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Home » Southeast Asia » Indonesia » Yogyakarta

EPIC YOGYAKARTA Itinerary! (2024)

A trip to Yogyakarta is a must when visiting the island of Java, Indonesia. Yogyakarta is also sometimes called Jogjakarta, Jogja or Yogya by travelers and locals alike. So if you see it spelled differently, know that Yogyakarta is what is being referred to. This Yogyakarta itinerary will take you to see the best sights, activities, and hostels.

Yogyakarta is the capital city of Indonesia’s Special Region of Yogyakarta. It is regarded as an important center for classical Javanese fine arts and culture, as it is the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy.

Yogyakarta is also a major tourist destination. Travelers love visiting as it is packed with all the ingredients that make a good travel destination. It’s inexpensive, has hidden treasures of bygone days, narrow alleys, and a vast array of cuisine choices. Most importantly though, it’s close to two of the largest and most sacred Buddhist and Hindu temples.

From all the places you must visit in Java, this is the one place you cannot miss.

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Best Time To Visit Yogyakarta

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The best time to travel to Yogyakarta would be in the drier months from April to October in order to avoid the possibility of rain putting a damper on things when touring Yogyakarta.

Taking a vacation in Yogyakarta is still fun in the rainy season for it usually only rains in the evening for a couple of hours, so you can still do everything on your itinerary in Yogyakarta. The day starts really early, and you’ll find a bustling city by 6am.

European, American, and Australian tourists peak mid-year when humidity is low and they have school/university holidays.

Yogyakarta is probably the biggest tourist destination in Indonesia for Indonesians. Public holidays, such as Idul Fitri (or Eid al-Fitr) are celebrated around the end of May or the beginning of June and create a massive influx of local tourists to Yogyakarta.

Check out the helpful guide below to decide for yourself when to visit Yogyakarta!

There is plenty to see and do in Yogyakarta from sightseeing and immersing yourself in history, to enjoying fresh and delicious food and incredible natural surroundings. The city covers an area of 46 square kilometers and is divided into 14 districts, so it is a good idea to choose your accommodation based on the Yogyakarta attractions that you wish to visit.

A good, central neighborhood to stay in for a first-time visit to Yogyakarta is Malioboro. The main street is famous for its shopping and nightlife and is close to many Yogyakarta points of interest. This area also has a great selection of local cuisine and has many restaurants and street food stalls to enjoy.

If you’re planning a visit to Yogyakarta with the family, we highly recommend that you stay in the eastern part of the city. The East of Yogyakarta is a fun and lively region that offers plenty of fun activities and is dotted with numerous Yogyakarta landmarks. This is a good neighborhood to choose to keep every member of your family entertained and excited.

The eastern side of Yogyakarta is also a great base if you’re interested in exploring beyond the city and plan on adding a few day trips from Yogyakarta.

For more information on the various neighborhoods, check out our guide on where to stay in Yogyakarta .

Best Hostel in Yogyakarta – EDU Hostel Jogja

EDU Hostel is the first modern city hostel in Indonesia. This brand new, purpose-built hostel has a spacious lobby area, big dormitories, and intimate and private family rooms.

We loved this hostel as it is centrally located and close to Malioboro Street, the shopping strip of Yogyakarta.

Best Airbnb in Yogyakarta – Quiet apartment on 1st floor

If you are visiting Yogyakarta for the first time, it can be a bit intimidating to walk around the busy streets. That’s why it’s important to have a place to calm down. This well designed Airbnb gives you the opportunity to have a quiet evening after a busy day. Modern and equipped with every important amenity, you’ll feel comfortable and have everything you need.

Best Budget Hotel in Yogyakarta – Benetta House

Benetta House is located in central Yogyakarta, not far from Scientific Park. It is close to important Yogyakarta landmarks and is great for travelers interested in city trips street food and shopping.

The guest house is quaint, neat and tidy, and the owners are wonderful hosts that put in the extra effort to make it feel homely.

Best Luxury Hotel in Yogyakarta – The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta – MGallery by Sofitel

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta – MGallery Collection has been providing luxury accommodations in a historical building since 1918. The 5-star hotel offers a spa, a fine-dining restaurant, spacious rooms, and a pool.

The restaurant serves a variety of fine meals in an elegant courtyard. Cocktails and wine can be enjoyed in the lobby bar.

Once you’ve booked your trip, pack your bags using our Yogyakarta packing list !

Yogyakarta is quite small, so getting around the city is easy and inexpensive. The city does have a decent public transportation system with 19 city bus lines and taxis equipped with meters.

Buses are the main form of transportation in Yogyakarta, of which there are two kinds – regular and patas . Patas buses (or TransJogjas) tend to be more popular with tourists as they are air-conditioned, generally safer than regular buses, and have longer operating hours.

For short distances, traveling on foot is always a good option, but for something more comfortable try the traditional rickshaw or a horse-cart as an alternative. They are very popular with travelers, especially among shoppers on Malioboro Street.

Horse carts, or andong , are an enjoyable way to observe Yogyakarta. Horse carts are a little more expensive than rickshaws or taxis, though they become more reasonable if you hire them at an hourly rate.

Rickshaws or becaks , can accommodate up to three adult passengers. Prices are negotiable and it is best to agree on the price before you get on board.

Some Yogyakarta attractions are not reachable by public transport, so you may need to hire a car or take a taxi to do everything on your Yogyakarta itinerary.

So, wondering what to do in Yogyakarta? To answer this for you we have compiled a Yogyakarta itinerary so that you can get an idea of the best places to visit in Yogyakarta. We have drawn up a rough plan with points of interest for spending two or three days in Yogyakarta.

Borobudur Temple | Klipoh | Ullen Sentalu Museum | Merapi Volcano Museum | Jogja Bay Waterpark | Museum Affendi  | Prambanan Temple

 The first day on our two-day itinerary in Yogyakarta includes visits to two of the most historic and sacred religious temples in Indonesia. We highly recommend you visit these temples even if you only spend one day in Yogyakarta! The itinerary also includes insightful stops at cultural museums and some adventure too.

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Borobudur Temple

• Why it’s awesome: It’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It’s over twelve centuries old!
• Cost: $ 25 USD
• Food recommendation: Grab some fresh fruit and some local delights at RM Duku cafe, just down the road.

Possibly the biggest reason to visit Yogyakarta’s Borobudur Temple is not in the city, but it is a 40-minute drive away in the Kedu Valley, Central Java. The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and Indonesia’s most visited attraction.

It was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty.  It was abandoned in the 14th century as the population converted to Islam. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has since been restored and has only been open to the public for less than 50 years.

The temple is a lotus-shaped pyramid and consists of nine stacked platforms (six square and three circular), topped by a central dome. The overall form of the temple symbolizes the cosmetology of the universe according to Buddhist teachings.

A visit to the temple is a truly humbling and possibly spiritual experience. Looking up at the gigantic structure makes you feel small, yet looking down at the views makes you feel on top of the world.

 Insider tip: The best time to visit the temple is around sunrise, when the views are truly spectacular!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – Klipoh, Pottery Village

• Why it’s awesome: A village with a long and proud history in pottery-making
• Food nearby: For a quick bite to eat, head to Kedai Nujiwa cafe

Just down the drive from Borobudur temple is a small village in Karanganyar regency well-known for producing pottery. Reliefs carved in Borobudur displaying a pottery-making process, suggest Klipoh could have existed since the ninth century.

Eighty percent of the villagers currently make pottery for a living. The pottery-making skills are passed on from generation to generation.

A day in the life of Klipoh residents revolves around the wet clay. The women are responsible for making and drying the pottery, while the men are in charge of the firing process.

The villagers offer a wide array of pottery, including small and big plates, jugs, vases, and pots. There is also a chance for visitors to get their hands dirty and take a pottery class.

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Ullen Sentalu Museum

• Why it’s awesome: Get a great introduction to Javanese culture, history, and local customs.
• Food nearby: Tuck into a hearty meal at the onsite restaurant.

A visit to the Ullen Sentalu Museum is a nice way to learn about Javanese culture on your Yogyakarta itinerary and is arguably one of the best museums in the city. The museum gives great insight into how the city looked in the old days. You will find photographs of Yogyakarta back in the day, as well as ancient batik, period paintings, and even antique manuscripts and letters.

Tour guides are available to guide you around the museum. Visitors are not allowed to take pictures on the tour, which is a good way to make sure you pay attention to the exhibits.

There is also an option to browse the museum alone and enjoy a leisurely walk through the history of Yogyakarta at your own speed.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Merapi Volcano Museum

• Why it’s awesome: Learn all about the devastating effects of the 2010 eruption, and the history of volcanoes in Indonesia.
• Cost: < $1 USD
• Food nearby: Sit down to something substantial at Mas Ayu Resto, only a short distance away.

Another must-visit on any Yogyakarta itinerary is a visit to the active volcano of Mount Merapi! A stop at the Merapi Volcano Museum gives visitors the chance to learn more about the Merapi Volcano and is also the starting point for lava tours and hikes up to the mountain summit.

The museum is housed in an architecturally-impressive angular structure that resembles a volcano. Exhibits dedicated to Merapi include a scale model, which demonstrates eruptions from the 18th century until today and how they altered the mountain’s shape.

There are vintage seismometers on display, along with a motorbike excavated from molten ash. An earthquake simulator will shake the ground beneath your feet, and a cinema screens the story of the 2010 eruption and profiles covering volcanoes of Indonesia and the world.

Day 1 / Stop 5 – Jogja Bay Waterpark

• Why it’s awesome: Cool off from the midday heat at a pirate-themed waterpark.
• Cost: $ 6 USD
• Food nearby: Enjoy tasty noodle dishes at Bakso Tengkleng KITAku.

Jogja Bay Waterpark is one of the largest waterparks in Southeast Asia and is becoming an increasingly popular Yogyakarta attraction with locals and tourists. This water park is unique in the sense that there is a storytelling between the Jogja Tradition and European pirates. Which is poured through live shows, characters, water rides, and merchandise.

Jogja Bay Waterpark is an old Pirate village with nuances of tropical paradise filled with greenery and old pirates. There are exciting water slides and rides that can be enjoyed, some of which are very challenging and fun!

Entrance tickets are very affordable and provides great fun for the whole family. If you can’t get to the coast, you can enjoy relaxing on the artificial beach with waves too!

 Insider tip: Cheaper tickets can be purchased online.

Day 1 / Stop 6 – Museum Affendi

• Why it’s awesome: Admire the artwork of one of Indonesia’s most prominent artist.
• Cost: $ 7 USD
• Food nearby: Miroso Chicken Soto offers local Halaal food, just a few feet up the road from the museum.

Affandi was one of the most famous artists in Indonesian history. Art-lovers will get a kick out of this stop on the Yogyakarta itinerary, an art museum that actually used to be the artist’s former home and studio.

The museum sits to the east of the town center, on the banks of the Gajah Wong River. The painter Affandi designed and constructed the building as a home for himself, which also functions as a museum to display his paintings. The building is uniquely constructed, with a roof that resembles a banana leaf.

The museum has around 250 of Affandi’s paintings, as well as some of his haunting self-portraits. As this used to be his private home, you will also find a variety of his personal effects including his car which is a colorful Galant from 1967.

A visit to the museum includes a small take-home souvenir and a free beverage of choice. Overall, there are four galleries and a coffee/souvenir shop.

Day 1 / Stop 7 – Prambanan Temple

• Why it’s awesome: The largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia.
• Food nearby: An all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at the Ramayana Resto restaurant comes highly recommended.

Equally impressive and historic is the Prambanan Temple, or Rara Jonggrang. This temple is a Hindu Temple built in the 10th century, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator, the Preserver, and the Transformer.

Prambanan was constructed to signal the rise of the Hindu Sanjaya Dynasty, supplanting Buddhism as the dominant religion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, located 17km outside Yogyakarta.

In addition to being a historic and religious site, the temple compound also plays backdrop for dance and theatre performances of the Ramayana Ballet. The ballet is based on an ancient Hindu love story based on the tale of King Rama and Princess Shinta and features over 200 dancers in eye-catching costumes!

The ballet is an absolute must on a Yogyakarta trip itinerary for anyone interested in ethnic dances and performance art!

Insider tip: The temple is best visited at sunset, when the temple is lit up in the late afternoon light, and it can be combined with a ballet performance.

EDU Hostel is the first modern city hostel in Indonesia. Rest your head in this super modern hostel!

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Kraton | Taman Sari | Sonobudoyo Museum State II | Gembira Loka Zoo | De Mata Trick Eye 3D Museum | Jalan Malioboro and Beringharjo Market | Alun-Alun Selatan and Beringin Trees

The second day of our two-day itinerary in Yogyakarta is a great mix of culture and historical insight, local interactions, and a bit of fun thrown in for good measure!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Kraton(Royal Palace)

• Why it’s awesome: The seat of the reigning Sultan of Yogyakarta.
• Cost: $1 USD
• Food nearby: Enjoy some local cuisine in an elegant setting at Bale Raos Kraton, right next door.

The second day of the Yogyakarta itinerary starts off in the center of the city with stops at sites of historical importance. The Kraton Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, better known as Kraton, is probably the most famous attraction in Yogyakarta and is simply another name for the Royal Palace.

The walled city complex of pavilions and residences is home to around 25,000 people and encompasses a market, shops, cottage industries, schools, and mosques. Around 1,000 of the inhabitants are employed by the resident sultan.

The sultan and his family still reside here, although you can visit the Kraton Museum where you can learn more about the royal family as well as get an insight into traditional Javanese art and culture. There are Javanese cultural shows that take place daily in the morning, with each day bringing a different performance.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Taman Sari (Water Castle)

• Why it’s awesome: Escape the city and stretch your legs in the park locals fondly call ‘the mountain’
• Cost: $ 1 USD
• Food nearby: For delicious local noodle dishes head to Bakmi Doring, within walking distance from Taman Sari

As well as the famous Kraton or Royal Palace, no Yogyakarta itinerary is complete without a visit to Taman Sari, which is also often referred to as the Taman Sari Water Castle.

The castle is located to the southwest of the Kraton and would have been extremely grand in its prime. It is made up of a network of pools, streams, and royal buildings for the enjoyment of the sultan and his family.

Nowadays it has deteriorated slightly and much of the water palace is gently crumbling. However, this adds to the charm and experience while spending an afternoon exploring the graceful ruins which date back to the 1700s.

You will also find a section of underground tunnels that are not to be missed! You can either take a guided tour for a small fee or simply go it alone.

Day 2 / Stop 3 – Sonobudoyo Museum State II

• Why it’s awesome: The museum gives an in-depth view of Javanese culture and heritage, exhibiting ancient artifacts, and traditional puppet shows.
• Cost: < $ 1 USD
• Food nearby: Almost directly outside the museum, you’ll find tasty local dishes at Special Bakmi dan Nasi Goreng Pak Pele.

Yogyakarta is a city covered in museums, and one of the best of these is the Sonobudoyo Museum. It is devoted to the appreciation of Javanese culture, and has an impressive collection of local art on display.

The Sonobudoyo Museum is a treasure trove of ancient wonders, with a collection of precious artifacts and relics which would impress any archeologist. On display are objects that include ceramics from the Neolithic age, statues and bronze articles from the 8th century, and wayangs (shadow puppets).

If you want to know more about art from the region, you can take a tour of the museum and visit galleries dedicated to Indonesian puppets, masks, weaponry, and textiles. The museum faces a courtyard which is covered in Hindu architecture, and you will find ornate carvings and statues aplenty.

One of the highlights of the museum is the puppet shows that also take place here. Another is the large collection of keris (traditional daggers), a symbol of power and of ethnic pride in most communities making up the Malay Archipelago.

Day 2 / Stop 4 – Gembira Loka Zoo

• Why it’s awesome: The zoo houses many local animals indigenous to Java, as well as others from around the Malay archipelago and beyond.
• Cost: $ 2 USD
• Food nearby: There is a restaurant inside the zoo where you can have a light meal and refreshments.

If you want to see some wild animals, then a visit to the Gembira Loka Zoo- located in the southeast of the city- is a good addition to your Yogyakarta itinerary.

The zoo has a large array of reptiles and birds with a pronounced emphasis on indigenous Indonesian species. The atmosphere of the zoo is calm and serene, and guests can enjoy a walk around lush and leafy surroundings, take in the tropical scenery as well as visit the different animal enclosures.

A visit to the Gembira Loka Zook is a recommended activity for young families visiting Yogyakarta. It is a great way to let the kids see some exotic animals and learn about the natural environment of Java in a fun and safe way.

Day 2 / Stop 5 – De Mata Trick Eye 3D Museum

• Why it’s awesome: Whimsical museum featuring exhibits with scenic backdrops to create interactive optical illusions.
• Cost: $10 USD
• Food nearby: Bale Bebakaran Umbulharjo offers sumptuous soups in a relaxed atmosphere, not far from the museum.

The next stop on the Yogyakarta itinerary is a whole lot of fun. The De Mata Trick Eye 3D Museum is a pioneer in the 3D arts in Indonesia. It promotes imagination and encourages you to see the world from new perspectives.

Through the use of cutting-edge augmented reality technology, the museum brings 3D art installations to life. You can also have some fun with your very own photo shoot in the Photo Studio Area. Try on some traditional costumes from various parts of the world, and strike your pose in front of a background of your choice!

Day 2 / Stop 6 – Jalan Malioboro and Beringharjo Market

• Why it’s awesome: A thriving area in Yogyakarta, packed with artisanal stalls, street food, and local wares.
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: There are plenty of food stalls and restaurants lining the street.

Jalan Malioboro is the most famous street in the city and as such is a must-see on any Yogyakarta itinerary. The street is also usually visited at the same time as the Beringharjo Market, and all along Jalan Malioboro, you will find items for sale such as clothes, batik fabrics, jewelry, sandals, and traditional Javanese arts and crafts.

If you want to explore the market then you will need to come here between 9 am and 5 pm, but if you just want to enjoy the most famous hub in the city and its sights and sounds, then try to come after dark when the street really comes alive.

If you are feeling hungry then you can also buy a range of delicious street food. Malioboro is one of the best streets to sample cheap local food, with plenty of street vendors serving small portions of rice with toppings, usually spicy sauce (sambal), dried fish, and tempeh, wrapped in banana leaves.

A visit to this street at night will be cooler than in the day, and it’s a great way to fill up with delicious food in a vibrant setting!

Day 2 / Stop 7 – Alun-Alun Selatan and Beringin Trees

• Why it’s awesome: A vibrant park with a fun challenge, succeed and your wishes will come true.
• Food nearby: Vegetarians can enjoy some tofu at Warung Brongkos Handayani, near the park.

The Beringin Trees in Alun-Alun Selatan are another of Yogyakarta’s most famous points of interest. The area is cloaked in local myth and legend.

The site, as the name suggests, is made up of two large trees. Legend has it that if you are able to walk between them with your eyes closed then your wish for the future will come true.

This may sound easy, although it’s amazing how many people don’t manage to walk in a straight line. It can be almost impossible to walk straight in between the trees and many have failed. Therefore, the myth persists and continues to draw many people to come and try their luck!

People usually rent a blindfold from a local seller which ensures that you can’t cheat, and you can try as many times as you like. Whether you believe the story or not, it is good fun trying to make it between the trees and this is one of the quirkiest spots in the city.

This area comes alive at night and is well worth a visit after dark too. You will mostly find Indonesian tourists and locals trying to do the twins Beringin tree challenge, enjoying the cool of the night, eating food, or riding a super blinged-up ‘car’.

These are actually peddle cars, fitted with hundreds of bright lights and loud music! Some cars even come equipped with a small TV!

 Insider tip: It is definitely worthwhile to experience the park at night!

EDU Hostel Jogja

• Free Breakfast
• 24 Hour Reception

Indrayanti Beach | Progo River | Kalibiru National Park | Kota Gede | Plaosan Temple

If you plan on spending at least three days in Yogyakarta when backpacking southeast Asia , then don’t worry. There is still lots more to see and do! For your convenience, we have included extra attractions in Yogyakarta to provide the perfect three-day itinerary in Yogyakarta!

Catch Some Sun on Indrayanti Beach

• One of Yogyakarta’s more picturesque beaches.
• Take a break from the city and enjoy the serene setting on the water’s edge.
• A great idea to combine a city visit with some beach time.

Indrayanti Beach is a perfect pitstop for beach lovers! The beach is located on the southern coast of Java, in Gunungkidul regency, surprisingly close to the city.

The strip of white sand coastline is clean and the water is clear, warm, and inviting. There is a range of small Indonesian cafes and stalls set up along the coastline where you can get some simple noodle dishes, refreshments, and coconuts.

Like other beaches in Yogyakarta, Indrayanti has beautiful panoramas that can be enjoyed anywhere on the coastline. The white sand and the amazing surrounding nature make the beach worth visiting.

Indrayanti beach is a long stretch of sand lined with the ocean on one end and gazebos, restaurants, and tiny shops on the other. This makes it great for leisurely walks, in addition to laying in the sun or cooling down with a refreshing swim in the sea.

The cool sea breeze and the calm atmosphere will refresh your mind and soul. You will not want to leave the beach once you have arrived and enjoyed the beauty!

Go White Water Rafting on the Progo River

• Raft down some of the most treacherous rapids in Java.
• A fantastic activity to get your adrenaline pumping.
• Enjoy some amazing views of the surrounding vegetation and landscape from the water.

Add some adrenaline-fuelled fun to your Yogyakarta itinerary with a heart-pumping white-water rafting trip down the rapids of the Progo River ! A visit to the Progo River is a great activity just a short drive from the city.

The river has some pretty high-difficulty rapids, so river rafting is not recommended for beginners. The lower Progo River has the highest difficulty in Java, having a grade V (AWA scale), the same as the Colorado River!

