Guidebook on what to do in Mactan Island
Food scene
Being an island, you can expect the freshest seafood in any Mactan restaurant. But more than that, Mactan also offers unique local culinary treats and the native Filipino dishes.
Best restaurant to try delicious foods with something unique to offer that you can check out while in Mactan.
This restaurant can only be described as “upscale island”. You’ve got the perfect island setting with dining tables on a dock jetting out into the turquoise sea while the décor and furnishings are quite classy and chic.
At night, Lantaw Native Restaurant fills up with romantic couples and trendy locals who sit under the contemporary lighting and colorful sky enjoying native dishes with a San Miguel beer in their hand. The atmosphere just cannot be beat.
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Επιπλέον εστιατόριο Lantaw - Cordova
This restaurant can only be described as “upscale island”. You’ve got the perfect island setting with dining tables on a dock jetting out into the turquoise sea while the décor and furnishings are quite classy and chic.
At night, Lantaw Native Restaurant fills up with romantic couples and trendy locals who sit under the contemporary lighting and colorful sky enjoying native dishes with a San Miguel beer in their hand. The atmosphere just cannot be beat.
Wildly popular on social media especially when it first opened, 10,000 Roses Café has become a sought-after tourist attraction particularly for Instagram users. The café, inspired by the famous Dongdaenum Design Plaza in South Korea, features patches of artificial LED roses that resemble magical lights when lit up at night.
The best time to take photos is around dusk because the lighting can be very harsh at noon and the white roses look flat in broad daylight. The al fresco dining area offers a nice view of the city and refreshing sea breeze. If you have time to kill and haven’t been there yet, it’s something you can check out. In between taking photos, you can order coffee and light snacks like sandwiches, pasta, salad, paninis, pizza and the like.
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Καφέ 10.000 Ρόδες & Περισσότερα
Day-as Barangay RoadWildly popular on social media especially when it first opened, 10,000 Roses Café has become a sought-after tourist attraction particularly for Instagram users. The café, inspired by the famous Dongdaenum Design Plaza in South Korea, features patches of artificial LED roses that resemble magical lights when lit up at night.
The best time to take photos is around dusk because the lighting can be very harsh at noon and the white roses look flat in broad daylight. The al fresco dining area offers a nice view of the city and refreshing sea breeze. If you have time to kill and haven’t been there yet, it’s something you can check out. In between taking photos, you can order coffee and light snacks like sandwiches, pasta, salad, paninis, pizza and the like.
Entoy’s Bakasihan is one of the oldest and most famous restaurants serving bakasi in Cordova, a coastal town on the tip of Mactan island, about 10 km from the airport. Bakasi are salt water or reef eel abundant in the area. The humble seaside carinderia specializes nilarang na bakasi, a native Cebuano sour stew often likened to sinigang, that makes use of reef eels. They also serve other dishes like fried eels and other local seafood dishes like octopus, prawns and crabs.
While long frequented by locals, who believe that eels are aphrodisiacs, Entoy’s Bakasihan was recently put in the spotlight after it was featured in the Cebu episode of Netflix’s socumentary series "Street Food Asia." Despite the restaurant’s humble set-up and distance (about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the airport), international tourists from all over now go out of their way to eat here, bringing along candy to give to the restaurant’s 71-year old founder Florencio “Entoy” Escabas.
Entoy's Bakasihan
Buagsong Barangay RoadEntoy’s Bakasihan is one of the oldest and most famous restaurants serving bakasi in Cordova, a coastal town on the tip of Mactan island, about 10 km from the airport. Bakasi are salt water or reef eel abundant in the area. The humble seaside carinderia specializes nilarang na bakasi, a native Cebuano sour stew often likened to sinigang, that makes use of reef eels. They also serve other dishes like fried eels and other local seafood dishes like octopus, prawns and crabs.
While long frequented by locals, who believe that eels are aphrodisiacs, Entoy’s Bakasihan was recently put in the spotlight after it was featured in the Cebu episode of Netflix’s socumentary series "Street Food Asia." Despite the restaurant’s humble set-up and distance (about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the airport), international tourists from all over now go out of their way to eat here, bringing along candy to give to the restaurant’s 71-year old founder Florencio “Entoy” Escabas.
Lechon is the culinary pride of Cebu. If you’re visiting the province, don’t pass up the opportunity to sink your teeth into this ultimate pork dish.
Imagine savory golden crispy pork skin, the juiciest meat seasoned with traditional herbs and spices, and a layer of fat that just melts into your mouth. That’s lechon!
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Rico's Lechon - MACTAN
Lapu-Lapu Airport RoadLechon is the culinary pride of Cebu. If you’re visiting the province, don’t pass up the opportunity to sink your teeth into this ultimate pork dish.
