Things to see and do in Jakarta

A sometimes forgotten capital, but with a lot to say: in Jakarta you can experience Indonesia completely differently from what the most tourist destinations in the country show. Among the places to discover in Jakarta, highlights include its historic center, Kota Tua, an enclave reminiscent of the old Batavia, full of colonial buildings and the skyline of Jakarta, with imposing modern skyscrapers that contrast with the more traditional Jakarta.

With approximately 30 million residents throughout its metropolitan area, Jakarta is a vibrant city, even chaotic, being the fourth most populous city in the world. It also has a huge archipelago on the coast, with the island of Java, where the great Bromo volcano towers above the rest. Read on and we’ll tell you everything and more about the things to do and see in Jakarta.

What are the best places to visit in Jakarta?

1. Kota Tua, the old town

The place where, for many, all the magic of Jakarta is concentrated is undoubtedly the historic center of the city: Kota Tua. As you may already know, the Dutch were for a long time in these lands. And their presence is something fully visible in the facades of the buildings of Kota Tua, with a colonial style warmth, which has turned this area into the nerve center of the city.

More specifically, where the rhythm of the city and the essence of Jakarta are most felt is in Fatahillah Square. It is a huge space where the contrast of the different colors of the buildings stands out. Not only do the buildings abound in color, but the rental bicycles found there are also very memorable. They are of the most diverse colors, reminiscent of the bicycles that you can rent in many Dutch cities.

In Kota Tua there is a monument that stands out above all. And you definitely should see it in Jakarta. It is none other than the History Museum, a unique building located in the heart of Kota Tua, in Fatahillah Square. This museum was once the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, in addition to having been the city’s town hall. And as a final detail, before moving on to the next point to visit in Jakarta, we recommend you to go to the charming Batavia Café. It is one of the best-known coffee shops in the whole city.

2. Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, something that is obvious to the naked eye on the streets of Jakarta. But there is one truly impressive monument that makes this even clearer: the Istiqlal Mosque. This is the third largest mosque in the entire world and the most important mosque in the country, making it a must-see in Jakarta.

This mosque has the capacity to accommodate up to 120,000 people inside, placing it only behind the Medina Mosque and the Mecca Mosque in Saudi Arabia. This imposing mosque, with white tones and endless columns, is something you have to witness if you decide to visit Jakarta. In fact, you can visit its upper part and the entrance fee is around 30,000 Indonesian rupiah.

Another important religious monuments in the city, but of Catholic origin, is the Jakarta Cathedral. It is is located next to the Istiqlal Mosque and is one of the points of interest in Jakarta. It was built by the Dutch during the time they ruled Jakarta and is one of the best-preserved monuments in the entire city.

3. The Monas, the National Monument of Indonesia

If you thought we had already mentioned all the great sights in Jakarta, you’d be wrong. And that’s because although many people overlook Jakarta, it’s home to impressive buildings like the Monas. Indonesia’s National Monument, a giant 132-meter-high tower with a flame at its tip towers above many of the city’s major landmarks.

The tower of the Monas is located on the large esplanade of the Liberty Square. It favors the views from the top of the Monas, you can access the viewpoint if you decide to visit the tower. It is a unique point in the city and therefore sometimes there are long queues to access the viewpoint. So, we strongly recommend that you play it ahead. Of course, we also recommend that you visit the museum inside the Monas: the National Museum of Indonesia.

4. Ancol and other beaches

Another essential point in a city of contrasts is the Ancol beach. It is the area where the string of beaches that make up Jakarta’s maritime area are located. The only downside is that you have to pay to get there. But to be honest, it is worth coming to enjoy the promenade and cool off to combat the heat of the capital.

But if you’re not a fan of sand, beach and sun, we think it’s still a perfect place to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere of the different venues on the promenade. In addition, there are different leisure options, such as renting boats or visiting the amusement park Ancol Dream Park, two activities that you can enjoy alone or with company.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in and around Jakarta

The Thousands Islands of Jakarta

This is a place that often attracts many visitors and is located very close to Jakarta. They are a set of paradisiacal islands, which contrasts with the capital. And that if you find yourself in Jakarta, we highly recommend that you come to visit. This set of ‘thousand islands’ is accessible with a ferry that departs every day from the city and goes to the main islands of the archipelago, such as Macan Island, Bidadari and Sepa Island.

Many of the islands are prepared to accommodate people and even have a shuttle service directly to the airport from your hotel. There you can also enjoy many water activities, such as snorkeling or jetskiing, or enjoy famous diving spots. Another attractive island is Putri Island, where there is an underwater tunnel where you can spot marine wildlife.

What to see in Jakarta in 1 day

Jakarta is a destination with a lot of things to do. But in case you have little time to visit it, we have prepared a series of tips on the most iconic sites of the Indonesian capital. As always, we recommend starting your tour with the most central points, since they are usually also where most travelers stay and that allows you to move more easily.

We first recommend visiting the Kota Tua, the old town of Jakarta and a place that contrasts with the rest of Jakarta for its colorful buildings and bicycles. After that, the most recommended thing you can do is to visit the Monas and later the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. And of course, if you want to see what Jakarta’s waterfront has to offer, head to Ancol to end a long day of sightseeing with a drink in front of the sea.

Where to stay in Jakarta

As we know that planning everything on a trip is a bit tiring and to make your stay much more pleasant, we have prepared a list with some accommodations for your days in Jakarta:

• Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta: This hotel is one of the best equipped hotels in all of Jakarta. It consists of luxurious facilities and spacious rooms, prepared with everything you need to rest to the fullest after a long day of sightseeing. Its price for a weekend is 530€ for two people.
• ibis Styles Jakarta Simatupang: A hotel with very complete facilities and excellent buffet service. The price for a weekend is 110€.
• YELLO Hotel Harmoni: Centrally located and uniquely decorated, YELLO Hotel is an excellent place to relax during your stay in Jakarta. The price for a weekend is 101€.

Where and what to eat in Jakarta

The gastronomy of Indonesia is, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of traveling to the country. That is why we have prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it on your visit to Jakarta:

• PASOLA Restaurant: PASOLA is one of the best options you have in Jakarta to enjoy a ten-rate service. The gastronomic offer is excellent and they take care of every detail, making its price totally worth it.
• Harmoni Square Coffee Shop: A super complete menu, combining different gastronomic styles and influences from European cuisine, is what makes Harmoni a perfect dining option.
• PAL8: Asian and European food in a vast room lit by large windows and tastefully decorated.

What should I consider before traveling to Jakarta

• The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah.
• It is recommended to carry cash for small stores.
• Cards are accepted at most tourist sites.
• The best time to visit Indonesian beaches is May, June and September when it’s still not raining so much and still warm.
• We do not recommend to rent a car to get around the country. Traffic there is very different from European traffic.
• It is best not to drink the tap water, although if it is boiled it can be used for cooking.
• The official language of the country is Bahasa Indonesia, but in the more touristy areas you will be able to communicate in English without problems.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Indonesia is a safe country, but just in case be careful with your belongings, especially in the more touristy places.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Jakarta

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the things to do in Jakarta, Indonesia.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Jakarta