There are a few tour operators to choose from, where you can either rent your own kayak or go down the rapids with a group in an inflatable raft. If you have done this before and are a confident swimmer, then this will be a fun challenge for you!

The river basin is created by several small watersheds and just a glimpse of the water will set your heart racing – you know it will be a challenge. This river offers large boulders and big drops! Guides are always on hand to assist you through the experience, but it is a good idea to make sure they are experienced enough to ensure your safety on the river.

Take in the views of Kalibiru National Park

• Stand above the treetops and get the best views of the landscape.
• A photographer’s dream, and anyone wanting to impress their Instagram followers.
• Feel the wind blowing in your hair and zipline through the forest.

Kalibiru National Park offers a beautiful setting of nature and incredible views. For the more adventurous the park also offers fun outdoor activities, such as tree climbing, zip-lining, and tracking activities.

The mountainous landscape of Kalibiru National Park is located about an hour outside of Yogyakarta, with peaks reaching as high as 1,500 ft above sea level. The Park was opened in 2008 by the local community, but has only recently become ultra-attractive to tourist.

The popularity of Kalibiru National Park has exploded as more and more tourists started to post their pictures of the incredible views on social media. There are a number of wooden platforms high up in the trees, overlooking the valley and Lake Seramo below that make the perfect setting for amazing views and picture-taking!

There are also other activities available in this national park including hiking, zip lining, and rock climbing. There are a number of hiking paths around the park, ranging from one to four miles long. Zip-lining high up in the canopy also gives great perspectives of the forest and is an exhilarating way to experience the beauty of the park.

Visit the Cultural Village of Kota Gede

• A quaint old town now found within the Yogyakarta city limits.
• Explore this historical neighborhood’s narrow streets and admire the old architecture.
• Take a batik workshop and make your own batik keep-sake.

When backpacking through Indonesia, don’t miss this great cultural stop on your three-day itinerary in Yogyakarta. Even though it has been engulfed by the city, this former town still retains its quaint charm.

It’s the ideal place to discover the arts and crafts scene that Yogyakarta is famous for, as is well worth exploring. It feels like a village inside the city, with bicycles and rickshaws being more common than motorbikes and cars, and narrow backstreets leading into courtyards and artist workshops.

The houses that line the streets have beautifully carved wooden panels decorating the entrances, revealing which era the houses were from. Hindu houses have a lotus flower, Muslim houses are decorated with Arabic script, and colonial houses have the carving of a crown. You can’t miss this. It’s one of the best things to do in Yogyakarta!

Wander through a street market, and you will find it hard to resist the temptation to grab some tasty street food. You will also find some silversmith workshops with exquisite filigree items for sale.

There is also the chance to create your very own souvenir at a batik (cloth with traditional patterns) workshop. There are plenty of these workshops around as locals have a long and proud tradition of producing batik.

Visit the Plaosan Temple

• Ancient Buddhist temple complex built in the 9th century.
• One of the lesser visited temples.
• Take in views of the river and surrounding rice paddy’s from elevated vantage points.

The Plaosan Temple Complex, known locally as Candi Plaosan, is another impressive Buddhist temple, located close to the Hindu Prambanan Temple in the neighboring village of Bugisan.

The temple complex was built in the mid 9th century and covers a large area close to the Dengok River. Plaosan currently comprises two Buddhist temples, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul, and is surrounded by paddy fields along with banana and corn crops.

The Plaosan temple complex is made up of 174 small buildings, 116 stupas ,and 58 shrines, many of which have intricate inscriptions. Two of these inscriptions indicate that the temple was a gift of sanctuary.

The dates of the inscriptions are between 825-850 AD. Although similar to the Prambanan 856 AD date, the complexes are not related but have different building techniques that distinguish the Plaosan temples from Prambanan.

Yogyakarta is very similar to most other cities in Asia. There are wonderful sights to see, and the cheap prices lure a lot of tourists. However, as there is poverty there is always a small amount of crime that accompanies it.

You need to be vigilant over your belongings wherever there are crowds of people. There is a fair bit of petty crime like pickpocketing, scams, and street sellers inflating their prices.

Most of these occur around the Kraton, Jalan Malioboro, on buses and other tourists hotspots. Scammers will approach tourists and tell them about a government art center and will hire cheap transport to the ‘genuine’ gallery. If you’re interested in buying batik , be prepared to haggle for a fair price!

Be cautious when walking in the city. The traffic is hectic and roads are often in poor condition. It is always a good idea to travel in groups when leaving the city or walking at night.

Mount Merapi is an active volcano , so there is always the threat of eruption to be mindful of. The city can also get very polluted, so asthmatics should beware that breathing may become difficult.

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Many amazing locations are actually outside of the city, so do yourself a favor and check out the amazing day trips from Yogyakarta that we highly recommend taking!

Jurang Tembelan, Pine Forest, and Timang Beach

Witness the beautiful mists that form below the panoramic area of Jurang Tembelan. On a good day, the cotton-like clouds obstruct the whole panorama and make you feel like you’re on top of the world!

From Jurang Tembelan, you’ll be taken to visit the famous Pine Forest to enjoy the tranquil setting filled with the aroma of fresh pine. Wander around and discover more species of trees, such as mahogany, acacia, walnut, and eucalyptus.

The last stop on the day-trip will be Timang Beach, one of the most breathtaking beaches in Yogyakarta! Ride the hand-drawn gondola ride to the nearby island, and feast on a fresh-caught lobster lunch.

Dieng Plateau Golden Sunrise Trip

Take a day-trip to Dieng Plateau to witness the golden sunrise from Sikunir. Get the chance to stretch your legs with a hike to the Dieng Plateau sunrise viewpoint at the top of Sikunir Hill. On clear days, up to eight volcanoes are visible from the top!

From there you will head to the sulfurous Telaga Warna Lake and witness a phenomenon of the waters changing colors!

You will next visit Sikidang Crater, which is an open sulfur crater with bubbling mud and billowing steam. The last stop will be Arjuna Temple Complex which houses eight small Hindu temples that date back to the seventh century.

Jomblang Cave Tour

One of the most popular day trips from Yogyakarta, and a must-do on a three-day itinerary! Enjoy the amazing illumination of Jomblang Cave and witness the heavenly light where angels descend in this truly intriguing experience.

On this private tour, you will visit Jomblang Cave and experience sunshine streaking through the heavy air of the cave, making it appear heavenly! You’ll get the chance to descend 190 ft to the bottom of the cave with the aid of rappelling equipment. Then it’s just a short walk through a slippery muddy tunnel to the spot where you will catch this spectacular ray of light!

Selogriyo Temple Tour and Trek Through Java’s Rice Terraces

Explore the intriguing and controversial temples located in the slope of Lawu Mountain, Central Java. On route to Cetho and Sukuh Temples, you’ll have the chance to take in the impressive view of tea plantations and rice fields against a backdrop of hills and towering mountains.

This trip will include a visit to Mangkunegaran Palace, and Yogyakarta’s sister city, Solo City. Explore this Javanese legacy at your own pace or hire a local guide to learn about its history.

After lunch explore the ancient Batik Museum. Admire the collections of pre-colonial and post-independence artifacts.

Instagram Tour: Volcano, Jungle Swing & Waterfall

Visit the most scenic sights around Yogyakarta where you can snap photos of this beautiful region. Immerse yourself in nature and local culture while exploring monuments and natural wonders.

Take in the beautiful mountainous views of Merapi Volcano, and the jungle scenes of Kalibiru Nature Park. Challenge yourself to swing above the valley and jungle at the ‘Sky Swing’ high up in the Menoreh hills. End your day by visiting the hidden waterfall and enjoy a refreshing swim!

You’ll definitely want to bring your BEST travel camera for this one!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Yogyakarta itinerary.

How many days are enough for Yogyakarta?

Spending a minimum of 3 days in Yogyakarta is best if you want to see all the sights.

What should you include on a Yogyakarta 3 day itinerary?

Don’t miss out on these awesome places to visit in Yogyakarta: – Borobudur Temple – Merapi Volcano Museum – Taman Sari

Where should you stay for a weekend in Yogyakarta?

With its central location and abundance of shops and eateries, Malioboro is the best place to be for a short trip to Yogyakarta. It’s also home to the best nightlife in the area!

What are the best day trips from Yogyakarta?

There are loads of amazing day trips you can take from Yogyakarta. Explore Jurang Tembelan, head on the Dieng Plateau Golden Sunrise Trip, or experience caves and rice terraces.

By now you should have all the information you need to have a great stay in Yogyakarta!

Yogyakarta is loaded with cultural significance, fun activities, and tasty street food. It is also the perfect base from which to explore more of southern Java and find the amazing locations you’ve seen on Instagram!

If you are traveling elsewhere in Indonesia, be sure to check out our insider backpacker’s guide for more itineraries, places to visit, and information on where to stay on a budget!

If you plan on visiting, be sure to read our  in-depth Bali itinerary planner to get the most of your trip to the island. Alternatively, discover a unique way to travel and get closer to the locals. Find out more about the opportunity to live with locals villagers in our homestays in Indonesia .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Rose Wilson

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If Jakarta is Java’s financial and industrial powerhouse, Yogyakarta is its soul. Central to the island’s artistic and intellectual heritage, Yogyakarta (pronounced ‘Jogjakarta’ and called Yogya, 'Jogja', for short) is where the Javanese language is at its purest, the arts at their brightest and its traditions at their most visible.

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Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Beside the southern alun-alun (main square), Yogya's enormous kraton (palace) is the cultural and political heart of this fascinating city. Effectively a…

This once-splendid pleasure park of palaces, pools and waterways, built between 1758 and 1765, functioned as the playground of the sultan and his…

Sono-Budoyo Museum

This treasure chest is one of the best museums in Yogya. It is only small but is home to a first-class collection of Javanese art, including wayang kulit…

Affandi Museum

One of Indonesia’s most celebrated artists, Affandi (1907–90) lived and worked in a wonderfully quirky self-designed riverside studio, about 6km east of…

In 1582, Kota Gede was made the first capital of the Mataram kingdom, the founder of which, Panembahan Senopati, is buried in a tomb here. Today, the area…

Tombs of Mataram Kotagede

The 16th-century founder of the Mataram kingdom, Panembahan Senopati, is buried in the small graveyard of an old mosque located in the suburb of Kota Gede…

Pasar Beringharjo

Yogya’s main market is a lively and fascinating place to visit. Batik, catering for tourist tastes and mostly of the inexpensive batik cap (stamped batik)…

Kedai Kebun Forum

This fun, bohemian space is a key haunt for Yogya's arts community. The gallery curates mixed-media exhibitions and hosts pop-up shops, film screenings…

Latest stories from Yogyakarta

Festivals & Events

Feb 13, 2014 • 3 min read

From the all-night shadow-puppet performances to the bold and socially aware graffiti covering many a wall, Yogyakarta, the cultural and spiritual capital…

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YOGYAKARTA ITINERARY – Ultimate Guide for 3 Days and Beyond

Welcome to my Yogyakarta Itinerary! Here, you will learn how to see some of the best sights that Yogyakarta has to offer. More importantly, I will show you how you can fit them all into just a few days, and still have the chance to catch a bit of night time culture afterward.

There are several reasons that I decided to create this itinerary. First and foremost, however, was to create and inspire you to visit Yogyakarta. It is an amazing city and region, and one that every tourist interested in Indonesia should experience.

Yogyakarta is a city in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the second largest tourism destination in Indonesia, yet many people have never even heard of it. This is simply because most visitors only ever go to Bali. Foreign tourism companies only advertise trips to Bali, and Yogyakarta is left out in the cold.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.

I am here to change all of that. Yogyakarta is every bit as wonderful as Bali, and in many ways it is more so. Many visitors will even tell you that it is BETTER than Bali! Just check out THIS article to read a few reasons why.

In this Yogyakarta Itinerary, I have created a 3 day trip that will show you a lot of the highlights of this unique city. A lot of this has been built around its incredible culture and history, and showcases temples, palaces and ruins. At the end I will add some extra options such as daytrips that you can use to supplement other activities if you like, or simply add on extra days to create a longer itinerary.

Let’s take a look.

Table of Contents

Keraton yogyakarta, taman sari water castle, malioboro street walk, alun-alun kidul, borobudur sunrise, jeep merapi, prambanan temple, candi sambisari, tebing breksi, obelix hills sunset, beyond the 3rd day, where to stay in yogyakarta, day #1 yogyakarta itinerary.

My Yogyakarta Itinerary begins with a look around the central city of Jogja (Yogyakarta). This is where you will be staying, and is the heart and soul of the entire region. Central Jogja is where the Sultan lives. His family and descendants have been in residence there for hundreds of years, and the entire city was built around his palace and surrounding structures.

You can make your own way easily around to everything on this first day Itinerary. If you have hired a scooter, then it will only be a few minutes ride between spots. Otherwise, hire a Becak, as they will be available all around this area.

WHY NOT check out all the wonderful options available on KLOOK? Have a look now at THIS LINK .

Our first stop is the Keraton. This is the Royal Palace, and even though it is open and you can actually wander around the grounds taking photos, it is still fully functional and used by the Sultan and his family.

Getting to the Keraton is easy. It is located right in the middle of Jogja, and you will pass by it many times as you move about the city. Click HERE for a Google maps location.

When you arrive at the Keraton, visit the ticket office under the large tree and pay your entrance fee. This will include a guide, and some of them speak very good English, so make sure you ask. The guide will meet you by the main gate, and then escort you around the entire complex. They will you a full history lesson and explain everything you would ever want to know about the Sultan and his amazing home.

The Water Castle is just around the corner from the Keraton, so it will only take you a couple of minutes by scooter, or is a short trip in Becak. HERE is a Google location.

It is a similar deal at Taman Sari as at the Keraton. Pay your entrance fee, and a guide will be allocated to you. On this occasion you might be in a larger group, but once again they have English speaking guides. Last time I was there, I was the only foreigner in the group, and the guide would explain everything in Indonesian, then give me the English version. It was like I had my own private guide.

Taman Sari is an amazing place, and one of my favorite places around Jogja. This is where the Sultan once bathed with his wives and mistresses. There is an underground Mosque, and some very interesting tunnels and ruins. Most of the area is inhabited these days by the locals, and it is not all flooded with water like it was in its Heyday. You CAN still see how amazing it once was, though, and it is still at the top of my list of places I like to return to when I visit Jogja.

As a matter of fact, the place we choose to stay when we are in Jogja is right up the street from Taman Sari. We can actually see it from the front door. This is not coincidence. I LOVE Taman Sari!

Once you arrive in Yogyakarta, you will learn very quickly about Malioboro Street . Jalan Malioboro is the VERY center of Jogja, and the main intersection is actually called “Nol Kilometer” (Zero Kilometer). This is a major hangout for locals, and every night, especially weekends, the intersection is packed with crowds getting photos, chatting, or just sitting and enjoying the ambience.

Once you leave Taman Sari, head down to Malioboro Street. It is 2.5 km long, and entirely lined with markets, food stalls, and shops. There are becaks and Andongs (horse and carts) everywhere. You can spend the entire late afternoon and early evening browsing and strolling your way down the street, enjoying its unique vibe.

Just in case, HERE is a Google maps link to Malioboro Street Nol Kilometer.

From Malioboro Street, set your GPS for THIS location. Alternatively, jump in a Becak and ask to be taken to Alun-Alun Kidul, or Alkid for short.

This place is something like I have seen nowhere else, especially on the weekends. At night time it comes totally alive, and gets almost as packed with people as Nol Kilometer does.

At the center of Alkid are two massive trees in a park. There is a local legend that says if you can walk between the trees blindfolded, then basically your wishes will come true. As a result, you will see many people attempting it as their friends look on and call out encouragement. There is also a lot of laughter as they veer wildly off track and miss the trees altogether. Trust me, its not that easy!

All around Alkid at night time you will see people sitting on the grass eating dinner. The street that encircles the park is alive with street food, and colorful neon cars drive around the street adorned with Hello Kitty and a myriad of other characters. These are pedal powered and available for hire to anyone.

Alun-Alun Kidul is a great way to relax for the evening, but make certain to not linger too long, because it’s an early start in the morning!

Day #2 Yogyakarta Itinerary

On Day#2 of the Yogyakarta Itinerary, you will be waking early to head to see one of the Wonders of the World. So make certain you are well rested. It will be an early start.

Before I get into the itinerary, I just want to make this one note. This day on the Yogyakarta itinerary is BIG one, and involves quite a bit of travel. You can do it by yourself, and hire a scooter or even a car and make your own way. I will provide Google maps links for each location. You can also create your own tour , that will pick you up and drop you at your hotel, and take you to all the locations. This is a great option, but a bit more expensive. So it depends on your budget. I inserted a link in the text above, and will put a link at the end of this days itinerary for you as well.

Visiting Borobudur has to be on the list of ANY visitor to Jogja. It is simply amazing, and has been named in many lists as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Borobudur is the single largest Buddhist Structure in the world, and its setting in a lush green valley surrounded by active volcanoes only adds to how incredible this place is. On top of that, seeing the sunrise from the top of the temple, as it rises up over the spires of Borobudur is a sight that you will never forget.

If you take the tour, the entrance ticket is included in the price, which is good because a sunrise ticket is a lot more expensive than a normal ticket. That’s one expense you will not have to worry about. If you would like a guide around the area though, it will cost you extra.

If you have not had breakfast, there are some nice little warungs outside the main gate, along with markets and street food carts.

Take a look at some special prices for Borobudur tickets combined with Prambanan at THIS LINK .

For a Google Maps location of Borobudur, click HERE .

UPDATE MARCH 2024 – As of right now you can’t get to Borobudur for sunrise. The temple is fully closed, and even access the was once possible through hotels on site has been stopped. There are still sunrise tours, but these will take you to nearby viewpoints where you can see the temple, not from on the temple itself.

Once you leave Borobudur, set your GPS for THIS location.

There are many places to get a Jeep Tour of Merapi, and if you are on a tour they will take you to one of the best. Most are owned by the same company anyway.

Doing a Jeep tour is a bit of a gimmick, but it is a great way to get up close and personal to the most active volcano in the world. It will take you to a few interesting places along the way, with some really great views of the mountain (if there is no cloud). What I really liked about this trip was seeing some of the results of the most recent eruptions, and really getting a feel for how devastating a volcano can be. Even just the intense heat wave that rolls down the mountain causes death and destruction.

The tour doesn’t really leave the sealed or dirt roads, but is an easy way to find some of the museums and places to see around the slopes of Merapi. It will also finish with a run through the local river, so get the go pro and cameras ready for a bit of fun!

Next stop on our Day #2 Yogyakarta Itinerary is the incredible Candi Prambanan . This is a massive Hindu Temple located not too far out of Jogja, and actually rivals Borobudur for how absolutely incredible it is.

Candi Prambanan is over a thousand years old, and consists of many structures made entirely of stone. The highest central structure is actually higher than even Borobudur! Most of the temple structures were destroyed a long time ago by a series of earthquakes, and are now being painstakingly rebuilt. This involves teams of archeologists, and takes many years to complete just one structure with all the original pieces.

This only makes Candi Prambanan even more amazing, and walking through the ruins provides an incredibly surrealistic experience. My best suggestion here is to get a guide, even if you are on a tour. They will take you to places in the temple that you cannot normally go, and explain things about Prambanan that you normally would not find out.

Click HERE to read my full guide to Candi Prambanan.

Click HERE for a Google maps location.

Day #3 Yogyakarta Itinerary

Day #3 on my Yogyakarta Itinerary takes you to some more amazing ruins and temples around the Jogja area. We will conclude the day at one of the most popular new Sunset Spots on the surrounding hills that the locals love.

If you are all “templed out”, then take a look below at some of the other day trips I recommend, that you can easily substitute for this version of Day #3. The wonderful thing that I love about itineraries, is that they can be changed and altered depending upon your personal requirements and tastes.

First stop on Day #3 will be Candi Sambisari. This temple is pretty close to Candi Prambanan. Click HERE for Google maps location.

Candi Sambisari is a beautiful Hindu temple. It is not quite on the scale of Prambanan, but even the casual tourist can see the similarities. It sits in a hollow that you access from all sides via stairs down to the level of the temple. The surrounding slopes are beautifully grassed, which makes it a very nice temple to visit and sit on the grass to relax for a bit.

The reason this temple is in a hollow is not because that was how it was built. The entire complex was actually completely buried, possibly by an ancient eruption, right up until the late 1960’s. It was discovered by a local farmer, and a full excavation finally uncovered the temple and surrounds 20 years later.

The discovery of Candi Sambisari has led to much speculation that there may be even more temples in the Jogja area that are also still buried, and may never be found.

Ratu Boko is next on our Yogyakarta Itinerary. This is one of my favorite places around Jogja, and it is no coincidence that it has many similar characteristics to one of my other favorite places, Taman Sari.

Ratu Boko is the ruins of an ancient Kraton. It can be found on the hills to the south of Candi Prambanan, and can actually be included in the entry price to Prambanan if you like.

The complex across the top of the hill has amazing views, and the most popular time to visit is at sunset, which can be gorgeous. Scattered around the area are the ruins of the Kraton itself, stone stair cases, caves, and bathing pools for the Princesses and her maids. Wandering around the area is beautiful, and when I visited, I ended up spending much more time there than I had planned!

Click HERE for the Google location.

Tebing Breksi is next up on the Yogyakarta Itinerary. It is on the next hill past Rotu Boko, and only a short trip by road.

This is basically a really nice limestone cliff with incredible views. It is very popular with the locals as a nice place to visit for lunch on a daytrip. The cliffs are white, and have beautifully carved pictures and one large stone carved dragon. It is a great place for photos, and on top of the cliffs themselves you will find a lot of “selfie” spots with photographers ready to snap a few shots for you.

Click HERE for a Google Location.

