Manila & Cebu short · 6 days
6 days, 5 nights: Manila (2N), Cebu (3N). Best time to go: Nov–May.
Day 1: Arrive in Manila
Manila
- National Museum of Fine Arts and Anthropology · 3 h. Free entry on many days; bring ID and start with Fine Arts for the Spoliarium.
Local tip: Free entry on many days; bring ID and start with Fine Arts for the Spoliarium.
Day 2: Explore Manila
Manila
- Intramuros walk and Fort Santiago · 3 h. Start early before the heat; bamboo bikes are optional inside the walls.
- Binondo Chinatown food walk · 3 h. Come hungry; share plates of dumpling, noodle and hopia shops.
- Manila Bay sunset at Baywalk or SM Mall of Asia · 1.5 h
Local tip: Start early before the heat; bamboo bikes are optional inside the walls.
Day 3: Manila → Cebu
Cebu · Manila to Cebu, 1.5h flight Manila ↔ Cebu
Day 4: Explore Cebu
Cebu
- Mactan beach day and snorkel · 5 h. Resort day access or a public beach club; reef-safe sunscreen only.
- Moalboal sardine run snorkel · 3 h. Combine with turtle spotting; currents can pick up — use a vest if unsure.
Local tip: Resort day access or a public beach club; reef-safe sunscreen only.
Day 5: Explore Cebu
Cebu
Day 6: Depart from Cebu
Cebu
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Manila (2 nights): Makati CBD / Poblacion. Restaurants, Grab access and a central base for day trips.
- Cebu (3 nights): Mactan. Beach access near the airport for a swim-first stay.