Posted by Going to Cebu City is an extraordinary experience that goes beyond simply enjoying the modern attractions. It’s about immersing yourself in the captivating blend of old heritage and contemporary vibrancy. Known as the center of Cebu Island’s ancient kingdom, this metropolis beautifully intertwines the richness of the past with the energy of the present. Appreciating Cebu City means embracing a fusion of history and modernity that is truly unparalleled. Here are Our Top 20 Things To Do in Cebu City, Cebu Province, Philippines!
1.) Staycation
When you embark on your travels, the ultimate goal is to find a sanctuary where you can unwind and recharge. Fortunately, Cebu City offers a delightful array of accommodation options to cater to your every need. Among these, we hold in high esteem the luxurious Radisson Blu Cebu, the charming Noble Cebu Hotel, and the enticing Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City. These are our top picks, each promising a memorable and blissful stay. Read our blog here. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
2.) Food Tripping
Cebu City, with its burgeoning population of over a million people, is a culinary melting pot, offering a diverse and authentic array of gastronomic delights. Whenever I make a stopover in Cebu City, I’m always eager to explore its vibrant food scene. I’ve stumbled upon numerous fascinating restaurants, each holding the promise of a delightful dining experience. So far, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting six of these culinary gems, although I must confess that I’ve glimpsed many others that have escaped my memory. Some of our top favorites would be Feria Restaurant, Hukad Everyday Filipino, Hukad Kafe, Balay sa Busay and Skydeck360. Read our blog here. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
3.) Spa
As a top metropolitan destination, there are a lot of recommendable spas here to help you de-stress from the city life. One of the top spas in our list is in Cebu City. Read our blog here. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
4.) Check the previous King of Ancient Cebu- Raja Humabon
Standing probably on the same spot where Raja Humabon’s throne was located, this monument remembers the pride of Cebu’s heritage. Raja Humabon and his subjects are the first Catholic Converts in the Philippines.
5.) Magellan’s Cross
The site enshrines the Original Christian Cross planted by the Spanish explorers upon arriving in Cebu in April 21, 1521. The Original Cross is encased inside the Cross of Tindalo Wood in order to protect the Original Cross from people who may chip away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes.
6.) Basilica del Sto. Niño Church
The church is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The church was erected by the Augustinian Fathers under the Rev. Andres Urdaneta in 1565. It houses the Sto. Niño which is the center of intense devotion and religious pilgrimages through out the Visayan region. The church is most busy during the Sinulog (also known as Sto. Niño) festival, an annual and cultural festival which happens every third Sunday of January. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
7.) Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the Philippines. It was built under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Captaincy General in the Philippines of the Spanish kingdom. In the 17th century, the wooden fort was transformed to a stone fort in order to repel native raiders. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
8.) Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is one of the oldest existing houses in the Philippines. It was built during the 17th century by the Chinese merchants residing in the Parian. At present, it is still owned by the generation of the Yap-Sandiego, serving as a heritage museum of different antique pieces from the Spanish times. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
9.) Heritage of Cebu Monument
The Heritage of Cebu Monument is sculpted by award-winning Cebuano artist Eduardo Castrillo in 1997. It depicts significant and symbolic history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon (King of Cebu), the coming of the Spaniards, and beatification of the Cebuano martyr St. Pedro Calungsod.
10.) Casa Gorordo
Casa Gorordo is an example of 19th Century architecture in Cebu. What’s iconic about this place is the fact that it has been the residential place for 4 generations of one of the most influential families in Cebu. One of the worth-mentioning is the First Filipino Bishop of Cebu- Juan Gorordo. In 1991, it has been declared as a national historic landmark. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
11.) National Museum of the Philippines
The National Museum of the Philippines- Cebu branch showcases the history and arts in Cebu. The museum is divided into various exhibits- one exhibit discusses pre-history, colonial history, masterpieces of Cebuano artists and more. One of the most impactful items we encountered was the Gold Death Mask discovered during the 15th Century. Imagine that, our ancestors used a gold mask on their deathbed. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
12.) Plaza Independencia
The Plaza Independencia is one of the sites in Cebu identified as a heritage site by the National Historical Institute. This plaza served many purposes since the colonial times. Adjacent to it is Fort San Pedro and the National Museum of the Philippines- Cebu.
13.) Spot for Cordova Bridge Selfie
The boulevard adjacent to the National Museum of the Philippines- Cebu could be the best spot for a photo op with Cordova Bridge. Cordova Bridge is now the longest bridge in the Philippines surpassing the previously known San Juanico bridge in Samar-Leyte. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
14.) Lahug IT Park
Lahug IT park is one of the famous business centers in Cebu City. If you are interested in investing or finding a job in Cebu City, better check out Lahug IT Park. Trivia: Sugbo Mercado, a bazaar for food and artsy items, is there. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
15.) Colon Street: Experience the Oldest Street in the Philippines
Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines, exudes a unique and vibrant vibe that is truly captivating. To truly immerse yourself in its essence, a visit to the Colon Night Market is a must. Experience the rich history and energetic atmosphere of this iconic street, and create unforgettable memories along the way.
16.) Malling
The bustling city of Cebu offers a diverse and vibrant shopping experience for locals and visitors alike. From modern malls to traditional markets, there is something for everyone when it comes to indulging in retail therapy in Cebu City. Some of the shopping malls we have visited are Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Terraces, SM City Cebu and NU Star Mall. (Swipe below photo for more pictures)
17.) Cebu Taoist Temple
Because of many Chinese families living in Cebu, practicing the Taoist religion, the Cebu Taoist Temple was built in 1972. It has an elevation of 980 feet above sea level that also gives you an amazing view of Cebu City. Although the temple is open to non-worshipers, proper etiquette is observed. You should wash your hands first and enter inside the chapel with barefoot.
18.) Temple of Leah
Teodorico S. Adarna Jr, one of the successful hoteliers in the Philippines, built this temple in 2012 as a symbol of his undying love and ceaseless devotion to his wife for 53 years, Leah Albino Adarna. 4 years after the start of its construction, the temple is still not on its final completion. The builder uses an advanced construction technology so the temple will withstand the test of time and hopefully, retain its grandeur and beauty in the next 3,000 years. The builder cut the top of a mountain to erect this grand edifice. It will contain 24 chambers which will enshrine all of Leah’s lifetime passion, collections of antiques, books, special objects and memorabilia amassed from the couple’s foreign trips.
19.) Tops Lookout
The Tops Lookout has indeed evolved over time! It has transformed into a magnificent coliseum-inspired structure atop the mountain. I can’t wait to witness it in person! Below photo was 2018.
20.) Sirao Pictorial Garden
Sirao is previously known as a wide flower garden. Now, it has turned into a tourist attraction where everyone can take a picture of some Instagrammable installations.
Other things to do on our list would be visiting Cebu Ocean Park, Siomai sa Tisa, and more. We will be updating this blog from time to time as we experience more of Cebu.