Cebu City is a frequent departure point for travelers visiting the beautiful beaches in the Visayas. However, culture lovers should linger a bit longer to discover the rich heritage of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Historical landmarks, delicious cuisine, and the best Essential Free Tour of Cebu City are waiting for you! Join a local knowledgeable guide to dive deeper into the intriguing history of Cebu City as you visit old colonial mansions, walk past local markets, and stroll along Colon Street, the oldest street in the country (named after Christopher Columbus)! The tour will also take you to the impressive Fort San Pedro, the first fort and garrison in the country, built by Spanish and native Cebuano workers.

One of the highlights of your Essential Cebu City Free Tour will be the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose white façade never fails to impress visitors. Just in front you will find one of the most sacred places in the Philippines, the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. This white basilica attracts many pilgrims every year because it houses the oldest surviving Catholic relic in the country: a holy image gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to Hara Humamay, the Queen of Cebu, in 1521. Just a short walk away, your group will also find a modest cabin protecting a simple-looking cross. Despite the appearances, here you will find one most important historical remains in Asia: the cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan expedition on the first circumnavigation of the world.

One of the top-rated attractions in the Free Tour of Cebu City is the unusual Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. Considered as the oldest surviving Chinese house outside China, this quirky mansion was built with coral stones and adorned with shells. The Heritage Cebu Monument will also offer a perfect opportunity to learn about the multiculturality that shaped a city born from the dialogue of Western and Eastern Cultures. Along the tour, you are welcomed to ask as many questions as you want. Your guide will also be happy to offer tips about what to do and what to eat in Cebu City. In fact, did you know that world-famous chef Anthony Bourdain referred to Cebu’s lechon as the “best pig, ever”? Do not hesitate to ask your guide for restaurant recommendations!