The island of Java is one of the largest and most important islands in Indonesia, as well as the most populated in the world, with 150 million inhabitants. If you decide to organize a trip to Indonesia, Java should be in your itinerary, although it deserves a trip of its own as it combines the modernity of major cities such as Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, and Yogyakarta with dreamy natural sites such as the Bromo National Park.
Discover with Passporter the wonders of Java Island. Here you will read about what to see in Jakarta, learn about the beautiful Seribu Islands, known as the “thousand islands”, and what and where to eat and where to stay in the main cities. Read on and fall in love with Indonesia and its Java Island.
Cities to visit on Java Island
1. Jakarta
A sometimes forgotten capital, but with a lot to say: in Jakarta you can experience an Indonesia completely different from what the country’s more touristy destinations offer.
Koa Tua is its historic center where you can still breathe the Dutch influence through its buildings with European-style facades. In Koa Tua mainly highlights the Fatahillah square, where colorful houses contrast with modern buildings and parked bicycles make the mind travel directly to Amsterdam. In this square you will also find the Museum of History of the city.
Another must-see stop in Jakarta is the Monas building, Indonesia’s National Monument. It’s a 132-meter-high giant tower with a flame at its tip, which towers above many of the city’s main landmarks.
Also the two important religious temples in the city are worth mentioning. They are the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. The Istiqlal Mosque is the third largest mosque in the world and the most important mosque in the country, which is, by the way, the largest Muslim country in the world, after Mecca and the Medina. The entrance fee is 30,000 rupees (about 2 €). For its part, the cathedral, located next to the mosque, was built by the Dutch during the time they ruled Jakarta. It is one of the best preserved monuments in the whole city.
2. Yogyakarta
Located in the center of Java Island, Yogyakarta was the capital of Indonesia from 1946 to 1948 during the Indonesian revolution. Today it is known as an important center of fine arts and classical cultures, as well as a university city full of students and prestigious educational centers.
The main street of Yogyakarta is Malioboro Street, the main shopping area and the center of city life. If you travel to Yogyakarta you will walk it again and again and enjoy every single one of them, especially if you like busy streets, street musicians and street food stalls.
Another must-see in Yogyakarta is a visit to the palace of the Sultan of Java. It’s an impressive compound where some 30,000 people live in addition to the sultan and his family. A couple of km from the palace is the Water Castle, an ancient garden with pools where the sultan went to rest and relax. You can visit it from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Last but not least, the Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, built with stone from the Merapi volcano between 750 and 850. Abandoned in the 15th century and rediscovered in the 19th century, today it is one of the most visited spots in Indonesia.
3. Seribu Islands
There is a place that often attracts many visitors and is located very close to Jakarta. It’s a set of paradisiacal islands, which contrasts with the capital and that if you find yourself there, 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.
You can stay on many of the islands and they even have a shuttle service directly to the airport from your accommodation. 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.
4. Mount Bromo, the active volcano on the island of Java
On the island of Java, where major cities such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta are located, lies one of the most impressive natural environments that you can find in all of Indonesia. We are talking about the Bromo National Park in the east of Java Island, one of the most visited spots in the country for its breathtaking beauty.
Its main attraction is the Bromo volcano, an active volcano located on the Tengger Sand Sea, a protected area since 1919. You can visit the volcano and it even has enabled stairs to reach the crater. One of the most popular activities in Bromo National Park is watching the sunrise over the Bromo volcano.
But this volcano and the sea of sand are not the only interesting things to do in the park, the Semeru volcano is another must-see. It is the highest volcano on the island of Java and its last eruption was in 2021, so you have to ask for a special permit to climb it.
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.
Where and what to eat on Java Island
Indonesian gastronomy is famous for its variety, its strong and tasty flavors and the frequent use of rice, spices and chicken among other ingredients. Some dishes that you cannot miss on your trip to Indonesia are the Nasi Goreng, considered the national dish, a dish based on fried rice, vegetables and chicken; the Satay, Bakso, a delicious noodle soup with dumplings.
- Harmoni Square Coffee Shop: In Jakarta. A super complete menu, combining different gastronomic styles and influences from European cuisine, is what makes Harmoni a perfect dining option. Price range: 3€-66€
- Mediterranea Restaurant: One of the best restaurants in Yogyakarta. A restaurant specialized in Italian and French cuisine, with delicious dishes such as pizzas, meats and their delicious chocolate coulant. Price range: 6-24€
- Hummingbird Eatery: A perfect restaurant to taste the best Indonesian cuisine in Bandung. They also have European dishes, vegetarian and halal options. Price range: 8-20€
Where to stay on Java Island
- YELLO Hotel Harmoni: Centrally located and uniquely decorated, the YELLO Hotel is an excellent place to relax during your stay in Jakarta. The price for a weekend is 101€.
- Adhisthana Hotel Yogyakarta: A beautiful 3-star hotel reminiscent of the best riads in Morocco, with its inner courtyard with pool and palm trees. Very well located in the Prawirotaman area 10 minutes from Malioboro Street. Average price per night: 38€
- Bumi Surabaya City Resort: A wonderful 5-star hotel in a perfect location 5 minutes drive from the Bambu Runcing monument. The rooms are clean, elegant and comfortable, the service exceptional and two restaurants, one specializing in Chinese and Indonesian cuisine and the other in Japanese cuisine. Average price per night: 60€.
Tips for a trip to Indonesia
- The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah
- We recommend to carry cash for small stores.
- Cards are accepted at most tourist sites.
- Carry your passport in good condition with at least 6 months of validity.
- Lombok is one of the malaria areas of Indonesia. Carry mosquito repellent and mosquito netting as a precautionary measure and check with your doctor for other possible vaccinations.
- Be respectful of the environment, fauna and flora of Java Island. Don’t litter in the nature and opt for sustainable tourism.
- 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 can communicate in English without any 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 most touristy and crowded places.
How to organize what to see on Java Island
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 presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see on Java Island.
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 Java Island
The rainy season on Java Island runs from October to March, with November being the wettest month. In terms of temperatures, the climate is stable throughout the year without major changes, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 24°C minimum and 30°C to 32°C maximum.
The best time to travel to Java Island is between the months of July to October, when the temperature is more pleasant and the likelihood of rain is low.
The distances on Java Island are enormous, from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, for example, there is a distance of over 550 km. Therefore, depending on the trip you want to make and the areas you are interested in visiting, it will be better to move in one way or another. If you want to make the most of your time and not waste days on long trips, travel by plane. The prices between the two cities mentioned are around 50-70€ and take only 1 hour compared to the 15 hours it takes by train. If what you want is to move in closer areas, the train, bus, rental car and ferry are good options.
The best option for getting to Java Island is to fly into Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, with domestic flights from other islands such as Lombok or Bali, for example, and international flights.
If the area of the island you are interested in visiting is only the east, it is best to travel to Yogyakarta, from where areas such as Mount Bromo will be more accessible.
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