Location: Cebu City
Top Things to do in Cebu City
10 Things to do in Cebu City That You Shouldn't Miss
Cebu City (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbu; Filipino: Lungsod ng Cebu) is a first class highly urbanized city in the island province of Cebu in Central Visayas, Philippines. Though the seat of government and capital for the province, it is governed independent and separate from it. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 922,611, making it the fifth most populated city in the nation and the most populous in the Visayas. In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 630,003 registered voters. Cebu City is a significant center of commerce, trade and education in the Visayas.
Restaurants in Cebu City
1. Basilica del Santo Nino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,158 reviews
This famous church dates back to the early Spanish colonial era. The Church was founded by the Augustinian friars since their arrival in 1565. You could also find in the church the miraculous image of Sto. Nino (Child-Jesus).
Reviewed By urmajestyc - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
my ritual in visiting this holy place is to light some candles outside and spend time inside the church for my prayers. i love the feeling everytime i’m here.
2. Casa Gorordo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
This museum looks at local life in the 1800s.
Reviewed By sophiaalyssal
I really loved the place! I like how everthing was well preserved and taken care of. The museum showcased a lot of historical events and facts, and kept the antiques in place. Also, the tour guides were really accomodating and were very knowwledgeable.
3. Ayala Center Cebu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,806 reviews
Reviewed By 25yearstravell
Must visit while in Cebu - even better than Ayala centre in Manila!! Ayala's point of difference is high quality without jamming as much commercial shops into the property as possible. Instead, they leave space and existing trees and landscape it so there is a large tranquil space, the Terraces, to relax and get away from all the hustle of a big city Great mall shopping and the highlight is the Terraces with space in the shade to relax and enjoy looking at the big trees, shrubs and waterfalls. It has the usual variety of food outlets, national & local.
4. Sugbo Mercado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
“The Biggest Weekend Food Market In Cebu” Sugbo Mercado opened on September 25, 2015, with the goal of being the first and biggest year-round weekly food market in Cebu and as a venue for the best of the best of Cebu as well as budding new players in the local food industry to showcase their products in a tour de force of local pride.
Reviewed By Faithalicious_x - London, United Kingdom
Sugbo Mercado is filled with 10s of food stalls, selling all different kinds of meals, drinks, and desserts. Plates are around 100–150 pesos so it’s a great way of trying a number of different dishes in one go. It’s kind of like a Philippino Borough Market (if you’re from London and know what that is). The atmosphere is great too and the area feels totally safe. Furthermore there are lots of locals here so it must be good! That also means that you may have to wait a bit for a seat in peak times but no longer than 5-10 minutes. You can enjoy the live singing in the meantime. My sister is vegan and was able to find a mushroom pasta that she could eat, though there wasn’t much else. Vegetarians would be fine though. I believe the Mercado is only open on Thurs-Sundays so check before going. You might want to bring some tissues with you as we struggles to find napkins - though they do give you plastic gloves/utensils to eat the food with.
5. Magellan's Cross
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,820 reviews
This is the spot where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in the soil in 1521 and claimed the Philippines for Spain.
Reviewed By aamart1969 - Cebu City, Philippines
Magellan's Cross is an impressive , historical Christian Cross , planted by Portuguese & Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu ???????? March 1521 Later that year , Ferdinand Magellan was killed at Lapu-Lapu ( Mactan Island , of Cebu City ???????? ) during the Battle of Mactan Magellan’s Cross holds a very big part of the history & Religious history of Cebu ???????? The original cross was believed by the people of old to have miraculous healing powers , so they started chipping it away ... Supposedly as a result , the government were prompted to encased the Magellan’s Cross in another wooden cross ... even thou , some Filipino’s say - the original cross was destroyed or disappeared after the death of Magellan. Today in downtown Cebu City ... the Cross ( real or replica ) is housed in an octagonal pavilion called the “ kiosk ” ... this is located in the open park , behind the outstanding Santo Niño Church ( which is another main attractions for tourists )
6. Fort San Pedro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,282 reviews
This fort was built in the early 1700s to protect against Muslim raids.
Reviewed By Francis_Elvis_Verdin - Palawan Province, Philippines
Fuerte de San Pedro is a military defense structure in Cebu, built by the Spanish under the command of Miguel López de Legazpi, the first governor of the Captaincy General of the Philippines. It is located in the area now called Plaza Independencia, in the pier area of the city.
7. Taoist Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,484 reviews
Reviewed By KevBstravels - Stowmarket, United Kingdom
Get a metered cab (cheapest in Cebu City) to the Temple, you may want to ask them to wait as there are no taxis to bring you back. They are reasonable and are happy to stay for a negotiated fee. No entrance fee and you are greeted with a steep set of stairs to get to the temple. If you have difficulties in getting around this may not be for you although there are placed to stop if you take your time. The temple (s) are very well maintained and colourful, a very peaceful place just outside the hustle and bustle of Cebu City. The Temple is certainly worth a visit and the views over the city are also stunning.
8. Tops Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,000 reviews
Reviewed By Francis_Elvis_Verdin - Palawan Province, Philippines
A Nice view if you visit the Tops Lookout during the sunset time because you will witness the transformation of daytime to twilight and also the view of street lights.
9. SM Seaside City Cebu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 294 reviews
Reviewed By aamart1969 - Cebu City, Philippines
Enjoy walking around inside SM Seaside Cebu ... with great shopping ???? For families with children - try the free SkyPark outside , roofdeck garden area with playgrounds
10. Sirao Flower Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 261 reviews
Reviewed By lakwatserongkuripot - Baguio, Philippines
We haven't enjoy much since it rained (sad) but I can assure that this place is beautiful and refreshing. A lot of spots that you can take an unlimited pictures (Instagrammable pictures!!). Some spots are not yet finished. You can also buy "pasalubong" like ref magnets and others. There's a lot of food stalls outside the garden. There's an entrance free (not sure hm much but it's not that expensive). You must visit this place (Amsterdam of the Phil)...
