The 6 things to do in Cebu

Are you flying to the Philippines to visit Cebu? Discover the best activities to do in Cebu for nothing!

If you’re going to visit Cebu, make sure you don’t miss the activities we’ve identified for you in our selection of unmissable. Ballads, stuffing, swimming and diving, this island of the Philippines gathers all the ingredients necessary for a dream holiday.

Here are the six essential things to do in Cebu, for the next holiday in the sun, with family or friends.!

1. Cebu City

First place colonized by the Spanish, Cebu City is the second city of the Philippines after Manila . It’s a colorful and life-threatening, it’ll be your drop point on your trip to the Visayas Archipelago. Located on the east coast of the island of the same name, its central positon allows you to access all the tourist places of Cebu Island.

Cebu City is also a good number of attractions to discover. Among them, the Fort San Pedro built in 1565 or the Basilica of the Holy Child (where a statuette of the child Jesus dating from 1521).

From the 38th floor Crown Regency Hotel , you can admire a panoramic view of the city and experience the Sky Walk , a walk on the edge of the vacuum equipped with a harness.

To move to the city to visit Cebu, use the jeepneys , these iconic buses decorated with all the colors by their driver where you will close the premises.

2. Osmena Peak

What better than visiting Cebu by overlooking the island? Osmena Peak is the highest point on Cebu Island, at an altitude of 1013 metres. Located in the Dalaguete region, a hundred kilometres south of Cebu City, it is a perfect expedition if you are looking for a day in Cebu.

You can choose a private tour, or rent a scooter or a car From Cebu, for example. You can also reach the village of Mantalongon, then take a habal-habal , Philippine motorcycle taxis, 5 kilometers. The rest of the ascension is on foot, along a sinuous and rocky path but relatively accessible, for about 30 minutes walk.

At the top you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountainous formations. Green tones blend between meadows, cultures, jungles and forests. In the distance, the blue of the sea calls for adventure to the end of the world.

3. Kawasan Falls

The Kawasan Falls are certainly the most famous tourist spot in Cebu. At 45 minutes from Moalboal, they attract visitors for their beauty, their photographic interest and the possibilities of activities they offer.

From the road you will take a path for about 20 minutes which will take you to the first waterfall, the most known and the one you see on all the photos. But if you take the stairs on the left, you will reach a second then a third cascade, all as beautiful and much more tranquil.

And to change the pose in its most beautiful jersey, why not opt for a canyoning session? Offered by guides, the activity promises a real experience upstream of the falls. After a short scooter ride then on foot, find the river. Let yourself slip on the natural slides and swim between the rocks in a breathtaking scenery. Then comes the time of the adrenaline climb with ever more impressive jumps, up to 12 meters high!

4. Moalboal

The city of Moalboal stretches along the western coast of Cebu, about 2h bus from Cebu City. It is the ideal starting point to reach the Kawasan Falls, but the city also has its lot of tourist attractions if you are looking for what to do in Cebu.

Moalboal is a quiet city, which lives at the Philippine rhythm and where you can meet beautifully. Take the time to walk in the market near the bus station and taste typical dishes attacked with the premises. Tourist infrastructure is concentrated along Panagsama Beach, where you can enjoy a drink at the terrace of a restaurant by admiring the sunset.

In the same place, a few meters from the coast, is the major attraction of Moalboal: a huge bench of sardines. To go and see them, have a mask and a tuba and go to the yellow pontoon. A few breezes later, you are in the middle of thousands of sardines, a magical show!

Amatrice or amateur dive? Experience depths to Pescador Island, an island 30 minutes from the coast. The charm of the region invites you to walk in scooter until White Beach For example, where you will discover a huge white sand beach. On the programme: hot sand and whispering waves!

5. Malapascua Island

Malapascua is a small island north of Cebu located 30 minutes by boat from the mainland. To get there, embark on a bangka, traditional Philippine boats (a range of wooden boats transformed into trimarans to face the waves). Once on the main beach, enjoy your stay to choose a hotel by the sea!

The atmosphere is relaxed in Malapascua: no cars, you walk on this island just 1 kilometer wide and 2 kilometers long. Despite it, Malapascua offers a clever mix between local life and tourist infrastructure. Don’t hesitate to lose yourself in the alleys before going to the market, very good address to discover local specialties. In the evening, the beach bars set up cushions and candles on the sand for romantic moments at the sound of the islands music.

If you are looking for what to do in Cebu in terms of sports activities, Malapascua is one of the only diving spots in the world Where you're lucky to meet the famous fox shark. You'll have to get up early to meet this mysterious abyss animal! When to Gato Island , the small island crossed by a submarine tunnel shelters when to it majestic white pointed sharks. Guaranteed unforgettable moments!

6. Oslob

In the south-east of Cebu Island, the Oslob region is known for whale sharks. In Oslob, the premises have set up a feeding system that always has several specimens nearby. It is one of the only places in the world where it is guaranteed to be able to swim a few meters from the Baleine shark. This is a fact, this activity is often described because of the feeding: the latter would divert the sharks from their migration.

Not far from the shark observation site are the waterfalls of Tumalog. A little less known than the Kawasan Falls, it nevertheless remains very beautiful and allow you to complete the day if you hesitate about what to do in Cebu and Oslob.

You will also have the choice to board Sumilon Island, a tropical island that welcomes a unique luxury hotel. Expeditions to the day are offered, but if you want to make a little pleasure, spend the night in a luxury hotel on a paradise island can be a good idea.

You can take a picture of yourself sandbar nearby, a white sand tongue that exceeds turquoise waters for images worthy of a postcard.

To see and do also in Cebu

• Make the canoe on the river Bojo
• Squeeze into caves Bukilat
• Take the walking or cycling paths in the park Danasan Eco Adventure
• Observe birds to the ornithological reserve_Olango_
• Take a day trip to the island of Nalusuan
• Discover the waterfalls d’Inambakan, de Dao, d’Aguinid, de Mantayupan

How to get to Cebu?

By plane

Mactan-Cebu International Airport will be your gateway to Cebu Island. Located on Mactan Island 20 kilometers from Cebu City , it is connected to the main cities of Southeast Asia.

From France , you will transit either by Manila or by a large Asian cities such as Singapore, Bangkok or Seoul. In any case, you can use the flight comparison Ulysses to find the best offers.

Then you can take a taxi or a bus. The latter are leaving all 20min towards Cebu City. The rate is derisory since it only costs 25 Pesos (0.40€) for 11km.

By ferry

You can arrive in Ferry in Cebu from the nearby islands of Negros, Bohol or Siquijor. The boat also serves Cagayan De Oro, Iligan City, Manila, Nasipit (town of Butuan) & Ozamiz. The nearby islands such as the Visayas Islands, the Mindanao Islands and the Luzon Islands are also served.

The journey lasts between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. , but schedules may vary depending on the period of the year. We recommend that you inquire about schedules, prices and companies on the site Direct Ferries.

Where to stay in Cebu?

When you arrive to visit Cebu, you’ll be interested in staying in Cebu City or on Mactan Island, which has many quality resorts with private pools and beaches. If to visit Cebu and stay there, you have a smaller budget, we recommend you take a Airbnb .

We recommend spending a few nights on a small island like Diseasepascua or Sumilon. The two main tourist areas are those of Oslob and Moalboal, or you will find a wide choice of hotels.

Accommodation in the Philippines is sometimes a little more expensive than in other Asian countries, but remains very affordable according to European standards. Use a hotel comparison to find the best offers according to your criteria and budget.