Cebu Island

Travel Guide

Kawasan Falls showing a river or creek and a waterfall
Cebu which includes a beach and general coastal views
Kawasan Falls which includes a river or creek, swimming and a cascade
Logon featuring boating and general coastal views
Cebu which includes tropical scenes and general coastal views

Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when holidaying 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 ChildOpens in a new window (Basilica Minore del Santo Niño) and Fort San PedroOpens in a new window. 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 Santo Nino Church.

Downtown Cebu
Default Image

Maribago

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Maribago and surrounding area, you can visit Jpark Island Waterpark and Magellan Monument.

Maribago
Philippines Taoist Temple showing a temple or place of worship and religious aspects

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 Ayala Malls Central Bloc while you're in town.

Lahug
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
Default Image

Mabolo

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Mabolo, SM City Cebu and Carmelite Monastery are top sights worth seeing.

Mabolo
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
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
The price is HK$1,223 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
HK$1,223
HK$1,501 total
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,017 reviews)
"My family stayed July 19-22, 2025. It was a good stay, plenty of opportunities and activity options. It is an older resort in comparison to what we were originally shopping for. The room was slightly smaller for our family but the Service staff in the pool, restaurants, and transportation staff were ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort

Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort

4 out of 5
Punta Engano Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu, Central Visayas
The price is HK$1,429 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
HK$1,429
HK$1,772 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (310 reviews)
"Had a great stay here. From check in to check out everything was great. The staff was friendly and attentive and the rooms were spacious and comfortable. Loved the amenities. The only setback would be that it’s far from the city or any other food/malls etc. (you would have to Grab and the closest ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

4 out of 5
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City, Cebu
The price is HK$447 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
HK$447
HK$501 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Towel had a smell and old. Room temperature was cold and unable to adjust"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Marco Polo Plaza 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.
Citadines Cebu City

Citadines Cebu City

4 out of 5
Baseline Center Juana Osmena Street, Cebu City
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (511 reviews)
"Great stay. Charming breakfast and amenities"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Citadines Cebu City
88th Avenue

88th Avenue

3.5 out of 5
Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, Central Visayas
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (147 reviews)
"Probably one of the better stays just outside the periphery of IT PARK (which is just a quick 7 minute walk to the mall). I stayed for 6 days in one of the lower tier suites (after looking at the other ones) and suffice it to say these mini studio apartments served me well for my stay. The hidden ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

88th Avenue
CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences

CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences

3 out of 5
G/F Retail 102 A 8 Newtown Blvd., Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (183 reviews)
"Good location. Close to many restaurants as well as a grocery store and pharmacy."

Reviewed on 17 May 2025

CSuites at 8 Newtown Residences
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