10 Must-Visit Attractions in Bonifacio Global City

Uptown Mall

I visited BGC or Bonifacio Global City with my friends a week ago for the first time and I wished I could have done it sooner. I stayed at Red Planet BGC the Fort and I wrote this blog post as to why you should consider staying at Red Planet hotels when traveling.

Situated in the center of Taguig City, Bonifacio Global City is a 240-hectare mixed-use complex carefully planned and designed to be the nation's premier central business and lifestyle zone. It completely redefines what it means to live, work, and play in the modern era with its quaint and inspiring residential neighborhoods, convenient access to top-notch dining, shopping, and entertainment options, and residence to some of the best corporate buildings in the metro. BGC is proud to be known as "A City with a Soul," complete with verdant parks, wide-open areas, a bustling street scene, and public artwork like its iconic sculptures and murals. Everything you need is easily accessible inside the 15-minute community.

For this post, I am sharing 10 must-visit attractions near Bonifacio Global City that are less than 20 minutes away from Red Planet BCG either by walking or by car. 

Mistukoshi  Mall at night

Mistukoshi Mall (7 minutes walk)

Mitsukoshi hopes to overtake Bonifacio Global City as the premier lifestyle destination. The four-story mall offers fresh and sophisticated shopping experiences for patrons who live in today's fast-paced and interesting world.

The mall features a variety of Japanese brands and offer a merchant selection that includes designer labels as well as the top local and international retail names.

I wanted to go here for the longest time ever since the mall went viral on social media and I had a glimpse of it last 2023. I attended an event wherein their office is located in front of Mistukoshi Mall but I had no guts to ask the host if I could skip the event for a little while and go to the mall. So it has been added to my go-to places if ever I'll go to Manila. I really like the mall though it might be a bit bare but I totally forgot to visit their supermarket that sells cream sandwiches and other Japanese food and desserts.

Opening hours: 

Mon to Fri: 11am to 10pm

Sat, Sun, and Holidays: 10am to 10pm

Address: 8th Ave. Corner 36th St. Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig

Uptown Mall - Bonifacio (8 minutes walk)

Megaworld Lifestyle Mall's flagship store is the ultimate lifestyle and leisure destination in BGC. Since its debut, Uptown Bonifacio's excellent shopping and dining options have drawn tourists, curious people, and epicures. Uptown Mall offers a unique shopping experience. They offer five levels of entertainment, dining, and shopping options, skillfully combining upscale luxury with local businesses' coziness and familiarity.

Aside from experiencing culinary journey whenever you dine at Uptown Mall because there's a restaurant to cater to every palate, their entertainment offerings are also top-notch. The entertainment options at Uptown Mall are excellent. The five cutting-edge theaters, two of which have Dolby Atmos, will be enjoyed by moviegoers. Try the Boozy Bar's beverage service to your seat and the Ultra Cinema's fully reclining Lazy Boy seats if you're searching for a high-end experience.

Opening hours: 

Sun to Thu 10am to 10pm

Fri to Sat 10am to 11pm

Address: 36th Street, 9th Avenue, Taguig

The Turf (12 minutes walk)

"Anyone who enjoys a good workout or football should visit Turf BGC." "It demonstrates that BGC is not only a thriving commercial center but also a varied neighborhood that encourages a healthy lifestyle in general," stated Jun Galvez, Executive Director of the Bonifacio Global City Estate Association.

All things considered, Turf BGC is evidence of BGC's endeavors to support and encourage a balanced lifestyle that includes employment, recreation, and general wellness.

Opening hours: Everyday 6am to 12am

Address: 8th Avenue, Taguig

Serenda (17 minutes walk or 6 minutes by car)

Located inside a breathtaking 12-hectare garden community, Serendra Piazza, also called the Shops at Serendra, is a spectacular blend of European architecture and traditional Philippine aesthetics, perfectly situated in the heart of Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. Serendra, created by Ayala Land, Inc., is a wonderful and picturesque location for both locals and tourists to explore. Its design is a fusion of the quaint "bahay na bato" stone cottages of the Philippines with the master plans for Berlin Strasse and Tegel Harbor from Germany.

For individuals who prefer calm places to sit and unwind or long, leisurely hikes, Serendra's pleasant outdoor atmosphere is ideal. Because it is an outdoor mall, you might not enjoy very hot or rainy days.

Serendra is a thriving neighborhood, a culinary paradise, a scenic location, and a place to unwind outside.

Opening hours: 

Mon to Thu 10am to 9pm

Fri to Sun 10am to 10pm

Address: 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

One Bonifacio High Street (17 minutes walk or 9 minutes by car)

In Bonifacio Global City, something new emerges that fulfills the live-work-play promise of the city and personifies its mission as the Home of Passionate Minds. One Bonifacio High Street is a stunning five-level lifestyle mall that is home to exciting additions to BGC's retail line-up, Instagram-worthy cafes, and an art deco-inspired food hall.

It is a one-kilometer street lined with great places to eat and buy. The main street concept was originally introduced in a shopping area in the nation, Bonifacio High Street. It is the center of numerous passions, including technology, home, eating, fashion, health, and beauty, among many others.

Opening hours: 

Fri to Sat 11am to 11pm

* Food merchants may open until 12am

Sun to Thu 11am to 9pm

* Food merchants may open until 10pm

Address: 5th Ave. Corner 28th BGC, Taguig City Located along 5th Ave. beside PSE Building Near The Shangri-La at The Fort and The Mind Museum

Can you believe this "mural' is made of books?

Bonifacio Global City Murals (6 minutes by car)

Wander around the city and take in the colorful portrayals of people's dreams. Since it's spread all over the area, the exact location of each mural can be found here.

