Things to do in Surakarta

Activities, attractions and tours

Aerial view landmark of surakarta, urban city of Surakarta in the morning. Selamet riyadi street : Surakarta Indonesia June 16 2020
Aerial view landmark of surakarta, urban city of Surakarta in the morning. Selamet riyadi street : Surakarta Indonesia June 16 2020
Aerial view of rows of indigo-dyed fabric drying under the sun, creating a vibrant gradient from deep blues to soft whites, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia.
Aerial view of vibrant textiles laid out in neat rows, creating a colorful patchwork against the earth, as workers tend to the drying fabrics, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia.
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis (written batik), is drawn using only the canting. The cloth need to be drawn on both sides and dipped in a dye bath three to four times. The whole process may take up to a year; it yields considerably finer patterns than stamped batik. Source: Wikipedia
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What to do in Surakarta

Popular places to visit

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

During your trip to Surakarta, you can enjoy retail therapy at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Explore the campus of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta during your visit to Kartosuro.

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Universitas Sebelas Maret

Explore the campus of Universitas Sebelas Maret during your trip to Surakarta. Take in the musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Universitas Sebelas Maret

UMS

Learn about the local history of Kartosuro when you spend time at UMS.

UMS

Mangkunegaran Palace

Mangkunegaran Palace is just one of the places to see in Surakarta, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Mangkunegaran Palace

Kraton Surakarta

You can learn about the history of Surakarta with a visit to Kraton Surakarta. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Kraton Surakarta

Klewer Market

During your trip to Surakarta, you can do some window-shopping at Klewer Market. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Klewer Market

The Heritage Palace

You can spend time studying the exhibits at The Heritage Palace during your travels in Kartosuro.

The Heritage Palace

Gede Market

During your trip to Surakarta, you can do some window-shopping at Gede Market. Experience the museums and musical theatre in this culturally rich area.

Gede Market

Areas of Surakarta

At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Solo City Centre

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and zoo in Solo City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall or Keprabon Park.

Solo City Centre
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Banjarsari

If you're spending some time in Banjarsari, Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Balekambang City Park are top sights worth seeing.

Banjarsari

Frequently asked questions

Is Surakarta worth visiting?
Famous for its history and culture, discovering cool things to do in Surakarta is easy. Make sure to add Mangkunegaran Palace to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Surakarta?
Mangkunegaran Palace and The Heritage Palace are two great places to kick-start your adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Surakarta while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Surakarta?
The top tourist attraction in Surakarta is Mangkunegaran Palace, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Surakarta?
You can easily tick off top attractions like Mangkunegaran Palace, The Heritage Palace and De' Tjolomadoe with a three-day getaway in Surakarta. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a while longer and check out Salatiga.
Is Surakarta a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city centre, Surakarta is a good destination to explore on foot. Enjoy wandering between Mangkunegaran Palace and Sriwedari Amusement Park. Then take a stroll through Solo City Centre, located 2 kilometres from the centre, and Banjarsari, which is about 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Surakarta with kids?
Planning what to do in Surakarta with kids has never been so simple. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or toddlers, there's no shortage of family-friendly sights and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Surakarta for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or thrill seeker, there's lots of things to do in Surakarta for adults including Danar Hadi.
Are there free things to do in Surakarta?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's simple to discover free things to do in Surakarta. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Balekambang City Park is a great spot for anyone looking to save on their sightseeing activities.

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