Visit National Library of the Philippines
Manila, Philippines • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Apr, Dec
24°C – 33°C, hot and humid, with occasional pre-monsoon rain showers, high crowds, peak season
24°C – 33°C, hot and humid, with occasional pre-monsoon rain showers, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Wheelchair ramps, elevators, and seating are available throughout.
Wheelchair ramps, elevators, and seating are available throughout.
Value for money
High
Free entry makes it a highly valuable experience.
Free entry makes it a highly valuable experience.
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Quiet Retreat
Couples found the library a peaceful escape, perfect for shared moments of discovery.
Rich History
Travelers loved exploring the historical documents and Rizal's manuscripts together.
Free Access
Visitors appreciated the free entry, making it an accessible cultural experience.
No Browsing
Some couples missed browsing the shelves; the system felt impersonal.
Limited Access
The library's weekday hours made it inaccessible for some couples' schedules.
Rainy Days
Couples noted that heavy rain could make travel to the library difficult.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
BOOK
KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
MEDIUM
23-30°C
December is dry season, bringing cooler temperatures, low rainfall, and comfortable conditions.
December is dry season, bringing cooler temperatures, low rainfall, and comfortable conditions.
Open
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on national holidays when the library is closed. Valid ID is required for entry.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on national holidays when the library is closed. Valid ID is required for entry.
Recommended
December offers the best weather for visiting, but check holiday schedules as the library closes on official holidays.
December offers the best weather for visiting, but check holiday schedules as the library closes on official holidays.
January
MEDIUM
22-30°C
Cool and mostly dry, comfortable for walking and sightseeing. Rain is infrequent.
Cool and mostly dry, comfortable for walking and sightseeing. Rain is infrequent.
Open
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Recommended
January offers pleasant weather and moderate crowds. The National Library operates weekdays, making it ideal for research or cultural visits.
January offers pleasant weather and moderate crowds. The National Library operates weekdays, making it ideal for research or cultural visits.
February
LOW
22-31°C
Dry and slightly warmer, with sunshine and comfortable humidity. Minimal rainfall.
Dry and slightly warmer, with sunshine and comfortable humidity. Minimal rainfall.
Open
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Recommended
February is ideal for focused library visits and research, with dry weather and low crowd levels.
February is ideal for focused library visits and research, with dry weather and low crowd levels.
March
MEDIUM
23-32°C
Warm and dry, with increasing sun and slightly higher humidity. Occasional short showers.
Warm and dry, with increasing sun and slightly higher humidity. Occasional short showers.
Open
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Closed on weekends and national holidays. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. ID registration required for entry.
Recommended
March is suitable for visits, though temperatures rise. Expect moderate crowds as summer approaches.
March is suitable for visits, though temperatures rise. Expect moderate crowds as summer approaches.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Car
Taxi
Train
Walking
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required