What to Do in Cebu? Shopping Malls, Tourist Spots, and a Recommended Shopping List

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Cebu is a highly popular destination for language study abroad.
It's a city chosen by many international students because you can enjoy both studying and sightseeing.

Cebu is one of the political, economic, and cultural centers of the Philippines, and before the capital moved to Manila, it was even called "the number one city in the Philippines."

Since prices in the Philippines are relatively lower than in Japan, it's also a great country for enjoying shopping and sightseeing during your language study abroad.

This time, we'll introduce Cebu's recommended shopping malls and tourist spots, as well as popular souvenir items.

< Recommended Shopping Malls in Cebu >

Cebu, as a tourist city, has many large shopping malls.
Here are some of the most representative ones.

① SM Seaside Mall

This is one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, opened in 2015.
It's a massive mall, among the largest even in Asia.

It houses many shops, cafes, and restaurants, and is one of the "SM Mall" chain locations found throughout the Philippines.

It's located by the sea and can be reached by MYBUS, CIBUS, Grab, and more.

It's popular among tourists, and is said to be somewhat pricier for locals.

② Ayala Mall

This is the second largest shopping mall in Cebu. It has a park-like, well-maintained space with an open, airy atmosphere.

It used to be Cebu's leading mall, but after SM Seaside Mall opened, it became somewhat smaller in comparison.

It has an image similar to a Japanese department store, making it a relatively upscale mall for locals.

You can also enjoy views such as fountains and gardens, so it's a great place to visit for a stroll on a day off.

<Recommended Tourist Spots in Cebu>

① Basilica del Santo Niño

This is also the venue for Cebu's biggest festival, the "Sinulog Festival," held every January.

This church has about 500 years of history and is famous for its "Santo Niño" (Child Jesus) image.
Inside, there's a beautiful cloister and fountain, giving it a European-like atmosphere.

If you line up at the back of the cloister, you can see the image of Jesus enshrined in a glass case.

② Cebu Ocean Park

This is one of the largest aquariums in the Philippines, featuring a large circular tank.

You can see marine life from all over the world, and a visit takes roughly 2 to 3 hours.

You can experience an underwater tunnel and doctor fish,
and encounter unusual animals such as chameleons, crocodiles, and spiders.

③ Safari & Adventure Park

This large zoo houses about 120 species and over 1,000 animals.
The African safari experience is especially popular.

It's also great for families, and taking your time to look around takes about 3 hours.

Admission is relatively cheap compared to Japan, but since it's about an hour and thirty minutes from downtown Cebu, be careful about how you get there.

< Recommended Cebu Shopping List >

If you're not sure what souvenirs to choose, please use this as a reference.

① 7D Dried Mango

Dried mango is a classic Philippine specialty.
There's a wide variety, including chocolate-coated types.

② Hair Essence

Cebu's water is different in quality from Japan's,
and some people find their hair gets tangled or rough more easily.

Hair essence can be bought at reasonable prices at local supermarkets.

③ Kopiko Coffee

A popular Philippine coffee brand.
It's also recommended to pair it with snacks as a souvenir set.

④ Philippine Snacks

• JOVY'S

• Sponge Crunch

• Fudgee Barr

Local snacks like these are also popular. They're reasonably priced, making them great for buying in bulk.

Summary

Cebu isn't just for language study abroad — it also has:

• Large shopping malls

• Historic buildings

• Aquariums and zoos

• Beach resorts

It's an attractive city where you can enjoy both learning and sightseeing.

Make the most of your weekends and free time during your study abroad, and enjoy experiences that are unique to Cebu.

On Awork Academy's official website, we've organized information about working holidays and language study abroad by country in an easy-to-understand way.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.