cebu-day-trip-Cebu City is the gateway to lots of destinations around the Visayas region that you’ll likely include in your Philippines itinerary, but the city itself also has plenty to offer. In Things to do in Cebu we already shared some interesting plans if you’ve got one or two days. If you have even more time to explore, you’ll see there are loads of day trips from Cebu City and its surroundings. From guided tours to get to know the city and its cuisine in depth to excursions from Cebu to neighboring islands like Bohol, plus spectacular waterfalls and mountains.
Here we’re going to tell you which are the best day trips from Cebu City. If you live here and have a car, you don’t need to worry too much. If not, rest assured you can do almost all of them by rental car, by public transport, or on an organized agency tour. As for the latter, the two companies we recommend are Civitatis and KLOOK. You might not know the second one because it isn’t as famous outside Asia, but it’s the most important in the Philippines and 100% trustworthy. Plus, although it pains us to say it, it’s usually much cheaper than Civitatis. Both will let you see reviews from other travelers who have already done these excursions from Cebu.
If you’re thinking of doing these tours from Cebu independently, we recommend starting very early, since traffic when leaving Cebu can get quite bad and you could end up stuck for 1 or 2 hours.
Keep reading and discover with us the best excursions in Cebu City.
1. Guided tour of Cebu
Filipino cities aren’t known for their beauty, but Cebu City has several interesting places to visit, especially if you want to learn a bit about the history of the Philippines. Almost all guided excursions include ancestral houses, Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño, and one of our favorite places: the Taoist Temple of Cebu. Some also include points of interest on Mactan Island.
Unfortunately, free tours aren’t a thing in the Philippines, so you can either do a private tour or join an existing one (much cheaper). Here are the current options:
Private tour of Cebu with Civitatis
Private tour of Cebu and Mactan with Civitatis
Shared tour of Cebu with Civitatis
Private tour of Cebu and Mactan with Klook
Private tour of Cebu with KLOOK
Unfortunately, there’s no Spanish-speaking guided tour as of today.
Of course, you can also visit these places on your own by taxi or using Grab cars, but on an excursion you’ll get more historical context and fun facts.
If, on the other hand, you’re more of a foodie, there are food tours in Cebu that will introduce you to the most traditional dishes. One of them is tuslob-buwa, a hearty pork brain stew… Only for the brave! The tour usually includes tasting 5 dishes plus typical drinks and is great value:
Culinary adventure in Cebu with KLOOK
2. Sirao Pictorial Garden and Camping Site (PGSC) and the Temple of Leah
Some of the most famous photos of the Philippines on Instagram are taken at Sirao Flower Garden. So if you’re after show-stopping shots, this is your place.
It’s a garden in the hills north of Cebu where you’ll find pretty flower fields and various photo spots like a windmill in true Dutch style and the crown jewel: a giant hand holding you up. Don’t confuse it with the plain “Sirao Flower Garden”, which doesn’t have the hand. Entrance is 120 pesos.
You can complement this excursion from Cebu with a visit to the Temple of Leah, the result of a man’s devotion to his late wife. Known as the “Taj Mahal of Cebu”, it’s a kind of Roman temple but even more ostentatious. Entrance also costs 150 pesos.
How to get to Sirao Garden? The easiest way is to negotiate with a taxi, but it won’t be unusual for them to charge 1,500 pesos or more, since they usually wait for you. If you want to go on your own, head to the Ayala Cebu PUV Terminal and take a van to Sirao (50 pesos). Tell them where you’re going and they’ll drop you at a point to catch a habal‑habal (30 pesos). Habal‑habal also depart from JY Square Mall and charge about 400 pesos for 2 people round‑trip.
How to get to the Temple of Leah? Habal‑habal depart from JY Square Mall for 150 pesos (2 people).
If you’d rather not worry about logistics, you can combine these places in a day trip from Cebu:
Excursion to the Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden with Civitatis
Cebu City, Sirao Garden and Temple of Leah with Civitatis
Half‑day tour of Cebu City and Sirao Garden with KLOOK
3. Simala Shrine, a quirky excursion in Cebu
Gothic? Indian? It’s hard to tell where the architect found inspiration to create this monastery/castle that houses the “miraculous” Virgin of Simala. It’s said that this virgin cried blood on September 8 and that those who visit her will see their wishes granted. Although it may look older, this sanctuary was built in 1998.
Note that you can’t enter wearing shorts or a short skirt. You’ll also need something to cover your shoulders. You can rent a sarong there for 20 pesos.
