Malls and markets in Cebu
Cebu is a shopping city. It has some of the largest malls in the Visayas and some of the liveliest local markets in the country. The two sides are very different, and a good trip uses both. Malls are cool, clean and handy for a rainy day, an ATM stop or a family meal. Markets are hot, crowded and full of real local life, with better prices on food, dried fish and small gifts.
Opening hours and shops change, so treat the times below as estimates and check on the day.
The big malls
- Ayala Center Cebu, in the Cebu Business Park. It opened in 1994 and has hundreds of shops, with The Terraces as its dining area. Hours are usually around 10 am to 9 pm, and later at weekends.
- SM City Cebu, near the port and the downtown. It opened in 1993 and is one of the busiest malls in the city.
- SM Seaside City, on the South Road Properties by the sea. It opened on 27 November 2015 and is one of the biggest malls in the Visayas and Mindanao. It has an open-air sky park, a wide food court and cinemas.
- Robinsons Galleria Cebu, at General Maxilom Avenue and Osmena Boulevard. It opened in December 2015 and is easy to reach from downtown hotels.
- IL Corso, a seaside lifestyle strip on the South Road Properties. It is more of a promenade with cafes and restaurants than a classic mall, and it is popular in the evening.
Most large malls open at about 10 am and close around 9 pm, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays at some. During sales and before Christmas they are very crowded.
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Why visit a mall as a traveller
- Air-conditioning on a hot or rainy day. See rainy-day things to do.
- ATMs, money changers and SIM card shops. See money in Cebu and SIM cards and internet.
- Supermarkets for snacks, sunscreen, toiletries and travel basics. Pharmacies are inside most malls too. See the packing list.
- Familiar food and clean toilets for families with kids. See Cebu with kids.
- Filipino brands, books and local fashion, if you want something less touristy.
Which mall should you pick? If you stay around the Cebu Business Park, Ayala Center is a short walk and has the widest choice of restaurants. If you want something with a sea view and an open-air feel, go to SM Seaside City or IL Corso. If you are downtown and want something quick, Robinsons Galleria or SM City Cebu are the nearest. Allow 1-2 hours for a mall visit, and more if you plan to eat and see a film.
Malls are also where you will find ride-hailing pick-up points, so it is easy to get a car home afterwards. Be patient at busy times, as the queues for taxis can be long on weekend evenings.
The local markets
- Carbon Market. Cebu's big, old public market, with fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, spices and household goods. Go in the morning and expect heat, noise and narrow aisles.
- Taboan Market. Famous for dried seafood, especially danggit (dried rabbitfish) and pusit (dried squid). It is one of the best places to buy food gifts, and it is about 25 minutes from the city's main hotel area by car (estimate).
- Colon Street. Cheap clothes, slippers, phone accessories and ukay-ukay (second-hand clothing), with street food on the side.
- Weekend food markets. Some food markets in the IT Park area open on certain days, and the schedule changes, so check locally.
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What to buy
- Dried fish (danggit, pusit) from Taboan. Ask for a vacuum-packed or well-sealed pack, and check the airline rules. The smell is strong.
- Sweets and snacks such as dried mangoes, otap and rosquillos. See pasalubong in Cebu.
- Chocolate and coffee from local brands.
- Woven goods and souvenirs in markets, though quality varies.
- Practical items such as sunscreen, insect repellent and a light rain jacket at supermarkets.
Bargaining and paying
- Malls have fixed prices. Do not bargain in shops, and ask about sales and tourist discounts.
- Markets are different. A little friendly bargaining at stalls is common for clothes and souvenirs, but not for fresh food sold by weight.
- Ask the price before you pick up an item. Check the weight on the scale.
- Bring small bills and coins. Many market stalls do not take cards. Malls usually do.
- Smile and say no politely if you are not interested. A kind "salamat" goes a long way. See Cebuano phrases.
Getting there and staying safe
Taxis and ride-hailing cars are the easiest way to reach any mall or market. See Grab and taxis in Cebu. The downtown markets and Colon are also reachable by jeepney. See how to ride jeepneys.
- Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag in crowded markets. See staying safe in Cebu.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Market floors can be wet and uneven.
- Mall security usually checks bags at the entrance. Keep ID handy.
- Go to markets in the morning for fresher goods and cooler weather.
A simple shopping plan
- Morning: Carbon Market and Colon Street, then a local lunch. See what to eat in Cebu.
- Early afternoon: Taboan for dried fish and gifts, if you have a car.
- Late afternoon: a mall for air-conditioning, supplies and a rest.
- Evening: dinner at IL Corso or The Terraces.
Need more ideas for the city? See the Cebu City walking tour, the Cebu street food guide and the Cebu 3-day itinerary.
Photo: "Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City (2025-02-24)" by Wide Awake!, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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From Tourist Booklet: https://touristbooklet.com/malls-and-markets-cebu/. Last updated 21 October 2026. Prices and times change, so check before you go.