Cebu

Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines and the main urban, commercial and shipping centre of the Visayas, widely known as the Queen City of the South. It serves as the capital of Cebu province and the economic hub of the Central Visayas region, with a metropolitan area that extends well beyond the city itself.

The city's history began with the Spanish settlement founded in 1565, leaving landmarks such as Magellan's Cross, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro and Colon Street, often described as one of the oldest streets in the country.

Uptown districts around Cebu Business Park and IT Park are known for offices, malls, hotels and restaurants, while downtown centres such as Colon, Carbon Market and Fuente Osmeña Circle hold much of the city's heritage and daily market life. Nearby hillside spots include the Taoist Temple, Temple of Leah and Tops Lookout, with beaches and island resorts on Mactan Island.

Cebu is a major base for business process outsourcing, trade, shipping, conventions and technology, supported by a busy domestic port and Mactan–Cebu International Airport. The January Sinulog Festival, a large cultural and religious celebration, draws visitors from across the country and abroad.

For travellers, Cebu works as both a gateway and a destination: it combines urban business amenities, Spanish-colonial history, regional food such as lechon, and easy access to beaches, diving and island-hopping across the Visayas.