Indonesia gives a first trip three very different worlds. On Java, Yogyakarta is the base for Borobudur and Prambanan, two of Asia's great temple sites, and for the Sultan's palace and its batik markets. Bali adds cliff and sea temples, rice terraces still run by village water temples, and dance at sunset. Jakarta, the capital, shows the old Dutch port and the monuments of independence. The Taksaka train runs from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, and Borobudur is about an hour from Yogyakarta by bus.
This page starts with our ranked picks for a first visit, best first, each with a practical tip on timing, booking or dress. Below them you will find every sight we cover in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bali, city by city, with opening notes and checked entry fees where we have them, then answers to common questions.
The 18 best things to do in Indonesia
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- 1YogyakartaBook ahead
Climb the terraces of Borobudur with a temple guide
Borobudur, in the Kedu Valley of Central Java, is one of the world's greatest Buddhist monuments, built in the 8th and 9th centuries under the Syailendra Dynasty. It rises in three tiers around a hill: five square terraces, then three circular platforms ringed by 72 openwork stupas, each holding a statue of the Buddha, under one great stupa at the top. Carved reliefs line the walls and balustrades, and the climb mirrors the Buddhist path toward enlightenment. Two smaller temples, Mendut and Pawon, sit to the east on the same axis. Visits to the upper levels go with a guide, and you are given upanat, special temple sandals. A bus from Yogyakarta takes about 1 hour.
Tip: Book an upper area time slot online and arrive 30 to 45 minutes early, or book the sunrise visit, which starts at 4:00 AM and is limited to 100 people a day.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre; PT Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management; Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management (official tickets); InJourney Destination Management (official)Foreign visitor, temple climb: IDR 455,000 (about $25) · Indonesian visitor, temple climb: IDR 150,000 (about $8) · Reserve a structure slot; arrive 30 to 45 min before itLast verified
- 2BaliBook ahead
Catch the Kecak dance at sunset at Uluwatu
Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a limestone cliff above the Indian Ocean in Pecatu, South Bali. It is a place of worship with dramatic views, and its clifftop is one of the island's classic places to watch the sun go down. In the evening, a Kecak performance takes place near the temple, with the sky turning behind the dancers. Kecak is one of Bali's best known dances, and watching dance in a temple setting is the best way to see how much it still belongs to daily life. The temple is about 45 minutes to an hour by car from Kuta or Seminyak, and many local tours pair it with the evening dance.
Tip: Arrive in the late afternoon, since the evening brings both the sunset and the Kecak, and wear a sarong and sash, as at every Bali temple.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government (official); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)Foreign visitor: IDR 60,000 (about $3) · Indonesian visitor: IDR 40,000 (about $2) · Kecak ticketed separately; reserve your sessionLast verified
- 3Yogyakarta
Explore the Hindu shrines of Prambanan
Prambanan, on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java, is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. Its core, also called Loro Jonggrang, dates from the 9th century: three tall temples to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, three more for the animals that serve them, and walls carved with the Ramayana epic. The complex once held 240 temples, many now ruins around the central court. Your ticket also covers Sewu, Indonesia's largest Buddhist complex with its giant Dwarapala guardian statues, plus the Lumbung and Bubrah temples and a museum. The temples collapsed in the early 11th century and have been restored since 1918.
Tip: Come at the 6:30 AM opening for cooler air, and leave time for Sewu, which your ticket also covers.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre; PT Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management; InJourney Destination Management (official)Foreign visitor: IDR 400,000 (about $22) · Indonesian visitor, weekday: IDR 50,000 (about $3) · Sewu included in the park ticketLast verified
- 4Bali
Watch Tanah Lot at sunset from the shore
Tanah Lot is one of Bali's iconic sea temples, set on a rock formation by the sea in Tabanan Regency. At high tide it appears to float on the water, and at sunset its outline stands out against the golden sky. The grounds around it hold several smaller temples, including Batu Bolong, along with a holy spring, a sunset terrace, an art market and Kecak dance performances. It is about 45 minutes by car from Denpasar or Kuta, and you can reach it by taxi, rental car or a tour from your hotel.
