Cebu City, also known as the “Queen City of the South,” is considered the oldest city in the Philippines. It is the most visited place by tourists in the Visayas region, with the busiest seaports and one of the largest air hubs.
With several historical accounts pointing to this place where Ferdinand Magellan died, Cebu City is also considered a historic place. The cross Magellan brought from Spain 500 years ago and other ancient forts can also be found in this city.
Today, Cebu City continues to flourish in business, trade, food, and tourism.
You can do so much in Cebu City. While you’re taking a vacation, here are some of the best activities in Cebu City.
Your vacation in Cebu City wouldn’t be complete if you haven’t eaten out at different restaurants! Cebu City is known for its exotic dishes and specialties. Try their best-selling Cebu Lechon, a whole pig that is roasted in coals. If you prefer street food, try Ginabot, Nilarang Bakasi, and Tuslob Buwa. For desserts, ampao, bukarilyo, dried mangoes, and otap are must-tries.
If you happen to visit Kawasan Falls, canyoneering is one of the best activities done here. The activity begins at the Canlaob River, which goes downstream to Kawasan Falls. You have tour guides while canyoneering to accompany and facilitate the tourists the whole time.
As mentioned earlier, Cebu City is known to have a rich history. Cebu City is the first settlement of the Spaniards in the Philippines. There are different shrines and sites across the city that still exist today. The local government and tourism office renovates and maintains the old architecture of each shrine, and each of these shrines has a story to tell. Pay a visit at Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, Colon Street, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.
Cebu City attracts dozens of thousands of tourists all year round. For first-timers in Cebu City, here are some of the most visited places to begin with:
Oslob is one of the most famous places in Cebu City because you get to see a multitude of whale sharks or butanding. You can also swim along for a closer encounter and interaction with them.
Magellan’s Cross is another of Cebu City’s main attractions. This cross is an important historical marker in Cebu City because it denotes the Spaniard’s arrival in the city and the birth of Christianity in the Philippines.
If you love plants and flowers, Sirao Flower Garden has varieties of flowers you can check out. Be sure to check the most famous flower, Celosia. The entrance fee is Php 20, however, there is a flock of tourists taking photos around the garden.
Temple of Leah is considered as Cebu’s Taj Mahal. It has been a go-to place for foreign and local tourists because of its Greek-inspired architecture. This temple is home to the memorabilia of the late Leah Albino-Adarna, the Filipina actress Ellen Adarna's grandmother.
Cebu City also offers clear, turquoise waters from the mountains. The water from Kawasan Falls comes from the Mantalongon mountain springs. This fall is located in the southern part of Cebu, and it is truly a hidden gem.
Planning to visit Cebu City in the next coming days? Checkout the weather in Cebu City.
Despite Cebu City being a group of islands in the Visayas region, traveling here is not a hassle. There are different means of transportation going to Cebu City if you’re coming from Manila.
The easiest way to get to Cebu City is by air. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia offer direct flights from Manila to Cebu and vice versa. All airlines have flexible flight schedules and offer around 30 flights a day. Depending on the airline, a flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to Mactan-Cebu International Airport takes around 45 minutes to one hour.
If you don’t like traveling via air, you can travel to Cebu City by sea. Go to Pier 15 in Manila and ride a ferry going to Cebu International Port. Super Ferry offers routes from Manila to Cebu only four to six times a week, so be sure to check the schedule.
Since the travel time takes around almost 24 hours, you may need to pay for accommodation, which costs around Php 2,000 to Php 5,000. Aside from having a comfortable room to sleep in, you can enjoy other amenities on the ferry like salons and eat out at different restaurants inside.
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