Colon Street

Colon Street in downtown Cebu, named after Christopher Columbus, is the oldest street in the Philippines. It traces its origins to the town plan by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who arrived in the Philippines to establish a colony in 1565. Although at present, the street is highly urbanized being the heart of downtown Cebu, there are still remnants of its beauty from the olden times. Old buildings mixed with modern ones lined up todays Colon Street. Department stores, restaurants, movie houses, are among the business establishments that lined up todays Colon Street.

Although modern malls have sprouted all over Cebu, most people from all walks of life still prefer visiting the old colon due to its cheaper merchandise. Every year starting the month of December, an open-air market is held in Colon Street called “Pasko sa colon”. Literally a portion of colon Street is closed from all vehicles, and small merchandisers are allowed to line up on the street to display their products. A perfect shopping destination for bargain hunters for the holiday seasons.