Tip: Come in the late afternoon for the sunset, or earlier in the day if you would rather see the temple area when it is quieter.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Tanah Lot (official)Foreign adult: IDR 75,000 (about $4) · Foreign child: IDR 40,000 (about $2) · Pay at the gateLast verified
- 5Yogyakarta
Tour the Sultan's palace, the Kraton of Yogyakarta
The Kraton is the palace of the Sultans of Yogyakarta and still their official residence, laid out from 1755 to face Mount Merapi to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. It sits at the heart of a 6 km cosmological axis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that links the palace with landmarks to the north and south. Visitors see the Kedhaton, the inner core, where museum rooms show royal heirlooms, paintings including works by Raden Saleh, the Javanese cycle of life, and the room where tea is prepared for the Sultan. On weekends there are performances of gamelan music, dance and wayang kulit leather puppets.
Tip: Go in the morning, since the Kedhaton closes in the early afternoon and on Mondays, and wear a top with sleeves and no shorts or short skirts.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Keraton Yogyakarta; Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); UNESCO World Heritage CentreForeign visitor: IDR 25,000 (about $1) · Closed Mondays; no shorts, short skirts or hats insideLast verified
- 6Bali
Walk among the macaques of Ubud's Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Padangtegal, Ubud, is home to around 1,030 long-tailed macaques living semi-wild in 12.5 hectares of forest with 186 species of trees. The village sees it as a spiritual, educational and conservation center, and it holds three temples: the main temple to Shiva, believed to date from the 14th century, a holy spring temple used for purification, and a cremation temple. Wooden paths and a dragon bridge lead past a huge banyan tree at the center, and Balinese dance is staged on an open stage on Saturday and Sunday. Some sacred areas are off limits, but you can look at the temples from outside.
Tip: Bring no food or drinks, keep small objects like jewelry out of sight, and avoid looking a monkey in the eye, which they can read as a threat.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ubud Monkey Forest; Monkey Forest Ubud (official)Adult: IDR 130,000 (about $7) · Child: IDR 100,000 (about $6) · Open daily; last entry 5:00 PMLast verified
- 7Bali
Join the water purification ritual at Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul, in Manukaya village near Tampaksiring, is a Hindu temple built around a holy spring. Balinese Hindus believe its water has the power to purify, and they come to bathe in its fountains in the melukat ritual of spiritual cleansing. Visitors may watch, or take part respectfully if they follow local custom. If you choose not to bathe, you can still walk the springs and the well-kept gardens. It is about 30 minutes by car from Ubud, and it pairs well with the stone-carved shrines of Gunung Kawi, also in Tampaksiring.
Tip: Go in the morning before the crowds, and if you bathe, wear the sash or traditional dress required and use no soap or shampoo in the water.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government (official)Rp[fee]; dress for a temple visit - 8Bali
Walk the UNESCO rice terraces of Jatiluwih
Jatiluwih, in Tabanan Regency on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, is part of Bali's UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. Its terraces are among the oldest on the island, named in a 10th-century inscription, and they are still watered by subak, the cooperative system of canals, weirs and water temples that dates back to the 9th century. The system follows Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese idea of harmony between the spirit world, people and nature. Take in the view over the fields, or book a guided trek or bike ride through them. Pura Taman Ayun, the 18th-century royal water temple in Mengwi, belongs to the same World Heritage listing.
Tip: Book guided trekking or cycling at least 2 days ahead, and leave the drone at home unless you have prior permission.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Jatiluwih Tourism Village management (official); Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government (official)Foreign visitor: IDR 75,000 (about $4) · Indonesian visitor: IDR 25,000 (about $1) · Pay at the entranceLast verified
- 9Yogyakarta
See the Ramayana Ballet with Prambanan behind the stage
The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan is a dance drama without spoken dialogue that tells how Rama sets out to rescue his wife Sita, called Sinta in Java, from Rahwana. It has been performed here since 1961, with more than 200 dancers and musicians and gamelan music. From May to October the show plays on the open-air stage with the floodlit temple towers as a backdrop. The rest of the year it moves to the indoor Trimurti stage. Shows usually run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, and a shorter Roro Jonggrang legend is staged on Fridays. The same story is carved in the reliefs of the Shiva temple.
