Although Colon Street dates back to the 16th century, the main sign of its heritage is the Colon Obelisk. This 20th-century granite column boasts an inscription describing Colon Street as the Philippines’ oldest street, although academics point out that the islands had streets before colonists arrived. Most travelers visit here to hunt for bargains or on their way to nearby attractions such as Magellan’s Cross or the Basilica del Santo Niño. The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House gives an idea of how the street must once have looked.
Colon Street sits in the heart of downtown Cebu City. It’s less than a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) walk from the port where boats from Bohol arrive, and within easy walking distance of Magellan’s Cross, the Basilico del Santo Niño, the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, and Casa Gorordo.
There are usually night markets on Colon Street at busy times of year, such as the Christmas shopping season in December and Cebu City’s Sinulog festival in January. These are the most atmospheric times to visit.
As the biggest city in the Visayas, Cebu City offers a wealth of malls, including an Ayala Center and two separate SM malls, home to many international brands. Taboan and Carbon markets provide bags of local color and photo opportunities, while the Craft Story Cebu concept store in Crossroads Mall offers artisan pieces by local creators.
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