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
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
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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
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$194 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$194
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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! (1,049 reviews)
"Our stay was amazing ! Staff is incredible ! Was there during the earthquake and the GM went above and beyond"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 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 Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City, Central Visayas
The price is AU$112 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$112
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (693 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Cebu City by IHG
Hotel Pier Cuatro

Hotel Pier Cuatro

3 out of 5
3rd Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Cebu
The price is AU$61 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$61
21 Oct - 22 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Ayala Center are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (331 reviews)
"The only great abut this hotel is the staff:) they very welcoming, other than that the hotel need all upgrades, ,,"

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

Hotel Pier Cuatro
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 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (546 reviews)
"Room was clean, spacious, and felt like a home away from home. Staff was professional and attentive, the pool area had a great view and the breakfast option was plentiful."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Citadines Cebu City
88th Avenue

88th Avenue

3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (158 reviews)
"Everything is so good"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

88th Avenue
Staycity Serviced Apartment

Staycity Serviced Apartment

4 out of 5
2nd Street, San Miguel Road, Barangay Ap, Cebu City
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino ...
9/10 Wonderful! (27 reviews)
"Nice place. Nice people. Can recommend."

Reviewed on 20 Sept 2025

Staycity Serviced Apartment
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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