Tip: Buy tickets from the official seller and check the calendar for your dates, since the schedule can change and open-air shows move indoors if it rains before the start.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management (official tickets); InJourney Destination Management (official) - 10Yogyakarta
Wander the royal pools of Taman Sari
Taman Sari, the Water Castle, was built between 1758 and 1765 by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I as a place of rest and refuge for the royal family. You enter through gates carved with birds and flowers that encode the year it was finished, 1765. The heart of the visit is Umbul Binangun, the private bathing complex of the Sultan, his consorts and the princesses, with three long pools and mushroom-shaped fountains. Beyond it are a U-shaped resting pavilion where water ran beneath the Sultan's bed and Pulo Kenanga, a thick-walled two-story building that once stood in an artificial lake.
Tip: Visit in the morning, since it closes at 3:00 PM, and keep anything you are holding out of the pools, as throwing things into the water is not allowed.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Keraton YogyakartaForeign visitor: IDR 25,000 (about $1) · Indonesian visitor: IDR 15,000 (about $1) · No shorts or short skirtsLast verified
- 11Bali
Look over the Batur caldera from Kintamani
Kintamani, in Bali's highlands, looks over a vast caldera where Mount Batur, an active volcano, rises beside the crescent of Lake Batur. The lake, Bali's largest, was formed by a huge eruption about 29,000 years ago and lies about 1,050 m above sea level. Penelokan, whose name means place to look, is the classic roadside viewpoint over the volcano, the lake and fields of black lava. Many visitors make a pre-dawn hike up Mount Batur, at 1,717 m, to watch the sunrise. Pura Ulun Danu Batur, the supreme water temple of the subak system, stands on the caldera's edge.
Tip: Come between May and September for the clearest views, bring a warm jacket for early mornings, and check local exclusion zones before any volcano hike.
Sources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); UNESCO World Heritage Centre; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficePay as you go - 12Bali
Visit Ulun Danu Beratan on its mountain lake
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a water temple on the shore of Lake Beratan in the cool highlands of Bedugul, in central Bali. Its tiered meru shrines seem to float on the water, and the misty lake and calm gardens give it a quiet, contemplative feel. The temple stands for harmony between nature and spirituality, a theme that runs through Balinese life. It is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Denpasar or Kuta, and many tours combine it with other sights around Bedugul in one day.
Tip: Arrive early in the morning, when mist often lies on the lake and the grounds are calm.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)Rp[fee] - 13Yogyakarta
Walk Malioboro Street to Beringharjo Market
Malioboro is Yogyakarta's main street, running south toward the Kraton along the city's historic axis. Start at Tugu Station, which opened in 1887, and walk past Dutch-era buildings with gabled facades and the gate of Kampung Ketandan, the old Chinese quarter. Near the south end is Beringharjo Market, trading on this spot since around 1758, in permanent buildings since 1925, and spread over about 2.5 hectares. Batik cloth and ready-made batik fill the western halls, and upstairs on the east side are spices and herbs for jamu. Smoke rising from the stalls is usually sate kere, a local satay. The street ends at Fort Vredeburg and the Zero Kilometer point.
Tip: Try a glass of kopi jos, black coffee with a live coal dropped in, from a stall along the street in the evening.
