Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops
Just above Cebu City, the Busay highlands climb quickly into cool mountain air and big views over the metro and the sea. It’s the easiest half-day from the city: a loop taking in the grand Temple of Leah, the colourful Sirao flower garden and the Tops lookout, all within about 30-45 minutes of the centre.
The roads are steep and winding with no direct public transport between the sights, which is why a private car works so well here - you can do the loop at your own pace, stop for photos and coffee, and be back in the city by lunch or for sunset.
How to get to Cebu Highlands from Cebu City & the airport
- Private highlands loop (what we arrange)~30-45 min up
A private car for a relaxed half-day loop of Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops, at your pace with photo stops. Request a quote for the fixed half-day price.
- Taxi / habal-habal (public)~30-45 min
There’s no single public route linking the sights, so visitors usually charter a taxi or motorbike - a private car is more comfortable for the full loop.
What to expect
Temple of Leah
A grand colonnaded monument - the “Taj Mahal of Cebu” - built as a tribute, with sweeping city views.
Sirao Flower Garden
Bright terraced flower fields nicknamed “Little Amsterdam”, a favourite for photos.
Tops Lookout
A ridge-top viewpoint over Cebu City and Mactan - especially good at sunset and after dark.
Cool mountain cafés
The Busay road is dotted with view cafés and restaurants for an easy break between stops.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into sunset for the lookouts and cooler air; clear days give the best views over the city and sea.
When Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops are open
- Tops lookout
- Open around the clock - the one stop that always works for sunset and city lights
- Sirao flower gardens
- Daytime only. The two side-by-side gardens close roughly between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM, depending on the garden and the day of the week
- Temple of Leah
- Shortened hours announced in April 2026, with no fixed replacement schedule published - confirm on the day rather than plan an after-dark visit
- Order for a sunset day
- Gardens and temple first, Tops last. A sunset-first plan arrives at a shut garden
- Entrance fees
- Each site runs and charges its own, paid on the day. Not part of the transport quote
- The three sights are separately run and their hours do not match, which is the thing to plan around - not the 30-45 minute climb from the city.
- Tell us in the quote request what time you want to be at Tops, and the pickup is worked back from it so the gardens are still open when you reach them. Your driver checks the gates on the day before you commit to an order.
What the quote covers
- A private air-conditioned car or van with an English-speaking local driver for the whole journey
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off at the exact addresses you give us, not a meeting point
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Waiting time and any extra stops you tell us about up front, priced into the quote rather than added afterwards
- One fixed all-in price for the trip, agreed in writing before you travel
- Entrance, activity, guide and boat fees at places you choose to stop (paid locally)
- Meals and personal spending
- Accommodation, including a driver overnight on a multi-day trip unless we have set it out in the quote
- Inter-island ferry and boat crossings, unless we have set them out in the quote
We never invent activity or entrance prices - you pay those directly on the ground.
Cebu Highlands: frequently asked questions
How far are the Cebu highlands from the city?
The Busay highlands begin just above Cebu City - Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops are all roughly 30-45 minutes up from the centre, though the roads are steep and winding. It’s the easiest half-day trip from the city.
Can I see Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops in one trip?
Yes - they’re close together along the highland roads and make a natural half-day loop. Because there’s no direct public transport between them, a private car (or charter) is the practical way to link all three at your own pace.
Is sunset worth it up there?
Very much - Tops and several view cafés look straight over the city lights and Mactan. For sunset plus the gardens and temple, we time an early-afternoon pickup so the gardens are still open, finish at Tops and drive you safely back down after dark.
Does a quote to Cebu Highlands include the boat or ferry?
Cebu Highlands is reached entirely by road, so there is no crossing to pay for. The quote is one fixed all-in price for the private vehicle, agreed in writing before you travel, and fuel, tolls, parking and any waiting time or extra stops you tell us about are inside it. What stays separate is what you would choose anyway: entrance, activity and boat fees at the places you stop, your meals and your accommodation. We do not invent activity prices, so those you pay directly on the ground.