate Spacation package offers a convenient way to enjoy both accommodation and leisure experiences during their Makati stay.
A 2-day Makati itinerary works best when sightseeing, dining and downtime are planned within nearby areas rather than packed into a long list of stops. From Ayala Museum and Greenbelt to Poblacion’s cafés, restaurants and nightlife, two days give you enough time to see different sides of the city while still leaving space to slow down.
Staying at I’M Hotel keeps many of these experiences within easy reach, while the Mermaid Pool, I’M Onsen Spa, Osteria M and Antidote Gastropub give you options to relax, dine and spend the evening without adding another journey to the day.