Sources: Yogyakarta Tourism Office (visitingjogja, official); Yogyakarta Tourism Office (visitingjogja, official); Yogyakarta Tourism Office (visitingjogja, official)Free to visit - 14Yogyakarta
Watch sunset from Ratu Boko's hilltop palace
Ratu Boko is not a temple but the remains of an ancient palace complex, believed to date from the 8th century and the Ancient Mataram period, on a hilltop just south of Prambanan. You pass through a great double gateway into a site of terraces, pavilions, bathing pools and two small caves thought to have been used for meditation. The views over the plain are the reason to come late in the day: at sunset you can see the silhouette of Prambanan in the distance. It opens every morning at 7:00 AM, and guides can be booked at the site.
Tip: Pair it with Prambanan on the same day, saving Ratu Boko for the last light of the afternoon.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: InJourney Destination Management (official); PT Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination ManagementForeign visitor: IDR 275,000 (about $15) · Indonesian visitor, weekday: IDR 40,000 (about $2) · Book online or pay at the gateLast verified
- 15Bali
Walk Campuhan Ridge, then watch dance at Ubud Palace
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is Ubud's easy nature stroll: a path along a hill ridge with views over lush green hills, about 2 km to the top, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. At sunset the sky puts on a fine show of color. Back in the center of town, Ubud Palace, with Puri Saren Agung at its heart, was the royal residence and seat of government and is now a museum and a home of traditional Balinese arts. In the evening it stages traditional dance performances with gamelan, and Ubud Art Market is the place for crafts and souvenirs, with prices open to bargaining.
Tip: Bring water for the ridge, since there are no food or drink stops along the path, and walk it before dusk so you are back in town for the evening show.
Search tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)Free to visit - 16Jakarta
Stroll Jakarta's old town around Fatahillah Square
Kota Tua, Jakarta's Old Town, was the trading center of the Dutch colonial city of Batavia, and many of its colonial buildings still stand around Fatahillah Square. The landmark is the old city hall, used by the Dutch as the stadhuis from 1710 and opened in 1974 as the Jakarta History Museum, with around 23,500 objects from prehistoric tools to cannons and paintings. The Wayang Museum is on the same square, and you can rent a vintage bicycle to ride around it. In North Jakarta, wooden pinisi ships still dock at the old harbor of Sunda Kelapa, and Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown, in the same district as the square, has old temples and food streets.
Tip: Go early in the morning before the square gets crowded and hot, and remember the history museum is closed on Mondays.
Sources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)Free to visit; museums charge separately - 17Jakarta
See the mosque and cathedral that face each other
Istiqlal Mosque, whose name means independence, is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, with room for up to 120,000 worshippers under a dome 45 m across. It was designed in 1954 by Frederich Silaban, a Christian architect from North Sumatra, took 17 years to build, and opened in 1978. Directly across the street stands Jakarta Cathedral, a neo-Gothic church consecrated in 1901 and dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The mosque was placed to face the church on purpose, as a symbol of Indonesia's national motto, Unity in Diversity.
Tip: Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered for both, and be extra careful about this during Ramadan.
Search tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeFree to visit; modest dress - 18Jakarta
Ride up the National Monument, Monas
Monas, the National Monument, rises 132 m from the middle of Merdeka Square to remember Indonesia's struggle for independence. Work began on 17 August 1961, and it opened to the public in 1975. At its top is a flame coated in gold, the symbol of that struggle. Around the base, carved reliefs tell the country's history from Dutch rule to the modern state, and the museum inside shows it in dioramas. The Independence Hall holds national symbols, among them the original text of the Proclamation of Independence, and a lift climbs to an observation deck at 115 m with views over the city. TransJakarta buses stop beside it.