Just up the same road from Tebing Breksi is Candi Ijo, another small temple complex. It is only about 3 minutes ride and impossible to miss. Even so, HERE is a location for it.

Candi Ijo is amazing. It was actually closed the day we came to visit after Tebing Breksi, as we had started out too late. So we made a special trip back to see it another day, and are very glad we did.

This temple complex sits right on top of the hill, and is blessed with incredible views. It has half a dozen structures that look incredible, and several more on lower terraces that are still being reconstructed. Take the time to wander around and see everything, then get some incredible photos up near the main temple that has the best views.

The last stop on Day #3 of my Yogyakarta Itinerary is Obelix Hills.

The surrounds of Yogyakarta has many hills, and there are many places to view the sunset. Today alone, we have visited two popular places at Ratu Boko and Candi Ijo. Another very popular one is on an adjacent set of hills, and is called HeHa Skyview. Today, though we will visit Obelix Hills, as it is quite close to Candi Ijo.

To get to Obelix Hills, you just have to keep following the same road along the top of the hills from where you already are. HERE is a Google Maps location.

Obelix Hills has beautiful views all the way back over distant Jogja, and around to all the surrounding lines of hills. The Sunsets are incredible, and it is set up for everyone to get a good view. You can grab a spot at a table, sitting in beanbags, or even in a hanging net! The choice is yours, especially if you get there early enough.

There is also a restaurant at Obelix Hills, that serves really great local food, so stay for dinner if you like and enjoy the live music, especially on the weekends.

There are still plenty more things to do around Jogja. Personally I spent an entire month there last visit, and there are still places I want to go back and explore. Many of them are a day trip away from Jogja, but are worth going to!

Check out the following list of day trips and tours. If you are staying longer than 3 days, then these suggestions will offer you some wonderful places to visit!

Day Trips from Yogyakarta are the best way to fill your Yogyakarta Itinerary. I have done many trips from Jogja, and here is a quick list of my favorites. I have also written individual articles about some of these, so follow the links to read more.

• Nepal Van Java – This incredible village sits high on the side of Mount Sumbing, and is one of the most colorful villages in Indonesia. I LOVED this place. Check out my article HERE .
• Pantai Timang Gondola and Gunung Kidul Beaches – An amazing manual gondola across to an island off a beautiful local beach. Gunung Kidul Beaches are some of the best I have seen in Java and well worth visiting! HERE is my article about it.
• Gunung Api Purba – An ancient volcano and incredible short hike that takes only a few hours to the top and back. It features amazing and unique scenery, narrow canyons to traverse, and very interesting history. Read my article about it HERE .
• Puncak Becici and Bukit Paralayang Watugupit – Puncak Becici is a great viewpoint on top of the hills in the midst of a Pine forest. It has great views of Jogja. Bukit Paralayang Watugupit is a popular sunset spot high on the hills over looking the local beaches south of Jogja. The beaches below also offer Jeep tours, Sandboarding and ATV hire.
• Jomblang Cave – This incredible caving experience begins with being manually lowered by rope and harness into a 60 meter deep sinkhole. You can check out a great tour to get you there through THIS LINK . Highly recommended experience – read more about it HERE .

The Yogyakarta area has a lot of really great tours. One that I already mentioned in this article is the very popular Borobudur Sunrise tour. They can be a great way to see some outstanding places that you would probably not find yourself, even WITH your own transport. Below, I will list a few that get to some great places that are definitely worth seeing if you have the time!

• Jomblang Cave Tour – This amazing cave is a sinkhole, and you are lowered into the cave manually on the end of a rope. The inside is incredible, and is a unique experience. All caving gear required is provided on site. For another option try THIS LINK .
• Borobudur Sunrise and Prambanan Tour – This full day trip takes you to amazing Borobudur for the sunrise, and then onto the incredible Prambanan as well!
• Timang Beach Gondola – This tour takes you to one of my favorite places around Jogja, the Pantai Timang Gondola!
• Jogja Car and Driver Hire – Technically not a tour, but with your own private car and driver you can make up your OWN tour. Or just ask the driver to recommend places to visit. You have him for the whole day.

CHECK OUT all the best tours for awesome prices on KLOOK at THIS LINK .

I highly recommend staying in the local area around Malioboro Street and Nol Kilometer. This is a great area, and is central to so much of what you want to see and experience. Here are a couple of places that are great, including the place I choose to stay myself.

Omah Gerjen 29 by Bukit Vista

This great homestay is right around the corner from Nol Kilometer and just up the road from Taman Sari. It is where I love to stay in Jogja!

Grand Inna Malioboro

More expensive option that is right at the very top of Malioboro Street.

Novotel Suites Malioboro

Another expensive option right on Malioboro. If you can afford them, I highly recommend them!

Good Karma Hostel

If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Jogja, you can’t go past the Good Karma Hostel!

For more information about how to get around and where to stay in Yogyakarta, keep a look out for my complete Guide to Yogyakarta. You can find a link to it HERE .

Yogyakarta is an amazing city and region. When you visit, I would recommend a minimum of 3 days to see and experience some of the magical things that make Jogja what it is. In this Yogyakarta Itinerary, I hope you have found a very helpful and efficient way to do that.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them in the comment section. Below, I will leave a link to all my Yogyakarta articles for you.

DON’T FORGET to leave a comment below. I promise to reply!

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Yogyakarta Travel Guide: Exploring the Heart of Java

Our Yogyakarta guide covers everything from where to stay, how to get around and the best places to eat in town. We’ve created some shortcuts below. Press them to go to the relevant section of the guide.

1 – Transport: Find Out More 2 – Hotels: Find Out More 3 – Attractions: Find Out More 4 – Restaurants: Find Out More 5 – Tours: Find Out More

Still with us? That’s great. We’ll start from the beginning (if you follow all of the links below I promise you’re going to be an expert on the city).

Yogyakarta Transport

Yogyakarta a population of 3.5 million people Yogyakarta is a large city. Built on a river basin the city sprawls out in every direction. It’s tentatively surrounded by the Yogyakarta ring road, which loops around the city. That makes the city difficult to get around.

As a budget travellers I’d recommend using a mix of public and private transport. The Trans Yogya bus system will get you to most parts of the city and there’s Grab (same just like Uber) and Gojek now operating in the city, which are reasonably cheap. For more information about what’s available read our guide to getting around Yogya .

If you want a set of wheels for yourself we’d recommend arranging a private car or renting a scooter. The standard car rental agreement is for 10 hours and includes a driver and gas. You can find out more about our service on our Yogya car rental page  (there’s a range of vehicles available). Larger groups might need to arrange a Yogya bus rental , which is a service that we also provide.

Yogyakarta Hotels

There are two main tourism areas in Yogyakarta. One area is around Jalan Prawirotaman and the second is Jalan Malioboro. Personally I prefer Jalan Prawirotaman as there are a large number of bars and restaurants that you can visit in the area. There are hotel options for all budgets. You can find my recommendation for the best hotel to suit your budget below:

Luxury Hotel – The Phoenix Hotel Mid Range Hotel – Greenhost Boutique Hotel Budget Hotel – Kampoeng Djawa

You can find more accommodation ideas on where to stay in our guide to the best 5 Star Hotels in Yogya . We created a separate guide that covers the best hotels around Malioboro , which is the backpacking area as well. For hotels around Malioboro, which is the tourist heart of Yogya, you should check out this article . Lastly we wrote an article on the best hotels near Borobudur .

Yogyakarta Tourism Attractions

Yogyakarta has a lot of tourism attractions. There are so many things to do around the city that it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to plan your holiday. Of course most people come to Yogya to visit Borobudur Temple. The best way to visit the temples is the Sunrise Manohara Package. Find out what to expect and how to make a booking for Borobudur Manohara here . I would recommend in taking a cycling tour in Yogyakarta or in Borobudur area (we can help to arrange that for you). It is one of the best ways to see local daily activities. If you like being artsy during your holiday, go join a Batik Workshop .

Of course that’s not all you can do in Yogya. My two favourites are Goa Jomblang and Mount Merapi. Goa Jomblang is a natural cave located in Gunung Kidul Regency. The caves are quite incredible. You can read about them here and book a day tour to the caves through this link .

For some of the best views around Yogyakarta I highly recommend hiking Merapi Volcano. You can climb Merapi Volcano for sunrise and it offers beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. Getting further afield you can also do day tours to Dieng , which are in the highlands a few hours drive from the city.

Yogyakarta Restaurants

Yogyakarta has a great restaurant scene and the food here is very cheap (so cheap that I used to eat out every day). I used to live in the South of the city, the area has some of the best restaurants in town. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to eat I’d recommend reading the guide to the best restaurants in the South of Yogyakarta .

Yogyakarta Travel Itineraries

To help you plan your Yogyakarta holiday,we’ve created a selection of travel itineraries for you to use. The different itineraries cover the best Yogyakarta tourism attractions (an essential part of any Yogyakarta Travel Guide). We’ve got 9 different one day tours and eight custom travel plans ranging from 2-Day 1-Night through to 5-Day 4-Night.

Make sure to check the individual itineraries to double check what is and is not included in the cost of the tour. We are happy to offer assistance adapting any itinerary to fit your needs.

Final Thoughts

I hope that you found this Yogyakarta Travel Guide useful. I’ve tried to cover all of the essential information that you might need for your Yogyakarta holiday in one place. As you can see, with over 60 articles on Discover Your Indonesia there are plenty of helpful resources on the site you can access when planning your holiday.

What do you think of this Yogyakarta Travel Guide? Is there anything that I’ve missed that should be included on this list? Let me know in the comments below.

Next post My Top Five Offices (Cafes) in Jakarta

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About the Author Firsta

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44 Comments

What a great resource. Thanks.

Nice tips. Thanks for sharing!

i like Yogyakarta

Hi Adam, Yes, it is a lovely city 🙂

I like yogya. Hm whats favorite food in yogya?

Gudeg is probably the most famous local dish. Should give it a try when you are in Yogya 🙂

Wah, foto Diengnya bagus tuh yang di Batu Pandang masih ada kabutnya 🙂

There is no doubt that Yogyakarta is one of the best city in Indonesia for travelers ^_^

Always remember malioboro with “lesehan”nya..

Jogja Jogja, Jogja istimewa. Travel guide yang istimewa 🙂

may one day i can to visit jogja

Hope so to Rojak

some time i think Jogja is never ending asia.. because i was there for 2 years

It’s a great city. One of my favourites in Indonesia.

amzing, jogja is very beautiful city…

It’s a lovely place to explore. I agree Aznit 🙂

Jadi inget bule yang pernah ditemui di borobudur “Jogjakarta Bagus”

I really love Yogyakarta, especially in Gunungkidul Region. so many hidden beautiful beaches.

Yes it is. I need to go back and explore more of Gunung Kidul.

Which puppet show theatre would you recommend? We are here for another three nights and would love to see one. Thanks!

Can try the puppet show at Sonobudoyo Museum. It is available every night at (perhaps) 8 PM. Hope you are having a great time in Yogyakarta.

tempat yang selalu dirindukan hiks……

Memang selalu bikin kangen dan ada terus alasan untuk main ke Yogya (lagi).

Hi Firsta! I can across ur ideas for Yogyakarta and luved them. I’m wondering if u can share your thoughts on other parts of Indonesia. I am planning on going next year and will travel alone. This was on my bucket list and I turn 60. I’ve picked out a few places then crossed then off as they don’t have rates for single tourist so they charge you for 2 ? I plan on 30 days and want to also do Borneo, Ubud (spa retreat ), Komodo/rinca, Flores and finally Bali. Any suggestions??? Probably will have to hire a private driver as many people are telling and I definitely don’t want to drive. Let me know your thoughts if you can. Any information will help as the Indonesia book from Lonely Planets is what too much information! Thanking u in advance Anne

Hi Anne, I have sent you an email. Look forward to hearing back from you.

Hi Firsta, My name is Susanna, I visited to Bali last year and I love this country since then ! People are very friendly & it is a awesome country for adventure but I am a bit hesitant to join a tour as the tour in Bali charge me also double price and I do have a limitation in my budget. Anyway, I had a good time. Next month, I planned to have a quick visit to Yogyakarta for around 3-4 days, would u recommend any rock climbing place for me? I also want to go Borobudur, Goa Jomblang. I want to do scuba diving, sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, kite surfing, zip lines & canoeing. I believe you are honest person & have full of passion of traveling & your blog shown how much u love your country! I really admire that !! Thank you so much for your help. Susanna

Hi Susanna, I have sent you an email.

Hi Firsta, I will be traveling solo to Yogyakarta from Denpasar in May 2017 for 7 days. I’m hoping you can help me figure out the best route / itinerary encompassing the following: Pramban, Borobudur, Goa Jomblang, Sunrise treks for Boromo and Ijen. Would you recommend ferry ride return to Bali via Ketapang Harbour to Gilimanuk? I appreciate your help.

You can do Yogyakarta (Prambanan, Borobudur, Jomblang cave) in 2 days. Bromo and Ijen in 3 days 2 nights. I never take public transport from East Java to Bali (by bus), but I did a road trip with motorbike and the ferry was fine.

Dear Firsta

This is Frida from China and I am a TV industry professional. My team are thinking to go to Yogya to flim several episodes for our travel TV programme. I am doing research of the fancy spots we may shoot now and your blog do me a huge favour. Thanks for that.

And may I ask you something about Yogya to fulfill my understanding to your countriy, please. It’s about Kris,one of the traditions of Indonesian but become less popular in the modern time. It’s said the real way of making Kris could be seen in Bantul village in Yogya. Does the village teem with the Kris makers and is it easy for us to find one.

Another thing is Taring Padi which is also in Bantul. I wonder what’s that kind of art about. Is it popular in Indonesia now?

Could you tell me more about those important culture from the angle of a local citizen so that i could get a better general idea of it.

Hi Frida, I am not sure about Keris maker village in Bantul. I can try to ask one of my friends, if I get any info, I’ll send you an email. Taring Padi is a community of artist in Yogyakarta. Their arts usually contain political/social messages. Taring Padi always has a special place in the art communities in Indonesia.

Hi, Firsta, thanks for efficent reply and hope for more information from you about Kris. And we expect any interesting unordianry spots around Yorga becasue , you know, the tv or video viewers are picky to the shots on screen and we really wanna make something different to shock them. Keep in touch, if smooth, hope to see you there.

And I really appreciate if you have some other cool suggestions for us to shoot.

This is the link of the episode we shot before and I”m not sure if you could open it in Indonesia. http://www.iqiyi.com/v_19rra6q5c4.html

Best, Frida

Hi Frida, Have you read this article about things to do in Yogyakarta? A great start to learn on what you can do/some of cool stuff or activities in Yogyakarta. The Keris’s maker village in Bantul is Mbanyu Sumurup, it is close to Imogiri Royal Tombs. If you need a car rental arrangement and a driver while you in Yogyakarta, we can help 🙂 check this page .

I am in Malawi, Africa at the moment and will not come back to Indonesia until August. Have a good day!

[…] you can visit. If you need more help arranging your trip to Yogyakarta I’d recommend reading this guide. There are pre-made itineraries, tips on where and what to eat, what to see and where to stay in […]

Is it possible to go by motorbike to the sights and have a guild give us the history and tours of the unesco sights

We are not arranging a tour with a motorbike, but it is possible to rent a motorbike (you can rent a motorbike through your hotel) and go there by yourself. You can easily hire a guide at each temple. Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.

ijin share ke Facebook ya Sist. Makasiiih…

Hai Omar, Boleh 🙂 Terima kasih.

hye Firsta, This is rava from india and i want to explore jogyakarta and i will be reaching there on 17.10.18 and will stay 3 days and want to try some local delicious food and explore some beautiful place so can u tell me some place of beautiful place in jogykarta. Thanks Rava

I think you can find all the answers on my blog 🙂 I’ve plenty of articles about Yogyakarta. The highlights of Yogya that you shouldn’t miss (according to me) are: Borobudur, Prambanan, the Royal Palace area. Food that you should try: Gudeg, Mie Jawa (noodle) and Bakpia. Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta.

Greats!, jogja is very beautiful city..!

It is indeed.

You really have a nice blog, which is very helpful.

I am traveling to Indonesia in August, 2019 with my family. We are planning take a train from Yogyakarta to Surabaya for Bromo Area.

I’ve been trying to book the train , but couldn’t do it.

Could you please help me on this or recommend any agent who can help us on this?

Dear Arund,

Apologies for the late reply. May I know what is the problem? Are you trying to book through Traveloka or Tiket. com? I don’t have any recommendation for an agent, but we can help you to book the train tickets if you are booking the Bromo trip with us. Please contact us through email: info@discoveryourindonesia. com.

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Ultimate Yogyakarta Itinerary in 2-4 Days + Temples & Food

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Yogyakarta is so many things. I loved my trip to this friendly, colourful, historical, quirky city and I can’t wait to share my itinerary for Yogyakarta with you. In the weeks leading up to my visit, people kept telling me how pleasant Yogyakarta was. The word kept cropping up again and again. I was curious what they meant – was ‘pleasant’ a nice way of saying Yogyakarta was boring? Quiet? By the time I’d spent an hour there, I got it. There was no subtle, suggested meaning. Yogyakarta (known by the locals as Jogja) is so SO pleasant. How many cities have city centres pedestrianised, washed in pale pink and blue, home to the same families who’ve lived there for years? The other thing that struck me was what a friendly city Yogyakarta is. There are places in the world that receive so little tourism that, as a visitor, you’ll get no end of looks and stares. There are places that get so much tourism that no one will look twice at you. Yogyakarta is at that nice stage in the middle where people are pleased to see you and want to stop and chat. They’re all broad smiles, friendly waves and genuine interest, without wanting to sell you anything. Due in part to a thriving arts university, Yogyakarta is a city full of culture, academia, performance and art.

JOGJA ESSENTIALS E-sim data plan Copy of Lonely Planet Indonesia Pre-book your airport to hotel transfer Accommodation: Browse hotels on Booking.com // hostels on Hostelworld Tours: GetYourGuide Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads)

Related read: 101 Southeast Asia travel tips

Yogyakarta fact file

Before I begin, let’s set a little background. History: Yogyakarta is a city on the island of Java in Indonesia , the only one that still has a sultan. Along with the rest of the country, it was once ruled by the Dutch. Known as the ‘Dutch East Indies’ from 1819 until its independence in 1942, many words in Bahasa are influenced by the Dutch language. Language: While the people of Yogyakarta speak the national language of Bahasa, they also speak Javanese, an older Sanskrit language. Nowadays many of the young people also speak English. Currency: Indonesian Rupiah. Currently, it’s Rp. 15,000 to $1 USD. Religion: Yogyakarta is predominantly Muslim, unlike its Hindu neighbour of Bali. In ancient times, both Hindu and Buddhist people lived in Java which explains the multiethnic temples in the area.

Itinerary for Yogyakarta

You might be wondering how long to spend in Yogyakarta which really depends how long your Southeast Asia itinerary allows. I would suggest two days at a minimum. You’ll want to spend a full day exploring the city centre highlights and another one visiting the famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples. If you have additional days for your Yogyakarta itinerary, you won’t get bored. There’s a lot of quirky street and street food, as well as a volcano you can climb. Let’s get stuck in…

Day 1 in Yogyakarta

I started my itinerary in Jogja by exploring the city highlights. This was a great way to understand Java better and get a feel for the lovely Yogyakarta. I would recommend…

The Sultan’s Palace (Keraton)

The Sultan’s Palace doesn’t take long to see. It won’t be the grandest place you’ve ever visited but it’s a great stop to get your bearings and soak up the culture. Its full name is Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat but I stuck to calling it the Sultan’s Palace for obvious reasons. The sultan still lives there, despite no other Indonesian cities having royalty these days. My best advice at the Palace is to hire a tour guide. I paid Rp. 20,000 ($1.40) and I wouldn’t have learnt much without him.

Thanks to his wealth of knowledge, I managed to gather plenty of facts, not just about the Palace. He told me about the island’s history and customs, and the story of the sultans. The current one is a modern man compared to his predecessors with just one wife and a handful of kids. His father had 22 children and his grandfather had 78 from 25 wives! The mind boggles. Address:  Jalan Rotowijayan Blok No. 1, but you’re best putting The Palace of Yogyakarta into Google.

Taman Sari Water Castle & surrounding streets

Taman Sari / the Water Castle / the Royal Gardens… Whatever you call the site, it’s a must-see while in Yogyakarta. Not far from the Royal Palace, these gardens and swimming pools were once used by the sultan to hunt animals and select his new wives. Nowadays, the shimmering blue swimming pools are empty. There only the ghosts of the elegant women who would swim and socialise, hoping to catch his attention. The concept of being yet another wife sounds grim by modern standards but I’d imagine it was seen as a high honour, and probably a profitable choice for those with little money.

The site is a little dusty nowadays. The best bit for me was wandering the surrounding streets which make up the central city of Yogyakarta. It’s bizarre for a relatively large city because it’s totally pedestrianised and a maze of tiny colourful alleyways. The area was once reserved for the servants of the sultan and apparently, it still belongs to him. He could turf everyone out at any moment, but a smiling local I chatted to told me he never does, or will

Take half an hour to wander the local streets, stopping at street murals and batik craft shops. There’s an interesting project in the streets that surround the Water Castle which I leant about due to a street art mural of Mark Zuckerburg. The story is a celebration of technology. Following a recession and the Bali 2002 bombings, the batik industry went bust. ( Batik is a type of printed fabric, btw ) . Luckily, the internet managed to save the day, as people used Facebook and Google to promote their local businesses and revive the industry. In celebration of that, the streets around the Water Castle pay homage to the internet. You’ll find lots of tech-inspired colourful murals including the one of Facebook’s founder. Mark Zuckerberg even came to visit Kampoeng Cyber Village after hearing about the project and subsequently had a street named after him. Random but true! Head to this Google pin and have a wander around.

