Carcar City

Carcar is a small city about 40 km south of Cebu City, and many say it is the best-preserved colonial town in Cebu. Old wooden and stone houses with lacy carved trim line its streets, a pretty church stands on the hill, and a round plaza sits right on the highway. But for many visitors, the real reason to stop is the food: Carcar is famous for its chicharon (crispy pork crackling) and lechon (whole roast pig).

Why go to Carcar

• Chicharon and lechon, two of Cebu's favourite foods, fresh from where they are made.
• Dozens of ancestral houses, some with beautiful carved woodwork.
• The St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, with its unusual mix of styles.
• An easy half-day trip from Cebu City, and a natural stop on the way to Simala or further south.

Chicharon and lechon

Carcar chicharon is crunchy, salty and very hard to stop eating. Stalls selling it in bags are found around the Rotunda and the public market. Many shops let you taste before you buy, and some also sell the softer, meatier "chicharon bulaklak" style and other local snacks. It makes a great pasalubong (gift) to bring home.

Carcar lechon is cooked over charcoal until the skin is glassy and crisp, with a well-seasoned, juicy inside. Head to the public market around late morning, when the fresh lechon is ready. You can buy it by the kilo and eat at the market, or take it with you. Prices are by weight, so ask before the vendor starts chopping.

Heritage walk

Start at the Carcar Rotunda, a round plaza with an old bandstand-style kiosk in the middle. From there, walk up to the church area and through the old streets.

• St. Catherine of Alexandria Church: built by Augustinian friars between about 1860 and 1875, with twin onion-domed bell towers and statues of the apostles lining the front fence.
• Balay na Tisa: the "house of tiles", one of the oldest houses in town, dating from the 1850s.
• Ancestral houses such as the Mercado and Silva houses, some recognised as heritage houses.
• The Carcar City Museum and the old municipal hall near the plaza.

Most ancestral houses are private homes, so admire them from the street unless they are open to visitors. The museum or the local tourism office can tell you which houses can be visited and when.

How to get to Carcar from Cebu City

1. Go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
2. Take any bus or van heading south that passes Carcar (most southbound routes do). Ask to be dropped at the Carcar Rotunda. The ride takes about 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
3. Walk from the Rotunda to the market and chicharon stalls, or take a short tricycle ride up to the church.

Fares are cheap but change, so check on the day. Going back is easy: wave down a northbound bus or van on the highway near the Rotunda.

Getting around

The town centre is compact and walkable. Tricycles are easy to find for short hops, for example from the Rotunda to the church, or if the heat gets too much.

When to go

Carcar is good all year. Go in the morning or around lunch, when the market is busy and the lechon is fresh. The light is also softer for photos of the church and houses. Bring an umbrella during the rainy months, roughly June to November.

Tips for a good trip

• Taste chicharon at a few stalls before you buy, and ask how long it keeps.
• Bring cash in small bills for the market and stalls.
• Dress modestly if you go inside the church, and keep quiet during Mass.
• Respect private homes: take photos from the street and don't enter without permission.
• Carry water and a hat. The town gets hot by midday.

Carcar pairs well with the Simala Shrine in nearby Sibonga for a full day in the south. Heading further down the coast? See our guide to Argao.

Photo gallery

Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.

Watch before you go

Photo: "St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, Carcar, Cebu - Flickr" by dbgg1979 from Cebu City, Philippines, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Last updated October 15, 2026