Cebu Simala and city historical tour: Shrine, forts and roses

The 10,000 roses in Cordova are artificial and lit from inside, best seen after dusk.

A 9-hour tour of Cebu combines a pilgrimage visit to Simala Shrine in Sibonga with sightseeing at four historical landmarks in and around the city: Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, the Basilica Church, and the illuminated rose garden in Cordova. A professional guide in English or Japanese leads the route. Pickup is included. Dress code requires knees and shoulders covered for entry to places of worship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Magellan's Cross30m · entry included
2. Fort San Pedro30m · entry included

Visit Simala Shrine and Cebu landmarks

• Observation and prayer inside Simala Church
• Visit Monastery of the Holy Eucharist
• Sightseeing at Magellan’s Cross
• Visit Fort San Pedro
• See 10,000 Roses Café at dusk

The experience

The day starts at Simala Shrine, a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Sibonga. You spend 30 minutes inside for observation and prayer before moving on to the city's historical core. The route then takes in Magellan's Cross, the stone monument marking the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, followed by Fort San Pedro, the Spanish fortress that anchors downtown Cebu's waterfront.

The Basilica Church and the 10,000 Roses Café in Cordova round out the stops. The roses are artificial and powered by LED lights, which means they're best visited during dusk or after dark when the illumination shows. This timing detail matters if you're planning the rest of your day around the tour's 9-hour span.

Your guide speaks English or Japanese and carries bottled water for the group. The dress code is strict for entry to the shrine and other places of worship: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women, and no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Refusal of entry is possible if you don't comply. The tour is wheelchair accessible and works for all fitness levels, though children must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Japanese.
• hotel or accommodation pickup.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LEISUREPRO JOURNEYS TRAVEL SERVICE

Is this one for you?At 9 hours, this tour fills most of a day, so plan accordingly if you want time for meals or other activities outside the scheduled stops. The timing is fixed to the itinerary, so you'll need to commit to the full route rather than extending or shortening individual sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What is Simala Shrine and what do you do there?

Simala Shrine, also called the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist or Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine, is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Sibonga, Cebu. You spend 30 minutes inside for observation and prayer as part of the tour.

When is the best time to see the 10,000 roses in Cordova?

The 10,000 roses are artificial and lit with LED lights, so they look their best during dusk and after dark when the illumination is visible. Visiting during daylight means you'll see the structure but miss the lighting effect.

What's the dress code for this tour?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women at places of worship and selected museums on the route. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed, and the dress code is smart casual overall. You risk being refused entry if you don't comply.

Does the tour include meals or drinks?

The tour includes a professional guide and bottled water. Lunch, dinner, and other drinks are not included, though alcoholic drinks and souvenir photos are available to purchase at some stops.