Things to do in Cebu City

My roller coaster adventure in The Queen City of the South, Cebu.

Maybe you are wondering, why roller coaster ride? Let me just tell you my experience OR you may skip this part by scrolling down until you see the Cebu photo.

I booked our flight to Cebu via Cebu Pacific, our flight was 7:35pm, the reason I chose that time  because my work is up to 5pm and at the same time it will be perfect timing for my much awaited Sky Walk. Sky Walk is up to 12mn for weekdays. I will give the details on this later. But unfortunately our flight is delayed, from 7:35pm to 9:30pm, they didn't even tell us why. They gave us food for compensation, and we ended up arriving in Mactan International Airport around 11pm. And Cebu City is almost 1 hour away from Mactan International Airport. My goal that day is to experience Sky Walk for me to proceed with my plans the next day. Our 4 days and 3 nights stay turned into 3 days and 2 nights. Enough with the boring stuff let's go to my adventure!

By the way we stayed at Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. I will post a different blog for this hotel and our Sky Walk experience. Right Here >>>> Crown Regency Hotel and Towers<<<<<<


Things to do in Cebu City

• Colon Street 

Is known to be the busiest street in down town Cebu City. It was the business center of Cebu way back, before SM and Ayala came.

    Quite traffic but manageable. 

    Oldest Calle in the Philippines

• Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

We are lucky that, that week APEC is held in Cebu. Sooo, their receptionist is dressed in a Maria Clara costume! Which adds more drama for this tour. 

They have an entrance fee of Php50 per head. I think it is worth it because they have an In-house tour guide. 

You are free to choose if you want to remove your shoes or put a shoe cover. Like I did. 

I will not spoil you with the details but here are some photos. 

• Jesuit House

Jesuit house is a few blocks away from Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, just ask the people around, they know where the Jesuit House is for sure. Also, you may be a little bit hesitant when you reach outside the Jesuit House, it is because the current owner made the front of the house a hardware warehouse, but don't worry they preserved the Main House. The owner is currently looking for a storage place of his hardware supplies.

For only Php50 you will see a wonderful and very historical Jesuit House with In-house tourist guide. I am very thankful for the people behind the preservation, I mean, preserving something would cost you a lot right? And according to the tourist guide it is really difficult to maintain a Museum because there are a lot of permit and approval from different institutions. Even though there are a lot of challenges in maintaining and preserving the Jesuit House, the owner still pursuing it. 

In this house you will find many antique stuff and also the story behind this house is very very inspiring.

• Cebu Heritage Monument

We passed by the Cebu Heritage monument, took some photos and also read about the information of the monument. 

• The Cathedral Museum of Cebu

There is an entrance fee of Php50. If you are a Roman Catholic you will gladly appreciate this Museum but if your not it is still a good to know. They also have an In-House Tourist guide that will explain everything to you. 

Here are some photos: 

Picture taking and video recording is prohibited inside Msgr. Virgilio Yap Memorial Chapel.

• Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Located in front of the Cathedral Museum. Very beautiful church inside and out. We are lucky to witness a double wedding that day! 

• Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu

Still under construction after the 6.2 magnitude Earthquake that hit the whole Visayas area.

This church is where the Sto. Niño used in Sinulog is located. You may kiss the Sto. Niño and make a wish! 

• Magellan's Cross

Magellan's Cross is behind the Basilica Minore  del Santo Niño de Cebu. 

• Have a photo op of "I Love Cebu"

Islands Souvenirs is right across Magellan's cross. They have the  I Love Cebu in front of their shop. 

• Plaza Independencia 

• Fort San Pedro

Inside Plaza Independencia is the Fort San Pedro. It has the same design as Fort Santiago here in Intramuros. With an Entrance Fee of Php30.

• Philippine Taoist Temple 

Admission is free like the Taoist Temple in Baguio. I think the maintenance of the temple is from their Chinese brothers and sisters. 

•  Dimsum Break

One of the famous restaurant here in Cebu. You should try this set meal, they have a lot to choose from. It comes with iced tea. Their siomai is one of the best! 

They have one branch here in SM North. 

• Attend Fiesta (if there are any)

Luckily there is a fiesta on the day that we visited Cebu. It is a whole new experience! Because I was born and raised in Manila, I wasn't able to experience a fiesta in the province. It is so much fun and also literally everyone can come in or drop by and eat even if you don't know each other. 

• Ayala Mall, Gaisano, and 138 Mall

Visit malls like a local, if you want cheap clothes there are a lot of choices in 138 mall (it is like 168 mall here in Manila) and also Gaisano.

• Oppa Cafe

Near Cebu Business Hotel, I saw a cafe named Oppa Cafe, a Kpop inspired cafe. Their menu has a lot to offer. But since it is late night we ordered the following: french fires, cookies and cream frappe and winter melon milk tea. 

I really like it there! It is so comfy, colorful, you may charge your gadgets, and free wifi! 

• Rajah  Humabon Monument

Rajah Humabon was among the first indigenous converts to Roman Catholicism. Source: wikipedia

• Dinner Buffet at Sparkz Restobar

This dinner buffet is included in the package we availed in Crown Regency (click the link for more details).

Loving the Dinner buffet at the same time the beautiful overlooking Cebu City.

• Skywalk Experience

Skywalk is also included in the package we availed in Crown Regency (click HERE for more details). 

This is a must try in Cebu City, do not leave Cebu City without trying this! My dad tried it and he is 61 years old.

• Do not forget to buy Pasalubong

If you want T-Shirts, key chains, and other stuff, Island Souvenir will be the best. If you fancy Dried Mangoes and Otaps, go to Shamrock.But if you want the infamous Danggit go to Taboan Market. It is cheaper there than Carbon Market. 

Before I end this blog, I would like to remind everybody that, even if the entrance fees are cheap, be courteous and give tips to respective in-house tour guide.

So here are the list I did but there are a lot more to add. We wanted to go to Temple of Lea and Osmeña peak but the Taxis doesn't want to, due to its stiffness. 

It would be better if you will hire a van that is willing to go up to Temple of Lea and Osmeña peak.