Sirao Garden

The basics

There’s a small charge to visit Sirao Garden, which is payable in cash on arrival. Like its neighbor, it’s a popular attraction; lines can be long, particularly for the giant hand with its highland views. As transportation is difficult, many travelers find it easiest to visit on a tour. Many full-day Cebu City tours stop here, or you can book a dedicated Cebu highlights tour that includes attractions like the Temple of Leah. Don’t get confused with the Sirao Pictorial Garden next door when booking.

Things to know before you go

• The Sirao Garden is a great choice for flower lovers and social media mavens alike.

• There are basic on-site bathrooms.

• You’re not allowed to bring food or drink into the garden but there are stands outside the entrance selling snacks and drinks.

• The Sirao Garden is not wheelchair friendly and parents will find slings or back carriers easier than strollers.

How to get there

The Sirao Garden is in Sirao, about a 12-mile (20-kilometer) drive north of downtown Cebu City. It’s extremely tricky to reach by public transit and rideshares typically won’t collect here, so your best options are to hire a driver, join a tour, or take a taxi and arrange for it to wait.

When to get there

Cebu is tropical, meaning there are flowers on display year-round, but the summer season (March to May) sees the blooms at their most colorful. The Sirao Garden is generally open early morning to evening. Visit midweek, early in the day, to avoid the worst of the photo lines.

Sirao Pictorial Garden

Slap-bang next door to the Sirao Garden stands the Sirao Pictorial Garden. Flowers are thinner on the ground here, but Instagram attractions reign supreme: as well as its own giant hand, there are bird’s nests and tropical huts. Many independent travelers opt to visit both gardens, but most tours will include a stop at one or the other, not both.