Holiday in Cebu

What makes Cebu special as a destination?

Cebu is the tropical adventure paradise of the Philippines — a long island in the heart of the Visayas that combines turquoise lagoons, spectacular waterfalls, one of the most exciting underwater worlds in Southeast Asia, and the oldest European settlement in the country. The island province, with its capital Cebu City, is the second most important economic center in the Philippines after Manila and serves as an ideal starting point for island hopping in the central Visayas. Swimming with whale sharks in Oslob at the southern tip of the island is one of the most famous experiences in Southeast Asia: Every morning, the largest fish in the world (up to 12 meters long) gather in the bay, and snorkelers and divers can swim closely alongside these gentle giants. Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls in Badian is the ultimate adventure: For several hours, you jump, climb, and swim through a gorge with turquoise natural pools, ending at the three-tiered Kawasan waterfall. Moalboal on the west coast is a paradise for divers and snorkelers: The famous Sardine Run — a gigantic school of millions of sardines that circles permanently in front of Panagsama Beach — is reachable in just a few strokes from the shore. Additionally, the house reef offers turtles, coral gardens, and the diverse underwater world of the Tanon Strait, where dolphins also live. Bantayan Island, three hours northwest of Cebu City, is a tropical postcard paradise: powdery white sand, turquoise water, and coconut palms, with hardly any tourists and the friendliness of Filipinos. Sumilon Island in the south has one of the most beautiful sandbanks in the Philippines: A narrow strip of white sand surrounded by crystal-clear water that changes shape depending on the tides. Cebu City itself surprises with history: Magellan's Cross (1521), the Basilica del Santo Niño (the oldest church in the Philippines), and Fort San Pedro tell of the Spanish colonial period. The Carbon Market and street stalls offer Filipino street food in its most colorful form.