Imagine savory golden crispy pork skin, the juiciest meat seasoned with traditional herbs and spices, and a layer of fat that just melts into your mouth. That’s lechon!
SuTuKil is a unique Mactan dining experience; you won’t find it anywhere else! The name SuTuKil is a combination of 3 Bisaya words, Sugba (Grill) + Tuwa (broth) + Kilaw (Raw, similar to ceviche).
The Sutukil restaurants at Mactan Shrine are a group of establishments offering fresh seafood.
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Sutukil Seafood Market Restaurant Chain
RoadSuTuKil is a unique Mactan dining experience; you won’t find it anywhere else! The name SuTuKil is a combination of 3 Bisaya words, Sugba (Grill) + Tuwa (broth) + Kilaw (Raw, similar to ceviche).
The Sutukil restaurants at Mactan Shrine are a group of establishments offering fresh seafood.
Mercato de Mactan is the newest “hangout craze” in Lapu-lapu City, your ultimate night market.
Mercato de Mactan Food Park
Mercato de Mactan is the newest “hangout craze” in Lapu-lapu City, your ultimate night market.
Sightseeing
LAPU-LAPU CITY - "The Historic Resort City".
Aside from having historic sites, the city is also known for its world-class resorts. Indeed, Lapu-Lapu City not only has a prominent seat in history but we are also blessed with sand and sea tourism and world-class hotels and resorts.
Mactan Shrine is a park located in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Lapu-Lapu is named after a hero who defended the said place from Spanish conquerors and the Portuguese explorer Magellan. A statue of Lapu-lapu is built in Mactan Shrine as an honor for his greatness. Today, the park serves as a good place for people to hang-out during weekends. Visiting the park is one of the easiest ways to unwind from the busy pace of life in Cebu City.
Inside the park are beautiful landscapes of trees and other plants. They also built wooden statues and a wooden shed.
It’s also good to visit the place if you want to breathe fresh air because the park is located on the coast of Mactan where the battle Lapu-Lapu and Magellan has occurred. There are also mangroves which make the view more beautiful.
Souvenir shops are also available inside Lapu-lapu shrine. They sell different items like decorations made from shells, bags, guitars, and more.
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Mactan Shrine station
Mactan Shrine is a park located in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Lapu-Lapu is named after a hero who defended the said place from Spanish conquerors and the Portuguese explorer Magellan. A statue of Lapu-lapu is built in Mactan Shrine as an honor for his greatness. Today, the park serves as a good place for people to hang-out during weekends. Visiting the park is one of the easiest ways to unwind from the busy pace of life in Cebu City.
Inside the park are beautiful landscapes of trees and other plants. They also built wooden statues and a wooden shed.
It’s also good to visit the place if you want to breathe fresh air because the park is located on the coast of Mactan where the battle Lapu-Lapu and Magellan has occurred. There are also mangroves which make the view more beautiful.
Souvenir shops are also available inside Lapu-lapu shrine. They sell different items like decorations made from shells, bags, guitars, and more.
It is coined as “Mactan’s complete commercial hub”. This spacious shopping district is complete with the stores that will make it easy for Locals and Tourists in Mactan to shop, dine, relax, and enjoy.
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The Outlets at Pueblo Verde
6015 C. MorionesIt is coined as “Mactan’s complete commercial hub”. This spacious shopping district is complete with the stores that will make it easy for Locals and Tourists in Mactan to shop, dine, relax, and enjoy.
Check out the fascinating 3D paintings and optical illusion exhibits at Happy World Museum in Barangay Gabi in Cordova.
The museum features more than 70 superb three-dimensional artworks, interactive art, and optical illusion exhibits.
The museum is divided into themes such as the Philippine Pride, Jurassic Animals, Religious Beliefs, World Famous Art, and Ocean Section.
Happy World Museum
Check out the fascinating 3D paintings and optical illusion exhibits at Happy World Museum in Barangay Gabi in Cordova.
The museum features more than 70 superb three-dimensional artworks, interactive art, and optical illusion exhibits.
The museum is divided into themes such as the Philippine Pride, Jurassic Animals, Religious Beliefs, World Famous Art, and Ocean Section.
Another cultural treasure Mactan has in store for you is its handcrafted musical instruments. Visayans are known to be avid music lovers.
So, it comes as no surprise that Mactan, Cebu in Central Visayas is home to the Philippine’s best instrument craftsmen.
Mactan-made guitars, ukuleles, and bandurrias are renowned for their quality; they are sought after by musicians all over the country.
If you’re a music enthusiast, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the island’s workshops. Getting a ukulele would be a great Mactan souvenir! You get to bring home the music of Mactan.
