There are many Cebu City tourist attractions. Tourism is one of the major contributors in the economy of the city. The city happens to be the most popular destinations for the travelers in Philippines.
Cebu City is also popular by the name of “Queen City” and is the second largest city of Philippines. The city is connected by most of the countries through flights.
The best way to travel within the city is by taxi. Most of the city taxis are metered. There are many monuments, churches, museums and cathedrals in Cebu City that reflects the rich historical legacy of the city. Cebu City was a Spanish colony for many years, so the tourists can find many interesting places and monuments belonging to that period.
Some of the Cebu City Tourist Attractions are:
- Capitol Building (Osmena Blvd., Cebu City) : This is the hub of provincial government. The building is very old and the Cebu Mountains form the backdrop of the building.
- Fort San Pedro (Pier Area, Cebu City) : This is the oldest and smallest tri-bastion fort in the city. This fort used to serve as the first settlement of the Spanish settlement.
- University of San Carlos (P. Del Rosario St., Cebu City) : This University was earlier known as Colegio de San Ildefonso and was established by Jesuits.
- Fort San Pedro National Museum (Legaspi Ext., Cebu City) : The museum is very popular among the tourists to Cebu City. Many ancient artifacts are displayed in this museum.
- Rizal Museum and Library (Osmena Blvd., Cebu City) : Many antiques donated by rich families of Cebu City are displayed here. Artworks by popular painters of the city are also displayed in the museum.
Some of the other attractions in and around Cebu City are:
- Avala Center Cebu
- Celestial Garden
- Carbon Market
- Taoist Temple
- Parian District
- Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
- Magellan’s Cross
- Bascilica Minore Del Santo Nino
- Mactan Island
- Moalboal
- Carcar
- Kawasan Falls
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in Cebu City, Philippines.
Established in the year 1974, this butterfly sanctuary has ever since become the largest crowd pullers in the city. This kind of a butterfly sanctuary is the first in Philippines and the most interesting part is that; the sanctuary does not have any enclosure. As a result, butterflies are seen flying freely in the area. Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary in Cebu City was the brainchild or rather passion of a famous artist called Julian Jumalon, after whom the sanctuary is named.
There are around 53 species of butterflies that can be spotted in the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary at Cebu City. Many rare species of butterflies can also be spotted in the sanctuary. Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary of Cebu City also has various types of plants that serve as food plants for the butterflies.
The contact detail of the butterfly sanctuary in Cebu City is as follows:
Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary
20-D Macopa Street,
Basak, Pardo, Cebu City
Phone: +63-32-261-6884
Casa Gorordo Museum Cebu
Casa Gorordo Museum Cebu was the home of Juan Gorodo, first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. Casa Gorordo Museum Cebu is located in Lopez Jaena Steet. At present, the museum houses many old and ancient relics. The displayed relics give a picture about the lifestyle of the Filipino people during the period from 1860s to 1920s.
Old furniture and paintings are also displayed in this museum of Cebu. The courtyard of the museum is very beautiful. The museum premises are well maintained and beautified.
About Casa Gorodo Museum
Alejandro Reynes Y Rosales built the house, which became famous as the home of Juan Gorodo in the middle of 19th century. Four generations of Gorodo family have stayed in this home including Juan Gorodo.
In the year 1980, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc acquired the home. After restoration, the home was turned into a museum and opened to the common people. On 24th September, 1991, National Historical Institute Board, under resolution number 4, declared the house as a historical landmark of the nation.
Address and Timings of Casa Gorodo Museum
The tourists can visit the museum from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon and then again from 1.00pm to 5.30pm.
The address of the Cebu museum is:
Casa Gorodo Museum
35 Lopez Jaena Street,
Cebu
Philippines
Telephone: + 63 (32) 255- 5645
Fax: + 63 (32) 253- 2380
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro is the oldest and smallest triangular bastion fort in Cebu City. Fort San Pedro was built in the year 1738 and was the focus of Spanish settlement in the country. The fort also served as a stronghold for the revolutionaries of Philippines.
History of Fort San Pedro
Miguel Lopez De Legaspi did the commencement of the establishment of the fort on 8th May, 1565. During that time, the fort was built by using mud and logs. The name of the fort was derived from the ship of Legaspi, named “San Pedro”. In this ship Legaspi had sailed in the Pacific Ocean. Later the fort underwent renovation by the usage of hard stone.
Architectural features of Fort San Pedro
The land area that is covered by the fort is about 2025 square meters. The towers that have been raised from the ground level have a height of 30 meters. The walls of San Pedro in Cebu are 20 feet high and have a thickness of 8 feet.
Taoist Temple Cebu
Taoist Temple Cebu is an ancient temple in the Cebu City that has fascinated innumerable tourists and travelers to the city since its inception in 1972. The shrine is located in one of the most posh areas in the Cebu City, namely Beverly Hills. The teachings of a 600 B.C Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tse are preserved in the temple. The location of the temple on a high hill has enhanced the beauty of the place to a great extent.
The Taoist Temple in Cebu City is highly impressive from inside as well as from outside. Many winding routes have to be traveled to reach this elegant temple. There are 99 steps that have to be climbed to reach to the premises of the Taoist Temple at Cebu City. The architecture of the temple is in Chinese style and pattern. However the roof of the temple is in style of a pagoda. Located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, this temple provides a panoramic view of the entire Cebu City and also of the Bohol and Mactan Islands.
Sumilon Island
Sumilon Island is a popular island that can be accessed from Cebu City. The word Sumilion means to ‘take refuge’. And truly so. Nature at its best can be enjoyed at this beautiful island. Spread on an area of about 24 hectares, the place has beautiful white sand beaches.
Sumilon Island has a wonderful beach resort that offers luxurious services and facilities to the guests and visitors. Excellent spa services are also offered at this beach resort. Large numbers of tourists resign themselves to the pleasures of a luxurious spa treatment. There are also 12 cottages in the resort, just facing the sea. The cottages are equipped with the modern amenities and facilities to make the stay of the guests comfortable and relaxing. There is also a restaurant in the resort that serves exquisite cuisines to the visitors.
Various types of activities can be enjoyed a the Sumilon Island, Cebu City. Most of the activities are related to aquatic sports. There are also facilities of swimming, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling in the island.
