Temple

For most tourists heading to Yogyakarta, Borobudur Temple is the main attraction and often the main reason for visiting the city or even the whole of Indonesia. Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is indeed a world-class monument. You’ll get the most out of Borobudur only when you climb right up onto the temple structure itself, amongst the stone reliefs, stupas and statues of the Buddha. That is precisely why it is important to choose…

Temple

Along with Borobudur Temple, this is one of the most famous sights in the whole of Indonesia and should be a ‘must-see’ when visiting Yogyakarta. Although these are quite touristy places, we definitely recommend visiting both of these famous temples. Prambanan is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex; as well as the main temple, the site also features the smaller temples of Sewu, Bubrah and Lumbung, all of which are accessible with a single ticket…

Palace, Lookout, Archaeological site

Just 3.5 kilometres from Prambanan lie the ruins of Ratu Boko Palace. Thanks to its hilltop location, you can take stunning photos of this archaeological site from here, and it also offers the best views of the sunset in the whole of Yogyakarta. [btn "Book a hotel in Yogyakarta now" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-ratuboko] The Ratu Boko archaeological complex contains many remains of buildings…

Palace, Museum

Right in the city centre, you will find the Sultan’s Palace, Keraton Yogyakarta – often written as Kraton– whose full official name is ‘Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat’. The Keraton is effectively a city within a city; within its walls you will find people’s homes, a market, shops, a mosque and schools. Some of the people living within the Kraton are employees of the Sultan. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Yogyakarta" https://www.booking.com…

Palace, Castle

The Taman Sari Water Castle was the site of the royal gardens and a favourite retreat for the sultan and his family, who still reside in the Keraton, 2 km away. Today, Taman Sari is open exclusively to tourists, and all its areas are accessible. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Yogyakarta itself, and we definitely recommend including Taman Sari in your plans. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Yogyakarta" https://www.booking…

Fortress, Museum

Originally a Dutch colonial fort, Vredeburg has been converted from a military site into the Museum of the Struggle for Independence. The fort was built in 1787 and completely rebuilt following the earthquake of 1867. The name translates as ‘Fortress of Peace’, which refers to the peaceful coexistence of Dutch colonial rule with the local sultan. [btn "The best hotels near Malioboro" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid…

Shopping class

On the main street, Jalan Malioboro, you’ll find countless shops, ranging from local ones selling souvenirs and batik fabrics to Western shops stocking well-known brands. As well as shopping, you can also grab a bite to eat here, whether at local food stalls or in the many restaurants nearby. [btn "The best hotels near Malioboro" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-malioboro] Malioboro is the…

Archaeological site, Mosque, City Quarter, Cemetery

Kota Gede was once the capital of the ancient Islamic kingdom of Mataram and, as such, is a wonderful place to explore ancient Javanese architecture and its unique layout. Today, Kotagede is also known, amongst other things, as the ‘silver village’, and many locals will try to entice you into their silver shops. Where to go in Kotagede? The most interesting place is undoubtedly the Great Mosque, surrounded by the tombs of the Mataram kings. …

Zoo

A popular destination not only for families with children, it is located in the east of Yogyakarta. The Gembira Loka Zoo combined with a botanical garden and a leisure park is an ideal place to take a break from the hectic city. The zoo covers an area of 22 hectares and is one of the most famous in Indonesia. [btn "Book a hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-gembira]…

Monument

The Tugu Monument is about a 30-40 minute walk from the Kraton Palace along Jalan Malioboro and then Jalan Margo Utomo, which connects to the main street. The Tugu Monument is at its best after dark when it is beautifully lit up. [btn "Book a hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-tugu] The monument is one of the icons of the city and is the most important place in…

Museum

The Sonobudoyo Museum is just one of the many museums that Yogyakarta has to offer, but it is one of the most visited in the city. The Sonobudoyo showcases the very rich Javanese history and culture and contains the most valuable and extensive collection of Javanese art after the National Museum in Jakarta. [btn "Book a hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-sonobudoyo]…

Sandy beach, The Cove, Cliff, Lighthouse

Pantai Baron is the place where the endless Indian Ocean meets the jagged coastline of South Java, creating a cozy little cove with a sandy beach and a tourist village. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Yogyakarta" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-pantaibaron] The bay is the most beautiful easily accessible spot on the Yogyakarta coast. What to do in Pantai Baron The diverse and beautiful coastline…

Market

The traditional Beringharjo Market is located on the right-hand side as you walk north along Malioboro Street, away from the Keraton. Simply turn into a side street and you’ll discover that, running parallel to Jalan Malioboro, there’s a whole other world here. [btn "The best hotels near Malioboro" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-berignharjo] You can buy almost anything here – from household…

Mountain

Gunung Merbabu is a dormant volcano rising to a height of 3,145 metres above sea level. It is one of the most popular destinations for mountain hikers in Central Java, particularly for its breathtaking views of the highly photogenic active volcano Merapi, which is closed to the public. [btn "Book your hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-merapi] Although the summit…

Volcano

Gunung Merapi is a stratovolcano with an elevation of 2,910 metres and at the very foot of the volcano is the city of Yogyakarta. The centre is about 30 km away from the summit as the crow flies. Mount Merapi is Indonesia's most active volcano and large eruptions occur about 1-2 times a year. The eruptions usually do not directly threaten the inhabitants of the surrounding towns, but the volcano has taken many lives, especially of tourists. …

Black sand beach

Parangtritis Resort is the closest place from Yogyakarta where you can enjoy swimming in the ocean. Due to its proximity to the city and its beautiful 3km long wide beach, Parangtritis is especially popular with locals. Very few foreign tourists come here. While the beach is very busy on weekends, it is much more relaxed on weekdays and you can enjoy much more peace and quiet. Beach facilities Virtually the entire length of the beach is…

Temple

If after Borobudur and Prambanan you still don't feel that you've had enough of temples, the Buddhist temple of Candi Plaosan located just a kilometre from Prambanan is certainly worth a visit. Plaosan was built in the 9th century as a symbol of the union of two rival families through a marriage between a prince from the Hindu Sanjayan dynasty and Queen Sri Kahulunnan of the Buddhist Sailendra dynasty. [btn "Show cheapest hotels in Yogyakarta"…

Park

Head to the south-eastern outskirts of Yogyakarta to visit one of the city’s newest attractions, which is particularly popular with locals. If you have a couple of spare hours, a visit to Bendhung Lepen Park will offer an interesting insight into the lives of the locals, far from the well-known tourist attractions. [btn "View the cheapest hotels in Yogyakarta" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta…

Cliff

If you've visited all the sights in Yogyakarta and the temples around it and are wondering where to go on a trip outside the city, you should focus your attention on the interesting attraction Tebing Breksi, or Breksi Cliff. [btn "Book a hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-breksi] Tebing Breksi was formerly a limestone mining site, but in 2014 the mining was shut…

Bridge, Hiking trail, Waterfall

Head to the foot of Mount Merapi and take a stroll across the Kalikuning tourist bridge, which spans the valley of the same name, featuring numerous man-made waterfalls. This short walk of around 1.5 km through a mountainous valley with dense forests is a very pleasant change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Yogyakarta and its historical sights. [btn "Book your hotel in Yogyakarta in advance" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en…

Palace

Gedung Agung is one of the 6 presidential palaces located in Indonesia, and as such serves as the residence of the president when he is in Yogyakarta. As the former capital during the struggle for Indonesian independence, Yogyakarta enjoys a privileged position and the President stays here for several weeks a year. [btn "Best hotels near Malioboro" https://www.booking.com/city/id/yogyakarta.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-yogyakarta-vredeburg] …