The Philippines is one of the most famous holiday destinations among tourists. One of the most visited tourist spots in the Philippines is Cebu.

The name Cebu refers both to the island province and to Cebu City. Destinations in Cebu are as diverse as its people, hailed as the Queen City of the South. It is the oldest city in the country and one of the highly urbanized cities in the country, next to the capital Manila.

People flock to Cebu to experience its islands which are renowned for their pristine white-sand beaches, crystal blue sea, and spectacular diving. It is an ideal getaway for those who want a little retreat from the bustling big cities.

The People in Cebu are generally known as “Cebuanos" and are known for their affection for entertainment and color. They celebrate an annual festival called Sinulog festival, which is considered one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines.

The most convenient and hassle-free way to reach Cebu is by air. All travelers will arrive at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is located about an hour or so away from Cebu City. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is connected to 27 domestic destinations, with major cities such as Manila, Luzon, and Mindanao all offering regular flights to the region.

Travelers should ensure, however, that departing flights from Cebu should also be booked in advance as certain destinations will be extremely limited. Local carriers like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, or Air Asia all offer flights to Cebu; however, travelers from smaller airports like Kalibo, Iloilo, or Puerto Princesa can still reach Cebu by flight.

Traveling from Cebu to Manila can take as little as one hour and 30 minutes to as long as 30 hours and up, depending on which route you take. Airfare from Manila can range from extremely affordable starting at PHP2500 and can go as high as PHP9000.

Flying time between Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is 90 minutes, with airfare ranging from PHP2,500-PHP4,000. Promotional price tickets, however, need to be booked much in advance with a travel time during the off-season.

Major holidays such as Christmas, New Year's Eve, Holy Week, and All Saint's Day will contribute to a surge in ticket prices, usually from PHP7,000-PHP9,000, as it is considered the busiest time of the year in the Philippines.

Cebu is certainly known for its natural wonders and other beautiful destinations scattered all over. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic putting a damper on international tourism, the easing up of lockdown protocols in the Cebu Province, Cebuano tourism spots are gradually opening their doors to local tourists under "new normal" guidelines. To ride along the waves of uplifting news as the city recovers, here are the three must-visit attractions in Cebu.

The Basilica was founded in 1565, which keeps the oldest image of Santo. Within the Basilica, Niño (the child Jesus Christ) that was presented by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521, is carefully preserved.

Over the years, the image has acquired an increasing number of devotees. To accommodate them, a pilgrim center was built between 1739-1740 on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was found during the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

The devotion to the child Jesus is mostly celebrated during the Sinulog festival, every 3rd Sunday of January. The Basilica is located right beside Magellan's Cross and is considered the oldest Christian church in the Philippines. The See of Rome labels this church as the "Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines".

Within walking distance from the Basilica del Santo Niño, travelers will find the famous Magellan’s Cross. This landmark is considered one of the most important historical markers in Cebu City as it serves as a reminder of the birth of Christianity in the Philippines.

It is also a mark of Magellan’s arrival in the country in 1512. The original cross was believed by the people of old to have miraculous healing powers, so they started chipping away at it.

To preserve its form, the cross is encased in a bigger wooden cross and housed in an octagonal kiosk which has a ceiling decorated with murals that depict Cebu’s conversion to Christianity.

The pavilion where Magellan’s Cross is located along with the Basilica del Santo Niño Church and Convent were collectively declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on April 14, 2021

This temple was built to preserve the teachings of a Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tse. The temple, which stands at 300 meters above sea level, was built in 1972 by a Chinese community.

A representation of the Great Wall of China adorns the main entrance while the exit slopes down to an 84-step staircase. Interesting areas of note within the temple are a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop, and a wishing well. It also has a balcony which offers a scenic view of the city’s downtown area.

The temple grounds also offer serene gardens where visitors can relax and get away from the crowd. It is important to note that visitors are not allowed to take pictures within the temples.

Travel is picking up in the Philippines and soon, travel will be safer again. Until then, please exercise caution and study the travel requirements to Cebu or other preferred locations before embarking on your journey. Stay safe!