The streets in Cebu City are known for their social and historical relevance.
Although many people consider Cebu to be a small island, it has a rich history that contributed to the lifestyle and culture of Cebuanos today.
What’s more is that getting around is made easier thanks to the different historical streets in Cebu City.
Some streets have significant landmarks, with several business and public transportation options you can avail. Locals and tourists will definitely benefit from them because of their special services and historical relevance.
GETTING TO KNOW THE STREETS IN CEBU CITY
- Colon Street
In downtown Cebu, you will find what is considered the oldest street in the Philippines.
Colon Street may be the most iconic street not just in the metro, but also in the country. This is mainly because it’s known to be the oldest street in the Philippines.
Named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish), this kilometer-long highway was constructed under the rule of Miguel López de Legazpi, with a large stone obelisk at the end of the street that pays homage to it.
Colon is a center for business and commerce, with many of the first establishments in the city opening around the area. Today, there are multiple streetside stores providing Cebuanos with budget-friendly options in terms of food, souvenirs, and other local products.
It serves as a starting point for historical landmarks in downtown Cebu, like Parian, with its centuries-old ancestral houses that have been turned into museums.
- Junquera Street
Junquera Street is famous for its many shoe repair shops.
Next to Colon Street is Junquera Street, a quiet barangay in Cebu City best known for its shoe repair business.
Junquera Street may have had some controversial beginnings, but there have been significant improvements to highlight the local cobbler businesses stationed along the road.
They are known to provide affordable and quick fixes for a variety of footwear.
The cobbler’s craftsmanship is noteworthy for the quality of their service offered at a cheap price. They even branched out to fix other items such as bags and umbrellas.
Junquera is also home to several printing presses that allow customers to print T-shirts and tarpaulins.
- Leon Kilat
You will find horse-drawn carriages on Leon Kilat, one of the oldest streets in Cebu City.
Leon Kilat is where you can experience the famous tartanilla. This is the only place in Cebu City where horse-drawn carriages still roam the streets.
Tartanillas were the main form of transportation for the early Cebuanos, before motorized vehicles took over. They previously had longer routes, but now they only traverse areas close to each other like Duljo and Pasil.
Compared to a kalesa, the seats in a tartanilla face each other, similar to the setup of traditional jeepneys. They are much slower than modern public utility vehicles, but it’s still an interesting activity to try.
Why learn about tartanillas in museums when you can hop on one yourself?
- Osmeña Boulevard
Osmeña Boulevard connects Colon Street to Fuente.
Osmeña Boulevard is another street in Cebu City known for its many accessible businesses and establishments. Its main highlight is that it connects Colon Street to the heart of the city, which is the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
Nearly two kilometers long, this street is home to several businesses, including the city’s first ever McDonald’s branch. It’s an especially great place for an afternoon stroll because of the spacious sidewalks.
Jones Avenue is also known for its lively atmosphere, especially during the Sinulog Festival, where thousands of devotees used to gather to witness the street parade.
Osmeña Boulevard is directly connected to Mango Avenue, also known for its bustling atmosphere at night.
Additionally, the Bus Rapid Transit – a government project aimed at fixing many of Cebu City’s transportation woes – is currently being constructed along the area.
- Gorordo Avenue
The mountainside barangays of Cebu have a dozen tourist spots, from picturesque gardens to ambient cafes and restaurants. To get there, you can take a right from Osmeña going straight to Gorordo Avenue.
This is the street that leads directly to the Cebu Transcentral Highway. There are many other popular establishments located along the street.
The chic French restaurant La Parisienne, which is a go-to spot for date nights, is an example. Other popular fine dining restaurants include Anzani and Circa 1900.
Gorordo also has several famous accommodations such as Harolds Evotel, which is one of the highest rated hotels in the city. You will find condominiums and apartments like Azalea Place and Prestigio Apartments along the road as well.
The streets in Cebu City are not only access points to some of the biggest tourist attractions in the metro, but they also have famous landmarks and establishments where you can have an authentic Cebuano experience.