Tip: Avoid Mondays, when the monument is closed, and go early in the day, before the crowds and the heat build.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Jakarta Provincial Government Tourism Office; Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)Museum and cup: IDR 8,000 (about $1) · To the top: IDR 24,000 (about $1) · Closed Mondays; confirm current tower accessLast verified
Every sight, city by city
Badung Market, Denpasar
Denpasar's main traditional market, with floors of produce, spices, offerings and food stalls.Entry: Pay as you goBajra Sandhi Monument, Denpasar
A monument to the struggle of the Balinese people, with dioramas inside, in a large park.Entry: Rp[fee] for the museum; confirm opening before enteringSearch tickets and tours on KlookBali Museum, Denpasar
A museum of Balinese history and crafts housed in pavilions built in traditional palace style.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookCampuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud
A paved path runs along a grassy ridge between two river valleys just west of central Ubud.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookCandikuning Market, Bedugul
A highland market selling fruit, vegetables, spices and flowers, with simple food stalls nearby.Entry: Pay as you goGaruda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
A hilltop cultural park built around a giant statue of Vishnu riding the bird Garuda.Entry: Buy tickets online or at the gateSearch tickets and tours on KlookGianyar Night Market
An evening market in Gianyar town where stalls cook Balinese dishes and snacks.Entry: Pay as you goGoa Gajah, Bedulu
The Elephant Cave is a carved cave sanctuary with bathing pools in a ravine east of Ubud.Entry: Rp[fee]; dress for a temple visitSearch tickets and tours on KlookGunung Kawi, Tampaksiring
Royal shrines carved into the cliffs of a river gorge, reached by a long stairway through rice fields.Entry: Rp[fee]; many steep stepsSearch tickets and tours on KlookJagatnatha Temple, Denpasar
A state temple of white coral stone beside the Bali Museum, with a tall empty throne shrine.Entry: Visitors may watch from outside during ceremoniesSearch tickets and tours on KlookJalan Goutama warungs, Ubud
A narrow lane in central Ubud lined with small family-run warungs serving Balinese and Indonesian dishes.Entry: Pay as you goJalan Kayu Aya, Seminyak
Seminyak's main dining street, known as Eat Street, lined with restaurants, cafes and shops.Entry: Pay as you goJatiluwih Rice Terraces
Wide rice terraces below Mount Batukaru, irrigated by the subak system and listed by UNESCO.Entry: Pay at the entranceSearch tickets and tours on KlookJimbaran Bay seafood cafes
Seafood cafes set their tables on the sand of Jimbaran Bay and grill the catch to order.Entry: Pay as you go; check prices by weight firstKedonganan Fish Market, Jimbaran
Jimbaran's fish market, where you can choose seafood and have it grilled at nearby stalls.Entry: Pay as you goMelasti Beach, Ungasan
A white-sand beach below tall limestone cliffs, reached by a road cut down the cliff face.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookPadang Padang Beach, Pecatu
A small cove beach on the Bukit peninsula, reached through a narrow gap in the cliffs.Entry: Steps down a rock cleft; parking is extraSearch tickets and tours on KlookPenelokan rim restaurants, Kintamani
Restaurants on the crater rim at Penelokan look across to Mount Batur and its lake.Entry: Pay as you goSacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud
Forest paths and temples at the south end of Ubud are home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques.Entry: Open daily; last entry 5:00 PMSearch tickets and tours on KlookSanur Beach
A reef-sheltered beach on the east coast with a long seafront path for walking and cycling.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookSaraswati Temple, Ubud
A temple to the goddess of learning sits behind a pond of lotus flowers in central Ubud.Entry: Rp[fee]; check access and dress requirements at the entranceSearch tickets and tours on KlookSindhu Night Market, Sanur
An evening food market in Sanur with stalls cooking satay, noodles and Balinese dishes.Entry: Pay as you goTaman Ayun Temple, Mengwi
An 18th-century royal water temple with tiered shrines inside a moat, part of the Bali UNESCO site.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookTanah Lot
A sea temple on a rock off the Tabanan coast, cut off from the shore at high tide.Entry: Pay at the gateSearch tickets and tours on KlookTegallalang Rice Terraces
Steep rice terraces fill a valley north of Ubud, with paths down between the paddies.Entry: Rp[fee]; some paths charge extraSearch tickets and tours on KlookTirta Empul, Tampaksiring
A spring-fed water temple where Balinese worshippers bathe under rows of carved spouts.Entry: Rp[fee]; dress for a temple visitSearch tickets and tours on KlookUbud Art Market
