Interesting Places to Visit and Things to Do in Yogyakarta (Jogja)

June 13, 2021 Mustafa Natalwala 3613 Views

Yogyakarta, also known as Jogja, is a city on the island of Java in Indonesia and the capital of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate. It is the only Indonesian city which is still under the monarchic rule. The city shows the deep influence of India in terms of culture, traditions, religion, politics, monarchy, and so on. There are numerous places to visit in Yogyakarta which very evidently show this influence. Even the name of the city is derived from the Sanskrit language and translates to “fit to prosper”. It is named after the Indian city of Ayodhya, the birthplace of the Indian deity Rama from Ramayana. You can learn more about the association with Indian epic of Ramayana at Prambanan Temple, which is one of the most prominent Yogyakarta tourist attractions.

The city is one of the most significant centers for classical Javanese art, culture, handicrafts, and traditions. The puppetry, textiles, paintings, drama, sculptures, music, ballet, batik, poetry, artifacts, etc. are as much part of Yogyakarta attractions as the places. As you experience these cultural aspects, you will be able to get a deeper perspective on the rest of the Jogja trip. As you explore the temples, historical places, palaces, and museums you will see how the culture is reflected in architecture and design.

Another popular aspect of things to see in Yogyakarta are the beaches and nature. The city faces the Indian Ocean and has some amazing beaches. These are hotspots for fun things to do in Yogyakarta. You can enjoy a great ocean view with a happening atmosphere and incredible seafood. There are also Yogyakarta beaches which are less crowded and untainted by shops and restaurants. You will have to make an effort to reach these beaches including hiking and climbing cliffs. If you are looking for more challenging adventurous activities in Yogyakarta, you can go for water sports, cave exploration, mountain climbing, trekking, scuba diving, and so on.

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Table of Contents

The Best Tourist Places to Visit in Yogyakarta

1. Borobudur Temple

This Buddhist temple is top among Yogyakarta tourist attractions. Situated amidst the serene beauty of mountains, this temple looks like it is part of a fantastical tale. It is one of the largest Buddhist structures in the world. You will need at least 2 hours to explore this vast temple complex.

I suggest you should book a Full-Day Tour of Borobudur Temple and other attractions in advance.

2. Taman Sari Water Castle

This grand garden complex was initially built in the 18th century for the Sultan of Yogyakarta. It is believed that the pools of this complex are connected to the Indian Ocean through a network of underground tunnels. Taman Sari is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places to visit in Yogyakarta. You will need about 30 minutes to explore this premise.

3. Prambanan Temple

This Hindu temple cluster is among the most amazing things to see in Yogyakarta. There are numerous similar-looking temples, but each has its own unique design and architecture. The rock carvings are among the most admired features of these temples. When you check out these Yogyakarta attractions, do stick around for the grand Ramayana Ballet, a narration of the Hindu epic tale of Lord Rama. Especially for those who enjoy cultural engagement, this ballet is among the most fun things to do in Yogyakarta. You will need 2 to 3 hours for Prambanan Temple.

I suggest you should get your Entrance Ticket to Prambanan Temple in advance.

4. Mount Merapi Volcano

This volcanic mountain is one of the biggest highlights of Yogyakarta sightseeing. You will get a jeep tour to explore this mountain and enjoy the scenic beauty around it. You should also check out the museum about this volcanic mountain. You will need at least half a day’s time for Merapi Volcano when you visit Yogyakarta.

I suggest you should book a Jeep Safari of Mount Merapi Volcano in advance.

5. Sewu Temple

This is the second-largest Buddhist temple complex on the island. This temple is a must-see in the Jogja itinerary for its magnificent architecture. The entrance of the temple itself has two giant statues carved from stone. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore Sewu temple during Yogyakarta travel.

I suggest you should try a Bike Tour of the Temples and Village and Visit the Sewu Temple.

6. Kalibiru National Park

Your Jogja trip would be incomplete without a visit to the serene wilderness of Kalibiru National Park. It is also one of the most photographed places in the region. There are even props and photo points on the cliffside for visitors. The forest is also the hub for many adventurous and exploratory things to do in Jogja. You will need half a day’s time for Kalibiru National Park.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Kalibiru National Park in advance.

7. Pengger Pine Forest (Hutan Pinus Pengger)

This forest-themed park is one of the most interesting places to visit in Yogyakarta. This pasture of greens has several quirky elements that surprise and delight all visitors. It is again one of the best places to visit in Jogja for photography as the park is full of interesting sculptures and structures. You will need about an hour to enjoy Pengger Pine Forest.