The nonprofit Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) was founded in November 1996 with the mission of promoting the arts and sciences as a means of improving the quality of life in communities and the country. The goal of BAFI's art program is to transform the public's perception of space by incorporating creative art into ordinary events. It emphasizes how expressive the performing and visual arts are. The urban environment is a vivid canvas full of beautiful murals, outdoor sculptures, diverse street artists, art-filled fairs, lively community theater groups, and art centers.

Dalagang Pilipina Ang Gerilya 2022

Market! Market! (6 minutes by car)

Countless options at reasonable costs. In addition to the standard dining, shopping, and entertainment options, Market! Market! is the location of numerous outlet and discount businesses, a hawker's market, and themed bazaars. Filled with personality and exuberance, this place promises fantastic buys, unusual shopping experiences, and exotic things.

This 9.7-hectare area is a unique fusion of a modern mall and local bazaar tucked away in the center of Bonifacio Global City that was established in 2004.

Opening hours: 

Mon to Thu 10am to 9pm

Fri to Sun 10am to 10pm

Address: McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Gasahapon machines at Mitsukoshi mall

Burgos Circle (10 minutes by car)

Burgos Circle, often called Padre Burgos Circle, is a peaceful urban getaway located in the center of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. This charming circle is a component of the Forbes Town Center, a mixed-use project created by Megaworld Corporation that was modeled after Singapore's Bugis Village. Burgos Circle, named for the Gomburza priest José Burgos who was killed, is a representation of the city's rich history, forward-thinking growth, and environmental consciousness.

If you want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle but can't go far at least BGC has this park. It's a bit small but at least there’s one. The gardens are well maintained, you can also walk your dogs here and there are restaurants and coffee places nearby. 

Opening hours: Everyday 6am to 10pm

Address: 

Forbes Town Center, 29th Street, Fort Bonifacio

The Mind Museum (11 minutes by car)

In January 2007, the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. began laying the groundwork for the nation's first world-class scientific home. We are ever grateful to the private companies and people whose support allowed The Mind Museum to welcome the public on March 16, 2012.

The mission of the Mind Museum is to inspire responses to pressing issues by promoting and encouraging scientific engagement in improving facets of personal, societal, and national life.

This multi-awarded museum is home to 250 interactive exhibits that are not only perfect for children but also adults. You can choose either the 3-hour visit or add P125 for the whole day pass that has no time slot restrictions, unlike the 3-hour visit.

Click here to buy tickets or for more information about the museum.

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 9am-6pm

Address : JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Venice Grand Canal (10 minutes by car)

With its distinctively Italian sights and sounds, eating experience, and retail options, Venice Grand Canal—inspired by one of Italy's most romantic cities—has raised the Philippine shopping and lifestyle scene.

The major feature of this Venice-inspired mall is a reproduction of Italy's Grand Canal, which draws thousands of tourists every year. You may hang a love lock over the Ponte de Amore Bridge, take a traditional gondola ride with singing gondoliers, and peruse the bazaars and curiosity stores for delicious food and unusual mementos at this outdoor mall. Additionally, the mall welcomes pets, so you may bring your animal companions shopping with you. To avoid the crowds and long wait times for the gondola ride, head there early on weekday mornings. Take a city tour of Manila's most picturesque locations, which may include a stop at this mall. 

Opening hours: Everyday 10am to 10pm

Address: Upper McKinley Rd, Taguig City

Since eating is part of one's vacation, I'll share the top 2 foods that I tried in BGC and I'll definitely comeback to eat here if ever I'll go back to Manila. 

Since the friends I was with during this trip were also EXO-Ls, we decided to eat at Tang which is a 24-hour Korean restaurant in BGC where Baekhyun, a member of EXO dined after the Overpass concert.

We ordered 4 dishes namely Bossam (garlic napa wrap with boiled pork) , Sundubujjigae(soft tofu stew) ,Wanggalbitang (premium short rib soup), and Gogimandu(homemade meat dumplings).

It was my first time trying Bossam and I was blown away by how it tastes, I'm not sure if the usual Bossam tastes like this or if they just cooked it perfectly. I had a notion that Bossam was not that delicious since I thought it was just plain boiled pork but this one does not taste like plain boiled pork but boiled with different kinds of spices. The Sunbudujiggae may look small on the photo but it was packed with different kinds of seafood and the tofu they used was the super soft one like taho kind. The Wanggalbitang is ideal for those who don't like spicy soup but the broth was so good and the meat was soft. Another dish that blown me away was the Gogimandu, I didn't expect it to be juicy and super meaty like eating one order of this and rice would have filled me.

The restaurant itself is not that upscale but I'll surely comeback because of the food, for the price and serving,it was totally worth it.

My friend needs to do her work while we were there so we need to find a coffee shop and she badly wants to try Because Coffee by harlan + holden and as a supportive friend, we decided to go there. Since it was my first time,I tried one of their signature drinks which was the Sea Salt Latte, got mine iced and paired it with Sea Salt Butter Cookie while my friend tried their Double Chocolate Cookie and Matcha Latte also iced. 

I am a huge fan of Sea Salt in coffee and this one is one of the best one I tried, the perfect blend of coffee and sea salt and the one didn't overpower the other instead they complemented well and I wish they offered a bigger size for their iced drinks because they only offer tall size for iced drinks. I also loved both the cookies because they're so soft and delicious though I still prefer my order of cookies since I am not a huge fan of double chocolate. I was a bit sad for my friend since her iced Matcha wasn’t worth it. You can taste the matcha but it's too light in my standards.

They also have other branches in different parts of Manila but I'm not sure if they all taste the same.

That wraps up my short weekend in Manila and I hope this blog post can help you. Almost all of these attractions are free so you don't need to spend money to enjoy and explore Bonifacio Global City.