20 Best Things to Do in Cebu, Philippines

I have been back to Cebu more times than I can count, and each trip manages to surprise me. One day I am swimming through a canyon of turquoise water in Badian, the next I am eating lechon in a bustling night market, and then I am on a ferry toward white-sand islands up north. If you are planning your first (or fifth) visit, here is my friend-to-friend guide to the best of Cebu—what to do, when to go, where to stay, what to eat, and how to stitch it all into an easy itinerary.

Why Cebu Belongs on Your Philippines Trip

Cebu sits right in the middle of the Philippines, making it the ideal gateway to both island time and city culture. You can land at the efficient Mactan-Cebu International Airport, be on a beach in under an hour, and still have time to explore Spanish-era landmarks downtown like Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. The island itself is long and varied: rugged peaks in the south, sandbars and shoals in the southeast, and laid-back islands in the north.

What I love most is the range. In a single weekend, you can go from adrenaline (canyoneering at Kawasan Falls) to slow travel (sunset at Tops Lookout) and then stuff your face with garlicky chorizo and crispy lechon at a night market. Cebu truly fits both first-timers and repeat travelers—there is always one more island, one more waterfall, one more bowl of pochero.

Tip: Cebu is a major transport hub with frequent domestic flights and ferries to Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros, which makes it perfect for multi-island trips.

Best Time to Visit Cebu

Cebu is warm year-round, but the driest stretch typically runs from late December to May, with the most reliable sunshine from February to April according to the national climate patterns reported by PAGASA. June to November brings rain and the occasional storm, but showers are often brief, and you will find fewer crowds and better room rates.

If you are into festivals, the massive Sinulog happens in January in Cebu City—expect street parades, dance competitions, and packed hotels. Check the official announcements on Sinulog before you go.

My personal sweet spot? March and early May: calm seas for island-hopping, clear rivers for canyoneering, and warm evenings for food markets.

Top 20 Things to Do in Cebu

Here is the hit list I give friends. Mix and match based on your energy level and how far you want to travel.

Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls (Badian) – Leap off limestone ledges into turquoise pools. Go with a licensed guide for safety. Start early to beat crowds.
Moalboal Sardine Run – Millions of sardines swirl right off Panagsama Beach; you can swim out from shore. Turtles show up often.
Pescador Island Snorkeling – Combine with Moalboal; clear walls, corals, and occasional dolphins.
Sumilon Island Sandbar (Oslob) – A shifting blue-and-white dream. Go early at low tide for the best sandbar.
Malapascua Thresher Sharks – The only reliable year-round spot for sunrise thresher shark dives at Monad Shoal (for certified divers).
Bantayan Island Beaches – Santa Fe’s long white stretches, slow vibes, and cheap seafood dinners.
Camotes Islands – Lake Danao for kayaking, Bukilat Cave for a swim in cathedral-like chambers.
Osmeña Peak (Dalaguete) – Short hike, big views; sunrises paint the jagged “Chocolate Hills of Cebu”.
Temple of Leah – Cebu’s quirky, Roman-inspired love letter. Pair with a sunset at Tops Lookout.
Sirao Flower Garden – A sea of celosia blooms; best in the cooler months. Expect crowds on weekends.
Magellan’s Cross & Basilica del Santo Niño – Cebu’s historical core; dress modestly and be respectful inside the basilica.
Fort San Pedro – A small but atmospheric fort with leafy courtyards; a quick cultural stop.
Tops Lookout / Top of Cebu – Panoramic city views—come at golden hour, stay for dinner.
Olango Wildlife Sanctuary (Mactan) – Seasonal migratory birds; bring binoculars and go at high tide for better sightings.
Mactan Island-Hopping – Hilutungan, Nalusuan, and Caohagan for beginner-friendly snorkeling.
Mantayupan Falls (Barili) – Easy-access waterfall that pairs well with a southbound road trip.
Tumalog Falls (near Oslob) – Curtain-like cascades; best after some rain when the flow is stronger.
Carbon Market & Colon Street – Cebu’s gritty, lively heart; come in the day, mind your belongings, and try fresh mango.
Sugbo Mercado (IT Park) – Night market with lechon, puso (hanging rice), and everything from ramen to barbecue.
Whale Shark Viewing in Oslob (with caveats) – If you choose to go, follow strict guidelines and keep your distance. Marine groups like WWF Philippines recommend avoiding feeding-based interactions and opting for non-provisioned sites such as Donsol in Sorsogon.

Pro tips: south Cebu (Moalboal, Badian, Oslob) works best as an overnighter loop so you are not backtracking from Cebu City. North Cebu (Bantayan, Malapascua, Camotes) each deserves 2–3 days if you can spare them.

Sample 4-Day Cebu Itinerary

This is my no-rush, first-time favorite. Adjust based on your interests and flight times.

