When it comes to travel destinations, nothing is as diverse as the “Queen City of the South” - Cebu, which is also the oldest city in the country.
Next to Manila, Cebu is one of the highly urbanized cities in the country. While most cultural and historic attractions are found in Cebu City, the best-known tourist spots in Cebu can be found all over the island.
Planning your trip to Cebu? Check out these beautiful attractions that you shouldn’t miss visiting! Here are the top things, places, and activities to try in Cebu.
Cebu Taoist Temple
Cebu Taoist Temple is a Chinese-style architecture temple built in 1972 by the Chinese Taoism community in Cebu. It is the place for prayer and meditation of the Taoists but non-believers are also welcome to visit the place.
It is one of the most popular attractions in Cebu City because of its unique and artistic structures. Additionally, from the temple, you would be able to see the beautiful view of the city and even Mactan Island.
Temple of Leah
Temple of Leah is located along the Cebu Transcentral highway. It was built by Teodorico Soriano Adarna in 2012 as a symbol of his undying love for his wife of 53 years, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.
The Temple of Leah has 24 chambers which include a museum, an art gallery, and a library. It also features Leah’s favorite personal belongings.
Sirao Flower Garden
If you want to experience the Netherlands, then you should visit Sirao Flower Garden, which is commonly called “The Little Amsterdam” because it features an array of celosia (or ‘Burlas’ by locals) flowers in flaring red, purple, yellow, and orange.
Sirao Flower Garden is located in the more elevated spot in the Busay area.
10,000 Roses of Cebu
When in Cebu, don’t forget to visit the nearby island of Mactan to see 10,000 Roses of Cebu. Located in Day-as Barangay Rd, Cordova, Cebu, 10,000 Roses features 10,000 artificial LED-powered roses that surround a cafe.
Locals and tourists alike prefer to go there during dusk to enjoy the beautiful sunset while the roses lit up at night.
Osmeña Peak
Located in Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Osmeña Peak is the highest point in the entire island of Cebu. Standing at 1,013 meters above sea level, Osmena Peak is made up of lime stones with sharp protruding peaks
Osmena Peak is part of the Mantalongon mountain range that stretches as far as the municipality of Badian. Some of the activities that you can enjoy here are hiking and camping.
Kawasan Falls
The breathtaking Kawasan Falls can be found in Badian municipality.
Kawasan Falls is a three-stage cascade of clear turquoise water from mountain springs of the Mantalongon mountain range. If you are fond of adventure, then you have to try Kawasan Canyoneering, which is one of the most popular attractions in Cebu south.
The canyoneering adventure starts at Canlaob river downstream going to Kawasan falls. There are local accredited guides who accompany tourists and facilitate the activities which include walking, jumping, swimming, climbing, and abseiling through the streams.
Pescador Island
Pescador Island is located in Tañon Strait, which is just a few kilometers off the coast of Moalboal in the south of Cebu Island. It is considered one of the best diving spots in Cebu, with sandy slope island reefs covered with soft coral.
According to most travelers, there is a wall in Pescador Island that is covered with hard corals dropping down to about 40 meters or 130 ft. There are different species of colorful sea creatures in that wall, which include sharks. So when you visit this island, make sure to bring your underwater camera to capture its beautiful corals and different marine species.
Pescador Island is also known for the Sardine Run. Here, you can swim with millions of Sardines (also known as Herring) - the best way to experience the magnificent beauty of the underwater!
Oslob Whale Sharks
If you want to experience swimming with whale sharks, then you have to visit Oslob which is located on the other side of the island.
Aside from being known for old churches and beautiful beaches, Oslob became more popular because of the whale sharks.
Local fishermen would normally interact with the whale sharks to feed them until tourists began visiting Oslob to see these whale sharks being fed.
Oslob Whale Shark watching is one of the top activities in Cebu. A lot of tourists visit Oslob for this rare experience of having a close encounter with the whale sharks.
Tumalog Falls
Tumalog Falls is slowly becoming a popular attraction in Cebu. Located a few kilometers away from the whale shark attraction, Tumalog Falls feature curtain-like waterfalls that cover the entire cliff with cool and clear water.
Sumilon Island Sandbar
Sumilon is known for being a picturesque island that features a sandbar. Imagine clear blue waters and pristine white sands, you’ll definitely enjoy a one-of-a-kind tropical island getaway in Sumilon.
However, if you are planning to spend the night on the island, you have to know that it is not allowed unless you are checked in at Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, which owns the said island.
But if you are up for a day trip to the island, they provide day trip tours which include lunch and activities such as snorkeling, hiking, fishing, paddling, and many more.
Simala Church
Simala Church is located in Sibonga, which is a southern town of Cebu.
It has become one of the most popular attractions for its European cathedral-inspired design.
Monks who are devoted to the Virgin Mary are residing in this church. Simala Church also features a multitude of Mary's dressed in various cultural themes that interest locals and tourists alike.
Magellan’s Cross
Positioned under a Spanish-styled pavilion in Cebu City is a wooden cross that is said to be planted by Ferdinand Magellan, a famed explorer who presented Christianity to Cebuanos.
Magellan’s Cross earned a reputation as a holy item and became a popular pilgrimage site for locals and tourists alike.
