Best Travel Guide Cebu | ArrivalGuides.com

CebuGuide was updated: 2024-06-04

Referred to locally as the 'Queen of the South', Cebu, the country’s oldest city, has now become its favourite tourist destination. With a wide choice of historical sights, long stretches of white sand beaches, excellent year-round scuba and water sport activities, diverse dining options, exciting nightlife, and, of course, the famous warm hospitality, it’s no surprise that visitor numbers, new hotels, and tourist attractions are on the rise.

Do & See

Since Cebu was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, the city offers many historical attractions for visitors. The large seaport and air hub have also contributed to the modernisation of the city, blending urban culture with historical heritage.

Magellan’s Cross

Housed in a kiosk, this iconic and much prized monument marks the spot where the explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross after baptising the first Filippinos, so creating Cebu as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines. Look skywards to admire the ceiling paintings depicting the historical event.

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Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño was the first Asian basilica, built in 1740. It teems with devotees clambering to catch a glimpse of the oldest and most celebrated religious icon in the Philippines, the Santo Niño statue, presented to Queen Juana of Cebu by Magellan.

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Fort San Pedro

Built in 1740 as a nucleus for Spanish settlers, this is the smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the country. The green setting makes this fine little fort a good place to take a breather from Cebu City’s chaotic streets. Within the bastion is the Regional National Museum, which from Wednesday to Sunday, exhibits artifacts from the San Diego ship wreck.

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Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary

Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary is a large collection of moth and butterfly species, kept in a lush botanical garden. The artist J.N. Jumalon uses the discarded wings and other everyday objects to create the eye-catching mosaics on display in the attached gallery.

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Olango

Twice a year during winter and spring, on one of the most important migratory flyways in the world, tens of thousands of birds touch down on this small island to rest their weary bodies. Plovers, red shanks, egrets and sandpipers are just some of the winged visitors that can be seen here.

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Crocolandia

Crocolandia is a nature park and small zoo hosting crocodiles, birds, lizards, and other creatures that will make the children squeal. The park also displays some protected plant species. Additionally, there is a gift shop and café.

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