Pack up and indulge in a tropical escapade in the Philippines’ Queen City of South, Cebu! Prepare your way to the city’s variety of tourist spots -historical landmarks and architectures, pristine and dazzling beaches, impressive temples, and cool diving spots. Plus there’s so much more this city can offer to its visitors. No wonder why this is one of the best places to visit in Asia and preferred by backpackers and island hoppers.
Now that the city has lifted most of the travel restrictions due to Covid-19, we have more reasons to discover and explore the alluring city of Cebu. However, you might be overwhelmed with a long list of attractive spots in the city and be confused about where to go first and what to do next. Then, this guide will help you sort your travel itinerary making your visit an enjoyable and memorable trip ever.
Explore The Old and Sacred Architectural Structures
Cebu is known for the rich historical culture and religious beliefs of the residents. Therefore, travelling to Cebu will never be complete without visiting a jewel-studded statue of the Santo Nino. It is the national landmark in Cebu, the 16th-century Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Just nearby this landmark is a pint-sized Fort San Pedro which is a museum that includes the treasures from the San Diego galleon. Indulge yourself in this magic museum with some historical blasts in peaceful and beautiful sea views where these 2 sites are located.
Lapu-Lapu and Magellan are 2 of the most iconic personalities in the history of Cebu. Visiting the spots where they are featured is basically a “blast from the past” experience. A visit to a unique site of the 20-metre-high Lapu-Lapu Shrine and Magellan’s cross in the mural-covered building near the Basilica is a worth-it adventure you should not miss while in Cebu.
A museum that has gained popularity is the Museo Sugbo which is located 2 kilometres away from Fort San Pedro. It is a provincial jail from the year 1870-2004 which has several galleries and exhibits that are exciting to check out. Just a 10-minute walk from here is another historical site, the Cebu Heritage Monument which has sculptures and concrete artworks of brass, steel, and bronze.
Get Wet and Have Fun Under The Sun
The Island of Mactan is one of the most beautiful places in Cebu which is just a 30-minute taxi or bus ride from the Airport. This island features white sand beaches where you can have access to various private resorts at a daily rate to experience their water sports and activities like Shangri La’s parasailing and snorkelling taking your beach experience to the next level.
If you are on a tight budget tour, there are also free sandy beaches in the city like the grey-sand beach at Talisay or the Golden Beach at Consolacion. Or you may prefer to have a one-day getaway to Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary where you need to take a 15-minute boat ride from Cebu to the Island. From there, you can island hop to Olango Reef for a more adventurous beach trip with their water activities such as banana, boat, kayaking, and jet skiing. You have an endless choice as to what kind of beach adventure you want to explore and enjoy.
Filling Up Your Tummy and Shopping Spree With Your Peso
Travels are always great with mouth-watering foods filling up your tummies. Travelling in Cebu is surely exhaustingly fun because of the long walks and beach hopping trips, therefore you will surely be craving foods to munch and chilling out at cool food shops.
Mr A Bar and Restaurant is a perfect chill-out rendezvous as you sip your cocktail on the terrace while enjoying the stunning city views. They offer delectable dishes like sizzling squid, chicken wings, and shanghai lumpia (a type of spring roll in the Philippines). You may also want to try the local dining at Cebu in Su-Tu-Kil which specialises in local seafood and is named after the three types of cooking methods common in the Philippines.
Lechon (suckling pig) also is one of the featured Pinoy foods in Cebu. Rico’s at Mabolo is a must-try place for Lechon food tripping where you can watch it being prepared.
Carbon Market is a shopping destination jam-packed with farmer’s markets selling all goods from baskets to beachwear. Big malls in Cebu also offer red-hot sale items which can be worth every penny you spend. You can take a tour at SM City Cebu Mall or at Ayala Centre in downtown Cebu to shop and relax while exploring the masterfully-designed space.
Take A Selfie With Magnificent Background
An old Italianate mansion, The Ruins of Talisay, is a great backdrop for selfies with its skeletal remains and fountains. Or the romantic Temple of Leah with its city views as background or its impressive Angel Staircase where you can strike a pose before heading to the terrace for a fresh breath of the panoramic city sights.
Tumalog falls, a 137-kilometre road trip, features gushing umbrella-shaped waterfalls which can be a great selfie location for lovers and family. Enjoy the lush tropical greenery while listening to the gigantic sound of water as it falls down the ground.
These exciting tourist spots in Cebu will surely turn your travel experience into a worthwhile stay. Just take extra precautions while travelling keeping in mind the risks of Covid-19 still exists and ensure safe travel for you and your family. Always wear your mask and bring alcohol all the time and observe the physical distance. Don’t forget your vaccination card as some places still require you to present this proof of complete vaccination. Enjoy the best of both worlds by indulging in the rich culture of Filipinos in Cebu while soaking up in the white pristine beaches of the beautiful islands.