A day in Macabebe: church, market and the mouth of the river

Morning: the plaza

Begin at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church, a parish since 1575, rebuilt in its Baroque style in 1904. Look for the old pulpit. The town hall faces it across the plaza.

Walk to the Macabebe Public Market on the main road to see the catch of the delta.

Lunch

Eat at Ace Kitchenette for lomi, pancit and lumpiang sariwa, or try the pastas and the Triple Stack burger at Parque Café.

Afternoon: to the bay

Drive or cycle south to Macabebe Ecopark and Consuelo Beach, where the Pampanga River meets Manila Bay. Walk among the mangroves and, between November and January, watch the migratory birds. Skip the swim: the water is estuarine.

On the way back, look for the town's monuments to its history, including the Nameless Hero of Macabebe Monument.