“Take nothing but pictures” – these are one of many reminders to visitors that can be seen in Sirao Garden–Little Amsterdam.
Have you been there? If not then I’ll take you and tour you with our one rainy day trip itinerary to Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam. So sit back, chillax and enjoy the beautiful greenery surroundings, colorful flowers and “instagrammable” sites. You’ll also enjoy the Amsterdam inspired garden scenery like windmill and sculptures that add to the beauty of nature.
Actually, the day starts with a beautiful sunny Sunday. As planned with my colleagues, we woke up early morning so we can attend the first Sunday mass at Basilica del Santo Nino before having a day trip.
How To Get There
I’ve worked and stayed for more than 4 years in Cebu, in that period Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam is not yet existed, just like with my colleagues, it’s our first time to get there, so we search online on how to get to Sirao Garden Little Amsrterdam by commute or public utility vehicle.
The exact location of Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam is in Brgy. Sirao, Cebu, City. After the mass from Sto Nino Church, we take a jeep going to Ayala Cebu PUV Terminal with Php8.00 fare per head. From Ayala Cebu PUV Terminal, we rode a v-hire going to Brgy. Sirao, Cebu City cost per head is Php100.00. don’t forget to ask the driver to drop you near Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam. From the drop off point, we ride habal-habal (motorcycle that can carry 2 persons excluding the driver) going to the exact location it cost Php50.00 per head one-way trip. Since it takes time to find a habal-habal in this area better to negotiate the driver for a roundtrip just like what we did so that it will be easy to return where the V-hire pass by going back to Ayala PUV Terminal. Just don’t forget to set the time and landmark meets up or better asks the mobile number of the driver. Anyway, for the roundtrip, the habal-habal driver doesn’t ask for advance payment so don’t you worry. Actually they are friendly and accommodating.
At last, we finally arrived after almost 1 hour of travel. The place was divided into two the Sirao Pictorial Garden and Camping Site (PGCS) and Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam which is the original Sirao Flower Garden. Though they are separate it only takes a walk of distance so we entered both sites.
Instagrammable Scenery and Wonders of Nature
First stop, Sirao Pictorial Garden and Camping Site with an entrance fee of Php50.00 per head. These two lovely couple bear welcome us at the entrance of the site. After paying for the entrance fee, the in-charge stamp every visitors with the Sirao logo then remind to read and follow heartily the policy. Rain starts to drop but it did not stop us to explore the place, appreciate the beauty and take photos as a memento.
Sirao Pictorial Garden and Camping Site’s operating hours are from 6:00 in the morning up to 6:30 in the afternoon for all visitors. They also accept campers from 6:30 pm to 6:30 morning for a fee of only Php100.00.
The view of the mountains, the sky, and the fog are such a great place to relax. I guess this is truly a perfect place to watch the sunset slowly say bye for the meantime to the mountains, flowers, and visitors. I wish to be back in this place and go camping with family or friends.
Minutes of a walk from the first stop is Sirao Garden-Little Amsterdam. The entrance fee costs Php100.00 per head. After paying, a ticket will be given which will be collected by the staff at the entrance gate.
Welkom (Dutch)
Yokoso (Japanese)
Hwan-yeong (Korean)
Huanying (Chinese)
WELCOME (English)
The entrance stairways are full of flowery plants that shade visitors from the raindrops and sunlight. Welcome signage written in different languages is hanging in the entrance gate. This only means that the management of Little Amsterdam warmly welcomes visitors from all walks of life no matter what nation you came from.
After a few steps of going down the garden, all I can say is a big WOW! The place is really amazing, no wonder why there are many visitors that come even though it’s raining just to explore and take photos of the scenery. It feels like you are in the other country because of the landscaping and designs that surround it.
Aside from the Amsterdam setting of the garden, there are spots too that will excite and bring your childhood fairy tale memories like the Cinderella carriage, the big shoes, butterfly and so much more.
At the end edge of the garden are a Café Bella and a terrace where you can see the beauty of God’s creation.
The garden accepts visitors from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm. Visitors can stay the whole day in the garden if they want. A small snack place is available inside the garden. Visitors can as well purchase foods from the outside sold by the community of Brgy Sirao just like this fave of mine dandang cue (grilled banana) and grilled corn.
