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Cebu City

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At a glance

Region
Central Visayas
Population
960,000
Best time to go
December to May
Main airport
Mactan–Cebu International (CEB)
Coordinates
10.32°N, 123.89°E

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Overview

Cebu City is the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines and the hub of the central islands. Ferdinand Magellan landed here in 1521, and the city still wears its Catholic heritage proudly, above all during the Sinulog festival each January.

The centre is busy and gritty, but it makes a good base. Within a few hours you can be diving with sardine shoals, swimming under waterfalls or hopping between white-sand islets off Mactan.

Things to see

  • Magellan's Cross
    Photo: LMP 2001, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Magellan's Cross

    A wooden cross said to contain fragments of the original planted by Magellan, housed in a small painted kiosk.

  • Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
    Photo: LMP 2001, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

    The country's oldest church site, home to a revered statue of the Christ Child and constant streams of worshippers.

  • Fort San Pedro
    Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0

    Fort San Pedro

    A compact triangular Spanish fort near the port, with shady gardens and a small museum inside its walls.

    Tickets and tours
  • Taoist Temple
    Photo: Neigo Genetiano, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Taoist Temple

    A colourful hillside temple in the Beverly Hills district, with dragon roofs and views over the city.

Things to do

  • Eat lechon
    Photo: Bim24, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Eat lechon

    Cebu claims the best roast pig in the country, with crackling skin and herb-stuffed meat. Order it by the kilo.

  • Island hopping from Mactan
    Photo: A.C.T. Alejandre, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Island hopping from Mactan

    Take a traditional outrigger banca to snorkel the reefs and sandbars off Mactan, Nalusuan and Hilutungan.

    Find tours
  • Day trip to Moalboal
    Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Day trip to Moalboal

    On the island's west coast, huge sardine shoals swirl just off the shore and turtles graze in the shallows.

  • Kawasan Falls
    Photo: A.C.T. Alejandre, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kawasan Falls

    Turquoise pools in the jungle near Badian, often combined with canyoneering down the river.

    Find tours

Where to stay

Getting around

Grab and metered taxis are the easiest options. Jeepneys are cheap but routes take some figuring out.

The airport is on Mactan Island; a taxi or Grab across the bridges to the city takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

When to go

December to May is the dry season and the best time for beaches and diving. Sinulog, on the third Sunday of January, fills the streets with dancers and drums. June to November is wetter, with occasional typhoons.

Plan your trip to Cebu City

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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