Cebu City Walking Tour of Heritage Sites

Here are our walking tour maps with the succession of our stops:

(1) COLON STREET OBELISK

Off from our Pension House at around 0930H and aimed to look for a food stop for our breakfast. From R. Landon St., we walked the entirety of Osmena Blvd southwards until we reached the intersection with a  McDonald's on the corner. We then tooked our breakfast there. Unknowingly, the intersection was already Colon St. so we just then walked eastward towards the Colon Street Obelisk at the Colon-P. Burgos St. intersection.

Colon St Obelisk up-close

The Colon Obelisk and the view of Colon Street at the back

(2) CEBU HERITAGE MONUMENT

Then upon reaching the intersection, we turned right (north) for the Cebu Heritage Monument. Actually you can already see the monument from the obelisk. It was on the edge of the Y-shaped road. It has gates but we lately found out that the gates on the side of the firestation is open so we freely came in.

Heritage of Cebu plaque with its history on it

it is fenced or gated

so many structures in it!

(3) YAP-SANDIEGO ANCESTRAL HOUSE

From the monument, you can see also the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. It was a corner house and really looked rugged over the years; can easily be seen since its design is unique among others near it. There is an entrance fee of Php50 and you can easily find the entrance along Mabini St. The very accommodating tour guide happily took pictured of our group for the rest of our stay there and we just rewarded him with a whooping Php100 tip! Not to mention he knew tips and techniques on how to pose and take good views inside the house; and you are allowed to hold and sit on everything inside, just don't break them. Terrific!

this is the view of the house from the Heritage of Cebu Monument, just magnified

the interior

very old furniture and statues

the facade from their garden

view of the corner lot

(4) CASA GORORDO MUSEUM

Right at the corner of the Ancestral House we took right turn (Lopez Jaena St.) towards Casa Gorordo Museum. It was just about 5minutes walk. They have Php40 entrance fee and you cannot take pictures inside; too bad! But just take advantage of using their comfort room inside, it is clean and spacious.

view from the entramce

the second floor terrace

(5) CEBU METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

We then took the same route going back to the Colon Obelisk and passing through it just straight of P. Burgos St. until we reached the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on our right. It was huge that you cannot see it. Iy would just cost you around 15-20 minutes walk. We rested inside for quite some time to regain some energy.

the Cathedral's patio and facade

the altar and inside peek

main door

(6) MAGELLAN'S CROSS

(7) BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NINO

Next stop is the Magellan's Cross, we just continued walking through P. Burgos St. for about 10 minutes. It was not barely along the road but you could see some signage about the Santo Nino Basilica and would hint you that you are almost there. You can see the shelter of the Magellan's Cross at the right side of the road just after the big Island Souvenir store on your left. From the cross you could see the entrance towards the Basilica Minore of Santo Nino with security guards inspecting the people going inside.

the shelter of the Magellan's Cross, view from the street

peek inside

Sto Nino image outside the Basilica

some Saint statues in the Basilica premises

(8) PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA

(9) FORT SAN PEDRO

In order to get to Plaza Indenpendencia, we then asked vendors from the place. Since maps doesn't really give where the entrance of the huge park. I forgot the road we took but it is on the side of Island Souvenir store; straight through it until we reached Mariano Cuenco Ave and you can see the park from there. The entrance is near the stoplight (Legaspi St - Mariano Cuenco Ave intersection). Plaza Independencia was a mere greeny spacious park; clean and tidy with security. I am impressed! From the inside you can easily see Fort San Pedro's walls. They have an entrance of Php40 there. This is similar with Fort Santiago in Manila, just smaller in size.

when you see this, you're near the entrance

the Fort's facade

the Fort's walls and entrance

view on the top

This ends our walking tour which damages around 4 hours in total of our time. It was worth it and really is an adventure. Just don't forget to bring the maps and bring a bottle of water which you can refill on the streets with minimal amount. Finally, don't hesitate to ask questions from the locals; they're very friendly and just be patient if they don't understand you.

4 Days / 3 Nights Cebu Itinerary