There are many good places to visit in Cebu. Whether you are coming for an educational tour, to explore for an adventure trip, you will always have reasons to visit Cebu City.
We kicked off our Philippine history lessons by doing a travel schooling. Leaving our books and worksheets at home, we only took our Cebu City Tour Map. We enjoyed learning right where history happened.
Here are the famous landmarks and places to visit in Cebu for Kids:
Heritage of Cebu Monument
The Heritage of Cebu Monument is an illustration, by local artist Eduardo Castrillo, of sculptures showing the important events in the history of Cebu.
This is a gated structure is located in Parian District but entrance is free. If you are lucky enough, the care taker would walk you around with some history facts.
Colon Street
Named after Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus), Colon Street is the oldest street and the shortest national road in the country.
The Colon Obelisk can be found at one end of the street, few steps away from the Heritage of Cebu Monument.
Magellan’s Cross
The Cross of Magellan is a popular historical landmark and tourist attraction in the middle of busy Magallanes Street. Magellan’s Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on 1521. The original cross is believed to be encased in another wooden cross for protection, as people started chipping it away for souvenir and in the belief that it had miraculous healing powers.
The crypt’s ceiling is beautifully painted with a scene depicting the landing of Magellan in Cebu in 1521 and the planting of the original cross on the shore.
Basilica del Santo Niño
The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child or commonly known as the Santo Niño Basilica, is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in the 1565.
This basilica, the Mother and Head of All Churches in the Philippines, is Cebu’s oldest church and the oldest Roman Catholic Church of the country. This church is just beside Magellan’s Cross.
Plaza Sugbu
Plaza Sugbu is the open space in between the Magellan’s Cross (behind the Basilica) and the Cebu City Hall. Sugbu is the ancient name of Cebu.
Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia is the most historically significant plaza in Cebu. Its age-old acacia trees are witness to the many phases and stories of Cebu’s rich history.
An obelisk dedicated to the memory of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general of the Philippines, is planted at the very heart of the plaza.
Malacañang sa Sugbo
Malacañang sa Sugbo is the official residence of the President of the Philippines in the Visayas. It is located in Cebu City near the Port Area and just across the Plaza Independencia.
The location of this historical site is also within walking distance only from the Cebu City Hall, the Magellan’s Cross, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
Fort San Pedro
Fuerza de San Pedro or most commonly called Cebu Fort San Pedro, is a military defense structure that was built during the early times of the Spanish era.
Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was build in 1738. It is located across Plaza Independencia. Entrance fee is Php 30/ person and is open all days of the week from 8am-8pm.
Cebu Provincial Capitol Building
Cebu Provincial Capitol Building was built during the American occupation of the Philippines in 1937. Declared as a National Historical landmark, the Cebu Provincial Capitol is known as one of the oldest and most beautiful edifices of its kind in the country.
It was designed by the Filipino architect Juan Marcos Arellano whose works include Manila’s Metropolitan Theatre, the National Museum of the Philippines and the Manila Central Post Office Building.
Other Places of Interest in Cebu:
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is one of the oldest houses in The Philippines. It is a house made of wood and coral stones. It was built during the late 17th Century by the Chinese merchants residing in Parian.
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is open everyday from 9-12mn. There is an entrance fee of P50.00. It is located in the corner of Mabini and Lopez-Jaena Street in the Parian District, just a few steps away from the Heritage of Cebu Monument.
Taoist Temple
Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction located 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level.
The entrance to the temple was a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Zi. To get to the temple grounds, you have to climb its 81 steps (represent the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures).
Taoist Temple is located inside Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. Hiring a private transport is the most convenient way to get to the area. Entrance is free.
Temple of Leah
The temple was built as a symbol of Mr. Teodorico Adarna’s undying love and ceaseless devotion to his wife, Leah. The construction started in 2012.
The temple resembles ancient pantheons. The 7-story mansion has gigantic lions lying on each side of the stairs. There is also a grand staircase with angels made up of brass and the Queen of the Temple in a 10-ft statue with crown and flower.
The temple is in Busay, Cebu City. There are motorbikes from JY Square Mall but when you are travelling with kids or in a group, it is best to rent a private ride. Temple of Leah entrance fee is Php50/head.
Tops Lookout
Tops Lookout gives a great view of Metro Cebu. It is overlooking the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-lapu. On the top of Nivel Hills, it at a height of 610 meters and a great place to visit at sunset and watch Cebu City lights come alive.
To get to Tops Lookout, you can get a taxi ride from JY Square, and make sure to ask ask the driver to wait for you so you will have a ride going back. There are also shuttle services offering cheaper rides to and from Tops. Tops Lookout entrance fee is Php 100/ head.
When you are in Cebu, you should not miss the attraction in the nearby island. Here are Mactan Island Places to Visit:
Guitar Factories
Cebu is known for creating high quality hand crafted guitars, ukuleles and other stringed instruments. Cebu guitars are being exported to other places in Asia, US, and Europe.
Famous guitar factories like The New Susing’s Guitar and Alegre Guitar are located in Abuno, an outskirt barrio, in Mactan Island.
Magellan’s Shrine
The shrine is a large memorial tower built in 1866 in honor of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on the Mactan Island of Cebu, the Philippines. The spot is believed to be the site where Magellan was killed in the 1521 Battle of Mactan.
The Magellan Monument is located in Mactan Shrine in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island. Entrance is free.
Lapu-lapu Shrine
The shrine is a bronze statue erected in honor of Lapu-Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Check our 4-day itinerary for a kid-friendly Cebu City Tour. You can also download a free map for Cebu City Educational Tour for Kids.