Malioboro Street’s night market

For an atmospheric local evening, head to Malioboro Street. There’s no better way to get engrossed in the culture than by joining the locals as they socialise and eat. Walk across the bridge from the Sultan’s Palace and you’ll reach the Attacking of 1st of March Monument (built in remembrance of the 6-hour standoff after the Dutch tried and failed to take control in 1949). Here, you’ll find the area packed with people of all ages chatting and eating from the street vendors. Walk along Malioboro Street from here, stopping for food and festivities, especially the delicious desserts. Stalls stretch all along Malioboro Street so come with an empty stomach!

Day 2 – Borobudur and Prambanan temples

This day is also an essential for your Yogyakarta itinerary. Missing the temples would be like visiting Siem Reap and missing Angkor Wat so make sure you don’t! For this day, I would recommend getting up early and taking a day tour to Borobudur and Prambanan. I booked mine with my hostel. I chose a sunrise tour and had to get up at 3.30am. It was hellish at the time but worth it, plus you can relax in the Jogja cafes for the rest of the day.

Note – the exact tour I took seems to no longer be available. Take this tour to see both temples in one day by guided tour. To visit Borobudur at sunrise, take this tour . Alternatively, hire a car and driver for the day .

Borobudur – the world’s largest Buddhist temple site

Borobudur frequently makes lists of the best things to do in Southeast Asia . I mainly came to Yogyakarta to see this incredible temple site. I ended up finding lots else to love about Jogja, but Borobudur was still a highlight.

Read next:  visiting Borobudur for sunset

You can watch sunrise over Borobudur from the hills or from the  Manohara Resort hotel  which allows you to get up close to the temples. I took the first option. The sun slowly rise behind the dreamy spires is a sight I’ll remember for a long time. Afterwards, you can explore the temple site including these enormous bell-like sculptures. I’d been wanting to visit Borobudur for ages and it didn’t disappoint!

Book your Borobudhur tour from $20:

Prambanan Temple

Temple fans visiting Yogyakarta shouldn’t miss Prambanan. Unlike Borobudur, it’s a Hindu Temple: the largest in Southeast Asia in fact. That might not be so impressive when you consider not much of Southeast Asia is Hindu… But a visit is impressive nonetheless. I wouldn’t say Prambanan is as jaw-dropping as Borobudur but it’s a good second stop on a temple hop around Yogyakarta. Buy your ticket including a guided tour .

Getting there: Prambanan is a 45-minute drive from town and you can arrive via the green 1A bus from Malioboro Street to Prambanan for Rp. 4,000, literally pennies. To combine Prambanan and Borobudur into the same day, a tour is required if you don’t have a vehicle since you can’t reach Prambanan from Borodbur by public transport.

Afternoon – relax in Prawirotaman Street cafes

Since Prawirotaman Street was just around the corner from hostel (and because I live for coffee and aircon), I spent a lot of time here. It’s not a spot for street food or local culture but it is a cool, hipster part of town. Yogyakarta may be known for its ancient temples and colourful arts scene, but it’s also becoming a fashionable, modern hub. My favourite cafe on Prawirotaman Street was ViaVia Jogja which serves amazing Javanese food and enormous sandwiches and cakes for very reasonable prices. In the evenings you’ll also find live music and a vibey atmosphere.

Yogyakarta itinerary for 3 days

If you have more time in Yogyakarta, I would recommend a day touring the street art or street food depending on your preferences. Note – you won’t be able to fit both these tours into the same day so if you’re keen to do both, why not shift one into another day of the trip? The street food tour includes a trip to Malioboro Night Market so you could take it during day one.

Explore the street art

As the Indonesian centre of arts and culture, and the location of Indonesia Art Institute (a top creative university), Yogyakarta is alive with colour and urban art. Naturally, I couldn’t have been happier there. You’ll find street art splattered everywhere but if you’re looking for an organised way to see it, take a street art tour .

Not far from the university is the home village of street artist,  Anagard . Now world-famous, he takes visitors around his early work, as well as some guest works by his famous friends. This was one of the best things I did in Yogyakarta – we saw such amazing colourful artwork!

Eat the street food

I didn’t know anything about Javanese food before my visit. Afterwards, I’d safely say that exploring the street food is a must for a Yogyakarta itinerary – it was delicious!

Read next: Yogyakarta food guide: street eats + more

My favourite meal was gudeg, a jackfruit dish cooked with herbs and spices. The best place to try it is Gudeg Yu Djem , set up by the sultan’s old chef. You’ll also enjoy the dishes pictured: bakmi goreng , a fried noodle dish and bakmi godog , a similar dish made from noodles in a flavoursome soup. Head to Special Bakmi den Nasi Goreng Pak Pele , an outdoor restaurant beside the Sultan’s Palace, between 5pm and 7pm  (it’s open until 11pm but apparently the queues are huge later on). I spent a really fun evening eating my way into a food coma an evening street food tour . This tour starts at 6.30pm daily and includes local foods, sweets non-alcoholic drinks and a rickshaw ride.

Yogyakarta itinerary for 4 days

If you have the time, why not do some hiking? After the city centre, ancient temples, street food and quirky street art, an impressive dose of nature will finish for itinerary for Jogja up perfectly.

Visit Mount Merapi – Indonesia’s most active volcano

I don’t usually list things I haven’t done but I thought I’d make an exception here. After climbing Bali’s Mount Batur for sunrise , I was a bit volcano-ed out. If that doesn’t apply to you, visiting Mount Merapi from Yogyakarta could well be an unforgettable experience. It’s Indonesia’s most active volcano and typically erupts every 10-15 years. The adventure option is the 4km sunrise hike from New Selo to the summit, starting at 11pm from Yogyakarta. After a two-hour drive to New Solo, the hike gets underway at 1am, arriving at the top in time for sunrise. It sounds difficult but it’s the option for adventurists visiting Yogyakarta! Otherwise, you can take the non-hike option with a Jeep tour starting around 4am. Your driver will take you to base camp for sunrise, then you’ll explore other areas of interest like the Merapi Museum, telling the story of the 2010 eruption that killed 353 people.

Take a Mount Merapi tour from Jogja . To admire rather than climb, combine it with a Borobudur tour .

Where to stay in Yogyakarta?

The best hostel in Yogyakarta is without doubt Good Karma ! This is well up there as one of my favourite hostels ever. The $5 a night rate includes a delicious breakfast that changes every day, from healthy veggie omelettes to creative pancake dishes (pina colada ones with coconut and pineapple were my favourite). They always come with a fresh fruit salad served on a banana leaf. Oh, and there’s help-yourself tea and coffee. The staff are so friendly and it’s super colourful. I can’t fault anything about it. Book Good Karma here .

How to get around Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a fairly small city and much of it is walkable. Saying that, in the Southeast Asian heat I don’t tend to walk as much as I do at home. Grab , Uber and GoJek are all in operation in Jogja and I used Grab whenever I needed to get anywhere. A scooter ride saving me a 20-minute walk usually cost about Rp. 7,000 (and car rides aren’t much more). There’s just no debate, is there?

Where to book your tours in Yogyakarta

There are plenty of agencies in town. If you want somewhere to browse quality tours at your leisure with no pressure, visit ViaVia Jogja . This restaurant, bakery and shop is also a tour agency offering all your usual ones, as well as silver jewellery making, batik print workshops, and multi-day trips across the island. I also take GetYourGuide and Viator tours around the world. They offer quality tours with decent prices.

Thanks for reading my Yogyakarta itinerary

Read my other Yogyakarta blogs:

• Visiting Borobudur and Prambanan temples in 1 day
• The Yogyakarta food guide: street eats + more
• Yogyakarta street art guide

See you next time for more adventures,

For more content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

Ps. Liked this itinerary for Yogyakarta? Pin it for later!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

6 thoughts on “ Ultimate Yogyakarta Itinerary in 2-4 Days + Temples & Food ”

Hi! Me and my family would like to go to Yogyakarta in from 14th to 16th July and will have two days. Your blog was very helpful in providing information on what we should visit, however we would like to keep one day for the borobudur temple and taman sari water temple, and the second day for adventurous things such as sunrise from the mountain, caving, and Zipline/waterfall. Do you have any specific suggestions on where I can book these tours for reasonable prices? Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.

There was a booking office in ViaVia Jogja, from memory!

Hi. We will be in Yogakarta for Dec 30 to Jan 2. Will the tourist sites (temples, palace, etc) be closed on Jan 1st? Would you recommend visiting the waterfalls?

Hello, I didn’t visit at this time of year, I’d recommend maybe emailing your accommodation for advice when you have booked!

hi Rose, i’m from Yogyakarta and really appreciate your blog about Yogyakarta… i would like to say thank you so much for exploring our beautiful city… 🙂 Keep your health and always happy…

Thank you, Bayu, glad you enjoyed it!

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Museum of Wander

The Best Jogja Itinerary: 3 Days of Temples, Markets, Culture & Food

Plan your Yogyakarta trip with our breezy Jogja itinerary. Revel in Indonesia’s best temple, culture & food at a relaxed pace

Visitors quickly fall for Yogyakarta in Central Java. (Those who had fallen under her seduction lovingly call her Jogja) The vibrant and friendly city is the epicentre of Javanese culture and seduces visitors with fantastic food and great things to see and do. Plan your visit to beautiful Yogyakarta with our tried and tested 3-day Jogja itinerary.

People love Jogja for many reasons. It has some of the most incredible temples in the world, the food and coffee alone are reasons to come, and it has a lively arts scene. As the only city in Indonesia still ruled by a Sultan, Joga immediately feels exotic and different from other cities in the archipelago nation.  

Temples, street art, batik, charcoal coffee, and  gudeg  aside, we will return to Jogja for the people. Their unforced smiles and genuine friendliness are why we love Yogyakarta so much. We are sure you’ll feel the same after spending a few days in Jogja. 

This Jogja itinerary shows you the best things to see and do in Yogyakarta over three days.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Quick Guide to Yogyakarta

Visited:  February Suggested time:  3 days Where to stay: Gallery Prawirotaman   Famous for:  Borobudur temple, street art, kopi joss , batik, Javanese culture Transportation:  Yogyakarta International Airport serves the rest of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Rail enthusiasts can get to Jakarta in about 8 hours. Use metered Bluebird taxis in the city, or get a driver for the day . Becak (a traditional cycle rickshaw) rides are fun and an essential Jogja experience. Tip:  Drop in at Via Via in Prawirotaman for yummy food and unique tours that directly involve and benefit the local community. Unique experience : Go on a becak ride through old Jogja.

Our 3-Day Jogja Itinerary

We came to Yogyakarta to explore the food and culture of Java. While we wanted to see the main attractions such as the Water Palace and Borobudur, we also wanted a relaxing holiday. 

With only three days in Jogja, we had to balance sightseeing, spending time by the pool at our lovely hotel in Prawirotaman and hanging out in warungs and cafes. 

If you, too, are looking for a well-balanced Jogja itinerary that will show you the best cultural things to do while unwinding at the same time, we’ll be bold enough to say that our’s is  PERFECT !

Here is what we did with our three days in Yogyakarta:

• Day 1: Explore the Kraton area & Malioboro Street
• Day 2: Borobudur Sunrise , Klinik Kopi & Prawirotaman
• Day 3: Beringharjo Market, Bird Market & Foodie Tour

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

We stayed in the lovely Prawirotaman area, known for its trendy cafes, street art and youthful vibes. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay with many excellent options for eating and drinking, stay in Prawirotaman.

At first, we considered staying near Malioboro Street, but after visiting Jogja, we’re glad we didn’t. Malioboro is just too busy, and Prawirotaman is a lot prettier and quieter.

We stayed at the excellent Prawirotaman Gallery Hotel in the heart of this trendy, hipster neighbourhood. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and well-equipped for a comfortable stay. They also provided free airport transfers since we were staying for three nights. (Send them a message after booking to arrange this).

The absolute best thing about Prawirotaman Gallery is its outdoor pool! It’s the perfect spot at any time of day.

Other facilities include a spa, massage and a gym. The included breakfast is tasty and has Indonesian and western food on offer.

See rates and availability

Day 1: Kraton Area & Malioboro Street

Alun-alun kidul.

This square in front of the Kraton (Royal Palace) is one of the best places in Yogyakarta to see local culture. It’s always bustling with life and activity, especially around sunset when food stalls are set up here.

You will want to come back here after dark to see a whole different side to Alun-Alun Kidul. (We will be back here on the evening of day 3).

In Jogja culture, the two enormous banyan trees named Pohon Beringin Kembar standing in the middle of the square are significant. In the past, the sultan had a moral test for anyone wishing to work in the Kraton as he employed only those with honest intentions and a good heart.

Potential employees were blindfolded and had to walk straight from the Kraton’s entrance and pass between the two trees (a distance of about 50 metres). Missing the trees meant that you were not pure of heart and therefore could not work for the sultan.

Today local tourists test their character by trying to do the same- not to work in the Kraton, but they now believe your wish will come true when walking blindfolded between the trees.

It’s pretty entertaining watching these hopefuls failing miserably more often than not. That being said, we tried it ourselves, and it’s indeed much harder than it looks.

Kraton/Royal Palace

The Kraton (also spelled  keraton  or  karaton ) is home to the reigning sultan and his family and a centre of Javanese culture. This palace is the cultural and spiritual heart of Jogja. 

Constructed for the first sultan of Yogyakarta in 1755, the Kraton is a complex of intricate courtyards and pavilions that visitors can admire. The architecture is said to reflect the relationship between God, man, and nature.

Besides the architecture, you’ll see the  Abdi Dalem  or the sultan’s servants. Barefoot and dressed in batik sarongs and headdresses, these servants devoted themselves to serving the Kraton. Serving the Kraton with pride is a noble loyalty passed down from generation to generation.

Visitors can attend a daily performance in the inner pavilion (included in the entrance fee). You can expect a gamelan performance on Monday and Tuesday, a  wayang golek  (puppetry) on Wednesday, classical dance on Thursday, Javanese poetry on Friday, shadow puppets on Saturday, and Javanese dance on Sunday.

The Kraton might be a little underwhelming, but with an entrance fee of less than a dollar, it’s worth a quick stop.

Taman Sari Water Castle

Located in the Kraton area, the Tamansari, or Water Castle, is just a short  becak  ride away from the Kraton itself. A lovely walk from the Kraton will get you to the entrance of the Water Castle in about 15 minutes. 

Taman Sari, also known as the Garden of the Sultan, was built in 1765 as a retreat for the first Sultan and his family. 

The bathing pools named Umbul Pasiraman are the main attraction. Here, the Sultan’s harem of wives, princesses, and concubines could relax and bathe. The Sultan loved hunting deer, but he would come to these pools to hunt for a wife. He would watch the women from a nearby tower and throw a rose at the one who had caught his eye. 

Opening Hours: 9:00 – 15:00 (Daily) Entrance Fee: Rp. 12,500

Sumur Gumuling/ Underground Mosque

For us, the underground mosque was the most interesting part of the Kraton area. Originally built as part of the Taman Sari, the underground mosque now has a separate entrance a short walk from the Water Castle. It is one of Indonesia’s most unique landmarks .

Finding the entrance is a little tricky, as it’s very nondescript and easy to miss. Ask for  Sumur Gumuling  when you need directions.

Once you’ve found the entrance, a coil of tunnels and subterranean passages will lead you to the circular opening at the centre of the complex. In the centre, several staircases leading from the underground passages meet, and this is a hotspot for taking photos.

The underground paths are cool, damp and mysterious. They also have excellent acoustics that buskers take advantage of.

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 15:00 (Daily) Entrance Fee: Included in Taman Sari

Jalan Malioboro

Yogyakarta’s most famous shopping and eating street runs along an imaginary line between Mount Merapi, the Kraton and the Indian Ocean. In the past, Malioboro was the ceremonial avenue the sultan passed on his way to and from the Royal Palace.

Today, Jalan Malioboro is crammed with souvenir and batik shops. We lost interest in the batik shops and curio stands pretty quickly, but the best thing about Malioboro is the  lesehan  that spring up here after sunset.   The entire Malioboro sidewalk is crammed with these food tents after dark.

Lesehan  is a roadside food tent where you sit cross-legged on the floor at a low table. The atmosphere is incredibly convivial, and spending the night with the friendly locals while enjoying live music performances and drinking charcoal coffee is Jogja nightlife at its best. 

A must-try at a Malioboro lesehan is Kopi Joss (charcoal coffee). It starts as a regular cup of Java coffee with ground coffee, sugar, and hot water. But then a burning red piece of charcoal is dropped into the cup of coffee! Watching the charcoal bubble and sizzle as it cools down is quite satisfying.

Once it has cooled down, you can scoop out the piece of charcoal and enjoy your charcoal-infused coffee.

Day 2: Borobudur & Prawirotaman

It’s an early start today, but seeing the sunrise at Borobudur will probably be the highlight of your Jogja trip. You should leave Yogyakarta no later than 03:30 to make it in time for sunrise. Ask your hotel the day before to arrange a car and driver for you, or join an organized tour.

Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and this man-made mountain of buddhas and stupas is the best example of the glory of the Javanese kingdom.

Borobudur is one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist attractions, making sunrise the best time to come. You will pay a little extra, but this ensures that you can appreciate the beauty and serenity of the temple in relative peace. The soft morning light is also the best time to take pictures.

Read everything you need to know about sunrise at Borobudur here .

Relax at Your Hotel

Most people will want to carry on to Prambanan temple after visiting Borobudur. This sounds very exhausting, so we headed back to our hotel for a quality nap followed by some time in the pool and a heavenly massage.

Yes, we went to Yogyakarta and didn’t go to Prambanan. Please don’t hit me over the head with your Lonely Planet

You can expect to be back in Jogja by mid-morning, so plan to spend a few hours simply enjoying being on holiday without sightseeing. Don’t underestimate the ability of a massage to give you that I’m on holiday feeling !

Klinik Kopi

Kick off the afternoon with a caffeine kick at Yogyakarta’s most unique coffee shop.

Klinik Kopi is a concept coffee shop like we’ve never seen before. The idea is that you come here for a coffee consultation, almost like going to see a doctor at a clinic.

Owner and barista, Mas Pepeng, will be your doctor and find your coffee fix for you. He provides one-on-one service, only serving pour-over coffee.

When you get to the front of the line (yes, it’s popular, and you’ll have to wait since he only consults one customer at a time), Mas will ask about your coffee preference and how you enjoy coffee. Please don’t ask for a skinny late or cappuccino, as there is no milk or sugar here.

Mas will recommend a coffee bean for you, chit-chat about its origin and flavour, and share his coffee knowledge as he brews your cup. It is one of the most unique cups of coffee you’ll ever have.

There is no Wifi at Klinik Kopi, as Mas Pepeng wants his clinic to be a place for talking and sharing stories. We think it’s a brilliant idea.

The Coffee Clinic is only open between 16:00-20:00 from Monday to Saturday. It’s best to come here soon after they open to avoid waiting in line for your consultation too long.

Explore Prawirotaman 

The Prawirotaman area is the artsy, hipster heart of Yogyakarta, packed with cool coffee shops, cafes, galleries and street art. A stroll down Jalan Prawirotaman or Jalan Gerilya will take you to the hottest addresses in Jogja. 

There is something out there for every kink and style, so explore until you’ve found the spot that syncs with your personality.

Some hotspots to look out for:

• Move on : A coffee bar by day serving up speciality coffee and craft beer at night. Mostly western food such as pizza, pasta and burgers.
• Tempo Gelato:  For the best ice cream in town. 
• Sellie Coffee:  Intimate and cheap, often with live music or someone strumming a guitar.
• Cuba Bar:  Colourful and chilled with great music and a pool table-just how we like it.
• ViaVia:  This is a Prawirotaman institution and must not be missed. 

Dinner at ViaVia

We recommend going to ViaVia for dinner. Half restaurant and bakery, half social enterprise, ViaVia has something special going here.

The menu changes monthly, and all ingredients are organic and prepared without palm oil. The menu features yummy Indonesian and western food, cold beer, strong coffee and exotic smoothies.

Besides dynamite food and vibes, ViaVia offers a few unique tours in and around Jogja. These tours explore interests such as religion, local cuisine, traditional medicine, and contemporary street art, and directly benefit the communities they visit.

Our friendly waitress convinced us that the Culinary Trip was for us, so we booked a foodie trip of Yogyakarta for the following afternoon.

Day 3: Markets, Foodie Tour & Bling Bling Cars

Beringhajo market.

Jogja’s biggest and oldest traditional market has strong ties with the city’s culture and that of Java.

The bright green Pasar Beringharjo building, located on Malioboro street, is a mixture of Javanese and Dutch architecture and bustles with activity all day long, especially in the mornings.

Street food stalls behind and in front of the market are good places to grab a quick bite or a coffee before diving into the market.

You’ll find batik, fabrics, and tourist knick-knacks on the ground floor. This is your place if you still haven’t found that perfect batik shirt or sarong.

Take the stairs up to the second floor for herbs, spices, and fresh produce. We enjoyed this market section the most for the friendly vendors, a great selection of fresh fruit, and the fragrant spices.

The third floor is dedicated to antiques, both real and fake. Here you can browse through records from the fifties and sixties, old typewrites, cameras, coins and furniture, and much more.

Beringharjo Market is open from 08:00-21:00, but the fresh produce section opens as early as 05:00.

Bird Market

Indonesians love keeping birds as pets, especially in Java. Before visiting the bird market, you’ve probably seen countless bamboo cages with songbirds and finches all over Jogja. Keeping and taking care of birds is an essential part of Jogja culture and something they pride immensely.

A visit to the Bird Market (PASTY Market) in Yogyakarta is a fascinating peek into this aspect of Javanese culture.