If you’re not the musical type or you’re not interested in buying an instrument, don’t cross out these instrument shops from your itinerary just yet.
Shops like the Alegre Guitar Factory allows tourists to watch how the instruments are made for free!
You’ll even be walked through the process by the store salesman who, if you’re lucky, may strum a few notes for you as a demonstration.
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Alegre Guitar Factory
Pajac-Maribago RoadAnother cultural treasure Mactan has in store for you is its handcrafted musical instruments. Visayans are known to be avid music lovers.
So, it comes as no surprise that Mactan, Cebu in Central Visayas is home to the Philippine’s best instrument craftsmen.
Mactan-made guitars, ukuleles, and bandurrias are renowned for their quality; they are sought after by musicians all over the country.
If you’re a music enthusiast, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the island’s workshops. Getting a ukulele would be a great Mactan souvenir! You get to bring home the music of Mactan.
If you’re not the musical type or you’re not interested in buying an instrument, don’t cross out these instrument shops from your itinerary just yet.
Shops like the Alegre Guitar Factory allows tourists to watch how the instruments are made for free!
You’ll even be walked through the process by the store salesman who, if you’re lucky, may strum a few notes for you as a demonstration.
Experience
Lapu-Lapu City is a coral island which means that some of the best diving, and snorkeling can be accessed just off the shore. There are so many hidden gems on Mactan Island in the form of beaches, water activities, marine sanctuaries and more. The waters surrounding Mactan are teeming with rich biodiversity that makes for a memorable experience.
Cebu Yacht Club compound is not only for berthing or mooring luxury yachts but there are also restaurants and cafes to choose from where visitors can dine in and enjoy the relaxing view and the breeze from the sea.
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Cebu Yacht Club
F. Martir StCebu Yacht Club compound is not only for berthing or mooring luxury yachts but there are also restaurants and cafes to choose from where visitors can dine in and enjoy the relaxing view and the breeze from the sea.
Shark diving in Lapu-Lapu City Cebu is a thrilling and unforgettable experience that offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the ocean's most fascinating creatures. With its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, Lapu Lapu City is a popular destination for shark diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
Fun & Sun Dive & Travel
Shark diving in Lapu-Lapu City Cebu is a thrilling and unforgettable experience that offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the ocean's most fascinating creatures. With its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, Lapu Lapu City is a popular destination for shark diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
From Lapu-Lapu city, you can reach Caohagan Island via boat in about 1 hour. This tiny speck in the ocean is made up of a couple dozen houses, beautiful beaches, and inland jungle. Locals are excited to share their island with tourists as this spot has only recently began to attract foreign visitors.
Caohagan Island is still a developing island which means that there is only electricity from late morning to early evening. It’s factors like this that contribute to its charm. Go fishing, snorkeling, or wandering the villages to experience that idyllic island life.
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Caohagan Island
From Lapu-Lapu city, you can reach Caohagan Island via boat in about 1 hour. This tiny speck in the ocean is made up of a couple dozen houses, beautiful beaches, and inland jungle. Locals are excited to share their island with tourists as this spot has only recently began to attract foreign visitors.
Caohagan Island is still a developing island which means that there is only electricity from late morning to early evening. It’s factors like this that contribute to its charm. Go fishing, snorkeling, or wandering the villages to experience that idyllic island life.
Long hand-woven bamboo bridges jetting out from the jungle 1/3 of a mile into the ocean overhead acres of protected marine sanctuary- that is what you can expect and more from San Vicente Marine Sanctuary.
This marine sanctuary in Lapu Lapu is certainly worth a visit for the beautiful island landscape alone. You can also snorkel here, swim, feed the fish, and even camp overnight!
This place is a photographer’s dream with plenty of opportunities to capture nature in its most raw form.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Γερμανία
Long hand-woven bamboo bridges jetting out from the jungle 1/3 of a mile into the ocean overhead acres of protected marine sanctuary- that is what you can expect and more from San Vicente Marine Sanctuary.
This marine sanctuary in Lapu Lapu is certainly worth a visit for the beautiful island landscape alone. You can also snorkel here, swim, feed the fish, and even camp overnight!
This place is a photographer’s dream with plenty of opportunities to capture nature in its most raw form.
This is a tiny island off the coast of Mactan called Nalusuan Island which is home to an incredible marine sanctuary and picturesque resort.
Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary
This is a tiny island off the coast of Mactan called Nalusuan Island which is home to an incredible marine sanctuary and picturesque resort.
Συμβουλές για την πόλη
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Resort Hopping
1. SHANGRI LA MACTAN
2. JPARK RESORT
3. PLANTATION BAY
4. BLUEWATER MARIBAGO BEACH RESORT