Cebu Island

Travel Guide
Cebu showing general coastal views and a beach
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

3.5/5(5 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(17 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

Basdiot

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Basdiot, you might make a stop by sights like Panagsama Beach and Naomi's Bottle Museum.

Basdiot
Default Image

North Reclamation Area

4/5(8 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
Default Image

Punta Engaño

3/5(4 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
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
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Quest Hotel & Conference Center
3 out of 5
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu, Cebu
The price is RM202 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
RM202
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (1,023 reviews)
"Excellent breakfast buffet!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Quest Hotel & Conference Center
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
5 out of 5
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is RM800 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
RM800
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this beach resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 outdoor pools. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Jpark Island Waterpark are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Very friendly staff. Massage specialist were very kind and provided great service."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2024

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is RM1,432 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
RM1,432
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this beach resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"The staff are incredible. Erma in the tides restaurant was so kind in helping me with the Filipino foods and Liza in the lobby lounge made us feel like family."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
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.
Copenhagen East Residences
Copenhagen East Residences
2.5 out of 5
A. C. Cortes Avenue, Cambaro, Mandaue, Cebu
Stay at this apartment in Mandaue. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a balcony. Popular attractions Mandaue City Hall and J Centre Mall are located nearby. ...
8/10 Very Good! (74 reviews)
"I almost like everything except there’s no elevator, no restaurant or cafeteria and no groceries"

Reviewed on 10 Sep 2023

Copenhagen East Residences
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, a children's pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (265 reviews)
"Room was nice, had 1 bedroom apartment, though it was compact, had everything we needed, including washing machine, but if no washing machine in your room, there is laundry by pool. Limited number of beds at pool. Breakfast was best we've had whilst travelling in Philippines, amazing choice and ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Citadines Cebu City
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 Ayala Malls Central Bloc and Cebu ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (47 reviews)
"This is a great hotel and I stay here everytime I come to Cebu. Great rooms, Great staff, Great location"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

88th Avenue
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

Things to do