How to get to Simala Shrine? You can take a bus from the South Bus Terminal. Any bus going to Oslob or Liloan/Santander works. Tell the driver you want to go to Simala Church. The price is around 100 pesos. You can also opt for vans, which are faster and charge 120 pesos. Once there, you’ll need to take a habal‑habal to the church. They usually charge 20 pesos per person. It will rarely take less than 2 hours.
Private tour of Cebu City and Simala Sanctuary with KLOOK
4. Mactan beaches
Mactan doesn’t have the best beaches in the Philippines, but it does have a few pretty ones that might work if you’re looking for a bit of relaxation without straying far from the airport. The catch? All the interesting ones are inside resorts, so you’ll need to be a guest to access them. The best ones are at:
- Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
- Crimson Resort & Spa
- Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island
- Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
- Tambuli Seaside Resort & Spa
- White Sands Resort & Spa
Fortunately, more and more resorts are selling what’s known as a day pass, i.e., day access with a consumable credit, such as this one, this one, this one or this one.
5. Cebu viewpoints
If, like us, you enjoy seeing cities from above, add these viewpoints to see Cebu:
- TOPS: the most famous because it’s also the best. Located about 600 meters high, the views are the finest and you can enjoy them at a cozy restaurant. You can go on your own by negotiating a taxi (make sure it waits). Entrance is 200 pesos.
- Mountain View Nature’s Park: also in the Busay Hills like the previous one, it’s a resort, but they allow entry just to enjoy the views for 50 pesos per person. You can also use the pools for 100 pesos.
- Taoist Temple: it doesn’t really count as an excursion because it’s in Cebu City, but you’ll get nice views from there and entry is free.
6. Kawasan Falls and snorkeling in Moalboal
The Kawasan Falls are, without a doubt, the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines. Located in the south of Cebu Island, their intense blue color has led many Filipinos to call them “Gatorade Falls”. In our opinion, the final waterfall—the most well‑known—isn’t the most spectacular in the Philippines; what makes them special is the canyoning route along the Badian River.
As we explain in Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, this activity isn’t dangerous and is suitable for almost everyone. That’s why, if you’re considering a day trip from Cebu, we recommend choosing it.
If you have a car, you can visit Kawasan Falls on your own. You could also do this by public transport, but bear in mind it will take much longer. You’ll need to take a bus from the South Bus Terminal and it will rarely take less than 4 hours. Another option is to book one of the day trips from Cebu offered by companies like Civitatis and KLOOK, which include their own transport. You can read other travelers’ reviews and book here:
Shared excursion (you can add Osmeña Peak, snorkeling or zip‑line)
Private canyoneering at Kawasan Falls from Cebu (click join‑in to join other travelers)
What’s more, Kawasan Falls are just 30 minutes from our beloved Moalboal, a place we love because you can swim with a huge sardine run and turtles. There are combined tours that let you do both activities without any hassle:
Excursion to Kawasan + snorkeling in Moalboal
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls + island hopping in Moalboal from Cebu
7. Moalboal and Pescador Island
If canyoning doesn’t sound like your thing and you don’t have time to spend several days in Moalboal, another day trip from Cebu you can do takes you to Moalboal and Pescador Island. Both are two of our favorite spots for diving and snorkeling in the Philippines, so you can already imagine the vibe.
As we mentioned, in Moalboal you can swim alongside the majestic sardine run, and Pescador Island—just 20 minutes by boat from the coast—also offers reefs teeming with life. You can comfortably combine both activities on this day trip from Cebu:
Snorkeling in Pescador Island and Moalboal from Cebu with KLOOK
Snorkeling in Pescador Island and Moalboal from Cebu with Civitatis
Snorkeling in Moalboal and Kawasan Falls from Cebu with Civitatis
8. Island hopping from Cebu: Hilutungan, Nalusuan and Pandanon
Near Mactan Island there are several little‑known islands you can visit by doing island hopping, that is, on a day trip from Cebu by bangka, the traditional boats. It’s a great way to forget about Cebu traffic and enjoy nature nearby.
This one includes 2 snorkeling stops—one at Hilutungan Marine Reserve and another at Nalusuan Island Marine Reserve—and a stop for a tasty barbecue and time to enjoy the white, powder‑soft beaches of Pandanon.
9. Osmeña Peak
You could say the Osmeña Peak excursion is comparable to the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, but with a bit more adventure.
The peak, at just 1.013 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Cebu, yet the views are glorious. Besides the pointy neighboring mountains, you can also spot the volcanoes of Negros.
How to get there? From the South Bus Terminal you can take a bus toward Santander/Liloan or Argao. Tell the driver you’ll get off in Dalaguete for Osmeña Peak. The trip takes about 3 hours and costs a little over 120 pesos. Once there, take a habal‑habal. They charge 100 pesos per person and the ride takes about 50 minutes.
