Jakarta

Travel Guide

Jakarta featuring night scenes, a skyscraper and a city
Istiqlal Mosque which includes heritage architecture, modern architecture and interior views
Jakarta
Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics showing heritage elements and interior views as well as a couple
Jakarta which includes food

Jakarta Travel Guide Video

The capital city of Indonesia is a bustling metropolis, famous for its colonial-era relics, beautiful mosques, plentiful shopping and family entertainment.

Jakarta is a destination of contrasts and that’s why it’s often referred to as the “Big Durian.” Like the local durian fruit, this city, located on the northwestern corner of the island of Java, has a layer of ruggedness yet is also bursting with rewarding flavour and colour. 

Start your exploration in the picturesque central district of Kota, formerly Batavia, where the cobblestoned square Taman Fatahillah still shows some Dutch influences. Trace the city’s history since the Stone Age at the Jakarta History Museum. Spot work by Indonesian artists at the Balai Seni Rupa gallery and Ceramics Museum.

Head to Jakarta’s historic port, Sunda Kelapa, and watch brightly painted fishing boats arrive from the outer islands. Learn about Indonesia’s naval history at the Maritime Museum, housed in a 17th-century spice warehouse.

Gaze up at the 450-feet (137-metre) tall National Monument (Monas Tower), in the heart of Medan Merdeka public square. Ride the elevator to the tower’s summit for impressive city views. Check out the ethnographic artifacts at the National Museum. Take a tour of the Presidential Palace or visit the sparkling white Istiqlal Mosque, which can host 120,000 devotees. Admire over 2,000 fabrics and materials at the Textile Museum.

Browse the market stalls of Jalan Surabaya for traditional Indonesian wayang puppets and sarongs. Sample the local street food, which mixes Arab, Chinese, European and Indian influences. Shop for high-end brands at Grand Indonesia or go to the out-of-town Living World, a huge retail and entertainment complex.

Ride the waterslides at Ocean Park or the roller coasters at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland). See replicas of traditional Indonesian houses at the Taman Mini Indonesia cultural park.

Jakarta is hot and smoggy and monsoon showers are frequent from November to March. Avoid the heat and rain by travelling between sights via low-cost taxis or the large bus network.

This fascinating city is the gateway to many of Indonesia’s natural treasures, including pristine coral reefs, volcanoes, surfing beaches and wildlife, such as orangutans and Komodo dragons.

Where to stay in Jakarta

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Central Jakarta

Central Jakarta is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Sarinah Mall and National Monument, and you can get around town on the metro at Bundaran HI MRT Station.

Central Jakarta
Menteng which includes modern architecture

Menteng

Discover Menteng, memorable for its monuments. Popular attractions in Menteng include Bundaran HI and Sarinah Mall, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Bundaran HI MRT Station.

Menteng
Jakarta which includes a city as well as a large group of people

Sudirman Central Business District

You'll enjoy the restaurants and spas in Sudirman Central Business District. You might want to make time for a stop at Kidzania or Pacific Place.

Sudirman Central Business District
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Kuningan

Kuningan is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Kuningan City Mall and Lotte Shopping Avenue while in the area.

Kuningan
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Pantai Indah Kapuk

While visiting Pantai Indah Kapuk, you might make a stop by sights like By The Sea PIK Shopping Center and Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.

Pantai Indah Kapuk
Jakarta featuring a skyscraper

Senayan

Shopping and bars are highlights of Senayan. Make a stop by Kidzania or Pacific Place while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Istora MRT Station to get around town.

Senayan

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Jakarta

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
29
5 - Excellent 31%
4 - Good
47
4 - Good 51%
3 - Okay
14
3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Typical metropolis with a surprising number of Western shops and brands available nearby. Friendly people often with good levels of English language. Some terrible pedestrian pavements and few road crossing points. Polluted rivers and traffic fumes.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

MRT

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Traffic is bad. But if you like to shopping or eat, Jakarta will surprise you and it has plenty to offer.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Almost perfect! Just the traffic that's quite tiring...

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nothing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Jakarta has bunch of surprises to reveal along the way. Just brace yourself for some fun here, including the crowded traffic :)