February 19, 2020Cebu is one of the Philippines’ most coveted travel destinations with its amazing assortment of white sand beaches, culinary experiences, breathtaking views, exhilarating excursions, and so much more.
The island just brims with the best of what nature has to offer. Plus, this urban paradise oozes with adventure, electrifying discoveries, and a healthy dose of history and rich cultural heritage.
Cebu has become our first travel destination for 2020. Needless to say, our trip was phenomenal. What an extraordinary experience to see our hometown flourish with new sights and sounds, as the city continues to become more and more popular among globe trotters everywhere!
It’s time to make Cebu your next travel destination. With that in mind, here are some of our highly recommended places to go when visiting Cebu City Philippines.
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#1 Sirao Gardens
This charming modern day Garden of Eden is adorned with nature’s most extravagant ensembles and man’s intricate touch of polychromatic artistry.
Rows of bright flowers in vast open fields accentuated by artistic designs led to its bold, yet justified claim of being the Little Amsterdam of Cebu. And if you relish beautiful flowers and gorgeous sights, it won’t take long for you to realize the extent of its magnetic appeal and unequivocal charm.
Diverse collection of flowers like hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips makes it an especially attractive stop for tourists especially to those who love nature.
Sirao Gardens is made up of two gardens right next to each other. One is called the Original Sirao Flower Garden or the Little Amsterdam of Cebu. Entrance fee is 100 pesos per person or about $2. The second one is called the Sirao Pictorial Garden and Camping Site or PGCS. Entrance fee is 55 pesos per person or a little over $1.
#2 Temple of Leah
A notable feat of Filipino creativity taking inspiration from the timeless allure of Ancient Roman and Greek architecture. Widely acclaimed as the Taj Mahal of Cebu, this massive structure was built as a symbol of undying love of Teodorico Soriano Adarna to his late wife, Leah Villa Albino-Adarna.
Built just a few years back in 2012, this distinguished landmark steadily rose in social media fame with its elegant venerable design complete with gigantic lions at the entrance, a grand staircase and brass angels. Within its walls is an astonishing 9-foot tall bronze statue of Leah Adarna in all her majesty and opulence, while an amazing mural of angels surround her with such a glorious heavenly presence.
The temple has a total of 24 chambers including an art gallery, a library, and a museum of Leah’s most precious possessions in life. An Adarna family tree hangs on one of its walls so future generations can trace their roots to the Adarna matriarch. For the rest of us, it’s the perfect place for a camera session while enjoying a great view of the city.
Visiting hours is from 7AM to 6PM daily. There’s an entrance fee of 50 pesos per person or about $1.
#3 Taoist Temple
Cebu Taoist Temple ranks as one of the city’s most famous religious sites and a prominent landmark even for non-worshippers. Built in 1972 by Cebu’s Taoism community, it has become an illustrious destination for its stunning Chinese architecture, bold colors and designs, lovely garden and a breathtaking view of the city and the turquoise waters dividing Cebu City and Mactan Island.
The temple houses a vast collection of religious figures, paintings, and dragons, even on rooftops. Every intricate detail brims with symbolism and deep religious meaning. Ancient dragons, for instance, symbolizes energy, good fortune, success and prosperity.
This religious site is open to everyone, even if you’re not a worshipper. Hence, it is vital to show respect and follow regulations. Taking pictures is allowed, but taking direct pictures of the saints or the altar is strictly forbidden.
To get to the top of the temple, be ready to climb a few steps as you enjoy lush greenery, get into a meditative state, and savor picturesque views from all angles. Cebu Taoist Temple is open everyday from 9am to 5pm.
#4 Simala Shrine
The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, or more popularly known as the Simala Shrine, is a Catholic Church in Sibonga, Cebu known for its ravishing architecture and breathtaking designs. The scenic backdrop making this church a must-stop tourist destination when visiting Cebu. For the locals, it is a center of miraculous events and considered a place of worship and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Be in awe of its amazing castle-like design sharing even in the architectural wonders of Europe’s most stunning archaic structures. Inside this magnificent structure is a spacious interior frequented by local and distant devotees. Color-coded candles are lighted by the faithful, each one a depiction of different reasons and requests lifted up in prayer. You can also admire various statues of the Virgin Mary within the shrine.
As a place of prayer and medication, the church has a strict dress code that must be followed before entering the church. Sleeveless shirts, short shorts or mini skirts, for instance, are not allowed. Be sure to dress decently or wear a shawl when visiting this church.
#5 Tops Lookout
Tops Lookout, or simply Tops, is renowned as a 600 meter lookout point overlooking tranquil greeneries, and the stark contrast of metropolitan hustle. The panoramic view of the city’s gorgeous skyline is enough to take your breath away. At night, the city comes alive with bright lights that seems to penetrate beyond the horizon. The city’s most prominent landmarks turned into an eloquent telling of Cebu’s vibrant past and its now flourishing state.
