By air
Mactan–Cebu International (CEB), ~15 km from the city
Southeast Asia · Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Whale sharks, waterfalls and old churches
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to May — dry season
Don't miss
Kawasan Falls
Moalboal
The Basilica del Santo Niño
Magellan's Cross
Things to do
Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls
The sardine run at Moalboal
Magellan's Cross in the city
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Andrewhaimerl · CC BY 4.0
What to pack
Swimwear, water shoes
A quieter corner
Osmeña Peak, the highest point on the island
Questions travellers ask
Is there a dry season in Cebu?
Yes, December to May. Pack swimwear and water shoes.
How far is Cebu's airport from the city?
Mactan–Cebu International (CEB) is about 15 km from the city.
What are the must-dos in Cebu?
Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls, the sardine run at Moalboal, the Basilica del Santo Niño and Magellan's Cross in the city. The hidden gem is Osmeña Peak, the highest point on the island.
What dish is Cebu famous for?
Lechon, spit-roast pig, is Cebu's famous dish.
About Cebu
- Island
- Coastal
Where it is
Cebu is a long, narrow island province in the Central Visayas of the Philippines, with a mountainous spine running its length, its capital Cebu City on the east coast and dive sites such as Moalboal on the west.
History
Cebu was a thriving trading port under Rajah Humabon when Ferdinand Magellan's expedition arrived in 1521, planting a cross and baptising the rajah's household; weeks later Magellan was killed on Mactan by the forces of the chief Lapulapu. In 1565 Miguel López de Legazpi founded the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines here, making Cebu City the oldest city in the country.
People
Cebuanos speak Cebuano (Bisaya), one of the most widely spoken languages of the Philippines, along with Filipino and English. The Sinulog festival each January honours the Santo Niño with street dancing, and the island is famous for lechon, guitars and dried mangoes.
Known for
- Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño
- Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls
- The sardine run at Moalboal
- Lechon, Cebu's roast pig
- The Sinulog festival in January
Did you know?
The Santo Niño de Cebu, a small figure of the Christ Child given as a baptismal gift in 1521, is the oldest Christian image in the Philippines and is kept in the Basilica del Santo Niño.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.