If you’re considering taking a vacation in the Philippines, one of the most recommended top destinations you must not miss is Cebu. Well, it is undoubtedly one of the best and exceptionally stunning islands in the country.
Cebu is the ideal place to come for relaxation, good food, art and culture, canyoneering, historical landmarks, and, of course, beautiful beaches.
It has so much to offer. INDEED.
…but hey! What about the city area? Is it worth a visit?
Cebu City has consistently been the most popular and largest travel hub in the Visayas region. It’s the oldest and second-largest city in the Philippines. Dubbed as the “Queen City of the South” because of its impressive economics and infrastructure’s continuous growth.Β
To be honest, I’m still trying to figure if I am more of a city than a country person or the other way around. I love living in the city. I enjoy the pleasure of having the convenience, countless options for entertainment, and the fact that you’re close to almost everything. But just like some other person, I also hate being stuck in traffic. I hate pollution. And there are way too many people. Yikes!
But I also love the countryside. I mean, who would hate living close to nature? Fresh air, quiet and fewer people (where almost everyone knows you!). I can’t see living so far away from all of the city’s conveniences, but I would love to have the best of both worlds.
Cebu City is where the city and urban meet.
If you have ever been to Manila, it’s almost the same (if we’re also talking about the traffic congestion, yes! it’s quite the same) except that the cost of living in Cebu City is way cheaper, and it has better scenery.
Where to go in Cebu City? (Here are my top 6)
1. Sirao Flower Garden
It is also called Cebu’s “Little Amsterdam” because of the vibrant flowers and plants that resemble to that in the Netherlands. It’s the perfect go-to place to pose for your IG feed. You can never go wrong with this one. It’s 19 km far from the City center, and it would take you around 30-40 minutes of travel. Also, I would suggest you check the weather forecast for the day because it would be a bit hassle to go there when the rain is pouring. The road easily gets swamped and slippery, considering it is a mountainous area. The best time to visit here is from October to January.
There are souvenir stores inside. If you’re planning to give your loved ones some pasalubong (souvenir), you can buy here already as it’s hard to find and reach some good souvenir stores in Cebu. You have a lot of good options here. There are also vendors selling street foods in the vicinity.
The entrance fee is P50.00 /head.
2. Temple of Leah
If you’re already in Sirao Flower Garden, it would be more convenient if you go here next. Temple of Leah is just 20 mins away from Sirao Garden.
It is dubbed as the “Athens of Cebu” or “The Taj Mahal of Cebu” and has become more and more popular since it was built in 2012. You can see Greek and Roman-inspired architectural elements in its entirety. You can also relish the view of the entire city from a higher standpoint location here.
Here’s a little trivia! Did you know that it was constructed as a symbol of Teodorico’s eternal love to his late wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna? That’s pretty dope… and Sweet!
On the other note, expect to see a big crowd when you get there as this is the most visited destination in Cebu City, which attracts at least 500 to a thousand visitors on weekends. No Cebu city trip would be complete without stopping by the Temple of Leah.
The entrance fee is P100.00 per head.
3. Cebu Taoist Temple
Another must-visit temple in Cebu City, here we go…
In fact, The world’s first Chinatown was established in the Philippines β specifically in Binondo, Manila β in the 1590s. The Chinese community is also notable here in Cebu.
One of the most visited historical places in Cebu is The Taoist Temple. It was built as the center of worship for Taoism.
Taoism is both Chinese philosophy and religion based on the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. It pursues the harmonious unity of humans and nature.
It is positioned in Beverly Subdivision, Lahug City, which is just 6 kilometers away from the city proper.
Everyone can enter the premises whether you follow Taoism or not. You will surely appreciate the architectural structures, landscape view, and experience of the traditional Chinese ideas, culture, and historical values. A good place where you can spend time to reflect and cultivate your inner self.
The resemblance of the great wall of China can be seen at the entrance. As you wander the area, you can see some statues, pagoda-stye roofs, and stone sculptures.
Also, dragons are everywhere!
Don’t forget to bring a camera as this is a great spot as well, to take photos of the gorgeous panoramic view of Cebu city. But also, make sure you bring a lot of water to drink as you’ll be getting a bit of exercise on the 100 steps all the way up. You can do a bit of stretching and warm-up first if you want to, but don’t say I didn’t warn you*. Haha!
*Short reminders: Please observe silence while you’re in the area. Just bear in mind that this is still a temple first before anything else- a place dedicated to worship. And we just want to assure we pay respect to the devotees praying inside. Taking photos inside the prayer room is also prohibited. Please wear proper clothing if you wish to enter the temple’s altar.
The temple is open to the public for free.
4. Fort San Pedro
If you ever been to Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, this is its Cebu City’s version – but it is smaller and in a triangular shape.
It is one of the city’s historical attractions and is located in the Pier area within the Plaza Independencia.
In fact, this is the smallest and oldest fort in the Philippines. Like the other fortresses, this was also built by the Spanish alongside Cebuano laborers as a military defense structure in 1565.
