Cebu City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cebu featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views
Kawasan Falls showing a waterfall and a river or creek
Simala Shrine
Santa Fe Ferry Terminal featuring general coastal views
Cebu featuring a beach and general coastal views

Visit Spanish cathedrals, colonial buildings and ancient temples, or just enjoy the stunning beaches of one of the prettiest islands in the Philippines.

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 City

Cebu City featuring a statue or sculpture

Downtown Cebu

4/5(3 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Minor Basilica of the Holy Child and Magellan's Cross.

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

Lahug

4/5(26 area reviews)

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

Lahug
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Mabolo

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Mabolo, SM City Cebu and Carmelite Monastery are top sights worth seeing.

Mabolo
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Camputhaw

If you're spending some time in Camputhaw, Cebu Business Park and Mango Square are top sights worth seeing.

Camputhaw
Ayala Center which includes modern architecture

Luz

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Luz and surrounding area, you can visit Ayala Center and Waterfront Cebu City Casino.

Luz
Cebu featuring a sandy beach, a luxury hotel or resort and tropical scenes

Capitol Site

4/5(7 area reviews)

When in Capitol Site, you can plan a visit to Mango Square and Cebu Business Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Capitol Site
Radisson Blu Cebu

Radisson Blu Cebu

5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna Cebu City Cebu
The price is AU$190 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
AU$190
25 Nov - 26 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,046 reviews)
Staff was very courteous and helpful.

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Radisson Blu Cebu
Holiday Inn Cebu City by IHG

Holiday Inn Cebu City by IHG

4 out of 5
Lot 5 & 6 Block 20 Samar Loop Cebu City Central Visayas
The price is AU$132 per night from 17 Dec to 18 Dec
AU$132
17 Dec - 18 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (710 reviews)
Can't say anything but great things about this hotel. This is my go to hotel in cebu city, probably stayed there 6-8 times now since 2021. Would definitely recommend it to anytine visiting city. Good location, wonderful facilities, awesome staff, great restaurant! Breakfast Buffet is ...

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2025

Holiday Inn Cebu City by IHG
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

4 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Drive Cebu City Cebu
The price is AU$85 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
AU$85
9 Dec - 10 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Breakfast is good ,clean room and nice staff

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
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.
Citadines Cebu City

Citadines Cebu City

4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street Cebu City
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (551 reviews)
The room was great. The Hotel was well kept and wouldn't hesitate to stay here on my next trip. I was not crazy about breakfast buffet. Food that should be hot was not and over the time I was here the selections never changed. There are several restaurants to choose from for other meals within minutes ...

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2025

Citadines Cebu City
Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals

Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals

3 out of 5
Jose Maria del Mar St Cebu City Central Visayas
Stay at this condo in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino and Ayala Center ...
9/10 Wonderful! (19 reviews)
I had such a great experience staying! The place was exactly as described — clean, cozy, and beautifully decorated. It had everything I needed, from comfortable bedding to a well-equipped kitchen. The location was perfect — quiet and safe, but still close to shops, restaurants, and transportation. ...

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals
88th Avenue

88th Avenue

3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave Cebu City Central Visayas
Stay at this aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (161 reviews)
Everything is so good

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

88th Avenue
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

Activities

Reviews of Cebu City

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
25
5 - Excellent 28%
4 - Good
48
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
16
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Roselin

My home city! I always feel wlcome when coming bavk home from living in Australia.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great but traffic is horrendous!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Cebu is a great to visit ,many things to do.Great shopping and very nice people.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I love Cebu - one of my favourite destinations in the Philippines

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I went many places and have stayed in many hotels but this is the first to have ants and mould in the bathroom Broken toilet fixtures And the beds didn't even line up when put together

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

If you are taking taxi around the city, you need to have a GPS phone to confirm route you are traveling. Taxis want to take long routes. Otherwise cebu is a top city.

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