Basilica del Sto. Niño
Just right beside the Magellan’s Cross, you will find the oldest Christian church of the Philippines - Basilica del Sto Niño.
Ferdinand Magellan’s “Sto Niño”, which is the Holy Child Jesus statue, can be found in this church.
Colon Street
Basilica del Sto. Niño is situated along Colon Street, which is considered the oldest street in the country.
Colon Street is near Cebu ports and has become the hub for early commerce. It is currently a hotspot for businesses, theaters, pubs, and shopping malls, among others. It is also in this street where you will find various pasalubong centers.
Yap Sandiego Ancestral House
The Yap Sandiego Ancestral House is one of the oldest houses in the Philippines, which was built during the Spanish era. It is said that coral stones and egg whites made the walls of this ancestral house while molave, balayong and terracotta glue the roof together.
The house features a mix of Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino design inspirations. Moreover, religious images are over the house which reflect the religiosity of Cebuanos.
Jesuit House of 1730 or Museo de Parian
Walking distance from Yap Sandiego Ancestral House is the Jesuit House of 1730, also known as “Museo de Parian”.
It is said that the second highest ranking Jesuit priest in the Philippines used to reside here. The house also welcomed transient Jesuit missionaries from various regions and has become the meeting place of the early Cebuano elites.
Jesuit House is known for being grand, think high ceilings and walls.
Casa Gorordo Museum
From the Jesuit House, you would just have to walk a few minutes to get to Casa Gorordo Museum, which is a house-turned-museum where the first Cebuano bishop, Juan Gorordo, resided.
Casa Gorordo Museum which features Philippine culture between 1800s to 1900s was originally built during the 1800s and became a museum in 1980.
Fort San Pedro
After visiting Casa Gorordo Museum, you can head to Fort San Pedro, which is the oldest fort in the Philippines.
Fort San Pedro was built to be used against Muslim warriors. However, as time passed by, other colonizers had used it for other reasons. It is said that when Americans occupied Cebu, their soldiers used Fort San Pedro as their residence.
Meanwhile, during the Japanese colonization, Japanese used the fort as a barrack, a prison and a hospital.
Museo Sugbo
Museo Sugbo is a large museum which used to be Cebu’s provincial jail.
During the Spanish occupation, this served as a prison for Filipino captives but it was during the American period that Americans placed their horses here as stables for horse racing. Meanwhile, during Japanese time, Japanese imprisoned Filipino opponents in this place.
It was decided in 2008 that this place be converted into a museum because of its rich role in Cebu’s history.
Camotes Island
Camotes Island is one of the most popular island destinations in Cebu.
Traveling from Cebu city to Danao Port where you need to ride on a boat toward the island will take you about an hour. From Danao port, traveling by the sea takes two hours.
Visiting Camotes Island is worth the travel time, because here you can enjoy numerous attractions - you can go to a lake, cave, islet, and of course, enjoy the beaches. Make sure to stay here for a night or two to be able to maximize your visit!
Bantayan Island
Aside from Camotes Island, tourists also frequent Bantayan Island, which is one of the most sought-after spots in Cebu.
From Danao, you will have to travel 2 to 3 hours more to reach Hagnaya Port, which serves as the gateway to Bantayan Island via a ferry that travels one and a half hours.
Stay in various affordable accommodations and enjoy world-class scenery in Bantayan Island. Your trip is definitely worth it! Be ready to enjoy the tranquility of the island and the beautiful waves of the seas.
Cebu Safari and Adventure
Aside from the pristine beaches, Cebu also has themed parks and zoos that are worth visiting by kids and kids-at-heart.
Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is the largest zoo in the Philippines and has Asia’s longest zipline. The zoo features plant and animal species of various kinds like exotic tigers and birds.
Located in Carmen, a northern part of Cebu, it would take you long hours from the city, so it is best to travel as early as possible. The tour at the zoo takes at least 3 hours.
Aside from touring the zoo, you can also enjoy adventure activities here such as hiking and canyoning in the waterfalls, biking, and swaying in the ziplines, among others.
Cebu Ocean Park
Cebu Ocean Park is the country’s biggest oceanarium, which is located just behind SM Seaside Mall and beside San Pedro Calungsod Chapel.
Here you can see thousands of marine species settled in aquariums of varied shapes and sizes.
Cebu is one of the best places to live, not just travel. Aside from being Visayas’ main business hub, Cebu has an excellent blend of urban and natural attractions without having to travel far away.
In fact, many large real estate developers have launched their projects in Cebu. Vista Residences, the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., considered the economic opportunities in Cebu to introduce its prime condominium property, Suarez Residences Cebu.
This flagship condominium property is designed to create the ideal human habitat by responding to life’s necessities: education, business, leisure, family and is master planned to innovatively redefine condominium living. The project offers its master-planned studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units with the beautiful mountain, sea, and city scenery all around the tower.
Suarez Residences Cebu is strategically located in the heart of the city, with the 29-storey tower located at 116 Gorordo Avenue, which is near the essential establishments as well as private or public transportation hubs.
Vista Residences also offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Quezon City, and Baguio that are strategically located within inner-city areas, in close proximity to premium universities and developed business districts.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
Vista Residences is part of Vista Land’s roster of vertical housing brands that cater to millennials and young professionals. The other vertical brands include Camella Manors, COHO, and Crown Asia.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