The PASTY Market consists of rows and rows of bird cages with exotic songbirds, finches, parrots, eagles, owls, chickens, even bats, monkeys, geckos, frogs, snakes-basically anything that moves.

One section of the market is dedicated to beautiful, handmade bamboo cages.

Visiting this bird market is a bit controversial, especially for animal lovers. Most of these beautiful birds are caught in the wild and hold a genuine conservation threat to wild birds all over Indonesia.

Yogyakarta Foodie Tour

We booked a food tour of Yogyakarta the night before at ViaVia, and this turned out to be the highlight of our Yogyakarta trip. This foodie experience is a must if you’re looking for authentic Jogja culture.

Our two guides, Reeza and Weewee, came to pick us up from our hotel on their scooters, and over the next four hours, they took us around the city to experience the culinary traditions of the Jogja.

Besides trying the different Jogja food, we enjoyed meeting the locals and seeing another aspect of the city, away from the tourist attractions.

First, we stopped at a warung where we made and ate  gado-gado , an Indonesian salad of boiled potatoes, vegetables, eggs, tempeh, and peanut sauce. 

Our second stop was a  bakpia  bakery, Jogja’s most famous snack. A team of workers welcomed us and showed us around the bakery where they make these mung bean-filled pastries from scratch and bake them in woodfired ovens. We could try as many as we wanted and also buy some as family gifts at home.  Bakpia  is the most popular ole-ole (Indonesian word for souvenir) from Yogyakarta.

Gudeg, Jogja’s signature dish, was up next at a warung in the Kraton. The sweet dish of stewed, unripe jackfruit, coconut milk, and beef skin was strange in taste and texture, to be honest.

Next, we hit two different dessert stalls where we stuffed ourselves with local sweets. The colourful  kueh,  made from tapioca, pandan, and sago, was exquisite. 

We ended our food tour at Alun-Alun in front of the Kraton. Here we had  ronde,  a ginger tea with palm fruit and croutons. By this time, our guides were more like buddies, and we sat on the grass in front of the Royal Palace and chatted like old friends.

Bling Bling Cars

After dark, Alun-Alun Kidul totally transforms as families come out to enjoy Yogyakarta nightlife. A fun thing to do here is a ride on one of the Bling Bling cars – you’ll know when you see them.

These illuminated peddle cars, about the size of Smart Car, are decorated with bright lights, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Doremon, and other characters and come with an individual sound system pumping out your favourite tunes.

A ride around the square costs RP 40 000 per lap for the whole car.

And that’s the end of our Jogja itinerary. Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta! Whether you call it Jogja, Jogjakarta, Yogyakarta or Yogya, we are sure you’re gonna love it 😍

Where in Indonesia will you go next?

We went all out and treated ourselves to a luxurious visit to Lombok. A short flight via Bali gets you to paradise in no time.

Here are some of our other favourite places in Indonesia:

• Ubud in Bali
• Komodo National Park in Flores
• The Kei Islands in Maluku
• Tana Toraja in Sulawesi
• Amed on the east coast of Bali
• The Banda Islands
• 10 Day Itinerary for Bali

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3 Days In Yogyakarta – A Complete Itinerary

Victoria Heinz

• May 23, 2022

If you’re trying to come up with an itinerary for Yogyakarta you’re probably planning to visit Borobudur temple. There is more to the city, however than this fascinating religious site. Yogyakarta is a city with a unique culture and a great selection of tourist attractions.

While three days is a good place to start you should not underestimate how exhausting it is to pack so many activities into just a few days. If you can I would suggest extending your time in Yogyakarta to four or even five days so you can spread out the activities some more. There is a lot to see outside of the city so you’ll have plenty to do and won’t get bored.

For the sake of keeping this post short and actually usable, I am suggesting a three-day itinerary to see Borobudur, the city as well as some of the beaches on the coast. You can use this itinerary for Yogyakarta as a template and make changes to it to fit your own needs.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Guide Your Travel free and provide high-quality content for you. Please read the full disclaimer for more information.

NEED MORE THINGS TO DO?

If you’re looking for some more things to do in and around Yogyakarta check out  this post . You’ll also find some more details on the various attractions there.

Let me save you time and effort when you’re travel planning! ➼ Best travel insurance? SafetyWing ➼ Best place to find cheap flights? Skyscanner ➼ Best bank & credit card for travellers? Wise ➼ Best travel backpack? Osprey Farpoint 70

WHERE TO STAY IN YOGYAKARTA

You should stay on or close to Malioboro Street in Yogyakarta. This is where most of the street food is available as well as a good amount of activities in walking distance. In the evenings Malioboro Street gets busy with people eating in little restaurants that are set up and listening to street performers.

There is a great selection of low-cost hotels and hostels in this area. You’ll enjoy your time in Yogyakarta a lot more if you’re staying within walking distance of Malioboro Street.

Always compare prices for hotels. We at Guide Your Travel prefer Booking.com , Agoda or Hostelworld for finding the best deals.

HOW TO GET AROUND YOGYAKARTA

Most of the attractions in Yogyakarta are located within walking distance of Malioboro Street. If you’re not feeling like walking in the heat then you can take a Grab. They’re reasonably priced and reliable. 

You can also hire a bicycle rickshaw or tuk-tuk. Their prices tend to be slightly higher than a Grab but it can be a fun experience.

HORSE CARTS

Do not take the horse carts that are available in and around Malioboro Street. Animal welfare is a difficult subject in South East Asia and Yogyakarta is no exception. The horses are not treated well and tourist attractions like this should not be supported.

In addition to that, they are highly overpriced and scams are frequent

Yogyakarta has a decent bus system. The Trans Jogja bus is very affordable (IDR 3,500 (~ €0.20) per ticket) and is especially helpful when trying to go to and from the airport. Read more about this  here .

HOW TO GET AROUND OUTSIDE OF YOGYAKARTA

If you’re really trying to get to know Yogyakarta and its surroundings you’ll have to venture outside the city limits. You should take at least two day-trips to really see all the hotspots. 

The cheapest way is to rent a scooter and drive yourself. The majority of the roads are good although you should not try this if you’re not confident about driving in Indonesian traffic. Distances between attractions can be large and you should expect to spend up to two hours on the scooter one way depending on where you’re going. 

The most comfortable and safest option is to hire a driver for the day to take you around. You can ask in your hotel or hostel to find a driver or do some research online in  Facebook groups  or forums. Tripadvisor also has a good amount of contact numbers and sometimes there are little adverts posted around Malioboro Street.

Text different drivers and negotiate to find the best price. You should not be paying more than IDR375,000 (≈ 24€) for an entire day (12 hours) including petrol and parking. It is customary to buy your driver lunch while you are out.

You can design your own itinerary or ask the driver for advice on where to go. You’ll be able to enjoy your trip a lot more from the comfort of an air-conditioned van. It’s definitely the best way to see Yogyakarta and can be very cheap if you’re travelling in a larger group.

YOGYAKARTA ITINERARY DAY 1 – EXPLORING THE CITY

This itinerary day is all about Yogyakarta. You can walk to most of the tourist attraction which makes Yogyakarta the perfect city to explore on foot. If you’re getting tired then you can simply hire a bicycle rickshaw or tuk-tuk for a small price to take you where you need to go.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – BREAKFAST ON MALIOBORO STREET

Malioboro street is the heart of Yogyakarta and most likely close to where you’ll be staying. Start your day early and head there for a quick street food breakfast. You’ll find a good selection of little stalls selling fresh juices and snacks to keep you going for the day.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – TAMAN SARI

Take a rickshaw or tuk-tuk to Taman Sari, Yogyakarta’s water palace. The complex is stunningly beautiful and perfect for pictures. You won’t be disappointed!

Getting there early is crucial as this is a very popular tourist location. The entry fee is IDR 15,000 (~ €1) for foreigners.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM – UNDERGROUND MOSQUE

Technically a part of Taman Sari, the Underground Mosque is located only a few minutes walk away. You’ll be passing through a very interesting artists’ neighbourhood on your way there.

The mosque is one-of-a-kind with architecture you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Entry is included in the ticket for Taman Sari. Make sure to be respectful as you are entering a place of worship.

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – ROYAL PALACE

Next, take another tuk-tuk (or walk if you’re up for it) to the Royal Palace. This is the residence of Yogyakarta’s royal family which means only a small part of the palace is accessible to the public.

There’s still plenty of space to walk around and explore though. Plus the entrance fee is only IDR 7,000 (~ €0.50) so you won’t be spending much.

1:15 PM – 3:00 PM – PASAR BERINGHARJO AND LUNCH

After a busy day of exploring you’ll be getting hungry. Head back towards Malioboro Street (walking distance) and find Beringharjo Market. Here you can buy just about anything you can imagine and it’s a great place to find street food.

You can either sit down in one of the small restaurants on Malioboro Street or venture into the side streets close to the market to find the best snacks.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – FORT VREDEBURG

After lunch, you won’t have to go far. Fort Vredeburg sits right on Malioboro Street. This former Dutch colonial fort is now a museum and open to the public.

Make sure to explore the entire museum complex and learn about Yogyakarta’s history and significance in the world wars by looking at the carefully crafted dioramas.

Don’t miss out on the rooftop of the museum. It’s a great place to take pictures.

The entry fee is only IDR 10,000 (≈ 0,66€) per person so once again a very cheap activity.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – DOWNTIME

Return to your hotel for a chance to get some rest after a long day in the hot sun. If you’re not feeling tired you can head towards Malioboro Shopping Mall to stock up on snacks and supplies.

You can also go Batik shopping at one of the many stores that sell the famous fabric. Be careful though and don’t get caught up in the famous  Yogyakarta Batik Scam .

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – MALIOBORO STREET AND DINNER

For dinner head back to Malioboro Street which comes alive with street vendors and live music in the evenings. Make sure to walk around and try as many snacks as possible.

7:50 PM – 9:00 PM – ALUN ALUN KIDUL SQUARE (SELATAN) NIGHT MARKET

Take yet another tuk-tuk to Alun-Alun Kidul Square for a fantastic night market experience. You can not only buy cheap and high-quality food here but also enjoy the night by riding a neon car around the entire square.

Each car has its own music system and it’s a must-do when you visit Yogyakarta.

The night market goes on until late into the night so no need to rush home.

YOGYAKARTA ITINERARY DAY 2 – YOGYAKARTA’S BEACHES

Leave the city behind on the second day of this Yogyakarta itinerary. I highly recommend hiring a driver for this (and the next) day. It can also be done by scooter but you will spend quite a lot of time in the car so keep your own comfort in mind.

Pack a swimsuit, a change of clothes, sunscreen and a GoPro (if you have one). You’ll be spending the day by the water.

8:00 AM – LEAVE THE CITY AND START YOUR DAY

Have your driver pick you up early since you’ll be driving for a while. Make sure to have breakfast before you go and pack plenty of water.

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM – GOA PINDUL

Your first stop is Goa Pindul, a cave with an underground river. Here you can go both cave and river tubing and you should definitely try both if you can!

The cave is nearly pitch black and you can see bats hanging from the ceilings above. An unforgettable experience. The river is equally as interesting with little waterfalls and rice fields passing by as you comfortably float along.

Check out  this post  for more details such as prices and opening times for all the attractions mentioned here.

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM – WATU GIRING

Next is a quick stop at an abandoned quarry that has left stunning rock formations behind. You’ll feel like you’re in a south American Aztek ruin when you explore this small but unique location.

Definitely worth going to for some one-of-a-kind photos.

1:25 PM– 2:30 PM – JUNGWOK BEACH AND LUNCH

Make your way to Java’s southern coast to explore Jungwok Beach. This is a great spot for lunch and really anything else you feel like. Relax in the sun, wade into the shallow water or even try some snorkelling.

Don’t stay too long though! There are still two more beaches to explore.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM – WEDIOMBO BEACH

Just a short drive from Jungwok lies Wediombo Beach. Another beautiful spot for you to take photos or simply rest after a long day. Make sure to enjoy a fresh coconut and gather some energy for the last itinerary point before you head back to Yogyakarta.

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM – GREWENG BEACH AND KALONG ISLAND

Right next to Wediombo Beach are Greweng Beach and Kalong Island. It takes around 20 minutes to walk there from the parking lot so be prepared to sweat a lot. The walk is worth it though. You’ll be rewarded with a nearly deserted beach and beautiful rock formations.

If you hike a further 10-15 minutes you’ll reach Kalong Island which is connected to the mainland via a small suspension bridge. You can cross it for a small fee if you’re brave enough.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – HEAD BACK HOME

It should take around two hours to get back to Yogyakarta. Don’t forget to factor in this drive and how long you have hired your driver for (usually 12 hours). Make sure to give them a good tip.

Try to go to bed early. Tomorrow will be a very early start.

YOGYAKARTA ITINERARY DAY 3 – BOROBUDUR

The final day of this Yogyakarta itinerary will finally take you to the city’s most famous attraction: the Borobudur temple . Seeing it at sunrise is simply the best way to experience this beautiful religious site so be prepared to get up early.

3:15 AM – LEAVE FROM THE HOTEL

Make sure to tell your driver when you want to be picked up. Definitely don’t do this day by scooter. It can be dangerous to drive in the dark if you don’t know the route.

4:00 AM – 4:30 AM – BUY SUNRISE TICKETS AT MANOHARA RESORT

By 4:00 AM you’ll have arrived at Borobudur temple . To buy your tickets you need to go to the Manohara Resort where you can wait until they open the gates at 4:30 AM. Check out our  post about how to make the most of your Borobudur sunrise visit  for exact instructions on how to plan this visit.

A stunning place like Borobudur Temple calls for an Instagram post and we’ve got the perfect captions about Indonesia for you. If you need some romantic inspiration, these travel couple captions are a good option, and these one-word captions are great for keeping it short.

4:30 AM – 8:30 AM –  BOROBUDUR SUNRISE

This is an incredibly magical experience. Seeing the sunrise while standing on such an ancient monument is unforgettable and worth every penny.

Take a light jacket as it can get chilly in the mornings. Once the sun has risen you can explore the temple complex and its surroundings. Don’t miss out on the free breakfast at Manohara Resort once you’re done.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM –  BUKIT RHEMA CHICKEN CHURCH

Close to Borobudur is the so-called Chicken Church, a prayer house for all faiths in the jungle shaped like a giant chicken. It has a very interesting story so check out  our full article  on it for more details.

There is a small cafe located within the church. It’s a great place to rest and enjoy a drink while you take in the mesmerising views. Don’t forget to head to the top of the chicken for a chance to see Borobudur in the distance.

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – MOUNT MERAPI JEEP TOUR

The final stop for this day is the famous volcano Mount Merapi. You can visit various sites of interest if you book a “ Lava Jeep Tour ” with one of the local operators. It’s very fun and worth the price.

There are many tours to choose from. Around one hour should be sufficient to see the important things. Check out  this post  for prices and more details.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – HEAD BACK HOME AND ENJOY YOUR LAST NIGHT

2:00 PM seems early to return home but if you started your day as early as 2:00 AM you’ll be exhausted by now. If this is your last night in Yogyakarta why not check out some of the bars close to Malioboro Street for a final drink in this beautiful city.

Heading to Jakarta next? Read all about  how to take the train there from Yogyakarta .

Are you travelling on a budget?  Click here  to find out more about the best money-saving tips for Indonesia.

My most important travel tips and resources

Book your flights Skyscanner is the best website for finding cheap flights since it works like a search engine, so you can find the best deals across all airlines. Book hotels and hostels • Booking.com : Best worldwide • Agoda : Best in South East Asia • Hostelworld : Best for hostels Book tours, transport and rental cars • Viator : The best place to book tours, day trips and excursions for all budgets • 12Go : Great for ferries, trains, transfers and buses in South East Asia • Discover Cars : Best deals for rental cars around the word Get travel insurance Every traveller needs travel insurance, and I mean every single one. SafetyWing covers you in case of injury, illness or worse, and they’ve got your back if your bag is stolen, flights are cancelled or in case of a natural disaster. Pay abroad Ask any traveller, Wise is the best choice when it comes to sending money abroad. They’ve always got the best exchange rates, lowest fees, and their visa card is great for getting cash out or paying abroad. Things every traveller needs: ➼ Osprey Farpoint 70 Backpack Detachable daypack, ultra-light, durable and free repairs for life. There’s a reason why so many backpackers have this bag. ➼ Packing Cubes Packing cubes are a gamer changer, keeping your luggage organised and providing tons of extra space. ➼ Power bank There is nothing worse than running out of battery on an overnight bus journey or a long flight. With a power bank, you can charge your electronics on the go and make sure you’re always connected. ➼ Micro-fibre towel These lightweight towels are foldable, fast-drying, and, so useful when you’re travelling. ➼ You can find 15 more things every traveller needs here . Some might be a bit controversial, but I warned you!

Did I miss anything? If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or  contact me .

Welcome to Guide your Travel!

Hi! I’m Victoria, a travel blogger from Germany and the author of Guide your Travel. I write about my favourite destinations in Europe, South East Asia and digital nomad life in Bali.

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Hi, I'm Victoria

Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.

I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.

I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.

Work with me!

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The Neverending Asia

Yogyakarta, together with its twin city Surakarta ( Solo ), is the cradle of civilization on Java. This city was the seat of power that produced the magnificent temples of  Borobudur and  Prambanan  in the 8th and 9th centuries and the new powerful Mataram kingdom of the 16th and 17th century. Yogyakarta was known with the slogan of “Jogja The Never ending Asia“ for its endless appeals. Today, it is also renowned as “ Jogja Istimewa “, a tagline that elaborates its special values. This city is one of the foremost cultural centers of Indonesia. From strolling through the living museum of The Kraton or The Keraton (Sultan’s Palace) , to hanging out at the famous Alun Alun, to watching silversmiths produce amazing jewelry at  Kotagede  and maybe try a splurge shopping up at  Malioboro  road. Chasing sunrise in famous temples like Prambanan and Borobudur in the neighboring town of Magelang, are only some of the many more ways to never get bored in this relatively small yet bustling city. 

The Wonders of the Ancient Heritage

You can experience all five wonders in this artsy city. Starting from indulging in the natural wonders, by visiting scenic beaches and photogenic landscape. Parangtritis, Indrayanti, Pok Tunggal, Siung, Krakal, and Jogan are some of the famous beaches in town. Breathtaking points such as Puncak Becici, Pinus Pengger, and Jurang Tembelan are only several of plenty more exciting back-to-nature destinations in Yogyakarta!

For culinary wonders, don’t forget to try the Gudeg first, special cooking of traditional Javanese recipe that is iconic to this city. The  Bakpia , is a traditional snack with many enticing flavors that are popular for souvenirs. For a beverage, you can try the Jamu , a natural herb mix beverage based on ancient tradition used for natural remedies.

Batik is the national treasure based on the Javanese word of “ amba ” and “ titik ”, meaning to write the dots. It is an art of decorating fabric using wax and dyeing process. Yogyakarta has a signature batik pattern that is usually made with a bright white basic. Some of the motifs are namely The Parang Kusumo, Kawung, and Truntum, each was created with the special philosophy behind its every dots.

There are Batik Tulis, Batik Cap, Batik Print, and the mixed result of the techniques. The most expensive is the Batik Tulis, which are made of 100% hand paint ornaments. It will become even more expensive if it is made from precious silk fabric. Making a fine quality Batik Tulis can range from a day of production to a meticulous months-long process, depend on the size and sheer complicated details of the design.

Wayang is also an amazing art heritage known from Yogyakarta. There are the Wayang Kulit or leather puppet, played on a shadow puppet show by the dalang or puppet master through a screen lit by lights. Wayang Orang is the life-size performances depicting the same philosophical messages from ancient stories and is presented by men and women in elaborate traditional costumes.

You can discover the Recreation wonders, by visiting the tourism villages in Yogyakarta. Tembi, Pentingsari, and Nglanggeran are three of the places that you can start with. Experience the authentic daily life of the locals, and learn some new skills, such as playing the gamelan, weaving janur, and perform a Javanese traditional dance!

Adventure wonders are also aplenty in Yogyakarta. Starting with exploring Mount Merapi National Park, riding the thrilling jeep ride, and hiking Mount Nglanggeran, an ancient volcano located in a beautiful village.

Rock climbing can be done in Siung beach, while cave tubing is a major attraction in Goa Pindul, and If you're looking for some underrated, high-adrenaline experience, then Goa Jomblang is the perfect place for you. Located in Jetis Wetan Village, Goa Jomblang is an enormous, 80-meter deep vertical cave that is naturally decorated by karst formations and plants, such as stalagmites, stalactites, crystal stones, and ferns. You can also find a swift-flowing underground river here. Not only cave experts, but beginners can also enjoy the wonders of this cave as they will be given directions by a cave guide here.

Yogyakarta is indeed a city with numerous attractions to enjoy. All of this and many more to explore has brought Yogyakarta as the second most visited destination in Indonesia after  Bali .

There are plenty of daily flights from  Jakarta ,  Surabaya , and  Bali  to Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto International Airport.

Overland There is a regular train service between Yogyakarta and other neighboring major cities. Yogyakarta is also easily accessible by road in cars or public overland bus services.  

Once you arrive, there are a number of ways you can explore Yogyakarta. Walking is a great way to take in the sights and meet the locals though it can get hot by the middle of the day. Strolling the heart of the city and find the many attraction located nearby the Malioboro area.

Embrace the local mode of transport and try a becak, traditional three wheeled pedal powered cart. Remember to negotiate the price before you start on your journey. 

Traditional horse-drawn carts known as Andong can be found in the tourist areas of Yogyakarta. These are a relaxed and romantic way to take in the sights.  

You may wish to organize a car and driver for the duration of your stay in Yogyakarta.

