Cebu City travel guide and map showing the tourist attractions, hotels and places of interest around Cebu City in Philippines. Virtual tours with 360° panoramas from Cebu City, maps and local information.

Cebu City (Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of the province of Cebu and the second largest city in the Philippines. The area was first visited by Europeans in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan of Portugal arrived and was welcomed by Rajah Humabon. The Spanish arrived in numbers between 1565-7 and siezed the then abandoned settlement for Spain. Cebu then became an important port and many locals converted to Catholicism.

The impact of European, Spanish influences on Cebu are clear today. The city has become a significant cultural centre in the Philippines, full of festivals and churches. Along with a high reputation for education and good shopping, Cebu City has also become an important destination for travellers. It is well connected by both air and sea.

Cebu City - Sights and Tourist Attractions

• Casa Gorordo Museum - located in downtown Cebu this is the former home of the Gorodo family, built in the 1850's of Mactan coral stone and Philippine hardwood held together with wooden pegs.
• Basilica of Santo Niño (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) - built in the 16th century this is the oldest church in the Philippines, inside which is also a small museum to the history of Christianity in Cebu.
• Fort San Pedro - found in Plaza Indepedencia this triangular fort was built initially of wood in the 16th century by Miguel López de Legazpi, then of stone with 14 cannon emplacements.
• Magellan's Cross - housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street, the cross is reputed to have been planted by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century.
• Cebu Taoist Temple - completed in 1972 on a hill 300 meters above sea level the multi-tiered temple complex serves the Chinese community and is open to the public.
• Cebu City Philippines Temple - completed in 2010, this temple serves the purposes of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Lapu Lapu Monument (Mactan Shrine) - monument erected in 1866 where Ferdinand Magellan was killed by the chieftain of Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu, as he waded ashore to spread Catholicism.
• Cebu Cathedral - first built of wood in 1591 and the of stone in the 17th century and finally completed in 1909.
• Tops - stunning viewpoint in the hills of Busay with panoramic views over Metro Cebu, the islands of Mactan, Olango and Bohol.

Cebu City Tourism Commission
2nd Floor, CHAC Bldg.
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City 6000
Cebu, Philippines
Phone: +63 32 412-4355
Email: info@cebucitytourism.com
Web: cebucitytourism.com

Flight: Mactan-Cebu International Airpor
Ferry: Cebu Port