Cebu, Philippines: travel guide
Port city of the Visayas, with reefs, waterfalls and old Spanish sites
The Queen of the South — a busy port city, beach resort destination, and diving hotspot with vibrant nightlife and shopping.
About Cebu
Cebu City is the commercial heart of the central Philippines and one of the country's oldest Spanish-era settlements. It sits on a narrow island that stretches for hours along the coast, which makes it an easy base for the rest of the Visayas.
Things to do in Cebu begin in the old quarter, around Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Nino, before moving on to the markets, lechon and dried mango that the city is known for. Beyond the city, the island offers dive sites, waterfalls and boat trips to nearby islets.
Cebu suits travellers who want a mix of city culture and beach time in one trip. The drier months from roughly December to May are the most comfortable for island hopping.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- CEB
- Typical trip
- 3-4 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cebu
Sinulog Grand Festival Cebu
festival · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The Sinulog Festival every third Sunday of January is one of the Philippines most spectacular festivals — millions of devotees in colourful costumes dance through the streets in honour of the Santo Nino.
Cebu Lechon Roast Pig Culture
district · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cebu lechon (roast pig) is considered the finest in the Philippines. The city has dozens of lechon shops with CNT Lechon and Rico Lechon the most celebrated. Anthony Bourdain called it the best pig on earth.
Mactan Resort Beach Snorkelling
beach · 4.4 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Mactan Island adjacent to Cebu City is lined with beach resorts and public beaches. Shallow warm water, watersports, and reef snorkelling make this the main accessible beach destination from Cebu City.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Badian
waterfall · 4.8 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the Philippines most beautiful waterfalls — Kawasan Falls near Badian has vivid turquoise water fed by a spring. Canyoneering tours jumping off cliffs into the pools below are hugely popular.
IT Park Lahug Food and Nightlife
district · 4.3 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The IT Park area in Lahug has become Cebu City premier food, entertainment, and nightlife district — with rooftop bars, international restaurants, and the busiest night scene outside Manila.
Cebu IT Park Night Entertainment
district · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The IT Park in Lahug has become Cebu City most active dining and socializing district — 24-hour activity, excellent restaurants, rooftop bars, and the busiest pub scene in Visayas.
Sirao Flower Farm Highland Garden
garden · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A mountain flower farm in the Busay hills with spectacular terraced gardens of celosias, sunflowers, and tropical flowers. Views over Cebu City are extraordinary.
Bohol Day Trip from Cebu Ferry
island · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Cebu to Bohol by fast boat (2 hrs) — famous for the Chocolate Hills, tarsier sanctuaries, river cruise, and Panglao Island beaches. One of the best day trips in the Philippines.
Cebu Heritage Walking Circuit Downtown
district · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A walking tour of downtown Cebu City covering the Spanish colonial heritage in a 2km circuit: Basilica, Magellan Cross, Heritage Monument, Fort San Pedro, Casa Gorordo, and Carbon Market.
Cebu Night Street Food Larsian
district · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Cebu City night street food — from the famous Larsian BBQ pit at Fuente Osmeña to the night market stalls near Carbon and the IT Park grill restaurants. A comprehensive evening food exploration.
Cebu University Youth Culture Belt
district · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The university belt around Fuente Osmeña drives Cebu City vibrant cafe, live music, and youth culture scene. The most lively and affordable dining area in the city.
Tops Lookout Cebu City Panorama
viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The most spectacular viewpoint in Cebu — 590 metres above sea level with panoramic 360-degree views over Cebu City, the Visayan Sea, and the surrounding islands.
