47Challenging
Florence
Italy
Europe
Florence is gorgeous but cobblestoned - a carrier is your best friend for the historic center.
Best stroller: Rugged
Philippines
Manila
47/100Challenging but Heartwarming📊 Medium confidence
Manila's chaotic streets and broken sidewalks are tough, but Filipinos' love for children is unmatched.
🎒
Bring a carrier
This city is best navigated with a baby carrier rather than a stroller.
Key Factors
- •Intramuros
- •Manila CBD (Ermita/Malate)
Carrier Recommended
🎒Intramuros (rough cobblestones, uneven surfaces)
Manila scores 47/100 on our stroller-friendliness scale. Below you'll find a full breakdown of terrain, transit accessibility, and family facilities — plus neighborhood-level tips and stroller vs. carrier advice for Manila.
📋 The Bottom Line
Manila is challenging for strollers in most scenarios. Sidewalks are frequently broken, blocked, or simply don't exist. Traffic is gridlocked, making travel between areas slow. However, the massive malls (SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt, Bonifacio Global City) are excellent stroller territories with full facilities. BGC (Bonifacio Global City) is Manila's most walkable area with maintained sidewalks and parks. Filipinos are perhaps the world's most child-loving people - your baby will be a celebrity.
Quick Facts
Overall Score47/100
Best StrollerCarrier
Biggest ChallengeIntramuros
Data Quality📊 Medium confidence
Gear Recommendations
- 🎒Baby carrier as primary for street outings
- 🎒Compact stroller for malls and BGC only
- 🎒Mosquito protection - dengue is a concern
- 🎒Portable fan for intense tropical heat and humidity
Manila Stroller Score Breakdown
Smooth Surfaces4/10
Uneven surfaces common
Flatness7/10
Mostly flat, mild inclines
Public Transit4/10
Limited accessible options
Elevators & Ramps4/10
Elevators hit-or-miss
Family Facilities3/10
Very few family facilities
Space & Comfort2/10
Very crowded — tight everywhere
Family Welcome8/10
Locals love kids!
Best & Worst Areas for Strollers in Manila
🟢 Where It's Easy ✓
- •Bonifacio Global City (BGC) - Modern, maintained sidewalks, parks
- •SM Mall of Asia - Massive, accessible, entertainment complex
- •Greenbelt / Ayala Center Makati - Upscale mall complex, flat
- •Manila Ocean Park - Family attraction, accessible
- •Eastwood City - Modern, walkable commercial area
🟡 Where You'll Struggle ⚠
- •Intramuros - Historic but rough surfaces, hot, limited shade
- •Manila CBD (Ermita/Malate) - Broken sidewalks, seedy areas
- •Quiapo area - Extremely crowded, overwhelming
- •EDSA corridor - Massive road, no pedestrian infrastructure
🎒 When to Bring the Carrier 👶
- •Intramuros (rough cobblestones, uneven surfaces)
- •Quiapo and Divisoria markets (extremely crowded)
- •Most residential areas (no sidewalks)
Tips from Parents Who Visited Manila
❌ What Parents Wish They'd Known
- ✕Traffic is some of the worst in the world - plan extra time
- ✕Rainy season (Jun-Nov) causes severe flooding
- ✕Sidewalks are considered optional infrastructure in most areas
- ✕Power outages can affect malls and elevators
- ✕Grab/taxi is essential - walking between areas not practical
⭐ Parent-Recommended Spots
- ★BGC parks and walkways - Manila's best stroller experience
- ★SM Mall of Asia - Everything under one roof, family-friendly
- ★Manila Ocean Park - Accessible, air-conditioned, kids love it
- ★Ayala Triangle Gardens - Small but beautiful, flat, central Makati
- ★Mind Museum (BGC) - Interactive science museum, fully accessible
Similar Scores Worldwide
Cities with a similar stroller experience to Manila
47Challenging
Valletta
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Valletta is a stunning fortress city built on steep cliffs - beautiful but very challenging with a stroller.
Best stroller: Rugged
47Alhambra Challenge
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Granada rewards the persistent - Alhambra is magical but the city is seriously hilly.
Best stroller: Carrier-only
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Singapore sets the global standard - bring any stroller and glide through the city.
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Fukuoka is compact, modern, and incredibly family-friendly - excellent food, great transit, and Japanese-level baby facilities.
Best stroller: Compact
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