Cebu has a lot to offer to both local and foreign visitors. The place has something for everybody. Good food, heritage sites, natural wonders, and unique experiences. The island has everything for everybody. We listed ten things you can do while you are in Cebu.
Magellan’s Cross – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
1. Eat
Cebu can be a culinary paradise for people willing to explore. Aside from the ubiquitous fast food restaurants, you can also find specialty restaurants catering to the different tastes of residents and visitors to the island. But, if you really want to experience Cebu, you should eat like a local. The first thing you should eat is the world-famous Cebu lechon. You can also visit Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente and eat like a Cebuano. The sutukil restaurants in Mactan and Cebu City are also must-visits for local and foreign tourists. Eating your way around Cebu will allow you to discover Cebu in a unique way.
Cebu can be a culinary paradise for people willing to explore. Aside from the ubiquitous fast food restaurants, you can also find specialty restaurants catering to the different tastes of residents and visitors to the island. But, if you really want to experience Cebu, you should eat like a local. The first thing you should eat is the world-famous Cebu lechon. You can also visit Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente and eat like a Cebuano. The sutukil restaurants in Mactan and Cebu City are also must-visits for local and foreign tourists. Eating your way around Cebu will allow you to discover Cebu in a unique way.
Tatang’s Lechon – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
2. Take a Walking Tour of Cebu
The Queen City of the South has a rich heritage being the home of some of the oldest churches in the country. While many of these churches can be found outside the city, there are still a number of them in the city. In addition, there are some tourist spots within walking distance of each other. You can explore these heritage sites by going on a walking tour of Cebu. You can start at Fort San Pedro and end up at the Heritage Monument.
The Queen City of the South has a rich heritage being the home of some of the oldest churches in the country. While many of these churches can be found outside the city, there are still a number of them in the city. In addition, there are some tourist spots within walking distance of each other. You can explore these heritage sites by going on a walking tour of Cebu. You can start at Fort San Pedro and end up at the Heritage Monument.
Cebu Heritage Monument– image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
3. Bring Home a Pasalubong
While the Cebu lechon is the most famous delicacy of Cebu, there are a lot more food options the Queen City of the South can offer. You can bring home with you the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch. Just make sure you bring a lot because you might find yourself munching on these delectable pasalubong items while at the airport.
While the Cebu lechon is the most famous delicacy of Cebu, there are a lot more food options the Queen City of the South can offer. You can bring home with you the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch. Just make sure you bring a lot because you might find yourself munching on these delectable pasalubong items while at the airport.
Butterscotch – image source: peanutbrowas.com
4. Visit Taboan Market
The danggit is another favorite pasalubong item, and you can find the best ones at the Taboan Market. The Taboan Market is located in Pahina Central and has numerous stalls selling different types of dried seafood. The prices at the market are also quite reasonable. The place was even featured on “No Reservations” of Anthony Bourdain. So, a visit to the Taboan Market should be in the things you should do when you visit Cebu.
The danggit is another favorite pasalubong item, and you can find the best ones at the Taboan Market. The Taboan Market is located in Pahina Central and has numerous stalls selling different types of dried seafood. The prices at the market are also quite reasonable. The place was even featured on “No Reservations” of Anthony Bourdain. So, a visit to the Taboan Market should be in the things you should do when you visit Cebu.
Taboan Market Goodies– image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
5. Take a Dip in the Beaches of Cebu
A visit to Cebu is never complete if you have not taken a dip in its beaches. The beaches of Cebu have been considered as among the best in the world. While there are many beaches located on Mactan Island, you can take a road trip and visit the beaches in other parts of the island. You can go to Bantayan Island or Camotes. But, if you are not keen on taking a boat to these islands, you can also visit Maravilla Beach in Tabuelan.
A visit to Cebu is never complete if you have not taken a dip in its beaches. The beaches of Cebu have been considered as among the best in the world. While there are many beaches located on Mactan Island, you can take a road trip and visit the beaches in other parts of the island. You can go to Bantayan Island or Camotes. But, if you are not keen on taking a boat to these islands, you can also visit Maravilla Beach in Tabuelan.
