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Your Cebu Checklist: 10 Things To Consider Before Hitting the Road.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VISITING CEBU

Start exploring the islands and beaches of Cebu and its many tourist destinations, diving spots, historical landmarks, and delicious food. Whether you're heading to this top destination in the Philippines, here are some important travel tips to take note of. Nothing is as varied as Cebu, the Queen City of the South and the oldest town in the world, when it comes to tourist places in the Philippines. This is one of the heavily urbanized places in the nation outside of Luzon, next to the capital, Manila.

It is also where the international airport of Mactan-Cebu is located, making it open not only to domestic travellers, but also to foreigners.The word Cebu applies to both the provinces of the island and Cebu Itself. While the capital is home to most historical and cultural sights, the best-known tourist spots in Cebu can indeed be found all over the island.

Thinking of going to Cebu, and wondering what tourist places to visit in Cebu? There are definitely many beautiful places in Cebu. And, you might want to go to all of them, or choose from the Perfect Guides to Cebu Tourist Destinations. Find out what these locations are and where they are. And, as you read on, you will know how to get there.

When you fly to Cebu and its top tourist destinations, check out the following places:

1. Cebu Taoist Temple

Let's start within the area of the city. First off, in the Beverly Hills Subdivision, Cebu City, we have the Cebu Taoist Temple. This Chinese-style architectural temple was built in 1972 by the Chinese Taoist community. The latter is the only temple open to worshippers and non-worshippers. Entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, library, souvenir shop, and a wishing well. It also has a spacious balcony that has an access to the scenic of the city. One ritual is where one prays to the gods to grant one’s wish. This kind of ritual includes washing hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood.

If you are in the mood for some hiking or exercise, you can just walk from where the jeepney dropped you, in sudlon, and hike or walk till you reached the temple. It will take you more than 30 minutes to reach the temple but it will be a good walk still because you will be passing through tree-lined streets, a perfect way to commune with nature.

2. Basilica Menor del Santo Niño

Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino is the oldest Roman Catholic church established in the Philippines. It was built on the same spot where the image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, a statue depicting the Child Jesus, was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.The image is the same statue given by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon as a gift over forty years after Humabon’s baptism to Christianity. he was baptized on April 14, 1521. The image was found by a soldier. It was preserved in a burnt wood box after Legazpi razed the village of hostile natives. The Holy See calls the temple the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines”.

3. Go on pilgrimage to Simala Shrine

Nestled in the hills of Simala, Sibonga in Cebu is the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, or popularly known as the Simala Shrine and Cebu’s Castle Church. As the name title implies, the sprawling religious complex looks like a castle by the hillside. Simala Shrine first rose to popularity when the word spread about the miraculous Virgin Mary statue it houses. Several Catholic and Marian Devotees flocked to Simala to pay their respects and pray for miracles and the Virgin’s intercession. As its fame increased, the church began a series of renovations that transformed their once humble chapel into a grand castle-like shrine.

4. Take a Leisurely hike to Osmeña Peak

Standing at 1,013 meters above sea level, Osmeña Peak is Cebu’s highest. The peak is one of several spire-like formations comprising the Mantalongon Mountain Range in Dalaguete. The town of Dalaguete is known as the “Vegetable Basket of Cebu” because of the crops it supplies to the whole province.So en route to the peak during your Osmeña Peak hiking experience, you will pass by several vegetable farms and see livestock grazing the terrain.

The picturesque trail to Osmeña Peak is an easy leisurely hike that takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Once you reach the top of Osmeña Peak, you will be greeted by a stunning jagged skyline, a panoramic view of Cebu’s southeast coastline, and a glimpse of Negros. It can be windy at the peak, so take care not to lose your footing.

5. Learn About Catholicism in the Philippines at Magellan’s Cross

If you’re planning to visit the historic Cebu spots, Magellan’s Cross is an excellent place to start. The province of Cebu has a rich history, and it has witnessed several monumental events. One such event is the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines, marked by Magellan’s planting of a cross on the island.

