Cebu Island

Travel Guide

Cebu Island
Cebu Island
Cebu Island
Cebu Island
Cebu Island

Discover Spanish-era monuments, relax on pristine beaches, explore scuba-diving sites and hike to mountain peaks when vacationing 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

Downtown Cebu

Downtown Cebu

3.5/5(32 area reviews)

Downtown Cebu is noteworthy for its churches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Magellan's Cross and Colon Street.

Downtown Cebu
Maribago

Maribago

While Maribago might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Jpark Island Waterpark and Magellan Monument.

Maribago
Pagoda and dragon sculpture of the Taoist Temple in Cebu, Philip

Lahug

4/5(183 area reviews)

Lahug is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Ayala Malls Central Bloc and Waterfront Cebu City Casino while you're in town.

Lahug
Punta Engaño

Punta Engaño

4/5(46 area reviews)

While Punta Engaño isn't home to many top sights, Magellan Monument and Mactan Shrine are some notable places to visit nearby.

Punta Engaño
Mandaue, Cebu Philippines - July 2019: View of Mandaue City and the main skyline of Cebu.

Mabolo

3.5/5(19 area reviews)

While visiting Mabolo, you might make a stop by sights like SM City Cebu and Cebu Kartzone.

Mabolo
Camputhaw

Camputhaw

If you're spending some time in Camputhaw, Cebu Business Park and Mango Square are top sights worth seeing.

Camputhaw
Fili Hotel Cebu

Fili Hotel Cebu

5 out of 5
Nustar Resort, Kawit Island South Road Cebu City Central Visayas
$117 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from May 31 to Jun 1
$132 total
May 31 - Jun 1
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 restaurants. Popular attractions SM Seaside City Cebu and Colon Street are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (195 reviews)
"This was the second time I stayed at the hotel and they did not disappoint me. The hotel property and staff are top notch. The breakfast buffet was delicious. This will be my go to place whenever I am in Cebu. Salamat again Fili!!!"

Reviewed on May 24, 2026

Fili Hotel Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road Lapu-Lapu Cebu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$175 nightly
The price is $196 total per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
$196 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,109 reviews)
"Beautiful place"

Reviewed on May 17, 2026

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu

Radisson Blu Cebu

5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna Cebu City Cebu
$80 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Jun 7 to Jun 8
$90 total
Jun 7 - Jun 8
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cebu City. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,160 reviews)
"We stayed only one night in this hotel but we had a wonderful experience. Clean hotel and amazing staff. Good breakfast buffet."

Reviewed on May 23, 2026

Radisson Blu 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
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Cebu City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (608 reviews)
"This is the only place I stay at when I’m here in Makati. Nice clean rooms and most importantly I feel completely safe here!"

Reviewed on May 25, 2026

Citadines Cebu City
CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites

CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites

3.5 out of 5
Kiener Hills Condominiums Lapu-Lapu
Stay at this aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (309 reviews)
"It was a "unique" accommodation close to the airport but quiet."

Reviewed on May 13, 2026

CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites
Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals

Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals

3 out of 5
Jose Maria del Mar St Cebu City Central Visayas
Stay at this condo in Cebu City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Waterfront Cebu City Casino and Ayala Center ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (62 reviews)
"Nice pool"

Reviewed on May 12, 2026

Avida Riala IT Park - Virgo Nest Rentals
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

Cities near Cebu Island

Explore a world of travel with Expedia