Cebu City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cebu featuring tropical scenes and general coastal views
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

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.

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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 Magellan's Cross and Colon Street.

Downtown Cebu
I got the chance to dance with the famous prison inmates at the Cebu prison. Yes it was very weird but also really cool. #Cebu #ThePhilippines

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
Mandaue, Cebu Philippines - July 2019: View of Mandaue City and the main skyline of Cebu.

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 a park

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
I am not yet done for the day! 😃
Today has been an interesting walk... my happy feet seems to know where the most happening place is and found myself at another happy place! National Bookstore in Mango Avenue 😃 where they are currently having their 2019 Book Binge Bazaar. I immediately sent photos and sale alert to my fellow bookworms who might also want to take this book binge opportunity ☺️

#ginnysjournal #bookworm #booklover #happyplace #happyfeet

Camputhaw

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

Camputhaw
Bicester can easily be located since it’s by the road. And if you feel that your morning is incomplete without coffee, oh boy, do I have a treat for you. Add only a small fee and they will serve unlimited coffee with your meal which certainly wouldn’t even break the bank! 
My first impression would be, the serving is reaaaallly huge - bigger than my face 😱 and that’s not all! Their chicken and waffle is extremely good 😋 chicken cooked well with the waffle perfectly crisped. gotta try this!
#TroverFoodies #ginnysjournal #Cebuseries #unlimitedcoffee

Kasambagan

While Kasambagan may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ayala Malls Central Bloc and Waterfront Cebu City Casino.

Kasambagan
Radisson Blu Cebu

Radisson Blu Cebu

5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna Cebu City Cebu
The price is NZ$196 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$196
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,114 reviews)
Beautiful hotel, large and clean rooms. Easy access to mall and transportation

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Radisson Blu Cebu
Fili Hotel Cebu

Fili Hotel Cebu

4 out of 5
Nustar Resort, Kawit Island South Road Cebu City Central Visayas
The price is NZ$281 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
NZ$281
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 7 restaurants. Popular attractions SM Seaside City Cebu and Ayala Center are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (139 reviews)
We really loved this hotel. Everything was so fancy and clean, we really loved the bidets, the room set up, and the amenities. This was the best gym and sauna/spa. The pools and views were amazing, I left with the best tan! The casino was nice and all of the shopping too! The restaurants were great ...

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Fili Hotel Cebu
Seda Ayala Center Cebu

Seda Ayala Center Cebu

4 out of 5
Cardinal Rosales Avenue Cebu City
The price is NZ$168 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
NZ$168
14 Mar - 15 Mar
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 helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (642 reviews)
Good location, breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktail and service is perfect

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Seda Ayala Center 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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (586 reviews)
Very clean. Staff was courteous and professional.

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Citadines Cebu City
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. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (183 reviews)
It was a very present time

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

88th Avenue
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (45 reviews)
Although the room was nice, relatively clean, there was an empty bottle of hand soap in the room, no bottled water, and a bunch of sugar ants everywhere. If you left your toothbrush exposed, expect to brush your teeth in the morning with tiny ants. Dunno if all the rooms had this problem, but #2414 ...

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals
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.

Cities near Cebu City

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