Cebu City Tourist Destinations

Cebu City is known to be the Queen City of the south. It is the center of trade in the whole Visayas region making it the most progressive. It is the second-largest city in the country in terms of per capita income second to Metro Manila. It is one of the most populated cities in the country. The city has played a very important role in the history of the country making it very popular in terms of historical heritage. These cultural heritage sites became tourist attractions that allures tourists to visit the city. Aside from historical heritage sites, Cebu City has so much to exhibit in terms of tourist attractions.

Listed below are among Cebu City’s Tourist Destinations:

Magellan’s Cross

This is a Christian cross planted by Spanish and Portuguese explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan when they stepped on the soil of Cebu Island. It was planted on March 15, 1521.

Magellans Cross
Magellans Cross

Sto. Niño Church (Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño)

This is the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines. It is a minor basilica and was founded by Fray Andres de Urdaneta in 1565. It is built on the spot where the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu was found during the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

sto nino church
St Nino Church

Fort San Pedro

This the oldest triangular bastion fort in the country. It was built in 1738 by the Spanish under the command of the first governor of the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

fort san pedro
Fort San Pedro

Plaza Independencia

This site is a symbol of independence and freedom for the Cebuanos from all the conquistadors that tried to colonize the island of Cebu. This is considered as one of the most significant sites in Cebu City.

Plaza Independencia

Heritage Cebu Monument

This monument exhibits significant and symbolic events in the history of Cebu dating back to the time of Rajah Humabon till the recent beatification of the Cebuano martyr, Pedro Calungsod. It was built by a local artist named Eduardo Castrillo.

Cebu City Heritage Monument
Cebu City Heritage Monument

Sugbo Museum

This museum was once a prison and was called “Carcel de Cebu” which served as the provincial jail of Cebu. It was designed in 1869 by Domingo de Escondrillas who used to be the only architect in Cebu during that time. Nowadays, this edifice serves as a warehouse of Cebuano Heritage which houses significant artifacts in the history of Cebu.

Sugbo Museum
Sugbo Museum

7. Taoist Temple – This temple was built by Cebu’s substantial Chinese community in 1972. It is the center for Taoism, the religion that follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Zi.

Cebu Taoist Temple
Taoist Temple

8. Temple of Leah – This is a Roman inspired edifice that is built as a symbolism of the undying love of Teodorico Adarna to his wife Leah Villa Albino-Adarna. It showcases an intricate architecture and displays a breath-taking view of the whole Cebu City.

Temple of Leah
Temple of Leah

9. Sirao Garden – This place is famously known as the “Little Amsterdam of Cebu”. It is because it replicates the beautiful and colourful flowers in Amsterdam, Netherlands. But unlike in Amsterdam that grows tulips, Sirao Gardens grow celosia flowers and other varieties that are as colourful as the tulips.

Sirao Garden 2

10. Tops Lookout – This place is famous not just because of the cold breeze but also because of the beautiful view of the whole Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City. The perfect city lights view can be seen during the night.

Cebu Tops Lookout
Cebu Tops Lookout

11. LDS Temple – Though this is not a tourist destination, this building is probably the most fascinating in the whole city. Pictures taken with this building as the background is truly Instagram worthy.

Cebu Temple
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Temple