Things to do
- Cebu Magellan Cross Church Heritage Walk Central Heritage · 2 h
- Cebu Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Trail South Adventure · 6 h · from PHP 2,200 per person
- Cebu Lahug Flying V Guitar Festival Heritage Heritage · 4 h
- Cebu Moalboal Turtle Snorkeling Sardine Run Tour Water Sports · 8 h · from PHP 2,200 per person
- Cebu Pescador Island Diving Sardine Run Wonder Diving · 5 h · from PHP 1,800 per person
- Cebu Sumilon Island Sandbar Swimming Heritage Water Sports · 8 h · from PHP 1,800 per person
- Cebu Lahug Night Food Tour Local Eateries Heritage · 3 h · from PHP 370 per person
- Cebu Carcar Heritage Town Day Trip Lechon Heritage · 6 h · from PHP 920 per person
Where to stay in Cebu
- Downtown about PHP 2,500 per night
Main commercial area with hotels and shopping
Hotels
- Abaca Boutique Resort Mactan 5-star · PHP 18,000 to PHP 55,000 per night
- Kandaya Resort Cebu 5-star · PHP 15,000 to PHP 50,000 per night
- Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 65,000 per night
- Plantation Bay Resort and Spa 5-star · PHP 18,000 to PHP 55,000 per night
- Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort 5-star · PHP 10,000 to PHP 35,000 per night
- Badian Island Wellness Resort 5-star · PHP 12,000 to PHP 45,000 per night
Where to eat
- Jollibee Cebu City Original Branch Filipino, Fast Food, Heritage · about PHP 200 per person
- Zubuchon Lechon Cebu Filipino, Lechon, Cebu · about PHP 1,000 per person
- Larsian Barbecue Cebu City Filipino, Barbecue, Street Food · about PHP 300 per person
- Mango Square Cebu Nightlife Filipino, Bar, Entertainment · about PHP 600 per person
- Original AA Barbecue Cebu Filipino, Barbecue, Cebu · about PHP 450 per person
- Bigby Cafe and Restaurant Ayala Cebu American, Filipino, Comfort Food · about PHP 900 per person
- Cebu City Night Market Osmena Filipino, Street Food, Night Market · about PHP 250 per person
- Siomai King Cebu Street Corner Filipino, Street Food, Chinese · about PHP 150 per person
Getting to Cebu
Airport: Cebu (CEB)
How visitors arrive in Cebu
- Flight into Mactan-Cebu International Airport By air from Manila · common
Most travelers land at the airport in Lapu-Lapu and continue to the city by bus, taxi or ferry. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Manila By ferry from Manila · possible
Cebu's port is the busiest in the country, with large passenger ships to Manila and northern Mindanao. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus and ro-ro ferry from nearby cities By road from Visayas · possible
North and South bus terminals serve towns along the coastal highway, with ferry legs from other islands. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Taxi from Mactan-Cebu Airport
The main taxi stand is just past the end of the terminal building. Insist on the meter and avoid unmetered private cars. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- MyBus Route 3 airport bus unconfirmed
MyBus runs between the airport and SM City Cebu via Park Mall. Sugbo airport buses also link Marina Mall near the airport with the bus terminals and city malls. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Mactan wharf to Pier 3 unconfirmed
Fast ferries (Topline Express, Metro Ferry) cross from the Mactan side to Pier 3 downtown. Jeepneys connect the terminal to the Mactan wharf. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Mactan-Cebu Airport is in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan island, not in Cebu City itself, so allow for the road or ferry crossing. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Jeepney useful for some trips
Jeepneys cover most of Cebu City and can be boarded or left anywhere along their route.
- Ride Hail useful for some trips
Ride-hailing apps such as Grab are widely available in Cebu City and offer an alternative to hailing a taxi in the street.
- Tricycle
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Cebu
- Jan 30°C
- Feb 30°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 32°C
- May 33°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 31°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 30°C
More in Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Cebu
- How many days do you need in Cebu?
- A typical trip to Cebu is 3-4 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cebu?
- The highest-rated places in our Cebu guide are Sinulog Grand Festival Cebu, Cebu Lechon Roast Pig Culture, Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Badian, Bohol Day Trip from Cebu Ferry, Cebu Heritage Walking Circuit Downtown.
- Where should I stay in Cebu?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cebu: Downtown.
- How do I get around Cebu?
- Ways to get around Cebu covered in our guide: Jeepney, Ride-hailing app, Tricycle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Cebu?
- Scams reported to us for Cebu include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Cebu?
- Average daytime highs in Cebu run from 30°C in Jan to 33°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Cebu?
- The nearest airport to Cebu has the code CEB.