Temple of Leah

Want to experience the Parthenon of Athens, Greece without flying out of the Philippines? You should visit the Temple of Leah, a Greek-inspired architectural shrine and attraction in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, featuring magnificent columns, statues, and so much more.

Temple of Leah is owned by Teodorico Adarna, a local businessman who had this edifice built for his wife of 53 years, Leah Albino-Adarna, to show how unrelenting love for her. Thus, it is also dubbed the “Taj Mahal of Cebu” for its story’s resemblance to India’s Taj Mahal, which was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess.

With its façade, you will see two golden statues of lions welcoming you. But this attraction isn’t only grand from the outside. It also has an art gallery, a museum, and a library where all the favorite stuff Leah owned are stored.

As you walk through the temple, you will be treated to astounding scenery, and to spectacular views of the city from the top of this seven-story edifice. You will also see a staircase decorated with angels made of brass, as well as the 10-foot Queen of the Temple statue with a crown and flower, which will remind you of those stunning statues in Europe.

How to Get to Temple of Leah

The easiest way to reach Temple of Leah is to ride a jeepney. Make sure that the jeepney you will ride has a route code of 04D, 04I, or 04H (the route is Lahug-Busay) from downtown Cebu City. Ask the jeepney driver to drop you off at the street to Temple of Leah. The fare is 15 PHP (~0.5 USD).

Other options include riding a motorbike or habal-habal from the area near or surrounding JY Square Mall in Lahug. This may be the best option if you want to get to Temple of Leah faster. The fare is usually fixed at 100-150 PHP (~2-3 USD).

But, should you want more peace of mind, you can rent a private car. The road to Temple of Leah is made of concrete and is well-maintained. Though it is a bit steep and narrow, it is still safe to bring your own car.

Make sure you use your Waze or Google Maps app, setting your destination to “Temple of Leah,” so you won’t get lost. Parking outside the premises is free, but parking within the premises costs around 100 PHP (~2 USD).

Or, you might want to join a private tour that has Temple of Leah as one of the destinations on its itinerary, if you want the utmost convenience.

Best Time To Visit Temple of Leah

Temple of Leah is a popular attraction in Cebu that you can visit all year round. It is both an indoor and outdoor attraction, with sceneries seen in both areas, so it is best to visit this landmark during Cebu’s dry season, or from the months of December to May.