Cebu City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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 City

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 Santo Nino Church.

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 Ayala Malls Central Bloc while you're in town.

Lahug
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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
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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 featuring modern architecture

Luz

If you're spending some time in Luz, Ayala Center and IEC Pavillon are top sights worth seeing.

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

Capitol Site

3/5(6 area reviews)

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

Capitol Site
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
4 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City, Cebu
The price is Rp1.015.366 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp1.015.366
Rp1.137.210 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"5 star for Staff service. Hotel need an update/upkeep."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu
5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna, Cebu City, Cebu
The price is Rp1.750.661 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
Rp1.750.661
Rp1.973.871 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,011 reviews)
"A beautiful luxury hotel with lovely service and fantastic facilities."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 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 Rp1.025.037 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp1.025.037
Rp1.258.234 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star 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! (633 reviews)
"The staff were amazing, and the food is better than most hotels we've stayed at. Would definitely stay here again. Thanks for everything!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Holiday Inn Cebu City by IHG
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 centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (503 reviews)
"We had a great stay. Hotel was nice and quiet. We didn’t get a chance to check out the pool and exercise area. The only issue was there was only one garbage can and that was in the bathroom. Made it a little difficult to throw away your trash. Other than that it was excellent! When we are back in ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (145 reviews)
"The staff was very courteous, very professional, friendly and professional. The only drawback was that netflix wws not working. I absolutely loved everything eose, the gym is great, the eateries that support the hotel, the market, and the entire property was fantastic."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

88th Avenue
Studio Condo at Horizons 101
Studio Condo at Horizons 101
2.5 out of 5
74 General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and ...
5.4/10 (65 reviews)
"What I like about 101 condo is they are very helpful and clean. communication with the host needs to improve a little bit. It took us a while before they saw our reservation, idk why? Oh another thing their electric stove is not working so we have a hard time cooking. But overall they are good,safe ..."

Reviewed on 14 Sep 2024

Studio Condo at Horizons 101
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 City

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
30
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
16
3 - Okay 26%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Cebu is a nice place with nice people.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

marcel

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

The local people are lovely and very friendly.

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