Cebu highlands guide: Temple of Leah, Sirao Garden and Tops in one loop
How do you visit Temple of Leah, Sirao Garden and Tops above Cebu City?
Short answer
The Busay highlands above Cebu City hold three sights close together: Temple of Leah, a grand colonnaded monument with sweeping views; Sirao Flower Garden, bright terraced flower fields nicknamed “Little Amsterdam”; and Tops, a ridge-top lookout over the city and Mactan that is especially good at sunset. They sit roughly 8-15 km and 30-45 minutes up from the city centre on steep, winding roads with no direct public transport linking them, so most visitors do all three as one private half-day loop, timed for a late-afternoon finish at Tops for sunset.
Just above Cebu City, the Busay highlands climb quickly into cool mountain air and wide views over the metro and the sea. Three sights sit close together up there: Temple of Leah, Sirao Flower Garden and the Tops lookout, and together they make the easiest half-day trip from the city, no ferry or long drive required.
This guide covers what each sight actually is, how to link all three in one loop, why a private car is the practical way to do it, and when to go if you want the best light for photos and sunset.
Temple of Leah: the "Taj Mahal of Cebu"
Temple of Leah is a grand colonnaded monument built as a tribute, perched on a ridge with sweeping views over Cebu City and the strait beyond. Its scale and Romanesque-style columns have earned it the nickname "the Taj Mahal of Cebu," and it has become one of the most-photographed stops in the highlands.
It sits closest to the city of the three sights, so most highland loops start or end here depending on whether you are chasing morning light or a sunset finish elsewhere.
Sirao Flower Garden: "Little Amsterdam"
A short drive further up, Sirao Flower Garden is a hillside of bright terraced flower fields, mostly celosia, that has picked up the nickname "Little Amsterdam" for its rows of colour. It is a simple, photogenic stop, best enjoyed in the cooler morning or late-afternoon light rather than the midday sun.
Tops: the sunset lookout
Tops is a ridge-top viewpoint that looks straight down over Cebu City and across to Mactan, and it is the natural place to end a highlands loop. Clear late-afternoon light gives the best views over the city and sea, and after dark the same view turns into the city lights spread out below, which is why many visitors time their loop to finish here around sunset.
Doing all three in one loop
They sit close together
Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops are all within roughly 30-45 minutes of the city centre and not far apart from each other, which is what makes a single half-day loop realistic.
No direct public transport between them
The roads are steep and winding with no single route linking all three, so most visitors charter a taxi, habal-habal (motorbike taxi), or a private car for the full loop rather than trying to piece it together stop by stop.
Cool mountain cafés along the way
The Busay road is dotted with view cafés and restaurants, an easy place to break up the loop for coffee or a meal between stops.
A private car keeps it relaxed
At your own pace, with stops for photos and coffee, and a driver who knows the steep highland roads and can time the loop to finish at Tops for sunset.
Best time to go
Late afternoon into sunset works well for the whole loop: cooler air, softer light for Temple of Leah and Sirao, and a timed arrival at Tops for the sunset view over the city. Clear days give the best visibility from both lookouts. Mornings work too and tend to be quieter, just with flatter light for photos at Sirao.
Getting there without the stress
Because the three sights are close together but poorly connected by public transport, the fiddly part of a highlands visit is stitching the loop together, not any single leg of it. A private car and driver handles that end to end: pickup from your hotel or the airport, the full Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops loop at your pace, and a safe drive back down the steep roads after dark if you finish at sunset. Tell us your date and preferred finish time, and we will quote a fixed half-day price.
Frequently asked questions
How far are Temple of Leah, Sirao Garden and Tops from Cebu City?
All three sit roughly 8-15 km and 30-45 minutes up from Cebu City centre, on steep, winding highland roads. From Mactan-Cebu Airport it is about 20-25 km, roughly 45-60 minutes.
Can I visit Temple of Leah, Sirao Garden and Tops in one trip?
Yes. They are close together in the Busay highlands and make a natural half-day loop. Since there is no direct public transport linking them, a private car or a chartered taxi/habal-habal is the practical way to link all three at your own pace.
Is Tops worth visiting at sunset?
Yes. Tops looks straight over Cebu City and Mactan, and it is especially good at sunset and after dark when the view becomes the city lights below. A late-afternoon pickup lets you time the loop to finish there and be driven safely back down afterwards.
What is Sirao Flower Garden known for?
Its rows of bright terraced flowers, mostly celosia, which have earned it the nickname "Little Amsterdam." It is a simple, photogenic stop best visited in the cooler morning or late-afternoon light.
Do I need a tour, or can I get to the highlands on my own?
There is no single public route connecting all three sights, so most visitors charter a taxi, habal-habal, or private car for the loop. A private car is the most comfortable option, especially if you want to finish at Tops after dark for sunset.