1. The best time to go is when the sun is up whole day so better check the weather before heading to the place. Why? Perfect photos are best when it sky blue and white cottony clouds are up.
2. Careful when climbing to the top of the palm statue because steps of stairs are bit small.
3. Every corner of the two gardens is picturesque, so make sure your camera and cellphones are fully loaded with battery.
A Short History of the Place
Sirao is one of the upland barangays in Cebu City. A small flower farm in this barangay is owned by a couple with celosia plants as the main attraction. Flowers were planted and meant to be harvested for the All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Due to the power of social media, the place became popular and attracts visitors from nearby areas, provinces and foreigners.
Well, I’m one of those visitors and I like to be back in this place on a sunny day so I can take beautiful photos. That’s it for now! Till my next travel post.
This looks like a beautiful travel destination! The flowers are stunning!
What a beautiful and unique destination! I would love to visit!
That garden looks so dreamy! I always love flowers and the beauty they give. Hopefully I can visit this amazing place too.
Been to Cebu many times but never been in this touristy portion of the city. Indeed, the area has rapidly developed and improved comparing since the flower garden started operating. Who would say no to a beautiful garden with amazing panoramic views?
I never been to Cebu but I heard a lot of positive feedbacks from my friends who visited the place. They did mention that place to me but I’m glad that you featured the details about it. I will definitely add it on my list of places to visit in the Philippines.
This is a great travel destination plus pwede pa magcamping ha. Instagrammable din yung location and I love the last photo. Miss ko na yung inihaw na mais at saging na saba.
Never been to Cebu but I heard a lot of positive feedbacks from people who visited it. Hopefully when everything goes back to normal. Maka visit din:)
Hello, never been to Cebu but I heard a lot of positive feedbacks from my friends who went there for a vacation. II wish I could visit that city after COVID 19 is over. Those pics are instagrammable and the wind mills looks like the ones in Switzerland. 🙂
I have never been there and I have to admit that I have never been so much around the Philippines. Now that I have lots of time na (already bid goodbyes from corporate life), I am excited to explore our country. Adding this gorgeous garden, of course!
The place looks so perfect for a retreat or recollection. It looks so serene. Lakas maka-European vibe ng mga windmill!
Sa cebu ito ano? Nice!coco would surely love this place!mahilig sya sa mga me pa wonders of the world feels eh.
I’ve been here when we went on a family vacation to Cebu! It was our first stop and the garden is really impressive. There are so many instagrammable spots 🙂
I’ve visited this place back in 2018, it looks nice but we didn’t get to explore because it was raining hard. Well hopefully the next time I go to Cebu I’ll be able to visit
I’m actually planning to visit Cebu this year. I think I need to add Sirao Garden in my itinerary. The ambiance seems so perfect on Instagram! Hopefully, after this pandemic, we can travel again. The tourism industry needs us more than ever.
Amsterdam has always been my dream place to go to, soon. And I have no idea that we have here in the Philippines an Amsterdam-vibe garden. Thanks for this one, I may now book my flight soon with some cliques tho.
no, i haven’t been there and how i would love to. I even see these spots in some Korean IG accounts. ang ganda!
I wish we can visit Cebu and Sirao Garden soon with the kids. How’s everything there? I’m guessing this is a past visit before covid happened. Wishing everyone’s safe there.
What a beautiful place. I wish we can visit Cebu and Sirao Garden with my family.
Ang ganda ng place! Kapag nagpunta ulit kami sa Cebu isama namin ang Sirao Garden sa itinerary namin.
Awww nice! Nakakatuwa malaman sa Pilipinas may ganito pala! At least you don’t need to apply for visa to get a taste of Amsterdam! ❤️ More reason to come back to Cebu ?
I could spend a whole day in a place like that with my friends. Sooo many pictures to post haha. If course, i doubt I’d look good in any of them. The place looks amazing though kaya oks na. Haha
Such a great read! Makes me really miss my vacays and travel there!
Indeed ! Sirao Garden is a must visit place in Cebu City !