If you know how to ride a motorbike you can hire one in the city. Taxis are available and can be arranged through your hotel. Buses are the major form of public transportation here, however, their hours of operation and capacity can be limited.

Try to enjoy some part in the rural side with a bicycle ride, and discover beautiful corners that can inspire you to fall more in love with the special charm of Yogyakarta! The nearby cities that you can also visit from Yogyakarta are Magelang and Solo. Make your way to Punthuk Setumbu and see the elegance of Borobudur temple from a different viewpoint at sunrise. Solo or also known as Surakarta, has its very own charming palace and famous for its natural wonders, such as Grojogan Sewu Waterfalls.

Yogyakarta In Moving Frames

An exploration of the wondrous labuan bajo, borobudur - the grand temple, mandalika - where the waves collide, likupang - escape to the new world, the heartbeat of toba, nearby spectacles.

Kaliurang: Sacred Slopes of Mount Merapi

Parangtritis: Yogyakarta's Enchanting Beach

Malioboro Shopping: A Retail Paradise Awaits

Prambanan: Graceful Beauty of Indonesia's Temple

The Kraton: Javanese Cosmos Reflection

Kalasan Temple: Oldest Buddhist Marvel Preceding Borobudur

Indrayanti Beach: Romantic Seaside Escape

Imogiri Royal Cemetery: Sacred Grounds in Yogyakarta

Tamansari Water Castle: Sultan's Retreat

Wayang Kulit: Finely Crafted Storytelling Tradition

Mendut Temple

BE DELIGHTED WITH YOGYAKARTA'S DELICIOUS AND LUSCIOUS DELICACIES

What They Say

Romantic bandung - the paris of java.

Well, I just love Bali so much, and we fell in love with the culture, people, the food. Everything was just amazing. I feel like in Bali, you can find serenity anywhere, literally. It's our favorite place that we've been to on our entire trip.

by Jack Morris Influencer

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#Yogyakarta

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5D4N Yogyakarta Itinerary — The Most Underrated City of Indonesia For the Adventurous

Make the most out of your five day getaway in Yogyakarta — a city full of culture, heritage, and adventure — with this Yogyakarta itinerary.

The world’s largest archipelago has a hidden gem many tourists overlook. We visited this beautifully undisturbed city which is often overshadowed by the more touristy cities of Indonesia. One thing for sure, we were blown away by not only her amazing sights but also all the adrenaline-pumping activities she offers.

Despite the spelling, the actual pronunciation of Yogyakarta is /jog-jah-karta/ , and locals often refer to it as “Jogja”.

Read also: 11 Breathtaking Photo Spots in Yogyakarta that prove it is a Photographer’s Heaven

This itinerary can be found on TripAdvisor’s Trips — have easy access to reviews, addresses and opening hours while on the go!

Day 1: Exploring Yogyakarta

We took the 7:25AM AirAsia flight and arrived in Yogyakarta after 2 short hours. Quite glad we pre-booked our in-flight meals so we were ready to explore right away!

Staying connected: The Adisucipto airport is pretty small so there weren’t SIM Card retailers in sight. We got ours from Progo , a huge retail mart just across the street from our hotel. There are various telecom providers but we settled on simPATI (6GB for Rp75,000 or ~S$7.60), which connected pretty well in the city.

Accommodation:   Melia Purosani Hotel , located in the city centre and just a 10-min walk away from Jalan Malioboro ; the iconic shopping street in Yogyakarta.

Taman Sari (Water Castle)

First stop, a 13-min Uber ride from our Hotel — Taman Sari . This 1758 A.D. water castle was used for religious practices as well as a recreation and bathing place for the then Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family.

The area of Taman Sari used to be a lot larger, but today, the main building is set around a residential area so you’d need to walk through that to get to various historical sights that remain. One of which is  Sumur Gumuling , a circular two-storey building which was used as a mosque.

Update Oct 2023: Sumur Gumuling, the underground mosque featuring the iconic stairs, is currently closed to all visitors.

Address: Patehan, Kraton, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55133, Indonesia Opening hours: 9AM – 3PM. Entrance Fee: Rp15,000 per pax (~S$1.50). *Pro-tip : Do not enter too late as there will be a lot of restrictions for photo-taking once operators start locking up the entrance to various parts of the castle.

Shopping at Jalan Malioboro

Photo credit: Aneka Tempat Wisata

15 minutes from Taman Sari by car, Jalan Malioboro   is a 24-hour shopping street that has local street food, street performers, and horse-drawn carts. Roads are closed to cars, so your uber driver will have to drop you off at the adjacent street of Jalan Malioboro.

Ride an Odong-odong at Alun-Alun Kidul

Come nightfall, a particular part of Yogyakarta becomes very vibrant —  Alun-Alun Kidul , the Southern City Square.

Photo credit: yogya-backpacker.com. The twin Banyan Trees behind the folklore.

Here, locals and tourists often join in a game inspired by folklore; walking in between the two banyan trees with their eyes blindfolded. Successfully walking between the 2 trees meant you’d never stray in life since it was believed only those with pure hearts and bear no evil intentions could do it.

With the Odong-odong!

Another must-do activity at Alun-Alun Kidul is riding the odong-odong . Donned with cute and colourful cartoon characters such as Doraemon, Hello Kitty, and Pikachu, you can spot these neon-decorated, foot pedal operated karts lighting up the City Square. Each ride had its own sound system with popular pop and EDM tracks. It was as though we were kids again, boisterously pedalling the colourful odong-odong around the city square.

Address: Jl. Alun-Alun Kidul Yogyakarta Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta Indonesia Price: Rp30,000 – 50,000 per round (~S$3-5)

This entire table of food cost us less than S$13!

Thereafter, enjoy dinner among the lively atmosphere of Alun-Alun Kidul. We ordered a variety of local bites from the street food stalls and joined the locals at the field where low tables were provided. Some of the yummy Jogja cuisine available were the Mie Bakso , Soto Sulung , tempura, satay and Mie Ayam .

Price:  Rp130,000 for a whole table of food for four! (~S$13) *Pro-tip:  Bring a light cardigan or scarf along to keep yourself warm as temperatures in Jogja can drop to as low as 21°C at night.

Day 2: Mt. Merapi & Prambanan Temple

Sunrise at mount merapi.

With undisturbed terrains and few high rise buildings, Yogyakarta is a great place to catch the morning light. We set off at 4AM on day two early to catch the morning light at Mount Merapi .

Situated at Sleman District 30km north of city centre, Mount Merapi is an active volcano that last erupted in 2014. Regular cars will not be able to drive to the base camp, instead, you will need a jeep. We got our Jeep tours to Merapi arranged by our local hired driver.

After a 15-20min roller coaster of a jeep ride, we arrived at the base camp of Mount Merapi at 5:30AM. Just in time to witness the mountain illuminate at the break of dawn.

Bring a jacket along as temperatures can dip to 16°C in the wee mornings at the foot of the mountain!

Price: Sunrise Jeep Tour: ~Rp350,000 per jeep for four pax (~S$35.5)

Photo credit: yogya-backpacker. Merapi Museum.

There is a small museum nearby —  Merapi Museum  — and jeep tours will cover it. Previously the house of a Merapi eruption victim, it has since been turned into a museum to showcase some interesting artefact and ruins of the eruption of Mount Merapi.

Photo credit: The Lost World Castle F B

Also around the vicinity is The Lost World Castle , a fairly new tourist spot that opened in 2017. In it are replicas of famous world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, and StoneHenge.

Opening Hours: Jeep Lava Tour Merapi: 8AM – 4PM Merapi museum: 8AM – 3.30PM, closed on Mondays The Lost World Castle: 7AM – 6PM

Price: Merapi Museum: Rp5,000 per pax (~S$0.50) The Lost World Castle: Rp25,000 per pax (~S$2.50)

Prambanan Temple

Built in the 9th century A.D., Prambanan Temple collapsed due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the 11th century. When we visited, ruins were still evident within the once-derelict temple site, making us wonder what did this once-majestic civilisation go through.

*Pro-tip:  Take pictures at the back of the temples, they look similar to the front, and has fewer people crowding around.

Address:  Bokoharjo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia Cost: Rp350,000 Adult (~S$35), Rp210,000 Student (~S$21)

*Pro-tip: Bring your student cards along to enjoy student discounts.

Dinner at House of Raminten

This quirky and whimsical restaurant well-loved by locals was opened by a retired businessman who previously performed in soap operas. The House of Raminten is a restaurant filled with surprises at every corner — “Raminten” being the name of the soap opera character the owner used to perform as.

Entering the restaurant was a truly trippy experience; pictures and caricatures of Raminten in humorous provocative gestures adorn the walls. While lurking in other corners of the restaurant are statues of Mother Mary, Buddha, and Ganesh sculptures overlooking diners while they have their meals.

Long queues are common here, but the wait is definitely worth the experience. Food was also delicious and inexpensive.

Address:  Jl. Faridan Muridan Noto No.7, Kotabaru, Gondokusuman, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55224, Indonesia Opening Hours: 24 hours Prices: Nila Goreng (Fried Whole Fish) — Rp10,000 (S$1!!) , Bakmi Jawa (stir-fry noodles) — Rp17,000, Cakangkung Raminten (Stir-fry kang kong) — Rp10,000.

DAY 3: Jomblang Cave & Goa Pindul + Sungai Oyo

Day three for us was all about adventures. Set out in comfy sports attire and clothes you can get wet in!

Witness Heaven’s Light at Jomblang Cave

Boots available as the base of the cave can be quite muddy .

First stop, Jomblang Cave. Set out early as visitors are only allowed to enter until 10 am. The number of visitors is also limited to keep damage to this natural gem at a minimum. Jomblang Cave is a different world altogether — both metaphorically and literally.

Part of an underground cave system, Jomblang is the result of a giant sinkhole in an ancient forest a few thousand years back. If the initial abseil into the ancient forest did not wow you enough, the lush vegetation that greets you 40m down below will surely leave you speechless.

Hike for another 10 minutes on muddy grounds and you’ll see another cave opening. Walk into the pitch-dark cave, before another surprise awaits in front.

Mesmerised. Everyone stopped in their tracks the moment light hit their eyes. Dubbed “Heaven’s Light” by the locals, there is really no other name more apt to describe this breathtaking sight.

Locals say the best timing to view Heaven’s Light is between 11.30AM – 12PM when the sun rays are the strongest.

This is one of the priciest activities on the itinerary, but I can assure you the views and experience is so worth it; I would gladly do it all over again. That aside, the abseil pulley system is 100% by manpower, so part of the ticket fee goes to the men who use brute force to lift us up from the bottom of the cave.

Address:  Pacarejo, Semanu, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55893, Indonesia Opening Hours: Registration opens till 10AM daily. Price: RP500,000 per pax (~S$50), includes insurance and lunch box given after the cave tour.

Tubing at Goa Pindul & Sungai Oyo

After Jomblang, most visitors will head to Kalisuci for tubing activities. However, our local driver suggested  Goa Pindul   as a better alternative — cheaper and we got to explore caves!

At Goa Pindul, there are several packages which vary from locations and activities. We purchased the package that included two spots, Goa Pindul and Sungai Oyo at RP 110,000 per pax. A rubber tube and life vest will be provided before starting your lazy river adventure.

The ride begins by going through a pitch dark cave filled with bats, swallows and giant Stalactites which were pointed out by our Bahasa speaking guide.  There’s a short 3m high rock you can jump off in the cave — a good warm-up for what’s coming up!

Before we took our leaps of faith off a cliff at Goa Pindul.

This is where the adventure really begins. After reaching the end of Goa Pindul, hop on a pick-up truck to Sungai Oyo 2km away. Midway through, your guide will stop where there are a 5m bridge and a 9m waterfall and edge you into jumping off one of these platforms.

Soon we found ourselves standing at the top of the 9m platform. And as though irresponsibly running away from adulting, I took a leap of faith, huddled my fears and jumped into the river below me. I hit right into the chilly waters, feeling refreshed. It didn’t surprise me when I found myself climbing back up the slippery rocks for a second leap. No wonder people say extreme sports are addictive!

Address: Wirawisata, Gelaran 2, Bejiharjo, Karangmojo, Gunungkidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55891, Indonesia Opening Hours: Starts at 8AM till sunset, not available on rainy days. Prices: Rp110,000 per pax (~S$11.20). Covers Goa Pindul + Sungai Oyo

*Pro-tip:  Bring along booties if you have them as climbing up the rocks barefooted can be slippery from moss and algae growth.

Dinner at Gudeg Yu Djum

Photo credit: Gudeg Yu Djum Pusat

Gudeg Yu Djum , as the name suggests, is famous for the traditional Gudeg dish — a Javanese cuisine made from young unripe jackfruit boiled for several hours with palm sugar, and coconut milk. I’ve read about people using jackfruit as mock pulled pork, and I won’t be surprised if Gudeg was the inspiration behind it!

Address: Jln Wonosari, Jogja Km. 7 Gading, Playen, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55861, Indonesia Opening Hours: 7AM – 5:30PM Price:  Rp15,000 – 40,000 (~S$1.50-4), depending on what you add e.g. Egg + Chicken wing

Day 4: Borobudur Temple — Chicken Church — Pinus Pengger

Sunrise at Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist Temple in the World .

Catching the sunrise at Borobudur Temple is a popular bucket list item. This activity is so sacred and exceptional that local and foreign tourists would reach Borobudur as early as 4:30 am just to get a good spot within the temple compounds to view the rising sun.

As Borobudur is a grand historical artefact and also the top tourist attraction in Yogyakarta, there are high-security measures along the way leading up to the actual Borobudur site. From the entrance of Manohara Hotel where admission tickets are sold, there are three bag searches.

After your tour at the temple, remember to head over to the restaurant for some light refreshments — included in the ticket to Borobudur.

Address:  Jl. Badrawati, Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia Opening Hours: 6AM – 5PM (however, you can enter at 4.30AM if you purchase the Borobudur Sunrise package). Price: Rp500,000 per pax (~S$50). Borobudur Sunrise package that has to be bought from Manohara Hotel .

*Pro-tip:  While the sunrise looks pretty amazing, it looks just as good during sunset and there’s close to no one at that time.

Bukit Rhema (Chicken Church)

Affectionately known as “Gereja Ayam (Chicken Church)” to locals, this gigantic dodo of a bird is a lot more amusing than we thought. Can you believe that there is an actual building the shape of a humongous chicken? Bizarre as it seems, the creator of this place of worship said he had a vision from God to build a prayer house on a hill. Once dilapidated, the Chicken Church is now refurbished thanks to increasing tourism in the area.

We had too much fun at this church, and I dare say that no trip to Yogyakarta is complete without stepping foot into this cockatoo.

Address: Jalan Raya Borobudur Salaman Km. 2.5 Wringin Putih, Magelang Opening Hours: 6AM – 5PM (Mon-Fri), 5AM – 5PM (Sat-Sun) Price: Rp30,000 per pax (S$3), includes light snacks for each paying visitor

*Pro-tip: Watch the sunrise behind Borobudur from the top of the Chicken crown!

Lunch at Jejamuran (Mushroom Restaurant)

Mushroom lovers rejoice! There is a restaurant in Yogyakarta with its entire menu focused on only one main ingredient — mushrooms. Jejamuran  specialises in mushroom and almost every dish you find in their menu has some kind of mushroom in it.

There are even mushroom growing kits sold so you can grow them at home!

Recommended dishes : – Mushroom satay, Rp16,000 (~S$1.60) – Mushroom tom yam soup, Rp30,000 (~S$3) – Deep-fried king oyster mushroom, Rp25,000 (~S$2.50)

Speciality drinks : – Es Dawet Jejamuran , a traditional Javanese drink with coconut milk, palm sugar, jelly, and of course, mushrooms. Rp12,000 (~S$1.20) – Summer Breeze comes with enoki mushrooms in the drink! Rp12,000 (~S$1.20)

Address:  Jalan Pramuka No.53, RT.01 / RW.20, Niron, Pandowoharjo, Kec. Sleman, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55512, Indonesia

Opening Hours:  9AM – 9:10PM

Sandboarding at Gumuk Pasir

After lunch, another round of adventure awaits. We headed southwards to Gumuk Pasir for some fun sandboarding! Rent a sandboard at Rp100,000 (~S$10.20) and hit the sand dunes!

Sandboarding was new to me, and thankfully there was a local guiding us. He would follow us around polishing the bottom of our boards and showing us steeper slopes to conquer.

It was immense fun, I have to say, although I spent most of my time sand-tumbling instead. Best time for sandboarding is actually an hour or two before sunset when the temperatures are cool. Stay on for sunset and nightfall, and reward yourself with the sight of a sky full of stars. We were lucky and spotted the milky way with our naked eyes!

Address: Jl. Pantai Parangkusumo, Parangtritis, Kec. Kretek, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55772, Indonesia Opening Hours: 6AM – 7PM Price: Rp100,000 per sandboard rental (~S$10.20)

*Pro-tip: Request for your taxi driver to wait by the beach for you while you sandboard, as taxis are extremely difficult to get at this part of town!

Pinus Pengger

If the idea of getting sand on your butt and face isn’t your cup of tea, a nearby sight might be of interest!  Pinus Pengger  — A favourite among locals, is a forested area filled with sculptures and artistic instalments by local artists. Catch the sunset and stay through the night with great views of the city.

Each sculpture and art instalment is a unique photo point, and there are donation boxes next to each photo point. Donations are highly encouraged as a form of support for the local artists. We recommend visits in the late afternoon when there’s still enough sunlight to take pictures and also to catch the sunset.

Address:  Terong, Dlingo, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55783, Indonesia Price:  Free entrance, but parking fee of Rp10,000 (~S$1) per car applies.

Jurang Tembelan

En route to Pinus Pengger, we also stopped by Jurang Tembelan . As if a secret hideout, this small and quiet lookout seems to be known only to locals. Jurang Tembelan is actually a small pit stop with restrooms and snack stores. A quick picture spot overseeing a river, you can enjoy panoramic views of mountains too. Another notable area to look out for is Puncak Becici, also a lookout where people can enjoy outbound activities. Puncak Becici also gained attention after  former US President Barack Obama’s visit in June 2017.

Address:  Mangunan, Dlingo, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55783, Indonesia Price: Free. Donation basis.

Dinner at Omah Dhuwur Restaurant

Photo credit: Tribun Jogja. Omah Dhuwur Restaurant.

End your day with a great meal at Omah Dhuwur Restaurant . Besides serving traditional Javanese cuisine, Omah Dhuwur also has a Western menu that caters to tourists.

Address:  Jl. Mondorakan No.252, Prenggan, Kotagede, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55172, Indonesia

Opening Hours:  11AM – 10PM

Day 5: Leave Yogyakarta — Head back to SG

After four full days of non-stop adventures in Yogyakarta and a nice break away from the suffocating city life, it was time to go home.

We caught the AirAsia flight departing from Jogja at 7:25AM. Luckily there wasn’t much traffic at that time and we managed to reach the airport in under 20 minutes.

*All prices are accurate at the time of posting .

Accommodation in Yogyakarta City

Melia purosani hotel (5-star hotel).

A Premium Room in Melia Purosani Hotel.

The  Melia Purosani Hotel  is the only 5-star hotel located in the city centre of Yogyakarta, hence extremely convenient and accessible to the various sights of Yogyakarta. The staff are very friendly and approachable, and the in-house spa services are at very reasonable prices! It was a pity that we did not have enough time to enjoy the comfy beds though!

Address: Jl. Mayor Suryotomo No.31, Ngupasan, Gondomanan, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55122, Indonesia

Getting Around Yogyakarta

As most places of interests are situated quite a distance from each other, we found it most cost-efficient to hire a private driver for four.

To get a bit of context, Borobudur Temple is situated 1.5 hours’ of drive Northwest from the city centre, and the magical Jomblang Cave is a 2 hours’ drive southeast from the city centre. Some other places such as Pinus Pengger and Jurang Tembelan are only accessible by cars as well.

Our private car & driver was arranged by Miko who runs Java Tour Holidays and has always given us very reasonable prices for car hire around Indonesia. Drop him an email at  [email protected]  and let him know we sent you 😛

Jan 2019 Update:  Some readers have told us that Java Tour Holidays have increased their prices quite significantly 🙁

Alternatively, you can book private car charters by per-day basis.

If you are just covering the city centre, Grab or Uber works well. You might also be able to use Grab or Uber to get to faraway places like the sand dunes at Gumuk Pasir but be sure to ask the driver to wait or you’ll end up stranded (like us) when it’s time to leave.

Direct Flight From Singapore to Yogyakarta daily

We flew directly to Yogyakarta via  AirAsia and managed to squeeze in brunch in the short 2-hour flight. We tried four different in-flight meals — Nasi Kuning Manado, Roasted Chicken, Thai Green Curry and Chicken Satay with peanut sauce. My personal favourite was the  Nasi Kuning Manado  — a classic Indonesian dish with fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and turmeric. It was for me the perfect introduction to Indonesian cuisine even before landing in Yogyakarta!

*Pro-tip: Pre-book your meals online at Rp33,000 (~S$3.40) instead of Rp55,000 if you purchase onboard.

Nasi Kuning Manado

Roast Chicken with Dijon Creamy Mushroom Sauce

AirAsia flies daily from Singapore to Yogyakarta, which made it very convenient for us when planning the trip.

Book Your Air Tickets to Yogyakarta

We hope we piqued your interest with this Yogyakarta itinerary, to discover a hidden gem that’s rich in heritage, culture, and adventure. Plan your Yogyakarta adventure now with AirAsia .

P.S. If you’re into off-the-beaten-track destinations, join TTI Experiences as we explore countries that few have ever been !

Useful Phrases

Equipping yourself with some useful phrases of the local language not only shows your sincerity in learning about the country and immersing yourself in it but is also a great way to break the ice with locals! Here are a few you might find handy.

