The oldest and largest public market in Cebu City — Carbon Market — is a vibrant conglomeration of all types of vendors and goods. The market has also become a major tourist destination, mainly because it offers choices of inexpensive souvenirs and is easily accessible as it is located in the downtown area of Cebu City.

image source: Carbon

The Carbon Market, which was named after the Cebu Railroad’s coal depository, is already over one hundred years old. The current location of the market used to be the final station of the railway line, where the coal that was used to power the steam engines was stored.  The market’s name was most likely inspired by the “coal mountains” stored in the area.

image source: Wet Market

Carbon is comparable to Divisoria in Manila, where different products and services are available. It is a typical Filipino market where items offered range from fresh food products to handicraft materials. The wet market area of Carbon is the place to go to when you have to buy fish, seafood and meat products. Vendors of vegetables and fruits are visible at every corner of the market. The handicraft stores and flower vendors are located at the market’s entrance facing the college campus of the University of San Jose Recoletos.

You can visit the Carbon Market via any mode of transportation. You may even want to try taking the “karetela” or the local horse carriages for a tour around the market.

image source: Carbon Map

Aside from its relatively big area, the Carbon Market is hard to miss because of the landmarks surrounding it. Located at M.C. Briones and Calderon Sts., in Cebu City, the market is flanked on its various entries by the Cebu City Hall and the USJR-College Campus.