I suggest you should visit Pengger Pine Forest during nighttime to see beautiful night view of Yogyakarta City.

8. Jomblang Cave

If you are looking for offbeat activities in Yogyakarta, try exploring the Jomblang Caves. The cave offers an adventurous challenge for explorers as you have to rappel to reach certain parts of the cave. It is one of the most memorable experiences as well as one of the most fun things to do in Yogyakarta. Keep at least half a day’s time for Jomblang Cave.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Jomblang Cave in advance.

9. Indrayanti Beach

This Yogyakarta beach faces the Indian Ocean and mesmerizes all visitors with its golden sand and beautiful coastline. The beach is also a happening spot for leisure with several cafes, clubs, and restaurants to enjoy. You should keep 2 hours for Indrayanti Beach when you visit Yogyakarta.

10. Ijo Temple (Candi ijo)

This temple is estimated to have been built between 10th and 11th century. The word Ijo in Javanese means green, named after the green hill on which the temple is located. This Hindu temple is believed to be dedicated to Lord Shiva and is greatly admired for its architecture and carved sculptures. You will need about an hour to explore various aspects of this temple during the Jogja trip.

I suggest you should go for a Sunset Trip to Ijo Temple with a Yogyakarta City Sightseeing.

11. Ullen Sentalu Museum

This museum is one of the most interesting historical places to see in Yogyakarta. The museum is dedicated to the royal houses of Java Island. You can see various relics and artifacts concerning these royal houses in this museum. It will take about an hour and a half to explore it.

12. Palace of Yogyakarta (Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat)

Also known as the Kraton Palace, is the home of the Sultan. It is one of the most meticulously planned building complexes among places to visit in Yogyakarta. The palace is designed to reflect the Javanese cosmos. You will need 2 hours to explore this palace.

I suggest you should book a Palace Tour of Yogyakarta in advance.

13. Timang Beach

This Yogyakarta beach is quite popular among tourists for its views and seafood joints. It is a tourist beach but isn’t as crowded as other popular ones. You can easily spend an hour enjoying Timang Beach.

I suggest you should book a Full Day Tour to Timang Beach in advance.

14. Sonobudoyo Museum

This museum exhibits Javanese art from various periods in the island’s history. There are galleries for different types of regional arts such as masks, sculptures, paintings, weapons, textiles, puppets, and so on. You will get to explore some of the most interesting things to see in Yogyakarta at this museum. It will take you an hour or two to explore the Sonobudoyo Museum.

15. Wediombo Beach

If you are looking for a relatively unexplored Yogyakarta beach, then this is the place to be. You will need to hike a little through the forest and cliffs to get here, but the journey is worth the destination. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying this beach.

16. Malioboro Street

This is the most popular shopping street among Yogyakarta attractions. There are several shops, restaurants, street food joints, and more to explore on this street. It will easily take you an hour to roam this street and discover things.

I suggest you should book the Night Walking and Food Tasting Tour at Malioboro Street in advance.

If you are looking for more places to visit or things to do in Yogyakarta, check out the section below.

Things to do in Yogyakarta

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Yogyakarta

Taman Sari
Borobudur Temple
The Palace of Yogyakarta
Fort Vredeburg Museum
Tugu
Jogja National Museum
Museum Sonobudoyo Unit I
De Mata Trick Eye Museum
Prambanan Temple
Cemeti Institute for Art and Society
Sumur Gumuling
Sewu Temple
Warungboto Site
Gedhe Kauman Mosque
Taman Budaya Yogyakarta
Affandi Museum
Jagja Gallery
Gedung Agung Yogyakarta
Museum of Biology UGM
Museum Sasmita Loka
Masjid Jogokariyan
Museum TNI AD Dharma Wiratama
Museum Kereta Karaton
Museum Sandi
Museum Perujuangan
Tugu Pal Putih
Monument of Prince Diponegoro
Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya
Plengkung Gading
Artjog MMXIX
Langgeg Art Foundation
Himpunan Pramuwista Indonesia
Sekretariat Sementara Museum Pendidikan Dan
Prambanan Temple
Plengkung Wijilan
Sasana Wiratama
Alun Alun Utara
Tirtodipuran Link
Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta
D’Walik Museum of Illusion
Bale Banjar Sangkring
Monument Yogya Kembali
Central Museum of the Air Force Dirgantara
Taman Tino Sidin
Panggung Krapyak
History of Java Museum
Kekayon Museum
Sambisari Temple
Masjid Gedhe Mataram Temple
Candi Gebang
Gua Selarong
Museum HM Soeharto
Candi Ambang Temple
Kadisoka Temple

