Museo Sugbo

Museo Sugbo is a meaningful and historically rich place to visit in Cebu. Housed in what used to be a provincial jail, the museum has a unique character that immediately gives you a sense of stepping back in time. The exhibits are well-organized and cover Cebu’s history from the Spanish period to World War II and beyond. You’ll find old documents, photographs, religious artifacts, and memorabilia that help you understand how the province developed through the years. While the building itself shows its age in some areas, that actually adds to its authenticity and charm. Overall, it’s a positive and educational experience, especially for visitors who genuinely appreciate history and local heritage.

If you love art and enjoy exploring museums, the National Museum in Cebu is worth adding to your bucket list.

Some of the newer displays are informative and well laid out but lack artifacts. The pre colonial rooms also good. The 20thc probably needs makover. Note museum only no art, cafe, shop or parking. Interesting building.

Almost all section in the building at the inner compound (back) was closed due to renovation. The museum itself is small (expect not more than 1 hour) and old (building wise, and how the exhibits are presented). One good thing about the museum is that it’s presenting a detailed information about Cebu and mostly in chronological order. However, this museum spend too much effort in explaining Magellan, what he did until how he died (there’s a room just for himself). Wish that it explains more about the people of Cebu, what makes them unique etc.

Love the arts, artifacts and the staff. They're so friendly and some of them offered to take a picture. There's no entrance fee and the parking area is so easy ♥️♥️🫰 probably gonna come back here to visit the upcoming new art display. ♥️♥️🫰🫰📸📷

Great museum with varied interesting themes, I particularly liked the exhibition around the first circumnavigation of the world by a single ship 'Victoria' although not captained by the same person throughout... having good air-conditioning throughout each exhibition space made it a more pleasant experience.

The museum itself is very old and contains artifacts free dating the 1600s in the 1700s the way everything inside the museum is as well-kept the people there care for the items as there is just so much love and appreciation for the Filipino culture that I have been introduced. Thanks to this museum, all the way from Ferdinand Magellan to current day the guides were able to talk to me even in English because I did not know cebuano or Tagalog and I answered all my questions. The museum itself is very clean and it’s not hard to navigate through the whole entire couple of buildings and a lot of the things there you will see surprise you. Couldn’t be more happier with a place to choose to visit in Cebu.

Fantastic little museum about Cebu Island from prehistory through WW2. The permanent collection is three large rooms, lots of artifacts and good descriptions. Also have three small rooms for rotating exhibitions (mostly about minor topics of only local interest). 50 pesos entrance.

This museum is not that big, but it packs a lot of history. My favorite was during The World War II. I didn't know that the Filipinos had briefly used Japanese currency. Their new "Rice of Gods" room was amazing. Our tour guide mentioned a private donor from a Filipino philanthropist, donated everything in the room to share the history of Cebu. We were also educated that Museo Gugbo was originally a prison. There were still marks of prisoners name and other carvings during that era. One highlight that was also a favorite of mine was the walk of fame wall where all the past Presidents of the Philippines were hung in portrait paintings. Next to their portraits shares a brief history of their life and accomplishments during their time in office. I highly recommend if you have time during your visit to Cebu City, pay a visit here. You will learn a great deal about Philippine history and the native tribes of Cebu. Cheers!

Located on m.j cuenco ave., if coming from the colon area, it'll be on the right side. There is a street right before you see the front entrance to the museum (again coming from colon), make the turn and you'll see a gate to the left. Honk your horn if its closed and security will open the gates to lead you towards the parking area. Parking appeared to be limited maybe good for 5-6 vehicles. I'm not sure if they have other areas to park as there seem to be a narrow alley, ahead of the pebbled parking area, that possibly can accomodate one more vehicle. Parking is free. We went about 3:00 pm-ish and there weren't many people there. You make your way towards the front of the museum to pay the entrance fee (locals paid 30 pesos and I believe it was 75 pesos for foreigners. They also have discounts for senior citizens and students). So you go pass the gazebo structure from the parking lot, then cross the courtyard towards a fountain. Someone at a small desk will point you in the direction to where you make the payment then politely ask you to sign a guest book. Then you make your way around. You may opt for a guide (which we were told was free of charge) but we decided to explore the museum ourselves. There will be 4 areas where there is air conditioning, and ends after the world war 2 exhibit. There are interesting excerpts from history as well as artifacts. I particularly found the world war 2 area most interesting, though I wish there were more artifacts and maybe some interactive activites that can really immerse someone during that time in history. After leaving the world war 2 exhibit you head down a steep stairway, if you are tall be careful of the overhead. I consider myself short and even then I felt as if I was gonna bump my head. So be careful. The courtyard was spacious. There are a couple more exhibits around the courtyard that include maps and blue prints of various structures, cities and different islands in the Philippines. As previously stated, wish there were more artifacts to see and maybe an activity or two. However, what was displayed was informative and left me wanting to learn more about the Philippines and Cebu's history. Thank you for having a musem such as this to introduce us to Cebu's history. (tip: they allow you to take pictures, but without flash)