Tops has long been a place of gathering among the locals, but tourists don’t shy away from the incentive of a great view of Cebu City. In the middle is a spacious courtyard with hexagonal patterns on bare grass lawn. On one end are observation benches strategically arranged forming a half circle. On the other, a circular corridor with its unique architectural design forming a walkway of concentric circles with each cell opening to the central courtyard. Small shops are set up selling snacks and souvenir items.
Tops Lookout is open everyday from 9am to 11pm. There is also an entrance fee of 100 pesos or $2 per person.
#6 Cebu Safari Adventure Park
Cebu Safari Adventure Park proudly stands as one of the newest additions to the city’s booming tourism industry with its grand opening drawing extensive media attention and much public excitement.
This 170-hectare property spans across the mountains of Carmen Cebu and is currently the largest zoological park in the country, and one of the biggest all over Asia. Within its walls is an expansive collection of some of the world’s most thriving collection of flora and fauna. Its “open zoo” concept with large spacious enclosures provides the animals with a living environment that brings them as close as possible to their natural habitats.
Trams can take you to different sections of the park making it easier for guests to navigate around and pursue new exciting discoveries. At the African Savannah, guests will be riding a safari truck as nature unfolds before you with grazing impalas, zebras and wildebeests. The crocodile enclosure features one of the world’s rarest crocodile species, the Philippine Crocodile. Watch majestic species of Tigers at the Tiger Turf with White and Orange Bengal Tigers in all their glory.
For plant lovers, the massive park also features Michel’s Garden, a landscaped promenade saturated with over a million orchid plants from the owner’s extensive collection.
One of the park’s highlights is the popular bird show which features several of our fine feathered friends including rare species of wild birds like the Philippine sea eagle, Philippine owl, and the Philippine hawk. Loads of fun facts, humor, tricks and audience interaction to keep everyone entertained, while spreading the message of the value of environmental conservatism and wildlife preservation to its audience.
The park charges an entrance fee of 800 pesos or $16 and opens from 8am to 5pm everyday except on Mondays and Tuesdays.
#7 Buwakan ni Alejandra
Buwakan ni Alenjandra entices visitors to take on that long drive to Balamban Cebu to revel in a garden that showcases some of the most brilliant arrangements accentuating nature’s most vibrant hues. Buwakan ni Alejandra or Alejandra’s Flower Garden draws many of Cebu’s visitors to witness an enchanting display of over 200 species of local plants and flowers embellishing the garden with unparalleled kaleidoscopic colors.
Owner and landscaper Eleuterio Getapa named the garden in honor of his mother in law and her glaring love for flowers. This 700 square meter flower garden showcases breathtakingly gorgeous rows of roses, dahlias, wax begonias, hibiscus, angel trumpets, and spider flowers in deliberate successions for a phenomenal display of colors that will wow every visitor.
Buwakan ni Alejandra is open daily from 7am to 5pm with an entrance fee of 50 pesos or $1 per person, and 20 pesos or $0.40 for children 8 years and younger.
#8 Magellan’s Cross
Legend has it that world renowned Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, together with his fellow explorers, planted this cross upon his arrival on Cebu back in the year 1521. Now, this historical landmark sits in a Spanish-style pavilion, a short walk from the Basilica de Santo Niño. Its stature represents the hallmark of European influence and the introduction of early Catholicism to the Philippine islands.
Etched on the plaque at the base of the cross is a message that states the large wooden cross is made of a newer wood built around the original cross of 1521. According to popular belief, the cross was venerated as a holy relic and believed to possess supernatural and miraculous properties. Early visitors began to chip away at the cross and took souvenirs, until it began to completely fall apart.
Whether in its place stands the original cross encased in newer wood, or a mere replica of what once stood in its place, the cross and its opulent chapel remains a popular pilgrimage site for tourists visiting Cebu.
#9 Basilica del Santo Niño de Cebu
The Basilica del Santo Niño de Cebu or the Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebu is the Philippine’s oldest Roman Catholic Church founded by Fray Andrés de Urdaneta in 1565. It is built on the site where the statuette of the Holy Child of Cebu was found during an expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. The icon was written in history as a gift presented by Spanish Explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, to Rajah Humabon and his wife during the couple’s christening ceremony in 1521.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI made the church into a basilica and proclaimed it as the symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines.
This basilica currently houses the original statuette of the Holy Child of Cebu (Santo Niño) and is now considered the oldest religious relic in the Philippines.
#10 Fort San Pedro
Philippines’ oldest fort tucked away in the beautiful island of Cebu. What once stood a wooden fort was originally built to deter muslim invaders, until centuries later when its walls was rebuilt into stone and still managed to stand against tumultuous times through history’s unfolding.
The fort currently stands within Plaza Indepedencia near the city’s port area. This triangular bastion fort has two sides facing the sea, and one side fronting land. Once inside, you will notice a few old cannons and artillery where they once stood to defend against naval resistance.
These days, the fort houses a museum that showcases Spanish documents, paintings and sculptures. The roomy central courtyard often used for family gatherings, prenuptial pictorials, and various special occasions.
