Cebu
Save30 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Cross planted in 1521, housed in a small painted-ceiling kiosk
3 tips
- Free entry
- Candle sellers outside offer prayers in Cebuano
- Combine with the adjacent Basilica
📷 Photos
- 2
Oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, home of the Santo Niño image
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Busiest on Sundays and during Sinulog in January
- Free entry
📷 Photos
- 3
Triangular Spanish fort from 1738 by the waterfront
- Tip: Late afternoon
2 tips
- Small entrance fee
- Next to Plaza Independencia
📷 Photos
- 4
Hillside Chinese temple with dragon-flanked stairs and city views
3 tips
- Take a taxi or ride-hail up the hill
- Free entry
- Remove shoes where signed
📷 Photos
- 5
Roman-style mansion built as a monument to love, on a hillside
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Visit near sunset for views
- Entry fee applies
- Allow a taxi ride from downtown
📷 Photos
- 6
Main cathedral of Cebu archdiocese, rebuilt after the war
3 tips
- Free entry
- Quiet outside Mass times
- Close to the Basilica
📷 Photos
- 7
19th-century ancestral house showing Spanish-era Cebuano life
3 tips
- Closed some days; check hours
- Small entrance fee
- Allow about an hour
📷 Photos
- 8
Oldest street in the Philippines, busy with shops and stalls
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Watch your bag
1 tip
- Try street snacks nearby
📷 Photos
- 9
Hill garden of flowers and quirky structures known as Little Amsterdam
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Entry fee applies
- Allow a taxi ride from the city
📷 Photos
- 10
Hilltop viewpoint with panoramas over Cebu city and the sea
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Best at sunset
- Bring a jacket if windy
- Reach by taxi or ride-hail
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Cebu tips
Transportation
- Ride a jeepney: Jeepneys are cheap and plentiful; check the route signs on the side.
- Use Grab: The Grab app is convenient for taxis and avoids haggling.
- Take ferries to nearby islands: Ferries connect Cebu to Bohol, Siquijor and more.
Security
- Watch for pickpockets: Be careful in crowded areas like Carbon Market and Colon Street.
- Avoid unlicensed taxis: Use metered taxis or Grab.
- Check typhoon forecasts: Storms can disrupt ferries and flights.
Saving
- Eat at carinderias: Local eateries serve affordable rice meals.
- Buy at Carbon Market: Shop for fresh fruit and souvenirs at lower prices.
- Travel by bus: Ceres buses are cheaper than private tours for trips to Moalboal and Oslob.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect heat and humidity: Pack light, breathable clothing.
- Prepare for rain: The wet season brings sudden showers, so carry an umbrella.
- Bring swimwear: Beaches and waterfalls are everywhere.
Cultural
- Try lechon: Cebu is famous for its roasted pig.
- Respect churches: Dress modestly when visiting the Basilica del Santo Nino.
- Join Sinulog: This January festival is the city's biggest celebration.
Local Hacks
- Go to Kawasan Falls early: Beat the crowds by arriving at opening time.
- Snorkel with sardines: Moalboal has massive sardine runs close to shore.
- Use a SIM card: Buy a Globe or Smart SIM for affordable data.
1-day itineraries in Cebu
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.