City heat getting to your head, but beaches aren’t your thing? Luckily, as “The Gateway to a Thousand Journeys,” Cebu has something for everyone.
Urbanites and mall-goers can enjoy city life, while sea lovers and beachgoers bask in the sun at the province’s numerous beaches. For plant-titos and –titas and the adventurers at heart, you can choose to drive to these five mountainside destinations just an hour or less away from the city.
Explore your artistic side at Florentino’s Art Gallery
Thanks to artist Jun Impas, Cebu’s thriving art scene finds another home in Florentino’s Art Gallery, nestled in the mountains of Busay just along the Cebu Transcentral Highway. Showcasing the best of Cebuano Art, the space also has a cafe and painting bar facing a lush garden and the beautiful mountainside.
Open daily from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM except on Mondays, visit the gallery at Km 33, Transcentral Highway, Gaas, Balamban, Cebu.
Find Relaxation at the Lakeview Le Jardin
If you’re up for a staycation with a scenic view of the ridges of Balamban and a lake in the heart of Cebu, Lakeview Le Jardin is the place to be. Bring family and friends and your furbabies to enjoy the mountain breeze with great food and drinks, frolic in the botanical garden, or watch geese and various fowl wander around the farm. This charming gastro-botanical space has something for everyone.
Check out this spot at Km 30, Transcentral Highway, Sitio Inaad, Tabunan, Cebu.
Fall in love with nature all over again at Buwakan ni Alejandra
Our country is one of the most biodiverse places in the world, teeming with exotic tropical flowers and plants—and Buwakan ni Alejandra is proof of that. As the owners’ homage to their plant-loving mother Alejandra, the flower garden boasts 200 varieties of local plants covering 3000 sqm of land that they are still working to expand.
You will always have photos to take in this colorful garden located at Bunga Gaas, Balamban, Cebu.
Chill and unwind at Utopia Bar & Cafe
Get a nice helping of the outdoors and a touch of sophistication at Utopia Bar & Cafe. With their unique food and drink menu, enjoying the sunset or the night light while savoring one of their bestselling pizzas, and a cocktail in hand is just the cherry on top of a great wind-down.
A 20-minute drive from the city proper, head on to Busay, just past Mountain View Nature’s Park.
Rediscover Tops Cebu
Have you really experienced Cebu if you haven’t been to Tops? As one of the most iconic tourist places in the city, habal-habal riders and cab drivers can take you there with no problem. The newly renovated hub now offers more than just a panoramic view of the metro. Drink, dine, and unwind in any of the spots open to guests.
Check out their weekly and monthly events too! Visit Tops at Cebu Tops Road, Busay.
Photography Kyrra Kho