4 Things to Do in Cebu, Philippines
I love the Philippines! I’ve gone so far to say that The Philippines should be your first destination in Asia. For starters, nearly everyone in the Philippines speaks English, which really helps eliminate any language barriers you might be worried about.
I also love traveling to the Philippines because the people are so friendly, the food is amazing and there is so much beauty in this country. With over 7,000 islands, choosing a Philippines destination can be overwhelming.
One Philippines island that I love to visit is Cebu. If you love white sand beaches, turquoise blue water and swaying palm trees, you will love Cebu.
Whether you want an active vacation that involves scuba diving and hiking to hidden waterfalls, or if you prefer a relaxing spot on the beach sipping fruity drinks out of a coconut, Cebu has it all. Once you’ve decided to visit Cebu, make sure you include these four experiences in your Cebu itinerary.
Cebu City Tour
While you might visit Cebu for the beaches and the ocean, it’s fun to check out Cebu City while you’re here.
Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines, with a distinct Spanish Colonial influence, so you can be sure there are plenty of interesting sights to check out. Some of the things to see in Cebu City include:
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, site of the first church in the Philippines
Fort San Pedro, 18th-century Spanish fort
Magellan’s Cross, a huge wooden cross containing remnants from the cross Magellan planted here in the 16th century.
Museo Sugbo, a Cebu history museum
Casa Gorordo Museum, 1850s home open to the public
Tops Observation Deck, where you can look out over the city
Eat Lechon
What is Lechon, you ask? Lechon is a roasted suckling pig and it’s one of the best things you’ll ever eat. It’s practically the national dish of the Philippines, and it’s my favorite food to eat in the Philippines.
There are a couple of places where you have to try Lechon in Cebu.
Eat lechon. It’s one of the best things to do in cebu.
Zubuchon - it’s widely (mis-)quoted that Anthony Bourdain said this was the “best pig in the world” but there is some truth to the legend.
When Tony visited Cebu, he had Lechon prepared by the man who later opened Zubuchon. It’s the same recipe, but it was prepared for him before the Zubuchon restaurant ever opened. There are three locations in Cebu where you can try this amazing dish.
House of Lechon - another popular place to eat Lechon in Cebu is House of Lechon, which also has three locations. House of Lechon has been awarded as the Premier Spicy Lechon Specialty Restaurant in Cebu.
I highly recommend trying both Lechon spots and deciding which one you like best. You can never have enough Lechon in Cebu. Make sure you leave room for dessert as you have to try halo-halo.
Translated as “mix-mix” this Philippine dessert is a layered mix of sweet beans, ice cream, fruit, shaved ice, and evaporated milk.
Cebu Island Hopping
You have to spend a day island hopping from Cebu. There are just too many Philippine Islands to only see one during your trip. We spent an amazing day island hopping from Cebu. We visited multiple islands and we were able to snorkel and jet ski throughout the day.
We also had a delicious fresh seafood lunch; we were presented with our choice of live fish which was then cooked for us right on the beach, including fresh sea urchin! Uni at the sushi restaurants back home will never taste as good as what we had on our boat!
The people on our boat were lovely and I would absolutely do this Cebu day trip again next time I visit.
Sirao Flower Garden
This spot is for my Instagram girls. Sirao Flower Garden is set in the mountains about 12 miles outside of Cebu City. We hired a driver to bring us there for a sunset photo shoot amongst the many amazing props scattered throughout the gardens.
In addition to gorgeous flowers everywhere set against a beautiful mountain backdrop, the gardens are known for photo opportunities.
There’s the human-size nest, a giant hand reaching up from the ground that you can sit in, windmills and different signs like “LOVE” and “I <3 Sirao Garden.” We arrived right before sunset, which is perfect for pictures, but we almost didn’t make it because of Cebu’s legendary traffic jams. Allow lots of time to get here!
Where to Stay in Cebu
My favorite place to stay in Cebu is the Shangri-La Mactan, which has stunning views and is a truly luxurious experience for Cebu travelers. From the staff to the spa and the plethora of on-site activities like jet skis and kayaks, I can’t think of a better place to stay in Cebu.
What to Buy in Cebu
If there’s one souvenir to bring home from Cebu, it’s dried mango. Cebu has some of the best mangoes in the world, and you’ll definitely eat a lot of fresh mango during your stay.
If you want to remember your trip once you are back home, or bring home a gift for friends and family, dried mango is the way to go. Sure, you can get dried mango back in the States, but it’s much cheaper in Cebu, and the quality is much better. You’ll see it for sale everywhere, so don’t forget to grab a few bags before you pack up and head home.
Cebu Tour Guides
I highly recommend hiring guides to show you around Cebu. You’ll be more efficient with your time, and you’ll get to see places known only to locals and residents. Matt and Stuart were excellent guides during our stay, so as you start to plan out your Cebu itinerary, drop them a line and let them know Valerie sent you!