Day 1: Cebu City Warm-Up

Land at MCIA, drop your bags, then visit Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, and Fort San Pedro. Head up to Temple of Leah and Tops for sunset. Dinner at IT Park and graze through Sugbo Mercado.

Day 2: Moalboal + Sardines

Early bus or private transfer to Moalboal (3–4 hours). Check in near Panagsama Beach. Do a half-day Pescador Island + sardine run + turtle snorkel. Sunset beers by the water.

Day 3: Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls

Start by 7 AM. Jump, slide, and swim through Badian canyons to Kawasan Falls with a licensed guide. Recover with a slow lunch, then continue to Oslob area (optional) or back to Moalboal.

Day 4: Sumilon Sandbar or Cebu City Food Crawl

If you overnight near Oslob, visit the Sumilon sandbar at low tide. Otherwise, return to Cebu City for souvenir runs (otap, dried danggit) and a lechon lunch before your flight.

Alternative: Swap Days 2–3 for two nights in Bantayan (north) if you prefer beaches over adventure. Travel times are longer, but the vibe is worth it.

Where to Stay in Cebu

Cebu has stays for every budget and mood. Here is how I choose areas:

Cebu City (Ayala/IT Park/Lahug) – Best for first/last nights, food trips, and easy airport access. You will find everything from hostels to business hotels and scenic hilltop stays.
Mactan – Resort zone with private beaches, island-hopping, and faster airport transfers. Great for families and short getaways.
Moalboal (Panagsama) – Laid-back dive lodges and beach cottages; perfect for sardine run access and sunsets.
Badian – Quiet base for early canyoneering starts and emerald river vibes.
Oslob – Convenient for Sumilon sandbar and Tumalog Falls; pick stays away from the busy whale shark area for a calmer night.
Bantayan / Malapascua – Island chill. Expect slower Wi-Fi, starry skies, and barefoot breakfasts on the sand.

Budget guide (per room/night): Backpacker PHP 600–1,200; Mid-range PHP 2,000–4,500; Resort PHP 5,000+. Peak season weekends can spike—book ahead for January (Sinulog) and Holy Week.

What and Where to Eat in Cebu

Food is half the reason I fly back. Do not leave without trying:

Lechon – Cebu’s iconic roasted pig. I like pairing it with puso (hanging rice) and a squeeze of calamansi. Many locals will happily debate the “best”—you cannot go wrong if there is a long line.
Chorizo de Cebu – Sweet-savory pork sausages, often on sticks at night markets.
SuTuKil – Short for “sugba, tuwa, kilaw” (grill, stew, ceviche). Pick your seafood and choose how it is cooked.
Tuslob Buwa – A rich, garlicky, sizzling dip with puso; try it with a local guide for the full story.
Pochero – Cebu’s comforting beef shank soup with corn and greens.
Dried danggit and otap – Classic take-home pasalubong. You will find them around Carbon Market and supermarkets.

For easy grazing, the nightly Sugbo Mercado in IT Park is perfect—one lap, three plates.

How to Get Around Cebu

From the airport: MyBus connects MCIA to SM City and IT Park. Taxis and Grab are plentiful. Private transfers are worth it if you are heading south late in the day.

Within the city: Grab/taxi for convenience; jeepneys for the classic ride (have coins ready). Traffic builds at rush hour, so pad travel time.

Going south (Moalboal/Badian/Oslob): Ceres buses from the South Bus Terminal run frequently, but count 3–4 hours. Vans or a private car shorten transfer times and simplify multi-stop days.

Going north (Bantayan/Malapascua): Buses from the North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya (Bantayan) or Maya (Malapascua), then short ferries. Start early.

Island-hopping: Join group boats for value or charter a private banca for flexible timing and less crowding.

Essential Tips and Budget

Costs: Daily backpacker PHP 1,500–2,500; mid-range PHP 3,500–6,000; comfortable adventure days (canyoneering + island-hopping) can run PHP 3,000–6,000 depending on group size and inclusions.

Cash & connectivity: ATMs are easy in Cebu City and Mactan; scarcer in south and north islands. Grab a local SIM (Globe or Smart) at the airport for data and Grab.

Safety & etiquette: Cebu is generally safe, but watch your pockets in busy markets. Dress modestly in churches. Reef-safe sunscreen only, and pack a dry bag for canyoneering.

Responsible travel: Choose licensed guides, bring your own refillable bottle, and avoid single-use plastics on boats. For wildlife, keep your distance and do not touch or feed.

Got extra days? Pair Cebu with Bohol (2 hours by ferry) for Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, or hop to Siquijor for waterfalls and chill beaches.

Want everything stitched together day by day? Check out our Cebu 4-Day Itinerary for an easy plug-and-play plan.