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This article is brought to you by Changi Airport Group .

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16 comments.

Though we already got ourselves a guide and driver for our trip, your detailed itinerary and photos are really useful as they help me understand what to expect and see. Thanks so much.

Thanks Kelly! 🙂

do you have a contact number of tour guide ? thanks

You can try contacting Miko at [email protected] . Let him know that Hendric from The Travel Intern recommended!

Hi. I actually email them forthe day 2 to 4 tour package but thye yet to revert. Do u have any other contact?

do try again as there was a mistake in the email! We just corrected it!

Hello there! just wondering if its convenient to share a rough breakdown of cost for this trip?

Hi En, Rough Budget Breakdown for 1 pax: Transport: S$61 (Excluding flight)
 Accommodation: S$170
 Activities: S$149
 Food: S$50 
Misc: S$7.15 Total: S$ 437.15

Hi! I was wondering if you guys had a private car for the entire duration of the trip (i.e. including when you stayed within Yogyakarta itself), or did you guys only opt for a driver when you had to travel to sights outside of Yogyakarta?

we only had our drive from day 2 onwards! Within Yogyakarta we mainly walked or took Grab.

Hi there! It seems to be common to do a jeep tour to Merapi and Borobudur on the same day. Any reason why these 2 were split since they are quite nearby?

On your day 2, did you engage the private car driver or the jeep pick up and drop off at the hotel?

Hi Ellen, we wanted to catch both at sunrise instead. That’s why we split it into two. More enjoyable in the morning!

Thanks puppetmaster for the prompt reply! I have a 2nd question in the post :p Didn’t quite understand did the driver wait for you somewhere until jeep tour is over or don’t need to engage driver at all..

What an amazing and a fascinating place to visit. I really didn’t know much about this but after reading this post I will surely visit one day. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post.

Thanks for the kind words, Kim! We hope you’ll enjoy Yogya as much as we did if you’re there 🙂 -Edelyn

Thanks for exploring Indonesia, especially Yogyakarta or Jogja. I am proud to have the amazing ancient’s temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Thanks, again and looking forward to welcoming you and everybody to explore other natures and beauty of Java island.

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A Helpful Yogyakarta Itinerary | 3 Days Itinerary Jogja Indonesia

By: Author Charles

Posted on June 8, 2023

A trip to Java is not complete without a stop in the city of Yogyakarta. Also known as Jogjakarta or Jogja for short, the city has plenty of attractions and activities to take part of within the city itself and a bit further away as well.

This Yogyakarta itinerary will go over what 3 days in Jogja can entail and how to go about your trip there.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Getting to Yogyakarta

Before jumping into the attractions and Yogyakarta itinerary, I thought it may be helpful to talk a bit about some logistics when it comes to the city. Your first order of business will be to get yourself to the city center.

This will all depend on where you are coming from within / out of the country. You really have three main options here – plane, train, or car . Below I will dive into each one a bit more:

Yogyakarta is home to the Adisucipto International Airport (JOG) , which has routes from both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from an international standpoint.

This can be great for those that want to begin their trip in Yogyakarta and skip over a flight into Jakarta.

You can also travel by plane into the city if coming from other parts of Indonesia. Since the country is made up of so many islands and is very spread out, a domestic flight can be a popular option here. You can catch flights from Jakarta, Bali , Lombok, among several other cities..

Once landed, I would recommend just hopping into a taxi (or tuk tuk), to get you to the city center. Expect costs to be around $5 USD to get to the city center.

If traveling to Yogyakarta from other parts of Java, you can choose to hop on a train that will get you into the central train station .

Trains run from all parts of Java – including Jakarta, Surubaya and Malang – all of which will have train lines that run through Yogyakarta.

I would recommend taking a look at a site like Tiket.com to see schedules and prices, and to purchase your tickets once you are ready to book your route. The train station is located in a pretty central spot, so you may be able to just walk to your hotel from there or jump in a quick taxi ride as well.

A popular way to travel around Java is to have your own car and driver . For the duration of your trip on the island, you can roam around at your own pace and pick and choose where/when you would like to go.

This is a great option for people who do not want to rely on public transport schedules and are willing to pay a bit of a premium for the comfort.

While I did not use a car and driver for my entire time in Java, I did find it a very helpful option for certain parts of my trip on the island. It is also pretty cheap all things considered if traveling with other people.

Expect a daily cost to be around $60 USD, although that number can also depend on how far you plan on driving throughout Java.

-> This option can also be very helpful once you are in Yogyakarta. Since some of the top attractions are located outside the city limits, one of the main options here is to hire a driver anyway. Having a driver already set up can remove any worry once you arrive to Yogyakarta.

2) Getting Around Yogyakarta

Once in Jogja, you will need to figure out how to get around to all the different attractions inside and outside of the city.

You will probably want to combo a number of different options here since some things are quite close by while others can be a couple hours drive away.

Inside the City

When you are visiting places within the city itself, I would be comfortable sticking to walking on your own or hopping in a quick tuk tuk ride to get you around. Many of the main places are in or near the city center, so it shouldn’t take too long to get there.

Outside the City

On the other hand, you will also want to visit attractions that are further away (i.e. Goa Jomblang Cave or the Yogyakarta Temples). For places like these, I would recommend hiring a driver for the day to get you there .

As mentioned before, hiring a driver can be an easy and economical way to get around. Day trips outside of the city should be around $40 USD for the day.

Your other two options would be to hire your own motorbike or to join a tour . I would only recommend hiring a motorbike if you are 100% confident and comfortable on the Java roads. They can get a bit hectic at times and I can only recommend for an experienced driver.

Joining a tour is also a great option (especially if solo), as they will take care of all logistics for you as you make the day trip outside the city. I will mention some of the top tours to choose from for the different activities down below.

3) Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

The area around Malioboro Street is where you will find the most restaurants, shops, markets, and more. Here you will also be quite close to some of the city attractions as well.

Below are some recommended places to stay either right nearby or within a short drive away:

• Royal Ambarrukmo Yogyakarta
• The 1O1 Yogyakarta Tugu
• Otu Hostel By Ostic
• Melia Purosani Hotel Yogyakarta
• Gallery Prawirotaman Hotel

4) List of Attractions and Activities

Below is a quick break out of the 10 activities that you can join in while exploring Yogyakarta for a few days.

One of the days you can spend within the city itself, while the other two will be day trips outside of the city.

In the Yogyakarta itinerary section coming up, I will dive into each one of these a bit more.

Day 1: City Center

Taman Sari Water Castle

Sumur gumuling underground mosque.

• Batik Factory

Mataram Coffee Factory

Malioboro street.

Day 2: Temple Hopping

• Borobudur Temple
• Prambanan Temple

Day 3: Cave Exploring

• Goa Jomblang Cave
• Goa Pindul Cave Tubing

Extra Time: Volcano Climbing

Mount Merapi

5) yogyakarta map.

Now that we have went over logistics, accommodation and attractions, I thought it may be helpful to outline it all on a map for you to better visualize where everything is.

As you can see below, there is a cluster around Yogyakarta while the temples and caves are located further away. Feel free to zoom into the map to better see where everything is located within the city center.

6) Yogyakarta Itinerary

Let’s now dive a bit more into each of the attractions and activities mentioned above, so you have a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare for each place.

You can choose to complete the 3 days in the order mentioned or you can feel free to move the days around as well.

7) Jogja Day 1

The first day of this Yogyakarta itinerary will focus in on the city center itself as you get to visit and experience some of the best that Jogja has to offer.

Up first is the Taman Sari Water Castle , one of the most popular attractions to visit within Jogja. This complex was once used by the Sultan for all types of functions.

Today, the central bathing area is the most preserved part of the complex and you can spend some time exploring the various rooms and pools around the area.

The entrance fee for the water castle is just 15,000 IDR, only about $1 USD. And be sure to keep your ticket when you visit the underground mosque mentioned next.

Located less than 10 minutes away by foot from Taman Sari is the Sumur Gumuling Underground Mosque . While it is located within the original larger complex, to get to the mosque from the water castle, you will need to make your way through some of the surrounding streets.

I have pin pointed it on the map above, but if you are having trouble finding it, feel free to ask some locals who are sure to point you in the right direction.

While not in operation, the mosque is truly impressive, with its various staircases stretching from the bottom to the top of the complex. There are several hallways and rooms to explore as you make your way through.

All around Yogyakarta you will find yourself seeing Batik shops all throughout. Essentially, Batik is a certain technique used to dye cloths. These shops will have plenty to choose from and many also offer the chance to see the process first hand as well.

With the popularity of Batik in Yogyakarta also comes all the scams or tricks along with it.

You may be approached by people on the street wanting to bring you to a certain shop saying that there is a special sale going on or a limited time art show (something along those lines). However, these are merely techniques to push you to purchase the Batik cloth.

At many of the stores, you will also be given a coded price list (i.e. pieces labeled “A” are $5, “B” are $10, etc).

These are greatly negotiable (you can probably get more than 50% off these prices), so if you do want a certain piece, feel free to negotiate a bit.

One place that I unexpectedly visited during my time in Yogyakarta was the Mataram Kopi Luwak Factory . If you aren’t familiar with Kopi Luwak, I would advise to look it up since I rather not get into the particular details here (you will see why!).

However, as I was wandering the streets of Jogja, I happened to meet one of the owners of the factory, which I then visited later on in the day.

Visiting the factory is free of charge as you get to see the beginning to end process of how the coffee is actually made.

At the end of the tour, you are able to do a bit of a tasting and purchase the coffee if you want to bring some home.

At one point or another, you are sure to pass by the main Malioboro Street . As you walk along the street you are sure to find plenty of smaller markets and shops lined up all throughout.

It is a great place to explore during the day and/or night as it is one of the most happening places in the city.

8) Jogja Day 2

Now that you have had some time to explore the city of Yogyakarta itself, it is time to head out of the city to go on a temple hopping tour.

The best way to go about your day is to either hire a driver for the day or a guided tour. I would recommend looking a this highly rated Borobudur and Prambanan tour option before heading out.

Arguably two of the most famous and important temples in all of Indonesia are the Borobudur and Prambanan Temples , both of which are in the vicinity of Jogja and which can be combined into a perfect day trip.

You can start your day heading on the 1 hour drive to Borobudur, where you can explore the vast temple complex with volcanoes peeking out in the distance.

A popular option here too is to head there for sunrise as you get to see the first light of the day hitting the temple.

Once you are all set at Borobudur, make the 1.5 hour trip out to Prambanan, another beautiful temple complex.

Not only will you be able to enjoy the main temples here but you can also make the walk around to three other temples in the larger complex – Candi Lumbung, Candi Bubrah, and Candi Sewu.

The trip will end with the drive back to Yogyakarta, where you can end a successful day exploring some of Indonesia’s best temples.

» I would highly recommend that you read the Yogyakarta Temples Guide I put together so you have a better sense on how to go about a day trip there.

9) Jogja Day 3

For the last day of this Yogyakarta itinerary, it is time to do some cave exploring. A great day trip here is to do a combo trip to the Goa Jomblang Cave and the Goa Pindul Cave tubing experience.

Similar to day 2, you can either hire a driver of your own or join a tour:

Goa Jomblang

Located about 2 hours away from the city, Goa Jomblang is a very unique experience to take part of. Your time there will start with a rappel down into the mouth of cave, where you will then trek through the thick mud to the opening from above.

Once the sun begins to shine through, you will see the famous Light From Heaven streaking through the cave walls.

It is truly one of the most beautiful sites you can ask for. After enjoying the light from above, you then trek back to the start of the cave, where you are then pulleyed back up to the top.

» The Goa Jomblang Cave Guide will walk you through all you need to know about the experience.

If interested in taking part of a tour I would recommend signing up in advance through a highly rated company .

Located not too far away from Goa Jomblang, you can enjoy another type of caving experience.

This time you will get to sit down in some tubes and float down a river in a cave as you witness the stalactites and stalagmites all around you.

You then will have the chance to jump into the water and take part of a nice swim in the river outside of the cave to cool down at the end of the day.

Once all done with your caving experiences, you will head back to Yogyakarta to end your time in the city.

» If you have some extra time in the city of if you want to substitute something else out, one of the best trekking experiences you can have is a sunrise hike up Mount Merapi .

A sunrise hike will begin in the middle of the night as you make your way to the base of the mountain and make the dark ascent up.

You will enjoy a beautiful sunrise before heading back down the volcano and then onto Yogyakarta. Do note though that Merapi may be closed due to volcanic activity – check beforehand to see the latest status.

That about does it for a complete Yogyakarta itinerary and how to spend a few days enjoying all that Jogja has to offer.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to write them in below. Also don’t forget to check out the other Indonesia itineraries and guides up on the site, like a visit to Gili Trawangan .

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Explore Yogyakarta Region

Plan Your Trip to Yogyakarta Region: Best of Yogyakarta Region Tourism

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Yogyakarta Region Is Great For

Eat & drink.

• Artotel Yogyakarta
• Melia Purosani Yogyakarta
• Jambuluwuk Malioboro Yogyakarta Hotel
• Greenhost Boutique Hotel
• The Alana Hotel & Conference Center Malioboro Yogyakarta by ASTON
• The House of Raminten
• Mediterranea Restaurant by Kamil
• Roaster and Bear
• Sixsenses Kitchen
• Nanamia Pizzeria
• Merapi Volcano
• Malioboro Road
• Water Castle (Tamansari)
• Ullen Sentalu Museum
• Beringharjo Market
• Yogyakarta Bromo Ijen Bali Tour (5d4n)
• Batik Master Class with Full Process
• Authentic Yogya Bicycle Tour
• Discover Dieng Plateau Tour from Yogyakarta
• Selogriyo Temple and Trekking Java Rice Terraces, hidden waterfall -Nature Java

1-Day Yogyakarta Itinerary

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• Yogyakarta in 1 day
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• 3-Day Yogyakarta Itinerary
• 4-Day Yogyakarta Itinerary
• 5-Day Yogyakarta Itinerary

Table of contents

1-day itinerary.

Jogja National Museum

The Palace of Yogyakarta

Taman pintar yogyakarta, jogokariyan mosque, where to eat, secret garden coffee and chocolate, water castle cafe, pendopo lawas, lie djiong restaurant.

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Popular road trips from Yogyakarta

What's the weather like in yogyakarta.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Yogyakarta for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Yogyakarta in January
• Weather in Yogyakarta in February
• Weather in Yogyakarta in March
• Weather in Yogyakarta in April
• Weather in Yogyakarta in May
• Weather in Yogyakarta in June
• Weather in Yogyakarta in July
• Weather in Yogyakarta in August
• Weather in Yogyakarta in September
• Weather in Yogyakarta in October
• Weather in Yogyakarta in November
• Weather in Yogyakarta in December

All road trips from Yogyakarta

• Yogyakarta to Ubud drive
• Yogyakarta to Jakarta drive
• Yogyakarta to Bandung drive
• Yogyakarta to Semarang drive
• Yogyakarta to Surabaya drive
• Yogyakarta to Kuta drive
• Yogyakarta to Malang drive
• Yogyakarta to Dieng drive
• Yogyakarta to Bogor drive
• Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi drive
• Yogyakarta to Cirebon drive
• Yogyakarta to Pacitan drive
• Yogyakarta to Purwokerto drive
• Yogyakarta to Pangandaran drive
• Yogyakarta to Palembang drive
• Yogyakarta to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park drive
• Yogyakarta to Denpasar drive
• Yogyakarta to Probolinggo drive
• Yogyakarta to Wonosobo drive

Explore nearby places

• Prawirodirjan
• Cangkringan
• Parangtritis
• Kulon Progo
• Gunung Kidul

All related maps of Yogyakarta

• Map of Yogyakarta
• Map of Ngupasan
• Map of Prawirodirjan
• Map of Mlati
• Map of Kasihan
• Map of Sewon
• Map of Depok
• Map of Ngaglik
• Map of Bantul
• Map of Argomulyo
• Map of Pleret
• Map of Sleman
• Map of Kalasan
• Map of Prambanan
• Map of Imogiri
• Map of Pakem
• Map of Cangkringan
• Map of Kaliurang
• Map of Parangtritis
• Map of Kulon Progo
• Map of Mendut
• Map of Klaten
• Map of Wates
• Map of Borobudur
• Map of Gunung Kidul
• Map of Wonosari
• Map of Semanu
• Map of Boyolali
• Map of Magelang
• Map of Purworejo
• Map of Kemadang

Yogyakarta throughout the year

• Yogyakarta in January
• Yogyakarta in February
• Yogyakarta in March
• Yogyakarta in April
• Yogyakarta in May
• Yogyakarta in June
• Yogyakarta in July
• Yogyakarta in August
• Yogyakarta in September
• Yogyakarta in October
• Yogyakarta in November
• Yogyakarta in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Yogyakarta?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 1-Day Bantul Itinerary
• 1-Day Kulon Progo Itinerary
• 1-Day Depok Itinerary
• 1-Day Wonosari Itinerary
• 1-Day Prambanan Itinerary
• 1-Day Borobudur Itinerary

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• See time and distance between all your places

24 Incredible Things to do in Yogyakarta Indonesia

Updated February 12, 2024

Welcome to Things to do in Yogyakarta, the first post of our Indonesia series . I had the chance to visit this wonderful country last October for the first time – which is quite strange because despite being Australian, I had never been to Indonesia.

Check out these tours around Yogyakarta, ideal for first-timers!

Our favourite tour provider is GetYourGuide, offering a variety of activities, flexible booking, and 24/7 support!

• Borobudur Sunrise, Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full Day Tour – includes UNESCO-listed temples and a volcano jeep tour!
• Y ogyakarta: Borobudur and Prambanan Temple Tour with Climb – a skip the line tour of the two most famous temples!
• Yogyakarta: Night Walking and Street Food Tasting Tour – sample some of the best food in town!
• Yogyakarta: 3-Day Bromo & Ijen Volcano Trip with Lodging – visit Java’s best volcanoes on this hiking tour
• Yogyakarta: Jomblang Cave and Pindul Cave Adventure Trip – a super fun cave tour with tubing in an underground river

There’s no such thing as ‘the real Indonesia’. Or let me rephrase – there are many ‘real’ versions of Indonesia.  The forests of Sumatra, the volcanoes of Java, hiking the Ijen Crater , the villages of Bali and the stunning beaches of Raja Ampat are all facets of this huge and diverse country, home to over 800 million people and a variety of religions, traditions and cultures.

If I were to choose the perfect destination for first time visitors to Indonesia, I’d choose Yogyakarta. Not only because it was my first destination in the country, but also because Yogyakarta offers a great mix of things to do and see – to me, at least – come to mind when thinking of Indonesia.

The mighty UNESCO-listed Borobudur temple , my childhood image of Indonesia that I first saw in a faded poster in my school, is only 40 km from the city. Then, there are volcanoes – Mount Merapi is just about 50 km away, surrounded by wonderful nature. Definitely two of the best things to do in Yogyakarta!

Near Yogyakarta (also called Jogjakarta, or Jogja for short) there are several villages where it’s possible to organise homestays, learn Bahasa or even just spend a day relaxing and getting to know local culture, helping locals with their work in the rice fields.

And what about the city itself? There are plenty of things to do in Yogyakarta – especially when it comes to arts and crafts. The city is famous for being the capital of Javanese art, a place where every other street hides a workshop or atelier of some kind, where you can get your hands on some truly wonderful souvenirs.

It is also a pleasant place to spend a few days , wandering around alleyways and markets. Traffic and pollution are not nearly as bad as Jakarta, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing and there’s an interesting encounter of tradition and modernity, with ancient and modern art existing side by side.

Here I’ve included  24 things to do in Yogyakarta and around – including ideas on what to do in Yogyakarta at night, what to eat, shopping tips and where to stay!

Looking for transfers from Yogyakarta airport into town? Book here and make your arrival hassle free!

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The Best Things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

1) sunrise at borobudur.

The best known  tourist attraction around Yogyakarta is Borobudur , one of the best temple sites in Southeast Asia alongside Angkor Wat in Cambodia , and Bagan in Myanmar.

I had already visited Angkor and Bagan, and loved them both, but I must admit that Borobudur totally blew me away – whereas the first two are temple complexes, including several buildings, Borobudur is a single temple, and it’s absolutely huge. In fact, it’s considered to be the largest Buddhist monument on Earth , a giant pyramid with 9 levels, 2672 carved panels and 504 Buddha statues. To give you an idea, on the top level there are 72 bell-shaped stupas, each of them containing a statue of the Buddha.

The image of Borobudur I had in my school book was of a sunrise behind three stupas – I thought that would be it, so imagine my excitement when I saw that the temple was so much bigger than I expected. So big that no matter where I stood, it was impossible to capture it in a single shot.

Our plan was seeing the sunrise from the top of Borobudur , but once again it was a cloudy day, and the sun was hidden behind a hazy curtain. Somehow, though, the low clouds and mist added to the otherworldly, suspended-in-time feel of Borobudur temple.

Book your Borubudur sunrise tour here!

2) And Sunset at Prambanan!

Another stunning temple near Yogyakarta , and one that is believed by many to be even more beautiful than Borobudur, is the wonderful Prambanan. This is also a UNESCO-world heritage site, a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva, discovered by the Dutch in the 10th century.

Whereas Borobudur is famous for its sheer size, the Prambanan temples are best known for their height and intricate decoration – the tallest building is forty-seven meter high! The three biggest temples are dedicated to the main Hindu gods, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, and are decorated with scenes from the Ramayana.

You can have a full-on temple day starting with sunrise at Borobodur and sunset at Prambanan, but it would be a looooong day. We recommend splitting the two temples over two separate days – after all, these are definitely the best things to do in Yogyakarta!

This rice terrace hiking tour includes a visit to Prambanan – book here !

