Discover Cebu
with Cathay Pacific

A springboard to the 167 paradisiacal islands in its orbit, the oldest city in the Philippines is sometimes overlooked as a destination on its own. But Cebu’s streets teem with life and energy, while wide boulevards carry the shards of its colonial Spanish history.
The city’s grand churches are impressive – this is the birthplace of Christianity in the Far East, after all – while markets and restaurants serve up succulent lechon suckling pig. Nearby, waterfalls, mountains and glorious beaches mean there’s plenty more amazing things to do in Cebu.

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Things to do in Cebu

Dive with sardines and sharks

With its impeccable reefs and gaudy sealife, Cebu is a holy grail for divers. Mactan is best for newbies, Moalboal is famous for its million-strong ‘Sardine Run’, and Kimud Shoal sees hammerhead sharks congregate in April. Oslob is known for its whale sharks, but it's worth noting that they are hand-fed and do not naturally gather here. You may prefer to head to sustainable locations at Donsol in Luzon and Sogod Bay in southern Leyte instead.

Visit the spiritual home of the Philippines

Spanish settlers arrived in the 16th century to trade spice and evangelise, and they left a lasting legacy: the country now claims the third-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil and Mexico. It all began in Cebu, where some of the country's oldest churches still stand, including the glorious Basilica del Santo Nino and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Dig into lechon

Typically a centrepiece of a Philippine fiesta, the country is fiercely proud of their lechon — whole suckling pig, stuffed with scallions, bay and spices and roasted over charcoal made from coconut husks. It’s rich, unctuous and delicious, and Anthony Bourdain went so far as to declare Cebuano lechon the best roast pig in the world – which means it jumps to the top of the list of things to do in Cebu.

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