Cebu City★
Cebu City is the second-largest city in the Philippines and the gateway to the Visayas. Most travelers use it as a transit station — and that's okay. But those with half a day to spare will find a few worthwhile stops.
The Basilica del Santo Niño (1565) houses the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines — a figure of the Child Jesus, which Ferdinand Magellan presented to Queen Juana in 1521 as a baptismal gift. Next door stands the Magellan's Cross, said to have been erected at this spot in 1521. It marks the beginning of the Christianization of the Philippines.
The Fort San Pedro (1738) is the oldest Spanish fortification in the country — small but charming. The Carbon Market is Cebu's oldest and most chaotic market: piles of tropical fruits, dried fish, textiles, and an authentic glimpse into everyday Filipino life.
For food: Larsian BBQ is an open-air grill market where you choose your grill stand and order meat skewers, seafood, and rice for next to nothing. Cebu is also the home of Lechon — the famous Filipino roasted pig. The Zubuchon chain (praised by Anthony Bourdain as “best pig ever") is the best address.
💡 Tipp
Spend a maximum of half a day in Cebu City, then move on to the islands. For Lechon: Zubuchon on Escario Street. For the transfer to South Cebu (Moalboal, Oslob): Ceres bus from the South Bus Terminal, starting at 150 PHP.
