Yogyakarta (locally known as Jogja) is a city you must absolutely add to your Indonesia itinerary. Compared to overcrowded places suffering from overtourism, like Bali, Jogja offers a more relaxed and authentic experience while still being one of the country’s most important cultural centres.
Located on the large island of Java, Jogja is home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Borobudur Temple, and is one of the best places in Indonesia to learn about traditional Javanese culture, art, and history. Below are the top things to do in Yogyakarta to help you get a true sense of the city and make the most of your first visit.
PS: I still daydream about this gorgeous Javanese-style boutique hotel I stayed at in Jogja. It was also the perfect base for easy exploration.
Perhaps one of the most popular things to do in Yogyakarta, or even in Indonesia in general, is to visit Borobudur Temple, a unique site with 72 Buddha statues, all inside a stupa (a dome-shaped mound, used as a shrine, representing Buddha’s enlightened mind).
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, but was buried under volcanic ash and jungle trees for centuries before being uncovered in the 19th century.
Cultural etiquette tip: Borobudur is still an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage, meaning you might see monks going about their day. It’s important to respect their space and privacy, and absolutely do NOT take photos without permission. They’re not props for our travel photos.
You must absolutely add Setumbu Hill to your list of what to see in Yogyakarta: watching the sun rise over Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, with Mt Merapi in the background, while surrounded by nature, is a majestic and sacred experience.
Insider tip: the best time to visit is from April to October, when skies are cloudless, allowing you to see the best sunrises with a clear view of Borobudur. Book a day trip that takes you there in the early morning and then to Borobudur afterwards.
A large temple complex from the 9th century, Prambanan Temple was abandoned and rediscovered in the 20th century. It’s the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, with its main shrines dedicated to the 3 Hindu Gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is actually home to more than 240 small temples, and is famous for its 47-meter-high central spire. It’s best to get a guide to properly understand the carvings and mythology, especially if you want a deeper look into Hinduism.
Insider tip: escape the mid-day heat and visit in the afternoon, then stay for the Ramayana Ballet performance after sunset.
Cultural etiquette tip: It’s really important to observe the dress code when visiting religious places in Jogja. Find out more about cultural etiquette in Indonesia.
Not far from Prambanan is Raku Boko, named after King Boko from Javanese folklore. Though it’s referred to as a temple, Ratu Boko is actually an archaeological site rather than a religious place, perhaps functioning as a palace or settlement area in the past.
Insider tip: Ratu Boko occupies a larger area than Prambanan, but has fewer elaborate and well-preserved structures, which might disappoint some. So it’s best to visit Ratu Boko first before heading to Prambanan.
There’s a village in Yogyakarta called Karanganyar Tourism Village, and while this sounds like a village made solely for tourists (it’s not entirely untrue), Karanganyar is actually a very beautiful area with lots of greenery and mountain backdrops, where you can learn about its pottery-making craft, dating back to the 8th century, and even make your own.
Travel tip: combine this with a day trip to Karanganyar that involves watching the sunrise over Setumbu Hill, then heading to Borobudur Temple, and finishing the day off in Karanganyar.
Learn about Indonesia’s fight for independence at Vredeburg Museum, a colonial fortress that served as a military post during the Dutch colonial era, but was eventually converted to a museum in 1992.
Close to the Vredeburg Museum, you’ll find the most traditional market in Yogyakarta, the Beringharjo market. It’s located on the popular shopping street Jalan Malioboro, and you’ll find everything from fruits to clothes, souvenirs, snacks, and batik items.
Beringharjo was built in a banyan forest that was torn down to turn the space into an economic hub. Over the past centuries, it has survived through natural catastrophes and colonialism, making it a symbol of perseverance.
Insider tip: Many of the stalls at the Beringharjo market sell similar items. But it’s still a fun place to visit to buy snacks and street food, even if you’re not interested in shopping for souvenirs. Get a guided food tour to ensure you’re trying all the best food.
The Batik Museum in Jogja is an educational and interactive space to learn about Indonesia’s most important cultural and artistic tradition: batik, the tradition of dyeing cloth to create patterns.
You’ll learn about the evolution of batik style and patterns, and you can even make your own design by signing up for a batik workshop. These make for a perfect souvenir.
The Royal Palace of Yogyakarta is also known as Kraton, and is still the functioning residence of the Sultan, who holds the title but doesn’t have any power, as Indonesia is an independent country. The palace is open to visitors, but still functions as a political place for meetings, official functions, and royal residence.
About 500 m away from the Royal Palace, you’ll find the Royal Gardens of Taman Sari, which means a garden with beautiful flowers. The site was originally a royal garden for the Javanese monarchy, specifically the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. It’s also called a water castle because if you close off the water gates, the site would be submerged in water.
Taman Sari consists of four main areas, though the two most visited places are the artificial lake Segaran and the bathing complex Umbul Binangun, where concubines bathed while waiting for the Sultan to choose one of them.
Kotagede is a historic district where you’ll find traditional Javanese architecture, including the renowned Kotagede Mosque, a blend of Islamic and Javanese influences. The small alleys, ancient royal tombs, and iconic buildings make walking through Kotagede a beautiful cultural experience. Don’t miss out on witnessing the art of silver making and its intricate craftsmanship.
Insider tip: the best way to get a proper feel of Kotagede, and maybe even meet a local craftsman to learn about silver jewellery firsthand, is to book a guided tour of Kotagede.
Yes, Yogyakarta has quite a few beaches to explore. The most popular Jogja beaches are:
A fun, sporty activity that’s getting more popular by the day, especially as a tourist experience, is sandboarding. At Parangkusumo beach, you can try ATV riding and sandboarding on its black sand dunes.
Located in Menoreh Hills, Kalibiru National Park is the perfect adventure spot for nature lovers, hikers, photographers, and adventurers. Or for anyone looking for a break from city life.
Though not located in Jogja, the city is the perfect base to visit the world-famous Mt Bromo and Ijen volcanoes, though they’re quite far by bus (about 5 hours to Mt Bromo by car, and 9 hours to Ijen from Jogja). Most people prefer to book a tour to Mt Bromo or Ijen that includes transport from Jogja.
Since a few of the activities and landmarks in Jogja are somewhat spread out, it’s best to base yourself in the city centre, making it easy to get around, especially if you’re booking tours and would require a pick-up service. I stayed at Adhisthana Hotel Yogyakarta, one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Jogja.
With so many cultural experiences to explore, as well as nature and adventure activities, it’s best to spend around 5-7 days in Jogja for a relaxing experience.
Yogyakarta is a cultural hub in Java, Indonesia, known for its traditional batik art, silver craftsmanship, royal complexes, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple.
