Cebu City

Cebu City is a provincial capital in the Central Visayas on the island of Cebu, occupying much of the eastern coastline and stretching between sea and forested hills. Streets run from the old port area through densely built neighborhoods up to hillside residential zones, where smaller roads wind between houses and shops.

Spanish ships reached the island in 1565 under Legazpi, who founded a settlement and made it the first capital of the Philippines. The city remained a trading hub for centuries, attracting merchants from China, Japan and Southeast Asia who exchanged goods and settled here.

Every January the city fills with dancers and processions during the Sinulog Festival, honoring the Santo Niño as streets turn into open stages. Public markets around Carbon and Colon sell roasted suckling pig and dried fish daily, while vendors negotiate in rapid Cebuano and set the pace of daily life.

The port connects the city daily to other islands across the archipelago through ferries and cargo ships that arrive and depart regularly. Jeepneys and smaller buses run along main streets and stop wherever passengers want to board, while taxis wait at the airport and larger intersections.

The name comes from the Cebuano word sugbú, describing the act of diving into water and pointing to the early maritime way of life among residents. Magellan died in 1521 during a battle on the neighboring island of Mactan, before Spanish colonization actually began decades later.

Location: Central Visayas

Location: Cebu

Inception: 1565

Founders: Miguel López de Legazpi

Elevation above the sea: 135 m

Shares border with: Toledo, Talisay, Consolacion, Mandaue, Balamban, Minglanilla, Compostela

Address: Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines

Website: https://cebucity.gov.ph

GPS coordinates: 10.29300,123.90200

Latest update: December 3, 2025 09:15