Cebu Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cebu featuring a beach and general coastal views
Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when vacationing on this magical Filipino island.

Visit Cebu Island, a stunning island destination that has a wide range of adventure, natural and historical attractions. Explore a city filled with colonial landmarks, soak up the sun at glorious beach resorts, spot multicolored aquatic creatures and travel around picture-perfect islands. Cebu Island sits at the heart of the Philippines’ Visayas region. It consists of the main island plus over 150 islands and islets.

Energetic Cebu City is the island capital, its major transport hub and the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Spend time visiting historic sites such as Magellan’s Cross, the 16th-century Minor Basilica of the Holy Child (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San Pedro. Learn about island history at the Museo Sugbo and enjoy thrilling pursuits, including a 38-story high roller coaster, at the Sky Experience Adventure. Shop for everything from fresh fish to handicrafts at the Carbon Market.

Sit beneath a palm tree, soak up the sun and try various watersports at the beaches that pepper the island’s coastline. Badian, Moalboal and Oslob, the gateway for whale shark swimming tours, are all worth visiting. Just a short drive from Cebu City is Mactan Island. Find upscale all-inclusive resorts and boundless opportunities for diving, jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing activities.

Join an island-hopping trip, visit more blissful beach resorts and uncover unbeatable dive spots. Off the island’s northern tip are the unspoiled yet tourist-friendly Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island. Hop between the four islands of the Camotes Islands, often called the Lost Horizon due to their unblemished natural beauty. Visit indigenous homes and sample coconut wine on Olango Island.

For further adventure, hike to the summit of Osmeña Peak and be rewarded with panoramic views. Go canyoneering in the Matutinao Valley and cliff-jumping in Medellin. Marvel at stalagmites, stalactites and curious rock formations at Binuthan Cave and Igotan Cave, among other caves.

Reach Cebu Island by flying to Mactan-Cebu International Airport from major Asian cities. Get around via buses, taxis and ferries, which depart regularly from Cebu City. Stay overnight at all-inclusive resorts, guesthouses and luxury hotels suitable for all budgets.

Where to stay in Cebu Island

Cebu City featuring a statue or sculpture

Downtown Cebu

4/5(3 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Magellan's Cross.

Downtown Cebu
Philippines Taoist Temple which includes religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Lahug

4/5(26 area reviews)

Lahug is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Cebu Taoist Temple and Waterfront Cebu City Casino while you're in town.

Lahug
Default Image

Punta Engaño

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Though Punta Engaño may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Magellan Monument and Jpark Island Waterpark.

Punta Engaño
Default Image

North Reclamation Area

4/5(7 area reviews)

While visiting North Reclamation Area, you might make a stop by sights like SM City Cebu and Pier 4 Cebu Port.

North Reclamation Area
Carmelite Monastery featuring a statue or sculpture

Mabolo

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Mabolo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like SM City Cebu and Ayala Center.

Mabolo
Cebu which includes a luxury hotel or resort, a beach and tropical scenes

Capitol Site

4/5(7 area reviews)

While visiting Capitol Site, you might make a stop by sights like Osmeña Fountain Circle and Jose Rizal Memorial Library.

Capitol Site
Radisson Blu Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu
5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna, Cebu, Cebu
The price is AU$160 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
AU$160
per night
10 Jul - 11 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Great hotel and very accommodating staffs"

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2024

Radisson Blu Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is AU$414 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
AU$414
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Book a stay at this beach resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"It is just a little piece of heaven on earth."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
3 out of 5
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu, Cebu
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"The hotel staff was amazing, especially Job. We loved the breakfast buffet."

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2024

Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
88th Avenue
88th Avenue
3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (62 reviews)
"Great stay as always. Room was very clean and the housekeeping staff does an amazing job. I recommend Abaca Baking for some great eats.. right around the corner. If you can, book a room on the front side of the building and you won't hear the dogs and roosters. Oh and Princess is a Princess"

Reviewed on 2 Jun. 2024

88th Avenue
Citadines Cebu City
Citadines Cebu City
4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (302 reviews)
"Only issue was there were some small ants in the kitchen but it wasn't a big deal."

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2024

Citadines Cebu City
Hayat Skytower
Hayat Skytower
5 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Dr, Cebu, Central Visayas
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Cebu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City Casino ...
7.8/10 Good! (14 reviews)
First time stay
"This is a new hotel. The staff is very pleasant. The food here is outstanding. Bar services are also very good. Very affordable. Located in the hills overlooking the city."

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Hayat Skytower
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Cebu Island