Things to Do in Cebu City

The spiritual heart of Cebu and home of the Santo Niño de Cebu, the image given by Magellan in 1521 and the oldest Christian relic in the country. Millions of devotees visit yearly, and the city goes all out during the Sinulog festival every January. Watch candle vendors dance prayers outside, see the small museum, and walk over to Magellan's Cross next door. A non-negotiable first stop for any Cebu heritage walk.

Dubbed the 'Taj Mahal of Cebu', this grand Roman-style temple in the Busay hills was built by Teodorico Adarna as a symbol of his undying love for his late wife, Leah. Expect sweeping staircases, a giant bronze statue of Leah, lion sculptures and a view of the city below. Romantic backstory, very Instagrammable, and a staple of the Cebu uphill tour.

The lechon Anthony Bourdain famously called the 'best pig ever'. Zubuchon roasts its pigs with lemongrass, herbs and sea salt, and prides itself on no MSG. Beyond the classic lechon, try the lechon sisig, lechon kare-kare and their sides. With branches around Cebu including the airport, it's an easy, reliable lechon fix. Branches are clean and air-conditioned, which makes it an easy pick for families and first-timers.

The oldest and smallest triangular bastion fort in the country, first built under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the 16th century. Walk its thick stone walls, peek at old cannons, and check out the small museum, with gardens and the pier area as backdrop. It's a calm break from downtown traffic and a classic stop on Cebu heritage tours.

Cebu's biggest weekend night food market, opened in 2015 and grown to dozens of stalls in IT Park. Graze through lechon, grilled seafood, Korean, Japanese and dessert stalls, then grab a table under the lights with live music on weekends. It's the easy answer to 'saan tayo kakain?' for a barkada with different cravings. Arrive early on Fridays and Saturdays because tables fill up fast after work hours.

The classic Cebu night view. At roughly 600-700 meters above sea level in the Busay hills, this viewing deck shows the whole city and Mactan glittering below. Bring snacks or grab something from the vendors, and arrive before sunset to see the city lights switch on. It's been a date and barkada spot for generations of Cebuanos.

A striking red-and-gold temple built by Cebu's Chinese community in 1972, perched about 300 meters up in the Beverly Hills subdivision. Climb the steps past dragon-adorned roofs and a mini Great Wall replica to views over the city. Respectful visitors are welcome; some try the traditional wooden-block fortune telling. A peaceful stop on the uphill tour with Temple of Leah and Tops.

A favorite among locals and food bloggers for its amber, crackling skin and flavorful Carcar-style lechon. The restaurant has a breezy, homey setup good for groups, and dishes like lechon paksiw, sisig and Cebuano sides round out the meal. Come hungry and order by the kilo for the table. Lunch is the best time since popular cuts and crispy skin portions can run out later in the day.

Cebu's legendary late-night barbecue hub near Fuente Osmeña. Pick your skewers of pork, chicken, isaw and seafood from the display, have them grilled on the spot, and eat with puso (rice in woven coconut leaves) using your hands. Smoky, loud, cheap and very Cebuano, it's a rite of passage for barkadas and food trippers. Grab plenty of napkins and some cold drinks, and come with friends.

One of the oldest residential houses in the Philippines, built in the late 1600s by a Chinese merchant in the old Parian district. Coral stone walls, molave beams and a clay-tile roof frame rooms full of antiques, religious images and old furniture, plus a lovely garden courtyard. Atmospheric and very photogenic, it gives a real sense of Spanish-era Chinese-Cebuano life.