You can visit a small museum inside the fort that houses some important artifacts – Spanish documents, paintings, sculptures from the time it was built in the 1700s. If you wish to visit, I suggest you come in the morning as this small museum is only open from 7am-11am.
Fort San Pedro is also open to public events as long as you pay the entrance fee. You can celebrate your birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other special events. A wedding photoshoot and a birthday celebration were both held there when we visited.
Be Aware. For safety concerns, it is recommended that you stay away from areas that are not well-lit. There may be thieves or pickpocketers around like in most places, so it would be better to be mindful to avoid unnecessary annoyances.
The admission rate is P40.00 for adults and P20.00 for children. It is free for 4 years old and younger.
5. Basilica Minore del Santo NiΓ±o de Cebu
As you know, I LOVE traveling. And every time I travel, I always find a way to visit at least one church in the area. No excuses!
Basilica Minore del Santo NiΓ±o de Cebu has always been a part of the Philippines’ religious history. It is the oldest church in the Philippines, built in 1740. This is the most visited church in Cebu.
It houses the first Christian relic in the Philippines – the miraculous statue of Sto. Nino (a representation of Jesus as a black Holy Child.) The relic was Ferdinand Magellan‘s (a famous Portuguese explorer) gift to Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana to celebrate their conversion to Christianity. The statue received a Canonical Coronation by Pope Paul VI on April 28th, 1965. This is the most celebrated religious icon in the Philippines. During the Sinulog Festival – an annual religious and cultural celebration in Cebu held every third Sunday of January – this area is packed with people.
There is also a museum inside the Basilica that showcases the Christian history in Cebu. Antique objects, century-old items of furniture, and old cloaks are on display.
Some religious items donated by devotees over the centuries are also being displayed inside.
6. Magellan’s Cross
Probably, the most iconic and recognized tourist spot in Cebu. Magellan’s Cross has always been the symbol of Cebu.
It is located halfway between the City hall and the Basilica Minore del Sto. NiΓ±o. Magellan’s Cross is a Christian cross made up of wood, erected by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, to signify the propagation of Roman Catholicism. It has become the first sign of Christianity in the Philippines.
The Magellan’s Cross is housed in an octagon-shaped pavilion. The original Cross is now confined inside the Tindalo wood cross located in the church center for protection. People started to chip off parts to bring home as a souvenir, and they believe that it possesses miraculous healing powers. The Magellan Cross displayed here is said to be a replica of such Cross.
Recommendation
Cebu City is a solo back-packer friendly. Though getting around is kind of confusing, the locals are accomodating and hospitable. Don’t be shy to approach them for help if you get lost. It is always best to ask the locals because they know the place very well. It is also essential to have a map apps on your phone, especially if you’re a first-timer in Cebu.
Also, just like in Manila, expect heavy traffic. But don’t be stressed out by that. Enjoy your experience in Cebu City. It’s better to leave early from your accommodation if you want to explore, especially during the rush hour.
Transportation
Whether you are traveling solo or in a group or with family, you can access any destinations with ease through different transportation options.
Jeepneys, taxis (but be aware of fare scam!), Tricycles, Motorcycles (locally known as habal-habal), Ferry Boats, Buses, and Vans are everywhere. You can also use the Grab app (for car-rides) or the Angkas app (for motorcycle-rides) for extra convenience.
If you’re in a group, I suggest you just rent-a-car to explore and enjoy the city more and save you time. You can rent a self-drive or with a driver. The rate ranges from 1,000-3,000 per day, depending on the car you prefer to use. This would be very convenient if you wish to maximize your stay here as there are many more places to explore.
During our trip with the family, we rented with Unstoppable Car Rentals. They are pretty accommodating and easy to book. We had no issue during our trip. And their pricing is lower compared to other options. They also offer a bunch of car options. You can contact them through their Facebook page here.
Accommodation
We used Airbnb during our stay in Cebu. Every time I look for travel accommodations, I always make sure I tick off these 3 essentials:
1. Is the area busy? It would be more safe to stay in a populous place.
2. Is it easily accessible? Especially when it’s your first time in the area, it is really convenient to have easy access to transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.; and lastly
3. how is the nightlife like? Yap! I am a person who enjoys the night more than the day, and having a great chill vibe at night is better than having none.
All of these 3 criteria are met by Cebu City’s I.T. Park. This is like the BGC (Bonifacio Global City) of Cebu. If you have the same preference for choosing accommodation like me, this area is a great choice.
You can get a lot of good options to book through Airbnb. If you’re not signed up yet, you can use my referral link to get up to P3,100.00 (roughly $65) off your first stay.
Have you ever been to Cebu City? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments down below!
You are my inspiration , I own few blogs and often run out from to brand.
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out.
Way cool! Some very valid points!
I’m happy you enjoyed your stay in Cebu. I hope you could also visit and write something about the beauty of the southern and northern part of Cebu.
Thank you for writing a comment here π I will be coming back to Cebu this year. I just hope I can explore more given that there is still a pandemic π But I’m very positive and looking forward to seeing more of Cebu.