Stalls opposite Ubud Palace sell sarongs, baskets, carvings and other handicrafts.Entry: Pay as you go; bargaining is normalUbud Palace
The royal palace's carved gateways and courtyards stand at Ubud's main crossroads, across from the market.Entry: Outer courtyards free to visitUlun Danu Beratan Temple, Bedugul
A lake temple whose tiered shrines seem to float on Lake Beratan in the cool highlands.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookUluwatu Temple
A sea temple on a clifftop above the Indian Ocean, known for sunsets and the Kecak dance.Entry: Kecak ticketed separately; reserve your sessionSearch tickets and tours on KlookFatahillah Square
The main square of the Dutch-era old town, ringed by the former city hall and museums.Entry: Free to visit; museums charge separatelyGlodok Chinatown food lanes
Jakarta's Chinatown, with market lanes, temples and long-running stalls selling noodles and snacks.Entry: Pay as you goIstiqlal Mosque
Indonesia's national mosque, a vast white prayer hall facing the cathedral across the street.Entry: Free to visit; modest dressSearch tours on KlookJakarta Cathedral
A neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral with twin spires, opposite Istiqlal Mosque.Entry: Free to visit; respect servicesSearch tours on KlookJalan Sabang food street
A central street known for evening street food, from satay and fried rice to noodle stalls.Entry: Pay as you goNational Monument (Monas)
A tall obelisk topped with a gilded flame in Merdeka Square, with a viewing deck near the top.Entry: Closed Mondays; confirm current tower access. Closed MondaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookSunda Kelapa harbor
Jakarta's old port, where wooden phinisi schooners still load cargo along the quay.Entry: Rp[fee]; confirm visitor access at this working harborSearch tickets and tours on KlookAlun-alun Kidul
The southern palace square, with two banyan trees and a lively evening scene of families and snacks.Entry: Free to visitBeringharjo Market
The city’s main market, in an Art Deco hall, known for batik, spices and snacks.Entry: Pay as you goBorobudur Market, Magelang
The village market near Borobudur, with produce stalls and simple places for a Javanese lunch.Entry: Pay as you goBorobudur Temple, Magelang
A vast ninth-century Buddhist monument of carved terraces topped by 72 stupas and a main stupa.Entry: Reserve a structure slot; arrive 30 to 45 min before itSearch tickets and tours on KlookKotagede
The old Mataram capital southeast of the center, known for silver workshops and narrow lanes.Entry: Free to visit; shops pay as you goKraton Yogyakarta
The sultan's palace, still the royal residence, with pavilions, heirlooms and regular performances.Entry: Closed Mondays; no shorts, short skirts or hats inside. Closed MondaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookMalioboro evening food stalls
In the evening, food stalls along Malioboro serve gudeg, satay and other Javanese dishes.Entry: Pay as you go; check prices firstMalioboro Street
The main shopping street running north from the palace, busy with batik stalls, becaks and buskers.Entry: Free to visitMendut Temple, Magelang
A Buddhist temple east of Borobudur housing a large stone Buddha flanked by two bodhisattvas.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookPawon Temple, Magelang
A small Buddhist temple on the straight line between Borobudur and Mendut.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookPlaosan Temple
Twin Buddhist temples among rice fields a short ride northeast of Prambanan.Entry: Rp[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookPrambanan Market
The local market south of the Prambanan park, with produce stalls and simple Javanese food.Entry: Pay as you goPrambanan Temple
Ninth-century Hindu temple towers carved with Ramayana reliefs, with Sewu temple in the same park.Entry: Sewu included in the park ticketSearch tickets and tours on KlookPrawirotaman dining street
A street of cafes, restaurants and guesthouses south of the palace, busy in the evening.Entry: Pay as you goRatu Boko
Hilltop ruins of a gateway, terraces and bathing pools with views over the Prambanan plain.Entry: Book online or pay at the gateSearch tickets and tours on KlookTaman Sari Water Castle
The former royal pleasure garden, with ornate gateways, courtyards and bathing pools on the open visitor route.Entry: No shorts or short skirtsSearch tickets and tours on KlookTugu Yogyakarta
The white monument at the northern end of the city axis that runs south to the palace.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookWijilan gudeg street
A street east of the palace lined with shops selling gudeg, the city’s sweet jackfruit stew.Entry: Pay as you goQuestions travelers ask
What are the best things to do in Indonesia for a first trip?