The Portuguese explorer, Magellan, is attributed to bringing Catholicism in the Philippine Archipelago. History books tell the story of how Magellan reached the Cebu in 1521, planted a crucifix, and successfully converted the natives to Christianity. The city of Cebu soon grew around that historical site.

6. Smell the Flowers at Sirao Garden

Another excellent Instagram-worthy spot in Cebu’s hillside is Sirao Garden. Dubbed as the “Little Amsterdam” of Cebu, this picturesque flower farm is located in the highlands of Busay.

The colorful blooms of Sirao Garden will surely make you want to whip out your camera and take thousands of photos during your sightseeing tour in Cebu.

You can find rows of sunflowers, hyacinths, chrysanthemums, daisies, and asters in Sirao Garden. The main attraction, though, is the vibrant and multicolored celosia flowers.

7. Witness the Grandeur of the Temple of Leah

Hailed as the Taj Mahal of Cebu, the Temple of Leah has become one of the most famous landmarks in Cebu. This magnificent building is a sight to behold and a favorite Cebu activity for taking Instagram-worthy shots.

If you’re up for a Cebu hillside tour, the Temple of Leah is an excellent place to start. Located in the hills of Busay in Cebu City, Temple of Leah is a towering seven-story building inspired by ancient Roman architecture.

Said to have cost over PHP 80 Million, this grand structure boasts granite floors, Doric columns, a marble fountain, and several Grecian-style statues.

8. Explore the Beaches of Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island is a small island off the coast of northern Cebu. Don’t be fooled by this sleepy fishing village, the beaches of this humble island exude the same charm and beauty as the famous Boracay Island.The best part is, Bantayan Island is not as commercialized and crowded as Boracay. If you want a relaxing vacation by the beach and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets, Bantayan Island won’t disappoint you.

Bantayan Island is blessed with several sprawling white-sand beaches and calm azure waters. Most of the beaches in Bantayan Island are within resorts or owned privately, but they are accessible to the public for a small fee.

9. Top Hills

A top of the Nivel Hills overlooking Cebu City is Tops Lookout. Offering a beautiful panoramic view of Cebu City and the surrounding islands (Mactan Island and Olango). At a height of 610 metres it’s a great place to visit at sunset and watch Cebu City lights come alive. Not only that it offers an escape from the city noise, pollution and heat. At night it can get quiet cool up there and you may need a jacket. It’s also a nice place for a date, if you planning on doing something romantic in Cebu.

There are a few stalls up there selling snack foods and drinks. On the way up to Tops there are a number of restaurants (Lantaw, La Tegola and Mr A) you can stop at and have a nice meal with beautiful views of Cebu City. If you plan to stop at one of these restaurants on your way to Tops Lookout or back you will need to organise this into the taxi price as the drivers will want more money to do this. You can also check out Mountain View a nice park area.

10. Go on a Lechon Food Trip

A visit to Cebu won’t be complete without trying out its trademark meat: Lechon. Truly, Lechon is the ultimate pork dish and is one of the must-try Philippine cuisine. It is perfected by slow-roasting a pig over a charcoal pit.The native pigs used are stuffed with lemongrass, tomato, vinegar, and a mixture of local herbs and spices. You can find Lechon anywhere in the Philippines. However, Cebu's Lechon is recognized nationwide as the best. Cebu's Lechon is famous for its signature crispy skin and the juiciest, most flavorful meat that will make you crave for more as soon as you taste it.

Unlike other versions of Lechon, Cebu’s version is so savory that you don’t need any sauce to pair it with. It’s best eaten with puso (a local term for “heart”) - rice in heart-shaped coconut fronds. The best Lechon is said to be from Carcar, a municipality two hours away from Cebu. If you can't make it to Carcar, there are notable restaurants and take-out counters in Mactan and Cebu City that offer Lechon based on Carcar recipe.

Travel leaves you speechless then turns you into a story teller.♥️