Cebu Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kawasan Falls showing a waterfall and a river or creek
Cebu showing a beach and general coastal views
Kawasan Falls featuring swimming, a river or creek and a waterfall
Logon which includes boating and general coastal views
Cebu which includes general coastal views and tropical scenes

Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when holidaying on this magical Filipino island.

Visit Cebu Island, a stunning island destination that has a wide range of adventure, natural and historical attractions. Explore a city filled with colonial landmarks, soak up the sun at glorious beach resorts, spot multicolored aquatic creatures and travel around picture-perfect islands. Cebu Island sits at the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas region. It consists of the main island plus over 150 islands and islets.

Energetic Cebu City is the island capital, its major transport hub and the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Spend time visiting historic sites such as Magellan’s Cross, the 16th-century Minor Basilica of the Holy ChildOpens in a new window (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San PedroOpens in a new window. Learn about island history at the Museo Sugbo and enjoy thrilling pursuits, including a 38-story high roller coaster, at the Sky Experience Adventure. Shop for everything from fresh fish to handicrafts at the Carbon Market.

Sit beneath a palm tree, soak up the sun and try various watersports at the beaches that pepper the island’s coastline. Badian, Moalboal and Oslob, the gateway for whale shark swimming tours, are all worth visiting. Just a short drive from Cebu City is Mactan Island. Find upscale all-inclusive resorts and boundless opportunities for diving, jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing activities.

Join an island-hopping trip, visit more blissful beach resorts and uncover unbeatable dive spots. Off the island’s northern tip are the unspoiled yet tourist-friendly Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island. Hop between the four islands of the Camotes Islands, often called the Lost Horizon due to their unblemished natural beauty. Visit indigenous homes and sample coconut wine on Olango Island.

For further adventure, hike to the summit of Osmeña Peak and be rewarded with panoramic views. Go canyoneering in the Matutinao Valley and cliff-jumping in Medellin. Marvel at stalagmites, stalactites and curious rock formations at Binuthan Cave and Igotan Cave, among other caves.

Reach Cebu Island by flying to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from major Asian cities. Get around via buses, taxis and ferries, which depart regularly from Cebu City. Stay overnight at all-inclusive resorts, guesthouses and luxury hotels suitable for all budgets.

Where to stay in Cebu Island

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 Minor Basilica of the Holy Child and Magellan's Cross.

Downtown Cebu
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Maribago

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Maribago and surrounding area, you can visit Jpark Island Waterpark and Magellan Monument.

Maribago
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 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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Basdiot

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Basdiot, you might make a stop by sights like Panagsama Beach and Naomi's Bottle Museum.

Basdiot
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Punta Engaño

3/5(4 area reviews)

Though Punta Engaño may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Magellan Monument and Mactan Shrine.

Punta Engaño
Belmont Hotel Mactan

Belmont Hotel Mactan

4.5 out of 5
Newtown Blvd, Lapu-Lapu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Magellan Monument and Mactan Shrine ...
9/10 Wonderful! (266 reviews)
Nice

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2025

Belmont Hotel Mactan
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is Rp3.210.710 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp3.210.710
Rp3.941.146 total
1 Dec - 2 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,036 reviews)
The property is amazing and the food was the best we had in the Philippines

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2025

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
JPark Island Resort & Waterpark

JPark Island Resort & Waterpark

5 out of 5
M L Quezon Highway, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is Rp3.893.832 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp3.893.832
Rp4.361.092 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Perfect for family bonding.

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

JPark Island Resort & Waterpark
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! (548 reviews)
Outdoor pool was beautiful during the night. The cafe and restaurant were also very good and the staff there very friendly.

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2025

Citadines Cebu City
CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites

CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites

3.5 out of 5
Kiener Hills Condominiums, Matumbo-Pusok Road, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (267 reviews)
Clean room , easy check in , friendly staff and all around great experience will stay again 100%

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2025

CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites
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 centre and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (29 reviews)
It’s convenient to all sightseeing

Reviewed on 31 Oct 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

Things to do

Cities near Cebu Island