Cebu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kawasan Falls showing a waterfall and a river or creek
Visit Spanish cathedrals, colonial buildings and ancient temples, or just enjoy the stunning beaches of one of the prettiest islands in the Philippines.

Enjoy authentic markets, beautiful beaches and delicious food on the Phillippine Island of Cebu.

Walk around the streets of Cebu City and take in the sights, smells, and atmosphere of the island’s economic and cultural centre. You’ll find markets, old colonial buildings, and some great food. 

Brush up on the island’s history at the Museo Sugbo. It’s an old prison that’s been converted into a museum. Head inside to see artifacts from pre-Spanish times right up to today. Stop by the charming Casa Gorordo Museum or the Yap Sandiego Ancestral House and head inside to see the antique furniture.

Another interesting place to visit is the Santo Nino Basilica and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Here you can see religious buildings from the Spanish era. Check out Fort San Pedro and the Jesuit House for more colonial relics. Wander up to Tops, a popular observation deck, to get a great view of the city and then make your way back down to cool off in the sea. There are beaches all around the province, with the most popular ones over on Mactan Island. Waters are crystal clear and the sand soft, white, and clean.

If you want to avoid flashy resorts and pricey restaurants, head to the smaller cities and beach communities in the south. Prices are lower and locals friendlier. Be sure to drop by religious sites like the Simala Shrine and make your way inland to the stunning Kawasan and Tumalog Falls. Get even farther away from the crowds and take a trip out to one of the province’s near-deserted islands.

Cebu is a stunning destination with something to offer history buffs and leisure seekers alike. Gaze at old buildings and explore museums or just sit back on a beach and stare out at the pristine waters. It features an intriguing mixture of architectural styles and some fascinating museums. It’s also home to a well-developed tourism industry that caters to both luxury seekers and those looking for something more authentic.

Where to stay in Cebu

Cebu City featuring a statue or sculpture

Downtown Cebu

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Magellan's Cross.

Downtown Cebu
Philippines Taoist Temple which includes religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Lahug

4/5(17 area reviews)

Lahug is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cebu Taoist Temple and Waterfront Cebu City Casino while you're in town.

Lahug
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North Reclamation Area

4/5(8 area reviews)

While visiting North Reclamation Area, you might make a stop by sights like SM City Cebu and Pier 4 Cebu Port.

North Reclamation Area
Carmelite Monastery featuring a statue or sculpture

Mabolo

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Mabolo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like SM City Cebu and Ayala Center.

Mabolo
Cebu which includes a luxury hotel or resort, a beach and tropical scenes

Capitol Site

3/5(6 area reviews)

While visiting Capitol Site, you might make a stop by sights like Osmeña Fountain Circle and Jose Rizal Memorial Library.

Capitol Site
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Guadalupe

4/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Guadalupe, you might make a stop by sights like Celestial Garden and Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple.

Guadalupe
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
3 out of 5
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu, Cebu
The price is ฿1,542 per night from 7 May to 8 May
฿1,542
per night
7 May - 8 May
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"The property is very close to the shopping centre in Cebu City, Ayala. It is convenient, although there is rather a large road directly To Ross before getting to the shopping centre."

Reviewed on 25 Apr 2024

Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Radisson Blu Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu
5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna, Cebu, Cebu
The price is ฿3,490 per night from 21 May to 22 May
฿3,490
per night
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free parking, 2 bars/lounges and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The food was amazing and the rooms were very clean"

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2024

Radisson Blu Cebu
Holiday Inn Cebu City, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Cebu City, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Lot 5 & 6 Block 20 Samar Loop, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu, Central Visayas
The price is ฿2,499 per night from 19 May to 20 May
฿2,499
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (337 reviews)
"Staff and restaurant highly recommend for their service and quality of food."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Holiday Inn Cebu City, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
88th Avenue
88th Avenue
3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino and Ayala ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay but the air conditioning unit is set up in such a way theat the air is blowing in your face when you lie down to sleep. We ended up just shutting it off"

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2024

88th Avenue
Citadines Cebu City
Citadines Cebu City
4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy breakfast, a children's pool and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (273 reviews)
Amazing
"It was amazing! Beautiful pool, staff were great and the rooms were faultless"

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2024

Citadines Cebu City
Hayat Skytower
Hayat Skytower
5 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Dr, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino and Ayala Center ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6 reviews)
great place to stay
"great place to stay was impressed by quality of room just a bit far from airport in traffic"

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2024

Hayat Skytower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cebu

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
" "5 - Excellent 24.59016393442623%
4 - Good
30
" "4 - Good 49.18032786885246%
3 - Okay
16
" "3 - Okay 26.229508196721312%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Jan 2020

Cebu is a nice place with nice people.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Dec 2019

We live in Cebu. We are used to it. A first timer may find it a little taxing.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
4 Dec 2019

It is a pleasant city but the traffic very congested. I now prefer to walk within the central area as at busy time with the help of Google maps it is quicker than taxis. On occasion I have had to use motorcycle pillion taxi (habal-habal).

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
23 Nov 2019

After having been to Cebu resorts on previous occasions, this visit to Cebu City was not very nice.

5/5 - Excellent

marcel
4 Nov 2019

Ive always liked cebu.its changed so much since my first trip in 1989 but has grown into a very busy and lively place to visit.always somewhere new to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Nov 2019

The local people are lovely and very friendly.

Cities near Cebu