5 Activities to Fill Your Hours When Visiting Greenbelt in Makati, Philippines

The malls, restaurants, theaters, movie houses, and hotels found in Makati, Philippines are among the most desired destinations in Metro Manila, the prime hub of the country. This bustling city is, in fact, teeming with attractions like these, especially in its Central Business District. And if you're the kind who would rather not travel far and long to experience all these, then your best option is to visit the posh Greenbelt Center.

The complex is bordered by Makati’s most important thoroughfares, namely Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Street, Esperanza Street, Makati Avenue, and Dela Rosa Street. Within this 3-hectare estate, you will find some of the most fulfilling activities in the city, some of which we have listed down for you.

Shopping
Greenbelt is one of the most upscale shopping centers in Metro Manila, so expect that the things you will find here usually won't come with a small price tag. Here, you will come across the most popular international brands like Hermes, Tod's, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Ferragamo. Lovers of fancy watches will also have fun here, because the malls in this complex are home to stores of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe & Co., International Watch Company, and Rolex.

Eating
If you're a foodie, then Greenbelt is also a great stop to include in your itinerary in the city. Thinking about grabbing a quick, filling lunch? Then visit restaurants like KFC, Wendy's, Bonchon Chicken, Tokyo Tokyo, World Chicken, The Soup Kitchen, and Earle's Delicatessen in Greenbelt 1 along Paseo de Roxas. For a fancier gastronomic experience, head over to Greenbelt 2, 3, or 5 — the 3 sections in the complex where a good number of fine-dining restaurants are located.

Watching stage plays
Greenbelt 1's OnStage is the closest place to go to if you would like to watch a play. This theater has already seen local productions of famous international scripts and musicals, such as Seussical, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Disney's Camp Rock, and Jekyll & Hyde. However, be sure to grab a ticket in advance, because schools usually buy tickets in bulk for their educational trips.

Relaxing at a posh hotel
After just a minute-long walk from the complex, you will already reach One Greenbelt Hotel, one of Makati's top accommodations. Although not a part of the complex, this accommodation has landed a spot in this list because of its proximity to the prime shopping and entertainment center. Offering quality lodgings designed to provide rich but straightforward comfort, this retreat is located at the corner of Greenbelt Drive and Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road).

Going to the movies
During your visit to Greenbelt, you will also get to catch the newest local and international movies. The mall complex is also home to cinemas, one of which is a theater that screens 3-D films, that are equipped with the latest Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, Dolby Digital Sound, and THX technologies.

Be sure to try these activities before you retire to your hotel in Makati City, Philippines. By doing so, you will easily get to see, experience, and taste the best of this prime city in Metro Manila.

Celebrating Christmas in Makati's Central Business District

From transient holiday revelers at One Greenbelt Hotel to the permanent residents of Makati City, you can expect everyone to exude the spirit of celebration this holiday season. The city, known as The Financial Capital of the Philippines, makes sure that everyone is reminded of the season and takes part in the celebrations. At this time of the year, the city shifts its visitors' attention from the high-rise buildings to the festive sights and sounds in the street and the parks. Anyone can join the fun by heading to the Central Business District and taking a casual stroll. You'll have an easy time going around and seeing the decorations since the district has a nice pedestrian system in effect.

Here are some sure signs that the city is counting down the days until Christmas:

1. Ayala Avenue, a major road in the city and one of the busiest in the metro, is usually decked with lights. White was the theme last 2012 and most of the decorations took the form of snowflakes, geometric trees, and pillars. After sunset, people would take their turns taking pictures bathing in the soft glow of the lights.

2. Flanked by Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue is Ayala Triangle, another destination for holiday tourists. Every December, this lush patch of land transforms into a garden of lights, thanks to the bulbs and decors which hang from the trees and bushes within the vicinity. Every 6 to 9 in the evening, the Christmas Light Show captivates viewers in the area with a display of colorful LED bulbs flickering and dancing to the tune of Christmas carols.

3. To fill the eyes and satisfy the palate, you can head to the different hotels in Makati to see how they've decorated their halls and lounges for the season. Some of the city's 5-star accommodations even hold competitions and partner with academic institutions to put up specially designed Christmas trees in their lobbies.

4. Speaking of Christmas trees, you can head to Glorietta 4 Park to take pictures of the Giant Christmas Tree. Located right at the heart of the shopping district, you can also indulge in good food and high-quality items after taking your souvenir photo.

After a day of walking around and taking in the sights, you can get a good night's sleep at any of the hotels in the area, such as One Greenbelt Hotel Makati.