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Yogyakarta

Taman Tempuran Cikal
Taman Wisata Batu Kapal

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Yogyakarta

Gembira Loka Zoo
Taman Pintar Yogyakarta
Mandira Baruga
Kids Fun Amusement Park
Sindu Kusuma Edupark
Selfie Park Jogja
Taman Pelangi Jogja Amusement Park
Jogja Bay Amusement Park
Sindu Kusuma Edupark
Galaxy Waterpark
Desa Wisata Gerabah Kasongan
Hutan Pinus Pengger
Jogja Exotarium Mini Zoo
Lost World Castle
Kampung Flory Jogja
Balong Waterpark
Kids Fun Park
Grand Puri Waterpark
Puncak Sosok
Lava Bantal Park
Tegaldowo Puspa Gading Park
Glugut Park
Karst Tubing Sedayu
Citra Grand Mutiara Waterpark
Setren Opak

Shopping in Yogyakarta

Pasar Beringharjo
Gabusan Art Market
Malioboro Street
Hamzah Batik
Plaza Ambarrukmo
Jogja City Mall
Kota Gede
Kasongan Village
Milas Market
Klithikan Market
Kauman Ramadan Evening Market
Senthir Market

Beaches & Islands in Yogyakarta

Pok Tunggal Beach
Baron Beach
Nguluran Beach
Wediombo Beach
Banyu Tibo Beach
Timang Beach
Siung Beach
Growing Beach
Indrayanti Beach
Watu Nene Beach
Parangtritis Beach
Ngrawah Beach
Ngobaran Beach
Seruni Beach
Drini Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Yogyakarta

Hiking
Boating
River Rafting
Jeep Tour
Scuba Diving
Snorkelling

Sightseeing in Yogyakarta

Jalan Malioboro
Jalan Prawirotaman
Alun Alun Kidul Street
Alun Alun Kidul Park
Jogja 0 km
Alkid Yogyakarta
Embung Tambakboyo Dam

Food, Dining, Restaurants, and Street Food in Yogyakarta

Abhayagiri
Mie Ayam Bu Tamini
Canting
Baksonya also Maharani
The House of Raminten
Bakmi Mbah Mo
Mang Engking Soragan Castle
Wedang Ronde Mbah Payem
Rosella Easy Dining
Es Buak PK
Jejamuran
Gudeg Pawon
Joglo Mlati
Rujak Es Krim Pak Nardi
Milas Vegetarian
Kedai Kopi Klotok
Mediterranea
Rumah Makan Blimbing
Via Via
Kupat Gule Bang Doel

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Yogyakarta. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Yogyakarta.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Yogyakarta

How to Reach Yogyakarta?

By Air

The easiest option for Yogyakarta travel is through Adisucipto International Airport. Most flights connecting here are domestic flights from cities like Jakarta, Denpasar, Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. You can also get direct flights to visit Yogyakarta from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The airport is connected to various places to visit in Yogyakarta via trains, buses, and cabs.

By Road

You can get trains for Jogja trip from Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Solo, and several other cities on Java island of Indonesia. The bus network is more widespread connecting Yogyakarta with several smaller towns and villages as well. If you plan for Yogyakarta travel by road, you should pick between routes 3,14 and 15.

By Water

Despite being so close to the ocean, there are no direct sea transport options for Jogja trip.

Image Reference

Borobudur Temple – Jorge Franganillo / Flickr
Taman Sari – Jorge Franganillo / Flickr
Prambanan Temple – Thomas Hackl / Flickr
Merapi Volcano – ArtTower / PixaBay
Sewu Temple – Thomas Hackl / Flickr
Kalibiru National Park – Sendy Wulandhary / PixaBay
Pengger Pine Forest (Hutan Pinus Pengger) – Sendy Wulandhary / PixaBay
Jomblang Cave – César González Palomo / Flickr
Indrayanti Beach – Agus Riyanto / PixaBay
Ijo Temple (Candi ijo) – Crisco 1492 / Wikimedia Commons
Ullen Sentalu Museum –
Palace of Yogyakarta (Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat) – xiquinhosilva / Flickr
Timang Beach – Pandora Voon / Flickr
Sonobudoyo Museum – Sabjan Badio / Wikimedia Commons
Wediombo Beach – Azisrif / Wikimedia Commons
Malioboro Street – Martin Heider / Flickr