Maravilla Beach– image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
6. Ride a Habal-habal
While a government agency stopped a motorcycle-hailing app company from continuing its operations, a local official has allowed the habal-habal or motorcycles for hire to operate in the city. It is the main mode of transportation in many of the mountain barangays in Cebu. In fact, there are some tourist spots in the mountains of Cebu where the habal-habal is the most affordable mode of transportation. But, you should always make sure to put safety in the driver’s seat, so to say, if you want to try this mode of transportation.
While a government agency stopped a motorcycle-hailing app company from continuing its operations, a local official has allowed the habal-habal or motorcycles for hire to operate in the city. It is the main mode of transportation in many of the mountain barangays in Cebu. In fact, there are some tourist spots in the mountains of Cebu where the habal-habal is the most affordable mode of transportation. But, you should always make sure to put safety in the driver’s seat, so to say, if you want to try this mode of transportation.
Habal-habal in Cebu – image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net
7. Join a Fun Run
The healthy bug has bitten a lot of people in Cebu. There are fun runs all over the place. In the past few years, there were fun runs organized each month. If you feel you are fit enough, you can join these fun runs. There are some runners who put the fun in these fun runs by wearing costumes while they run. If you are brave enough, you may want to wear a costume as well. We never know, you might even go viral, in a good way, of course.
The healthy bug has bitten a lot of people in Cebu. There are fun runs all over the place. In the past few years, there were fun runs organized each month. If you feel you are fit enough, you can join these fun runs. There are some runners who put the fun in these fun runs by wearing costumes while they run. If you are brave enough, you may want to wear a costume as well. We never know, you might even go viral, in a good way, of course.
Fun Run in Cebu – image source: mycebu.ph
8. Cross the Two Bridges between Mactan and Cebu
In the past, the only way to cross the Mactan Channel between Cebu and Mactan Island was through boats. This changed after the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge was built in 1970. The bridge served countless Cebuanos and visitors to Cebu for decades. The second Mactan-Mandaue Bridge or the Marcelo Fernan Bridge was opened in 1999 to cater to the increasing traffic between the two islands. You may want to cross these two bridges when you are in Cebu. Since these the traffic on these bridges is slow-moving during the day, you may want to cross them at night when there are lesser vehicles plying the roads.
In the past, the only way to cross the Mactan Channel between Cebu and Mactan Island was through boats. This changed after the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge was built in 1970. The bridge served countless Cebuanos and visitors to Cebu for decades. The second Mactan-Mandaue Bridge or the Marcelo Fernan Bridge was opened in 1999 to cater to the increasing traffic between the two islands. You may want to cross these two bridges when you are in Cebu. Since these the traffic on these bridges is slow-moving during the day, you may want to cross them at night when there are lesser vehicles plying the roads.
Marcelo Fernan Bridge – image source: en.wikipedia.org
9. Swim with the Whale Sharks
Another activity you should not miss doing is swimming with the butandings or whale sharks in Oslob. This has become a major tourist activity in this southern Cebu town. If you plan to swim with the butandings, you should go to Oslob early in the morning since the activity ends at 12:00 noon of each day.
Another activity you should not miss doing is swimming with the butandings or whale sharks in Oslob. This has become a major tourist activity in this southern Cebu town. If you plan to swim with the butandings, you should go to Oslob early in the morning since the activity ends at 12:00 noon of each day.
Whale Sharks in Oslob – image source: cebutours.ph
10. Walk along Colon Street
Colon Street is the oldest street in the country. It has been and continues to be the center of commerce in the city. You can find just about anything being sold in stalls along Colon Street. You may want to walk the whole stretch of Colon. If you are lucky, you may find what you have been looking for while exploring the street. But, always be vigilant of your surroundings when you explore the area.
Colon Street is the oldest street in the country. It has been and continues to be the center of commerce in the city. You can find just about anything being sold in stalls along Colon Street. You may want to walk the whole stretch of Colon. If you are lucky, you may find what you have been looking for while exploring the street. But, always be vigilant of your surroundings when you explore the area.
Colon Street – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
These are just ten things you might want to do while you are in Cebu. Just remember to always bring a pack of Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, or Butterscotch to stave off the pangs of hunger while you explore Cebu.
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