Pair Yogyakarta with Bali. In Yogyakarta, climb Borobudur with a guide, explore Prambanan and stay for the Ramayana Ballet, then tour the Sultan's Kraton and Taman Sari. In Bali, watch the sunset and Kecak dance at Uluwatu and the sea temple of Tanah Lot, walk the UNESCO rice terraces of Jatiluwih, see the macaques of Ubud's Monkey Forest and join the purification ritual at Tirta Empul. If you fly in through Jakarta, give a day to Kota Tua, Istiqlal Mosque and Monas.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre; UNESCO World Heritage Centre; UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management (official tickets); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)How many days do you need in Indonesia?
For Yogyakarta and Bali together, plan at least a week. Yogyakarta needs about three days: one for the Kraton, Taman Sari and Malioboro, one for Borobudur, about an hour away by bus, and one for Prambanan and Ratu Boko. Bali's main sights are spread out, with drives of up to 2 hours from the south to Bedugul, so allow about five days split between Ubud and the coast. Add a day if you start in Jakarta. Each extra area, like Kintamani, makes a full day on its own.
Sources: InJourney Destination Management (official); PT Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management; Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel)When is the best time to visit Indonesia for sightseeing?
The dry months, roughly May to September, are the easiest for temples, terraces and volcano views. Kintamani's clearest views come between May and September, and the Ramayana Ballet plays on its open-air stage at Prambanan from May to October. The rainy season usually runs from October to March, with floods that can snarl traffic in Jakarta and Bali. Check the date of Nyepi, Bali's day of silence, which moves each year (usually in March), when everyone stays indoors and the airport closes for the day.
Sources: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); InJourney Destination Management (official)Which Indonesian attractions should you book ahead?
Book Borobudur early: visits to the upper levels run in time slots with a guide, and the sunrise visit is limited to 100 people a day. Buy Ramayana Ballet tickets from the official seller, especially for the open-air season, since some classes have numbered seats. In Bali, guided treks and bike rides at Jatiluwih need booking at least 2 days ahead. Also check whether Bali's tourist levy applies to you and pay it through the official Love Bali service before you arrive.
Sources: PT Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management; Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management (official tickets); Taman Wisata Candi / InJourney Destination Management (official tickets); Jatiluwih Tourism Village management (official); Bali Provincial GovernmentHow do you get around Indonesia as a visitor?
On Java, intercity trains link Jakarta and Yogyakarta, among them the Taksaka from Jakarta's Gambir station to Yogyakarta, and you can book with KAI's Access by KAI app. Airport trains run from central Jakarta to Soekarno-Hatta and from Yogyakarta's Tugu station to Yogyakarta International Airport. In Bali, a private driver or tour is the easiest way to reach the distant temples, and if you ride a motorbike, wear a good helmet. For taxis, use registered companies such as Bluebird, and in ride-hailing apps check the driver matches the app.
Sources: KAI, Indonesian Railways (official); KAI, Indonesian Railways (official); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeWhat should you wear to visit temples in Bali and Java?
Cover your shoulders and knees. At Bali temples you also wear a sarong and sash, which are usually lent or rented at the entrance. Move quietly, never step on the small canang sari offerings left on the ground, and stay out of areas marked for worship only. At Yogyakarta's Kraton, wear sleeves and no shorts, and avoid the royal batik patterns reserved for the palace. Bring a light scarf or long trousers on temple days, and dress more modestly still in Jakarta during Ramadan.
Sources: Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (indonesia.travel); Keraton Yogyakarta; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office