Marikina Tour: Where to Go, Eat, & Stay in Marikina
Looking for a chill city that blends craft, culture, and comfort? Welcome to Marikina, Metro Manila’s cozy corner known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines. You’ll come for the handmade shoes and museums; you’ll stay for the clean streets, friendly locals, and riverside views. Think of it as the city that always ties everything together: "maaliwalas," organized, and easy to explore in a day or two.
About Marikina City
Marikina City is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region (NCR), tucked along the Marikina River near the foothills of the Sierra Madre. That geography gives you a cooler breeze, a scenic riverside park, and quick access to neighboring cities like Quezon City, Pasig, and Antipolo.
Map of Marikina
Tourist Spots in Marikina City
Expect a relaxing day with plenty of small-but-special finds: heritage buildings, niche museums, a market that can swallow entire afternoons, and riverfront spaces for a golden-hour walk. Here are the top places to visit in Marikina City:
1. Kapitan Moy Building
Start at the birthplace of Marikina’s shoe industry. This heritage house is where the city’s shoemaking story took off, great for photos and a quick history fix. Most other old houses nearby are private, so admire them respectfully from the outside.
2. Book Museum cum Ethnology Center
The first of its kind in Asia, this museum houses limited-edition books and published materials from 200+ countries and islands. It’s a quiet flex for book lovers, tiny spaces packed with treasures.
3. The Spirit of Bethlehem - Belen Museum
Check out hundreds of belens (nativity sets) from all over the world, all in one deeply serene space. It’s like taking a December trip across continents in minutes.
4. Eugene Torre Chess Museum
If you love strategy, you’ll geek out over the boards, memorabilia, and stories. The Eugene Torre Chess Museum is the first chess museum in the Philippines, celebrating Asia’s first Grandmaster.
5. Marikina Shoe Museum
The country’s first shoe museum is a classic Marikina stop. You’ll find iconic pairs, celebrity shoes, and a timeline of how this city became the shoe capital of the Philippines.
6. OTTO SHOE Museum
New on the block and right in front of Our Lady of the Abandoned (OLA) Church, this museum will showcase the shoe manufacturing process, perfect if you’re curious how raw leather turns into your next favorite pair.
7. Cpoint Marikina
Want that "wow, ginagawa talaga dito" moment? Drop by CPoint, and you can actually see shoes being made. It’s the closest you’ll get to a live demo of Marikina craftsmanship without stepping into a private factory.
8. Marikina Public Market Mall
If you love markets, prepare for hours of happy wandering. This sprawling complex is one of the biggest in the Philippines, with everything from fresh produce to household finds and local snacks.
9. Train at Riverbanks Center
A real vintage train on display. Fun for kids, nostalgic for grown-ups, and a quirky photo stop between shopping, dining, and a sunset walk by the river.
10. OLA Church
OLA is Marikina’s patron and a beloved pilgrimage site. If you’re doing a church run, add to yout list St. Paul of the Cross (SSS), home to the crowned image of Fatima, and JDP Chapel, where the first Mass in Marikina was allegedly held.
Best Places to Eat in Marikina
Marikina is a low-key food haven. You’ll find many coffee shops and restos along Lilac Street and Gil Fernando Avenue, perfect for cafe-hopping and dinner crawls. Here are the best cafes and restaurants in Marikina City:
▪ Cafe Lidia
▪ Sundays
▪ Macky’s
▪ Kusina ni Kambal
▪ Miguel and Maria
▪ Delicere
▪ Michael and Mary
▪ Dining Room
▪ Fino Deli
▪ Pan de Americana
▪ Kakanin Lane along J.P. Rizal
Hotel and Accommodations in Marikina
If you’re staying the night, note that hotel options inside Marikina are limited (nearby cities have more). These are popular hotels around Marikina City:
▪ Marion Hotel
▪ Algers Suites
▪ Viewleaf Resort Hotel
▪ Hotel Mango
▪ Sir Felipe Suites
There are a lot of Airbnbs in Marikina, though. Just make sure to bring your toiletries and essentials, like your IslaDry portable bath towel, just in case they don’t provide you with one.
How to Get to Marikina
From most parts of Metro Manila, you can reach Marikina via C-5 (exit to Libis then Marcos Highway) or Aurora Boulevard–Marcos Highway if you’re coming from Manila/San Juan/QC.
Public commute is straightforward: take the LRT-2 to Santolan or Marikina-Pasig station, then hop on a jeepney/UV to the city center; you can also use MRT + bus/jeep connections via Cubao or Katipunan.
There are also a lot of Grab taxis and Angkas riders available; just set Marikina City Hall, Riverbanks Center, or Kapitan Moy as your pin to start exploring on foot.
Explore Marikina Today
When in Marikina, you’re stepping into a city that still makes things by hand and takes pride in every stitch. Do the museums in the morning, graze your way through Lilac by lunch, stroll the river by sunset, and wrap up with coffee and "kakanin" to-go.
If you’ve been craving a day that feels unrushed, Marikina’s your move. Plan your mini-getaway, support local makers, and discover why the Shoe Capital stays timeless.