Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines

Visit duration: 1 hr 30 min Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Malacañang Palace

Malacañang Palace (officially Malacañan Palace) is the official residence and main workplace of the President of the Philippines, in Manila's San Miguel district along Jose Laurel Street. The first building was a summer house built in 1750 by Don Luis José de la Rocha Camiña. The state bought it in 1825 as the Spanish governor-general's summer residence, and after the 1863 earthquake it became the seat of Spanish colonial rule. Since 1863 it has been occupied by eighteen Spanish governors-general, fourteen American governors and the presidents of the Philippines.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The palace complex includes many mansions and office buildings, largely in the bahay na bato and neoclassical styles. Kalayaan Hall holds the Presidential Museum and Library, formerly the Malacañang Museum and the official repository of presidential memorabilia, formed in 2004 by merging the Presidential Museum with the Malacañang Library. Its Gallery of Presidents covers every president from Emilio Aguinaldo to the present, with clothing, personal effects, gifts, publications and documents, as well as artwork and furniture from the palace collections.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

Common questions

Is there a museum at Malacañang Palace?

Yes, the Presidential Museum and Library in Kalayaan Hall.

Where it is

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Nearby

Within 8 min on foot

1 hr 30 min
1 min walk
Presidential Museum and Library
- Must see
- Museum
45 min
5 min walk
San Miguel Church
- Must see
- Historic site
45 min
8 min walk
Commission on the Filipino Language historical marker
- Notable
- Historic site