It doesn’t snow in the Philippines, but the celebration is just as fun and exciting on Christmas Day. Filipinos love the holiday season as it is a time of merriment with family and loved ones.
But according to the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), it’s too early to say whether Christmas parties or gatherings will be allowed this year, despite the declining cases of Covid-19.
If you still want to take your date out on a romantic dating trip, however, there’s still hope. In this article, we’ve compiled our top 5 dating spots in Cebu, all of which accept walk-ins and are operating daily.
Without further ado, here they are:
A popular attraction in Cebu, the Tops Lookout is an open-air observation deck that offers an amazing view of the entire city below. The entire place has a fortress-like vibe with concrete structures and circular stone archways.
Expect large crowds during sunset. It’s usually the time when people get the best viewing experience. If you arrive early, you can get a free table, where you and your date can eat some snacks and enjoy cold drinks.
The place is open until 2 AM, so you’re free to stay, relax, chat, and cuddle under the starry skies as the city lights sparkle down below.
The approximate travel time from JY Square to the Tops Lookout is 30-40 minutes. There is a 100php entrance fee per person.
Location: Cebu Tops Road, Busay, Cebu City, Cebu
Open Hours: 10 AM to 2 AM daily
If you and your date feel that snacks aren’t enough to fill your stomach, there is a dine-in restaurant right next to the Tops Lookout.
It offers a similar panoramic view of Cebu City, an open-air dining experience, and a variety of mouth-watering Filipino dishes with a twist.
For the best romantic ambiance, we suggest being seated right at the edge of the restaurant. Not only will you get a great view of the city at night, but you can also feel the cool night air and experience the refreshing smell of the surrounding natural foliage.
The restaurant is owned by Pages Group Holdings, which also owns and operates several other popular Cebuano restaurants, such as Lantaw, House of Lechon, etc.
Location: Right beside the Top of Cebu
Open Hours: Open daily from 11 AM to 3 PM (morning) and 5 PM to 9 PM (evening)
If both of you have a sweet tooth, then we recommend heading over to Dolce for dessert. It’s a small, well-lit air-conditioned cafe with an instagrammable grass wall. You can find it right beside the main road going back to JY Square.
It has a good view of the city lights below, but it doesn’t compare to the view from the Tops Lookout. Just be prepared as you enter the cafe, as you may immediately smell the rich scent of coffee and sugared sweets, which will perk up your mood as the night goes on.
The best-selling cakes they recommend to try are the Toblerone cake, the Chocolate Malt cake, and the Matcha Mousse. These cakes are great paired with cappuccino or caramel coffee.
Location: Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
Open Hours: 10 AM to 7 PM (Monday to Sunday)
If you and your date prefer to spend Christmas on a beach, soaking up the sun’s rays and feeling the sand under your toes, then we recommend dining at the Allegro restaurant from Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort and Spa.
It might be a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth it. The open-air restaurant offers both Filipino and American ala carte dishes. They have a buffet option as well. They are open 24 hours, so you can visit anytime, whether it’s in the morning or at night.
If you have a budget to spare, then we recommend booking an overnight stay at the resort. You can relax and chat with your date as you explore the resort grounds at night. In the morning, you can enjoy a quick dip in their beaches or swimming pools.
Travel time estimated from Cebu City to the beach resort can take up to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Location: Buyong, Maribago Mactan Island PH, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015
Open Hours: Open 24 hours
Although the destination is a lot farther from Cebu City, the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is a popular attraction for both families and couples.
Located in northern Cebu, it is a 170-hectare property that serves as a sanctuary for hundreds of different species of plants and animals. The park’s main attraction is the African Savanna, Botanical Gardens, and the White Lion Safari.
The park also offers shuttle services to make it easier to travel from one exhibit to another. A couple of restaurants can be conveniently found inside the park.
The entrance fee per person is 800php. The estimated travel time from Cebu City to the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Location: Toril, Brgy. Corte, Carmen, Cebu
Open Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM (Thursday to Sunday)
For some, nothing beats the comfort of your own home. If you and your date find it a hassle to travel all over Cebu or just don’t feel like taking a long commute, then you can opt to stay at home and spend a quiet Christmas together.
You can celebrate Christmas by cooking dinner together, having a Christmas movie marathon, and even creating your own Christmas tradition. It’s also a great opportunity to spend an intimate moment with your loved ones during the special holiday.
So these are our top 5 romantic places in Cebu where you can take your date this Christmas. We hope this article helps you with some itinerary ideas on how to celebrate Christmas with your special someone.
Or if you’re still single, why not try looking for that special someone internationally online? There are several authentic matchmaking services that look after your best interests and help you find your ideal mate.
Who knows, maybe you’ll find luck and success with someone across the globe!
