Maps, Forts and Museums: A Cultural Walk in Cebu City

A Cebu City itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu (NMP Cebu) at Plaza Independencia. Just a few steps from the plaza stands the stately Aduana Building, once a bustling Customs House before its transformation into a museum in 2023. Restored to its architectural glory, it now features three permanent galleries on the ground floor and two changing galleries on the second level.

My favorite corner of the museum is the cartography section—an absolute delight for a map lover like me. The archaeological, ethnographic, and maritime historical collections are equally fascinating. With its expansive layout, soaring ceilings, and blissfully cold air-conditioning (a welcome contrast to Cebu’s heat and humidity), the museum invites visitors to slow down, wander, and fully absorb the displays.

Right beside NMP Cebu is Fort San Pedro, the historic military defense built during the Spanish colonial period under Miguel López de Legazpi. Designed in the Italian-Spanish style of fortification, the compact structure can be explored in under 30 minutes. A small colony of well-fed resident cats adds unexpected charm to the experience, often lounging along the fort’s weathered cobblestones.

Both the National Museum and Fort San Pedro are a short 10-minute walk from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu and the Magellan’s Cross Shrine—making this heritage-rich corner of the city perfect for a half-day cultural stroll. The Plaza Independencia landmarks are best explored on weekends after a pilgrimage and mass in the Basilica.