You’ll need to pay 50 pesos to enter and 100 pesos for the guide. Don’t worry, the ascent is relatively easy. The trail is 1,3 kilometers long and usually takes no more than 30 minutes at a normal pace. It has some rocks, but it’s well‑defined and you’ll find it very hard to get lost.
If you want more mountains, note these: Casino Peak and Kandungaw Peak.
If you want to go from Cebu without any hassle, there’s also a tour that combines Osmeña Peak with Kawasan Falls.
10. Danasan Eco Adventure Park
If you’re craving a little adventure, another day trip from Cebu is Danasan Eco Adventure Park. Located on the outskirts of Cebu, you can do tons of activities here such as zip‑lining, climbing, rappelling, karting, surfboarding, quad biking and the star attraction, the Twin Tower Adventure. In this one, you’ll walk on a rope suspended between two towers, like a tightrope walker. Don’t worry—you’ll be harnessed in and perfectly safe.
Prices start at 300 pesos but vary depending on the activity. Bear in mind it’s a bit far out, so you’ll need to negotiate a taxi or rent a motorbike.
11. Waterfalls from Cebu
We’ve already talked about Kawasan Falls, but if you love waterfalls, you can also do several day trips from Cebu to see others that are much less known. Good examples include:
- Budlaan Falls: a little north of the Temple of Leah, these falls seem to go unnoticed among foreigners, but they’re extremely photogenic. Heads up: some try to charge 500 pesos per person for a guide, but it isn’t necessary.
- Mantayupan Falls: one of the tallest and most beautiful in Cebu. They’re in Barili, halfway between Cebu and Moalboal. The falls have 2 tiers: the first about 14 meters high and the second 98 meters—impressive! The entrance fee is 100 pesos.
- Himbabawud Falls: although getting there isn’t easy (around a 1‑hour bus ride and a 45‑minute hike), these lovely falls are surrounded by lush vegetation.
Much farther south on the island (especially around the Samboan area) you’ll find many more waterfalls, but we think they’re so far away that it’s quite a slog to visit them on a day trip from Cebu. It’s better to base yourself in Moalboal, so be sure to check our article Where to stay in Moalboal.
12. Day trip to Bohol
While we think it’s a shame to spend fewer than 3 days in Bohol (you’ll get the idea by looking at our Bohol Guide), if you’re dying to see the Chocolate Hills and don’t have much time, you can do a day trip from Cebu to Bohol.
Although you won’t linger much at each stop, you’ll be able to see the tarsiers, take a river cruise on the Loboc River, see the famous Bilar Man‑made Forest and, of course, get close to the famed Chocolate Hills.
You can do it in two ways:
- Tour with KLOOK: the most convenient because you don’t have to worry about anything. You can book here. Or this other one that starts at 8:00 in Bohol, for which you’d need to take the 6:00 ferry from Cebu: Private Spanish‑language tour in Bohol (8 hours).
- On your own: to do this, you need to take the first Oceanjet ferry, which is usually at 6:00. You can book your tickets here. You’ll arrive around 8:00. Once at Tagbilaran Port (Bohol), you can hire a car or van for a custom route. This usually costs around 3,000 pesos, depending on your group size and time. You should be back at the port around 17:30 to catch the last ferry to Cebu. We recommend booking your Tagbilaran–Cebu ticket so you don’t get stuck.
If you have more time, we recommend dedicating enough time to explore Bohol and its neighboring Panglao Island. Check Things to do in Bohol, Things to do in Panglao, Things to do in Loboc, Things to do in Anda and Best beaches in Bohol and Panglao to get a sense of how complete both are.
⚠️ Please note that every tour agency in Cebu will offer you the excursion to see the whale shark in Oslob. We go in depth about the downsides of this activity in our article Whale shark in Oslob. If you’re really excited to see them, you can swim with them in other ethical places where they aren’t mistreated. Read Where to swim with the whale shark in the Philippines to see where depending on when you travel.
Where to stay to do these day trips from Cebu
If you’re planning any of these day trips from Cebu, the most convenient is to stay around the South Bus Terminal or out on Mactan, because many agencies do pick‑ups there for organized tours and you’re also close to the airport.
- Recommendations near the South Bus Terminal: Cebu Hotel Plus (we’ve dedicated a full article here), One Central Hotel & Suites and Shejoje Poshtel Hostel.
- Recommendations on Mactan: Amaris Bed and Breakfast and Plantation Bay Resort & Spa.
You can read much more in Where to stay in Cebu.
This article is part of an exhaustive Cebu Guide, where we tell you how to get there, what to do, where to stay and many more tips to enjoy your stay.
If you have any questions about these excursions in Cebu City or others, we’ll be happy to answer in the comments.
