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Highly-urbanized city in Central Visayas, Philippines
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Magalhães assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cebu City is the main city on Cebu Island in the Philippines and is known as the Queen City of the South. It is the capital of Cebu Province, a transport hub, and a popular tourist destination in its own right.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Basilica del Santo Niño (Basilica of the Holy Child)
A large and venerable church that traces its history to the founding of the convent of the Santo Niño de Cebu in 1565. It contains a statue of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) that is regarded as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. The statue was presented by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana during the baptism of King Humabon and his wife Queen Juana on 14 April 1521. The natives of Cebu were formally Christianized by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Father Andres de Urdaneta on 27 April 1565. However, as they found the natives hostile, the village was set on fire. Later on, in a burnt-out house, a soldier named Juan Camus found the statue untouched. This was proclaimed a miracle. The statue, adorned with gold and precious stones, is in a glass case to the left of the altar. The church sees a constant stream of devotees praying at pews in the sanctuary and in front of statues of saints. The Basilica del Santo Niño Museum (open Tu-Su 8-11:45AM, 1:30-4:45PM) contains the vestments used to dress the Santo Niño and jewellery offered to the Santo Niño for use during his feast (#Sinolog) on the third Sunday of January.
An octagonal building decorated with murals containing a large wooden cross that commemorates the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan who planted a wooden cross upon converting the original inhabitants to Christianity. A plaque states that the visible wooden cross contains the original cross, but some historians say the original cross was reduced to firewood by local inhabitants when the Magellan fleet headed elsewhere. Take time to appreciate the various candle sellers who dance around during worship and while selling the candles.
Brave the cacophonous traffic to see the oldest street in the Philippines with some nice worn-out classical buildings dating back to the American Era. At night, this street transforms into a market with good buys everywhere. Be wary of pickpockets though.
Fuerza de San Pedro
The smallest Spanish outpost in the Philippines during the colonial era. It has a small museum showcasing the wreckage and treasures from the sunken San Diego galleon from Mexico. The area is scenic with the newly renovated and open-air Plaza Independencia at the entrance.
There are many people of Chinese ancestry in Cebu, and several Chinese temples; one is the Taoist Temple. From there you can see a nice view of the city because it is on a hill.
A church built in 1565 by the first Spanish missionaries in Cebu, seat of an Archbishop who has subordinate Bishops in many cities of the Visayas. It was mostly destroyed during World War II and had been rebuilt a bit differently. Behind the church is a cemetery where several prominent churchmen including Cardinal Rosales are buried.
A well-preserved Spanish colonial mansion constructed largely of wood, set in a pleasant, manicured garden. The lower floor has a collection of old tools, and an A/C room that has changing displays such as art exhibitions. The more interesting upstairs level was the former living quarters of the Gorordo family. It features lovely carved wooden furniture and a wide patio. The kitchen is particularly interesting, as it contains a traditional dirt stove, a wooden food safe, and a traditional dish drying rack fitted to the outside of the window.
A museum that pays homage to the musical heritage of Cebu. This museum is operated under the Tipiganan sa mga Handumanan sa Kanta ug Kinaiyang Sugbuanon (Treasury of Memories) Foundation. In the old building of The Freeman Newspaper.
Museo Sugbo
The museum is housed in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, which was once the Carcel de Cebu. Its four Spanish-era buildings made of coral stone contain artifacts relating to the history of Cebu.
Paintings and sculptures by local artists and antiques donated by wealthy Cebuanos.
Another historic house, this one from the 17th century, with hand-carved furniture and a garden. It does indeed look old/cryptic.
Yet another heritage house museum, this one the residence of a Jesuit from around 1730. Inside looks like a Spanish galleon.
Small exhibit hall on Chinese heritage in Cebu. This building (the Gotiaoco Building), also has a mural of the Magellan's Cross shrine and other Cebu highlights on its backside.
Particularly scenic at night, is by far the largest provincial capitol building anywhere in the entire archipelago. It was built during the American era, and the design is a miniature of the White House.
A massive and particularly detailed monument showcasing the heritage of Cebu from the old Spanish to the American colonial era.
Where you can go to see Lepidoptera and other entomology exhibits, including a butterfly and art garden, although it's pretty scrunched in to an urban environment.
Neo-grecian temple built onto the mountainside to memoralize Leah Villa Albino Adarna, the wife of a local entrepreneur family and grandmother of actress Ellen Adarna. Also contains displays of upper-class furniture and souvenirs from their travels.
This sits at the top of the Mt Busay and has an unobstructed view of the entire city at night. A few shops and restaurants stand along the way for a short stop. Taxi drivers may want as much as ₱1000 for a trip to Tops, so the best way to get there is by mountain bike. This is a world class climb and on any given day, Cebu's bikers are humping the 45-minute to 1-hr trek filled with switchbacks and views better than you see actually at the very top. Ask your hotel where you can rent a mountain bike. They may have to ask around a bit, but it's worth it.
Xtreme Rides
The tallest building in the city. Adventure seekers may head to the top floor to experience a breathtaking view of this modern city and its environs. You may also opt to join in the Xtreme Rides that puts you on the edge of the city, or you may walk around the edge of the building (don't worry, safety cables are attached) to experience this for a fee.
Full-size Cebu City Council-run outdoor swimming pool 50 m by 25 m. Has ten lanes. There have been reports of people getting ear infections using this pool.
Lower ground floor near the supermarket. Good bakery and coffee shop.
French bakery.
Offices, rental and condo apartments; the area has many foreign employees and a good selection of western restaurants. Not much shopping.
Many restaurants including several foreign chains such as Burger King, Army-Navy, Starbucks and TGI Friday's, Filipino chains, and many non-chain places.
