10 Places To Visit In Yogyakarta and Things To Do in Indonesia

10 Places To Visit In Yogyakarta and Things To Do in Indonesia

Indonesia Tours

Dowes29.com Yogyakarta is a beautiful place in Indonesia, where you can spend a few days with your friends and family on a vacation. Yogyakarta is one of the most famous cities in Java and also one of the most interesting. It is known across Indonesia as the cultural capital of the country and it is also a university town that has a reputation for attracting artists and intellectuals who flock here to enjoy the arts scene and the cafe culture.

Yogyakarta is a very special city. One of my favourite cities in Indonesia. The food is great, the people are friendly, and the countryside is absolutely scenic and gorgeous. Very close to Borobudur, this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is also known as Jogja. It is a sprawling town in Java.

The city is also notable in Indonesia as it is technically a sultanate and the royal family has been a fixture of the city since the 1700s. As a result, many of Yogyakarta’s attractions relate to the royals, but, true to its learned roots, you will also find a wealth of museums here as well as workshops and handicraft shops.

Yogyakarta is also known for its famous surroundings, as it sits at the base of Mount Merapi and is close to iconic sights in Java such as Borobudur and Prambanan temples. Many people combine a trip to Yogyakarta with a visit to these sites, but if you only have time to take in the main part of the city then you can still enjoy a range of eateries, cafes, ancient monuments, and shopping venues. There are many places to visit in Yogyakarta on your trip to Indonesia.

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do

1. Borobudur Temple

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Begin your Yogyakarta sightseeing with a visit to Borobudur Temple. This attraction tops the list of the top 10 places to visit in Yogyakarta, and for good reason. This huge Buddhist temple is located in a gorgeous setting amidst beautiful mountains and landscape. It also houses the largest Buddhist structure in the world. The temple is a mere hours drive from the town center and is easily accessible by public transport.

2. Indrayanti Beach

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Many visitors to Yogyakarta won’t realize that it is actually located close to the Indian Ocean and actually the southern side of the city stretches along the coastline and consists of Indrayanti Beach. The strip of golden sand here is clean and inviting and you will also find a range of small Indonesian cafes and stalls set up along the coastline where you can get some simple noodle dishes as well as cool drinks and coconuts.

3. Prambanan Temple

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Another stunning temple near Yogyakarta, and one that is believed by many to be even more beautiful than Borobudur, is the wonderful Prambanan. This is also a UNESCO-world heritage site, a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva, discovered by the Dutch in the 10th century. Whereas Borobudur is famous for its sheer size, the Prambanan temples are best known for their height and intricate decoration – the tallest building is forty-seven meter high! The three biggest temples are dedicated to the main Hindu gods, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, and are decorated with scenes from the Ramayana.

4. The Taman Sari

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Also known as the Water Castle, Taman Sari – A Yogyakarta tourism jewel, is a former royal castle in the Kraton district that was once the actual royal palace in itself. It is one of the many popular historical places in Yogyakarta that you must definitely visit. Taman Sari is divided into 4 separate areas the most interesting of them being the bathing area. This area is hard to miss, being the very first section you will enter into. It comprises of two rather large pools of water, each separated by an impressive 3-storey watch tower. As you venture further into the beautiful surrounding gardens, you will walk past yet another highlight of the royal complex the underground mosque. You will have to walk down a steep flight of staircase and find your way through a set of tunnels that open onto a central courtyard and a beautiful mosque.

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5. Merapi Volcano

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

There are a lot of volcanos around Yogyakarta to climb. The most famous (and dangerous since it is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia) to climb is Merapi. It’s a tough trek. You can read more about my experience hiking this volcano here. Other than Merapi, there are Merbabu and Lawu. 

6. Kalibiru National Park Viewpoint

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Kalibiru National Park is one of those places that was made famous through Instagram. The park became popular because it’s such a beautiful viewpoint. There was one photo point. Now there are dozens, with everything from the original simple wooden platform halfway up a tree to heart shaped viewpoints. If you want to collect some nice Instagram photos come here in the evening or early morning. 

7. Jomblang Cave

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

There are many places to visit at Yogyakarta, such as the Jomblang Caves. This is a great place in Indonesia to indulge in some adventurous activities like rappelling through a muddy and dark vertical cave to see the Light of Heaven that shines through the dark cave. You will be given boots, but wear a pair of old socks that you can discard, should your boots leak. There is a limit to the number of tourists that can visit each day, so get to the caves early if you wish to secure a place. 

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8. Malioboro Road

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

If you want to go shopping in Yogyakarta, the best place is Malioboro. Located in the heart of the city, this is where you can get almost everything at a steal. Malioboro is a great place to shop for souvenirs and gift items to take home. The best way to explore the bustling shopping streets of this area is by walking. Go at a leisurely pace to truly immerse yourself in the exciting atmosphere. It might get a little crowded, but if you are looking to shop on a budget, there is no place better than Malioboro. You will definitely love the countless little shops some of which sell the most curious things!

9. Timang Beach

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

I love the beaches around Gunung Kidul. They are a nice place to relax and are only 90 minutes drive from Yogyakarta. You can enjoy the view, relax and eat tasty, reasonably priced, fresh seafood. At some of the beaches you can even swim such as Ngrenehan Beach or Nglambor Beach! Check out my interesting beaches and cave guide for the gunung kidul regency. One of the most popular beaches to visit at the moment is Timang Beach. It’s more of a photo spot, but you can buy cheap lobster nearby, which is great.

10. Mangunan Fruit Garden

Places to Visit in Yogyakarta and Things to Do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Located at the outskirts, the Mangunan Fruit Garden is one of the offbeat places where you can try on some unique things to do in Yogyakarta. Standing here one can enjoy a great view of the valley alongside the river. With the pleasant sunrise, the early morning is worth the view. This place will give you a feeling of standing amidst the clouds and mist without even climbing the steep mountains.