(SPOT.ph) Filipinos love malls. It’s the weekend? Let’s go to the mall. Early dismissal? Family trip to the mall it is. It’s kind of hotter than usual out? Definitely time to hit the mall. Slightly bored? Yup, where else would we go but to the mall! There’s just something about the fully air-conditioned behemoths that Metro Manila—and the rest of the nation—can’t get enough of.
But when we spend most of our day in cement boxes, it can get pretty stifling. Luckily, some malls in the Metro have made space for a bit of green, or at the very least, some open air; whether it’s a rooftop park, a little plaza, or even just a terrace. We list down a couple malls with spaces where you can breathe in a little deeper.
Also read:
10 Pet-Friendly Malls in Metro Manila
Here are 10 malls in Metro Manila with gardens or open spaces:
Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Trust us when we say this newly opened mall is massive. Located at the reclaimed area next to Manila Bay, this mall uses all the space it can get: It has countless shops, restos, and yup, even green pockets scattered around the area. At the center of the current building is a sprawling lot with enough space for you to run around or sit down with a cool drink.
Ayala Malls Manila Bay is at Aseana Avenue corner Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Aseana City, Parañaque City.
Evia Lifestyle Center
This mall is low-key one of Las Piñas’ best hangout spots. It’s got an almost Venetian-like look—complete with the painted sky and faux village in one section—huge stores, and a cinema. They’ve also got a couple of stores located outdoors, but perhaps the best open space here is the huge atrium they have that offers the best of both worlds. It’s got a central plaza with natural light streaming in, a small fountain, a few steps to chill on, and yup, shops to get your bargain hunting mode on full blast.
Evia Lifestyle Center is at Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City.
Ayala Malls Vertis North
If Trinoma is starting to feel a little too crowded for you, then you can skip across to Vertis North. One of Ayala’s newer malls, Vertis North, is smaller and less crowded than Trinoma. Check out the Japan Town and Korean Town sections of the mall for cool restaurants and brands, or head down to the open space on the ground floor. This green strip runs in the middle of the mall’s two buildings and is flanked by cafés and restos where you can dine al fresco. Plus, there are usually bazaars and markets where you can score great finds and yummy snacks, too.
Vertis North is at North Avenue, Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City.
Greenbelt
Greenbelt is one of the first malls we can remember that dedicated a large chunk of its space to greenery. The Greenbelt Park spans all the way from Greenbelt 1 to 5 and even reaches up to the Ayala Museum entrance, which means that you can take a nice little stroll from one end to the other. There’s even a little pond and the Sto. Niño De Paz chapel you can visit if you’re craving a bit of solitude. If you’re looking for something more social, then you can check out the many events that happen in the area near Greenbelt 3.
Greenbelt is at Makati Avenue, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Eastwood City Mall
This list wouldn’t be complete without Eastwood. We’re sure you used to hang out here to watch movies and concerts, check out the names on the Walk of Fame, shop, and more before the new mall even opened. The small village-style walkway is still a great place to chill during the day and a fun place to drink at night—plus, the bazaars aren’t to be missed, either. The little park before the mall’s entrance also has some shaded areas to sit for a bit and watch the fountain do its thing.
Eastwood City is at E. Rodriguez Avenue, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.
Uptown Mall Bonifacio
We’re sure you’ve seen this mall’s fountain on your social media feeds somewhere. The glitzy fountain can remind you of the kind you see in Las Vegas, especially when you catch it just in time for the lights show. You can grab a seat at one of the restos near the fountain or chill on the terraced levels, too. Plus, there’s also a rooftop section on the fourth floor you can head to with more restos, some areas to relax, and a chapel.
Uptown Mall Bonifacio is at 9th Avenue corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City.
SM Aura Premier
We know the height of SM Aura may look a little daunting, but you’ve got to see what that little plateau on the “L” shape of the building hides. On the fifth floor is the SM Aura Sky Park where you can walk along some green spaces while taking in the view below. The park has some well-kept plants and even some grass you can sit on, and dining options on the same floor in case you get hungry.
SM Aura Premier is at 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City.
Estancia at Capitol Commons
What this mall lacks in size, it makes up for in open spaces. Located at Capitol Commons, it’s a very pedestrian-friendly place and you can walk from the outdoor restaurants, to the little park, all the way to the mall proper itself with ease. Just pick whether you want to chill out at one of the outdoor café or bars or go inside the air-conditioned space.
Estancia is at Capitol Commons, Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
UP Town Center
This mall is the kind of place where you can spend more time outdoors than indoors. It’s got a sprawling open space that will bring you to different parts of the mall, plus it has dedicated spaces for your pets, too! You can take a walk from one end to the other or just sit down and soak up the sun—there’s enough space for all the university kids and families alike. Also, UP Town Center usually has events happening at their atrium space, so don’t forget to check those out when you drop by.
UP Town Center is at Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
Central Square
This mall isn’t as big as you’d expect one to be, but it’s got all your needs: shops, a supermarket, a cinema, and yup, lots of open spaces—oh also, the first Philippine branch of Shake Shack is right here. Just a short walk from High Street—which is, BTW, arguably the OG shopping destination with some green space—Central is a chill spot where you can breathe in. Plus, the fact that the entire BGC is walk-friendly is worth mentioning. The open space also usually gets taken over by bazaars, too, so keep that in mind the next time you’re looking for a place to hang!
Central Square is at 5th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City.