Offers a good and rather affordable locally made thin crust pizza. Has branches all over Cebu.
Has many branches all over Cebu.
Burgers, rice meals, sizzing pork chop.
Native chicken.
Bread & cakes & drinks.
Freshly baked New York-style pizza, fried chicken, cheeseburgers and fries, salads.
A sports bar & grill. A 320ml beer is ₱75.
An expat sports bar, serving Western & Filipino food. Excellent choice of imported beers & ciders from Europe in their beer garden. Happy hours beer is from ₱45. Very good English breakfast for 199 pesos.
Established 1978. Meet other expats from all over the world. Good British & European food at a great prices. Sells beer for only ₱70.
4-6-8 bed dorms, Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, common room, cooker, fridge freezer, microwave, hot showers, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor terrace, security lockers, washing machine, adaptors, bbq, 24 hour reception.
8 bed Dorm, Free Wi-Fi, lockers, safety deposit box, 24-hour front desk, movie nights,.
8-bed dorm with shared bathroom. Free Wi-Fi.
A/C 6-8 bed dorms. Free Wi-Fi. restaurant, free parking, 24 hour security, garden, sun terrace move nights, bar, Lockers, luggage storage,.
Has a bar. Free Wi-Fi.
A/C dorm with 12 beds, free Wi-Fi. Every bed has a power point and locker.
6-8 bed air-con dorms. Free Wi-Fi wifi, bar, swimming pool. Restaurant.
A/C single/double rooms with 32-inch LED cable TV, hot and cold shower, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast for ₱100.
A/C single/double room with own hot water bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-Fi.
In quiet lane next to hotel de Mercedes. Fan/A/C rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. All rooms double occupancy.
A/C double rooms with hot water and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi. 11 rooms at ₱850 a night and 11 rooms at ₱900 a night. You must pay a ₱300 deposit when you book in.
A/C single rooms with own bathroom, cable TV, A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV, nice size rooms.
A/C single rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. A/C double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. Has 24-hour security and a standby generator. There is free Wi-fi.
A/C double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV. Has a good rate for the month.
2-star hotel with A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi. 20% off if you stay a month.
A/C single or double rooms with own bathroom cable TV.
A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, free Wi-Fi.
2-star hotel, A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi.
5-storey hotel, 60 A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, view of the city. free Wi-Fi.
A/C rooms with coffee and tea-making facilities, 21” cable TV, full baths.
A/C rooms with hot water bathrooms cable TV, safe.
Central location, at one end of Mango Avenue.
40 guest rooms with cable TV, hot water, A/C, telephone with IDD and NDD, free Wi-Fi.
TV, free Wi-Fi, hot showers. Nice place, and better price than most in the area though there are some cheaper.
A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi.
A/C rooms, hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast.
A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, bad Wi-Fi.
A/C double rooms with cable TV, hot water, free Wi-Fi.
A/C double rooms, cable TV, Hot water, free Wi-Fi, own restaurant.
Cebu Parklane International Hotel claims to be a five-star hotel but does not really live up to that title. Elevators (lifts) are totally inadequate and you can spend 15 minutes waiting to get to your room when the hotel is crowded with conferences.
A/C, private toilet and bath, cable TV and mini-bar in all rooms. Wi-Fi, massage service, and a fitness centre/gym.
formerly Marriott Cebu
The hotel is now managed by Ayala's subsidiary Seda. It was managed by Marriott until the end of 2017.
Has several department stores, two supermarkets, a movie theater, lots of restaurants and hundreds of stores. The terraces have a central park-like area and several floors of shopping, mostly restaurants, on either side. The mall is in the Cebu Business Park which hosts the Cathay Pacific office, foreign banks a few consulates, and the Seda hotel. There is now a 2nd Ayala mall at the IT park.
A huge mall with a large department store, bowling center, movie theaters, Olympic-size ice skating rink, and 447 shops and restaurants.
Northeast of downtown. Has a large supermarket.
A bakery on the ground level is popular for coffee. The mall has a food court and supermarket.
Has a supermarket, travel agents, cellphone shops, and lots of places to eat.
The largest farmers' market in the city — both a shopping area and a tourist attraction.
The biggest air-conditioned mall in downtown Cebu. Has a discount supermarket, two bake shops, bank, two money exchanges, many cell phones shops, a pharmacy, a food court and a two-screen cinema.
Has the only Mastercard and Visa card ATMs in Cebu without a fee for overseas cards. Also the only ATMs in Cebu where you can take out up to ₱40,000 per time.
Good foreign exchange rates.
A modern bookshop with a good selection of imported fiction and non-fiction books, a smaller collection of books about the Philippines and an in-shop café.
Bookshop chain with local and foreign books, academic texts and stationery.
Used books and magazines, mostly imported from the UK & US. It may take some searching but there are often gems to be had.
By plane
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is in Lapu-Lapu. Many travellers land there and head for Cebu City by bus or taxi.
By ferry
Cebu City's domestic port is the country's busiest and is home to almost 80 percent of the country's passenger vessels. The passenger port is in Cebu City, near downtown.
By bus
Buses come from most nearby cities, mainly along the north-south coastal highway. From more distant places such as Dumaguete, Bacolod or even Manila, the buses ride ferries for parts of their routes.
By jeepney
Do as the locals do and catch a colorful jeepney. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and crannies of the city.
By bus
MyBus have five bus routes around Metro Cebu. Fares are from ₱25-50 (except route 5), and all buses are fully air-conditioned and low-floor.
By taxi
Taxis are omnipresent in Cebu City. But there's a decent chance you'll be overcharged by a taxi driver at some point during your trip to Cebu.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City · International · CEB
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