Cebu Island

Travel Guide

Kawasan Falls which includes a river or creek and a cascade
Kawasan Falls which includes a river or creek and a cascade
Cebu featuring general coastal views and a beach
Kawasan Falls showing a river or creek, a cascade and swimming
Logon featuring boating and general coastal views

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.

Popular Neighborhoods in Cebu Island

Neighborhood
Vibe / Personality
Best For
Key Attractions
Cebu City — IT Park / LahugOpens in a new windowModern, lively dining and nightlife, tech-friendlyYoung travelers, business visitors, foodies, nightlife seekersIT Park restaurants and bars; nearby Ayala Center Cebu; cafes; coworking spots
Mactan / Lapu-LapuOpens in a new windowResort island, beach and dive base, airport gatewayResort guests, beachgoers, divers, transit travelersMactan-Cebu Intl Airport; Mactan Shrine; Lapu-Lapu Monument; resort beaches; local dive operators
MandaueOpens in a new windowPractical, industrial-commercial center with shopping nodesBusiness travelers, families, those needing local amenitiesParkmall and local shopping; furniture and guitar workshops; Mandaue City center; riverfront areas
Jardim Alvorada / Parque do IngáGreen, family-oriented neighborhoodFamilies, park visitors, relaxed staysParque do Ingá (large urban park); walking trails; birdwatching
MoalboalOpens in a new windowLaid-back diving town, coastal and backpacker-friendlyDivers, snorkelers, beach lovers, day-trip explorersSardine Run (Panagsama Beach); Pescador Island dive sites; White Beach (Basdaku); Kawasan Falls nearby

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Where to stay in Cebu Island

Cebu City which includes a statue or sculpture

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
Friendly staffs and very comfortable accommodation.

#EslSchool #comfortablePlace

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
I got the chance to dance with the famous prison inmates at the Cebu prison. Yes it was very weird but also really cool. #Cebu #ThePhilippines

Lahug

4/5(178 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
Tropical coastline with palm tree and blue sea in Cebu, Philippines. Coast side view of sand beach with a palmtree and white fence at the ocean in Basdiot Moalboal.

Basdiot

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Basdiot, Panagsama Beach and Naomi's Bottle Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Basdiot
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 Carmelite Monastery.

Mabolo
That moment.

Punta Engaño

4/5(46 area reviews)

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

Punta Engaño
Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

5 out of 5
Punta Engano Road Lapu-Lapu Cebu
$205 nightly
The price is $228 total per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
$228 total
Apr 6 - Apr 7
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,108 reviews)
Not just an amazing view but amazing staff who are genuinely good at what they do. It's the attention to detail, the little things they provide and do that make this an amazing resort to stay in.

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Radisson Blu Cebu

Radisson Blu Cebu

5 out of 5
Serging Osmena Blvd; corner Juan Luna Cebu City Cebu
$102 nightly
The price is $115 total per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
$115 total
Mar 8 - Mar 9
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,116 reviews)
Beautiful hotel, large and clean rooms. Easy access to mall and transportation

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

Radisson Blu Cebu
Fili Hotel Cebu

Fili Hotel Cebu

5 out of 5
Nustar Resort, Kawit Island South Road Cebu City Central Visayas
$153 nightly
The price is $171 total per night from Mar 12 to Mar 13
$171 total
Mar 12 - Mar 13
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 Ayala Center are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (141 reviews)
Suppose to be a 5 stars hotel, but services provided, doesn’t support that; All times I went out of the hotel, or came in, there was NEVER a bellboy at the entrance, to help with the luggage. On the day of my arrival, I had to take out my heavy suitcase from the taxi’s trunk by myself, since there ...

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

Fili Hotel 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! (586 reviews)
Very clean. Staff was courteous and professional.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 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! (299 reviews)
The place was clean, cozy, and exactly as described. We would definitely stay here again!

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2026

CLOCKWORKORANGE Luxury Suites
Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa

Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa

3.5 out of 5
Buyong Road, Maribago ,Mactan Island Lapu-Lapu Cebu
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Lapu-Lapu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 outdoor pools. Popular attractions SM City Cebu and Jpark Island Waterpark ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (161 reviews)
The room was very clean except the shower head was faulty. The staff were extremely good.

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2026

Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
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

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