3) Ramayana Ballet

After visiting Prambanan, stick around for the nightly Ramayana Ballet, where you’ll have the chance to see dancers re-enact the scenes of the Ramayana that you have admired in the temples.

It’s an unforgettable experience, reminiscent of Petra by Night – on one side, you’ll have the temples all lit up, and right in front you’ll see beautiful skilled dancers in colourful costumes bringing these ancient tales to life. Enjoying this ballet performance of Ramayana is truly one of the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia!

Book a wonderful tour of the Ramayana ballet here!

4) Karanganyar Pottery Village

After our time in Borobodur visit we paid a short visit to Karanganyar pottery village , where you can try your hand at making traditional pottery by hand, which is not as easy as it sounds! Yet, it’s really worth adding to your list of things to do in Yogyakarta , especially if you love handmade souvenirs like me.

5) Visit Kota Gede

In Yogyakarta city itself, make sure you visit to Kota Gede, a former town now surrounded by the city that makes for a great afternoon stroll. It’s the ideal place to discover the arts and crafts scene that Yogyakarta is famous for . It feels like a village inside the city, with narrow backstreets leading into courtyards and artist’s workshops, and bicycles and rickshaws replacing motorbikes and cars.

Beautiful wooden panels decorated the entrance of houses lining Kota Gede streets, with the carvings revealing which era the houses were from – Hindu houses had a lotus flower, Muslim houses were decorated with Arabic script and colonial-time houses had the carving of a crown. You can’t miss this, it’s one of the best things to do in Yogyakarta!

We also wandered through a street market, where we worked hard to resist the temptation to grab some street food (sadly, we had just had lunch), and visited some silversmith workshops where some exquisite filigree items were offered for sale.

6) Make your own batik in Kota Gede

I’m always of the opinion that the best souvenirs are handmade ones, and so I was really looking forward to the idea of making batik . Trouble is, I had no idea it was going to be so difficult! We were given a piece of cloth with a drawing traced on it, and a tool filled with melted wax that we were supposed to use to trace the outline of the drawing.

Which – just like pottery – is easier said than done! I filled my tool too much and spilled wax all over my t-shirt, and now I’ll have batik with me everywhere I go.

7) Visit the Batik Museum

If you want to know more about the ancient art of Batik decoration before trying your hand at making your very own batik souvenirs, you can visit the Batik Museum, located much closer to Jogja’s centre than Kota Gede.

You can start off by visiting the museum to see ancient batik tools, then admire the stunning fabric on display before joining a batik workshop.

8) Join a Silver Jewellery Workshop

Another cool thing to do in Yogyakarta is joining a silver making workshop in Kota Gede, where you can make your own silver souvenirs follow local techniques. You’ll need to have a lot of patience because you need to be very precise to master the filigree technique, but on the upside, there’s a wonderful souvenir to remind you of your time in Yogyakarta!

9) Or try your hand at making a puppet!

My favourite thing to do in Yogyakarta (besides Borobudur) was visiting Papermoon Puppet, a theatre created by two Indonesian visual artists. Papermoon uses puppets , an art that is usually perceived as being for children, to talk about one of the darkest times in Indonesian history, the mass killings of 1965.

Puppets used vary from life-size, using two or more people to operate them, to smaller ones that can be operated by one person.

We didn’t have time to attend a Papermoon show, but we got to try our hand at making our own puppet using clay and newspaper. Here’s mine, Pirate cat!

10) Kraton Palace

Another must-visit place in Jogja is Kraton Palace is main palace in the city, and the home to the Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family. It is a great example of Javanese architecture, with a complex of pavilions and buildings that takes a few hours to explore.

Wandering through the grounds, you’ll admire intricately decorated buildings, with golden ceilings and colonnaded exteriors – don’t forget to check out the display of gifts received by the Sultan from world leaders.

11) Taman Sari

Right next to Kraton Palace, you can find Taman Sari, also known as the ‘Water Castle’. This was supposed to be a pleasure park for the Sultan and his family – you’ll find castles, pavillions and water features, but not only. There is also the mysterious underground mosque Sumur Gumuling and secret passages.

Taman Sari is a wonderful example of Javanese architecture, and the pools and bathing houses of the Sultan and his harem make for wonderful photo opportunities. Definitely one of the top unmissable things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia!

This full-day Yogyakarta tour includes a visit to Taman Sari – book here!

Places to Stay in Yogyakarta

• The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta – one of the best luxury options in town, and a steal at only €70!
• Jambuluwuk Malioboro Jogja – perfect for shopping lovers as it’s close to Malioboro!
• Greenhost Boutique Hotel – our favourite place in town, with a hipster vibe and eco ethos. Read more about it at the end of this post!
• Grand Aston Hotel – a new luxury hotel starting as little as €50, with decor mixing modern and classic.
• Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta – for those who love classic luxury!
• The Packer Lodge Yogyakarta – an excellent eco-friendly hostel in the heart of town.

Non-Touristy Things to do around Yogyakarta

12) meeting the locals at pentingsari village.

The first place we visited right outside Yogyakarta was Pentingsari, a village halfway between the city and the Mount Merapi area . If you’re after a homestay, Pentingsari is the place for you – there are several local homes offering tourists the chance to stay for a few days, help in the rice fields or learn to make handicrafts.

13) Mount Merapi with Willy’s Jeep

Visiting an Indonesian volcano was definitely in my list of things to do in Yogyakarta, and I was glad to get a chance to glimpse Mount Merapi , one of the largest in Java, and the most active volcano in Indonesia! Did you notice how I said ‘glimpse’ and not ‘see’? The day we visited was cloudy and rainy, and so we missed out on the sweeping vistas of cone-shaped mount Merapi surrounded by rainforest and rice paddies.

However, the torrential rain made the experience even more fun. We zipped up and down the mountainsides, in and out fast-flowing latte-coloured rivers, doing donuts in our trusty old Willy’s Jeep , led by a fearless driver who was completely oblivious to the buckets of water cascading from the sky.

Yet, our fun and laughs were in stark contrast with the reality of what happened in the area only 6 years ago – Merapi was hit by a destructive eruption that claimed over 300 lives and displaced thousands of villagers. Merapi in Indonesian means ‘Mountain of Fire’ , testament to its power. The October 2010 eruption changed the landscape of the area – we could see the path created by the lava flow, looking like a canyon dug into the valley by the flaming river.

Book a tour of Merapi with Willy’s Jeep here!

14) Visit Museum Sisa Hartaku

If you do like we did and book a Willy’s Jeep tour with Kaliurang Adventures , one of the stops will be Museum Sisa Hartaku , a small museum established by a local family showing the effect of the 2010 eruption on people’s lives. The house is still as it was left when the hot ash cloud reached the village – even the clock’s hands are stuck exactly at the time of the eruption.

15) Stand on a Tree Platform at Kalibiru National Park

Can you imagine standing on a tree platform way over the treetops, observing the canopy from the same viewpoint as the birds? You can do so at Kalibiru, a national park located  in the mountains right outside Jogja. This national park became an Insta-perfect destination for its wooden platforms on trees, overlooking nearby Lake Sermo.

The highlight of a visit to Kalibiru is climbing up to one of the four wooden platforms to enjoy the views and have your picture taken. However, please note it does get crowded, and your time on the platform is limited to 5 minutes. There are also othr activities available in this national park, including hiking, zip lines, and rock climbing.

16) Jomblang Cave

Another incredible thing to do in Yogyakarta for adventure lovers is visiting Jomblang Cave, a sinkhole-like cave famous for having beams of light shining through the cave opening from a hole on the top, making for great photo opportunities.

However, this isn’t just an Instagram destination – you need to rappel down the cave to reach the base, there are no stairs! To get the best opportunities of light beams, visit the cave in the middle of the day – like we did when we went to see the cenotes in Valladolid, Mexico! 

17) Surf the Sand Dunes at Parangkusumo

Another fun adventurous thing to do in Yogyakarta is surfing the Parangsumo sand dunes. These dunes were a consequence of the Mount Merapi eruption, and they look a bit incongruous surrounded by forest – but there are plenty of activities to be enjoyed, from sand boarding to horse riding and ATV.

18) Visit Yogyakarta’s Beaches

When thinking of things to do in Yogyakarta , I’m sure not many of you would consider going to the beach. Yet, Indonesia is famous for its beaches, right? Most of Yogyakarta’s beaches are about two hours drive from the city, so they can be a valuable option for a day trip.

Siung Beach is one of the nicest beaches near Yogyakarta, also famous for its coastal cliffs that include wonderful climbing opportunities, Timang Beach with its unique ‘gondola’ used by fishermen, and Pok Tunggal Beach – one of the most beautiful in Yogyakarta, with water springs and white sand.

19) Hike Mount Merapi or Mount Nglanggeran

If you’re up for it, you can also climb Mount Merapi – it takes approximately three hours, and the last stretch is really quite strenuous, but you can say you’ve climbed Indonesia’s most active volcano! Most people climb around sunset, stay overnight and tackle the last stretch in the dark to be on the summit for sunrise.

An alternative to Mount Merapi, if you’re not up for such a challenge but still want to add hiking to your list of things to do in Yogyakarta , is Mount Nglanggeran , located about an hour away from Yogyakarta and taking about an hour each way to climb.

Shopping in Yogyakarta

20) head to malioboro.

One of the best and most famous things to do in Yogyakarta is checking out Malioboro , the famous shopping street – even though the entire surrounding area is also known as Malioboro.

Malioboro is a bargain shopping paradise, and ideal for those who want to stock up on souvenirs to take home. You’ll find bags, batik fabrics, Javanese sculptures, artworks of all kinds, printed t-shirts and more, on sale both along street stalls and small shops. Malioboro is also often full of street artists – especially in the evening! 

Things to do in Yogyakarta at Night

21) eat street food in malioboro.

Besides street food, there’s also one more thing to do in Malioboro – eating street food! As soon as night falls, street food carts (known in Indonesian as ‘lesehan’ ) start lining the street.

Some of the specialties on offer include  onde-onde  (fried rice cakes stuffed with  molasses),  gudeg  (a jackfruit-based savory dish, eaten with rice), brongkos (spicy dark beef) and sego pecel  (rice with vegetables in peanut sauce, wonderful for vegetarians).

22) Enjoy a Show at the Wayang Theatre

Another unique thing to do in Yogyakarta (and a must if you’re the kind of person who likes checking out UNESCO lists) is attending a shadow puppet show, an ancient Javanese art that are included in the list of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

At Wayang Theatre in Yogyakarta you’ll be able to attend one of these show most nights, where dramatic stories about gods and heroes are told through the shadows of puppets, sometimes with the participation of ‘human actors).

23) Wander around South Square

During the day, Alun Alun Kidul (also known as South Square) is busy and traffic-congested, while during the day it becomes a hive of activities, with street food stalls, hawkers blowing giant bubbles and selling toys, and one of the most unique things you can do in Jogja…

24) Ride on Neon Cars

Don’t miss riding on these giant pimped-up pedicabs , found all over Alun Alun Kidul! Some have been modified to resemble WV Beetles, vans or other kind of cars, but unfortunately there’s no engine – you’ll have to pedal. This is by far the most fun and unique thing to do in Yogyakarta at night!

Where to stay in Yogyakarta

Greenhost boutique hotel.

Our home for the three days we spent in Yogyakarta was  Greenhost Boutique Hotel , an eco-friendly property constructed from recycled and sustainable materials.

If you’re envisioning a fake-shabby, post-hipster place with pallets instead of beds, think again – Greenhost is a stylish boutique place , with materials like salvaged doors and old fruit boxes integrated into a context of modern design. The kind of place that made me gaze pensively into the lobby pool in search of that perfect Insta shot, before remembering that I’m not a pretty girl but a bearded almost 40 year old dude, so I’d better not.

The hotel also has a greenhouse and there are hydroponically-grown vegetables on every balcony , that are then used in the hotel restaurant – sadly we never ate there as our dinners were always organised elsewhere, but the menu sounded delicious. If you fancy some R&R you can head to the Tea Spa or swimming pool , and if you need to get something done, there’s a coworking space onsite .

I’m not usually a person that loves hanging around hotels, but Greenhost made me really want to stay and enjoy the eco awesome atmosphere. That means I’ll have to be back – not a problem, there are plenty more things to do in Yogyakarta!

Do you have tips for other things to do in Yogyakarta? Let us know in the comments! 

My trip to Indonesia was organised by Indonesia Travel as part of the #TripOfWonders and #WonderfulIndonesia campaigns. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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• 10 Most Charming Places To Visit In Yogyakarta On Your Indonesian Vacation

23 Mar 2023

Cover Image Credit: wikipedia

Yogyakarta is a beautiful place in Indonesia where you can spend a few days with your friends and family on a vacation. The food is great, the people are friendly, and the countryside is absolutely scenic and gorgeous. Very close to Borobudur, this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is also known as Jogja. It is a sprawling town in Java. There are many places to visit in Yogyakarta on your trip to Indonesia.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Yogyakarta

We present to you a list of top 10 places to visit in Yogyakarta. From Borobudur Temple to Pinus Pengger, there’s something for everybody at this world-class tourist destination.

• Borobudur Temple
• Prambanan Temple
• Sewu Temple
• Pinus Pengger
• The Taman Sari
• Merapi Volcano
• Kalibiru National Park
• Jomblang Cave
• Ullen Sentalu Museum
• Timang Beach

1. Borobudur Temple

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Begin your Yogyakarta sightseeing with a visit to Borobudur Temple . This attraction tops the list of the top 10 places to visit in Yogyakarta, and for good reason. This huge Buddhist temple is located in a gorgeous setting amidst beautiful mountains and landscape. It also houses the largest Buddhist structure in the world. The temple is a mere hours drive from the town center and is easily accessible by public transport.

Entrance Fee: INR 1480/- Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM

Must Read: 20 Things To Do In Yogyakarta To Explore The Best Of This Gem On Java Island

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2. Prambanan Temple

Wondering what to see in Yogyakarta when sorting out your itinerary- Be sure to include the impressive Prambanan temple in your plans. This massive and impressive Hindu complex comprises of several smaller temples set around the main cluster. Each of the temples is slightly different from each other and yet beautiful in its own way. This temple is a great example of Hindu Architecture and attracts a number of history and architecture lovers.

Entrance Fee: INR 1331/- Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM

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3. Sewu Temple

Whilst most parts of the complex are undergoing restoration, the best-preserved structure that stands high and tall in the three antennae temple complex beside Prambanan temple is the Sewi Temple also known as Sewi Chandi. Two giant statues will welcome you at the entrance and lead your way toward the main shrine. Chandi Sewu is said to be the second largest Buddhist temple complex in all of Java and is without doubt one of the best places to visit at Yogyakarta.

Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM

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4. Pinus Pengger

A relatively new addition to the top places to visit in Yogyakarta, Pinus Pengger is just an hours drive from Yogyakarta city center. It is a cute and quirky forest themed park that has interesting sculptures such as The Hand which is truly Instagram worthy and a great place to click a few memorable selfies, especially during sunset. We strongly recommend using a hired car or motorbike as this area is out of the Uber operating zone. Though in the outskirts of the city, Pinus Pengger is one of the best places to visit near Yogyakarta.

Entrance Fee: INR 73/- Timings: 6:30 AM – 11 PM

5. The Taman Sari

Also known as the Water Castle, Taman Sari – A Yogyakarta tourism jewel, is a former royal castle in the Kraton district that was once the actual royal palace in itself. It is one of the many popular historical places in Yogyakarta that you must definitely visit. Taman Sari is divided into 4 separate areas the most interesting of them being the bathing area. This area is hard to miss, being the very first section you will enter into. It comprises of two rather large pools of water, each separated by an impressive 3-storey watch tower. As you venture further into the beautiful surrounding gardens, you will walk past yet another highlight of the royal complex the underground mosque. You will have to walk down a steep flight of staircase and find your way through a set of tunnels that open onto a central courtyard and a beautiful mosque.

Entrance Fee: INR 73/- per person Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM

Suggested Read: 10 Indonesia Travel Tips You Must Follow To Make Your Trip Memorable

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6. Merapi Volcano

Yet another popular one among the best Yogyakarta tourist attractions, is none other than Merapi Volcano. A number of tour operators run jeep tours to this volcano. The jeep tour will also take you to an interesting museum that commemorates the most recent eruption. The museum records all details of the eruption and gives tourists an insight into the devastating effects of the event.

Entrance Fee: INR 147/-

7. Kalibiru National Park

No trip to Yogyakarta is complete without a trip to Kalibiru national park. Tourists get to enjoy great views and click classic photographs at the cliff side where props have been set up! You will however have to pay a fee of about 10,000 IDR for clicking a shot at each spot. Renting a taxi out of Yogyakarta city is the best option as the final leg to Kalibiru can be rather steep for a bike.

Entrance Fee: INR 73/- per person Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM

Suggested Read: 10 Holiday Homes In Indonesia For A Laid Back Island Vacation

8. Jomblang Cave

There are many places to visit at Yogyakarta, such as the Jomblang Caves. This is a great place in Indonesia to indulge in some adventurous activities like rappelling through a muddy and dark vertical cave to see the Light of Heaven that shines through the dark cave. You will be given boots, but wear a pair of old socks that you can discard, should your boots leak. There is a limit to the number of tourists that can visit each day, so get to the caves early if you wish to secure a place.

Entrance Fee: INR 1924/- per person Timings: 8 AM – 2:30 PM

Suggested Read: Top 8 Indian Restaurants In Yogyakarta Serving Royal Indian Delicacies

9. Ullen Sentalu Museum

There is no dearth of places to visit in Yogyakarta. If you have some time to kill, make your way to this private museum that comprises of an indoor as well as outdoor area that showcase Javas history and culture through various displays such as photos, statues, paintings, and fabrics. The Entrance Fee: to this one of its kind museum, also includes a guide who will give you tit-bits about various exhibits as well as Javas ancient history.

Entrance Fee: INR 221/- per person Timings: 8:30 AM – 3 PM

Suggested Read: 12 Indonesian Islands That Will Take Your Breath Away!

10. Timang Beach

There are a number of beaches around Indonesia to have a fun time splashing in the waters. Our favorite pick is Timang Beach – a great place to let your hair down and and unwind in a serene ambience. There are a number of eateries dotting the shores and you can spend all day enjoying the views and eating reasonably prices tasty seafood. You can also swim at certain parts of the beach.

Entrance Fee: INR 480/- per person Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM

Further Read: A Tour Guide To The Java Island in Indonesia

There are so many places to visit in Yogyakarta, that you will find it hard to pick! The next time you plan a trip to Indonesia , be sure to head out on a sightseeing tour to cover the above-mentioned attractions.

Disclaimer:  TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note:  Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Yogyakarta

What is Yogyakarta known for?

Home to Javanese fine arts and culture and 2 UNESCO world heritage sites, Yogyakarta is known for its music, ballet, drama and poetry and is an important religious and cultural site in Indonesia.

What is the most visited place by tourists in Yogyakarta?

Jalan Malioboro, Taman Sari, The Palace of Yogyakarta, Gembira Loka Zoo, Tugu and any more are some of the most visited places by tourists in Yogyakarta.

Is it safe to visit Yogyakarta, given the covid situation?

Yes, it is safe to visit Yogyakarta given that you follow all guidelines and take all the necessary precautions. Make sure to get yourself vaccinated before planning a trip, also wear masks at all times, maintain social distancing at public places and sanitize your hands regularly.

What is there to do in and around Yogyakarta?

Some of the best things to do in and around Yogyakarta are 1. Watching the sunset from Borobudur 2. Enjoying Ramayana Ballet 3. Kota Gede city tour 4. Learning pottery at Karanganyar pottery village 5. Watching the sunset at Prambanan 6. Learning Batik art in Kota Gede 7. Attending silver jewellery workshop

What is the best time to visit Yogyakarta?

The month from May to October and December are the best months to visit Yogyakarta. The temperature during this time is warm and rainfall is less.

Is it safe to visit Yogyakarta?

Yes, visiting Yogyakarta is safe, as long as you take necessary precautions. Make sure you take extra care of your belongings in crowded places and lonely places.

How far is Borobudur from Yogyakarta?

Borobudur Temple is about 40 km (39.7 Km) away from Yogyakarta and can be reached within 1 hour 20 minutes.

Where should I stay in Yogyakarta?

Some of the best places to stay in Yogyakarta are: 1. Greenhost Boutique Hotel Prawirotaman 2. Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort & Spa 3. The Phoenix Yogyakarta Mgallery By Sofitel 4. Adhisthana Hotel 5. Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

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20 Best Things To Do In Yogyakarta With Kids: Yogyakarta Itinerary

Contrary to what many travelers think, the best place to experience the culture of Indonesia is not Bali . In my opinion, it's the city of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. A Yogyakarta itinerary is a must for any family’s Indonesia bucket list! With so many things to do in Yogyakarta with kids, you’ll be able to get a glimpse into what Indonesia is really like.

We visited Yogyakarta as a family in 2019, but I’ve personally been visiting this city since I was a kid. The bustling city of Yogyakarta encapsulates everything that Indonesian culture is all about. It’s modern, yet traditional; busy, yet relaxed.

Yogyakarta has the same Hindu-derived arts and culture that tourists flock to Bali for. But it also has a strong spiritual heart, by way of Islam, which the majority of the country practices. And when it comes to Indonesian tourist attractions, Yogyakarta has one of the best: the iconic Borobudur Temple.

Travelers can visit Bali all they want. But if you’re looking to understand Indonesian culture, then you need to include a visit to Yogyakarta in your Indonesian itinerary, and experience the best things to do in Yogyakarta with kids. Take a look at my suggestions for the best Yogyakarta itinerary for your family.

This article was originally published on September 1, 2019.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.

Table of Contents

Yogyakarta itinerary highlights for visiting Yogyakarta with kids

Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here are my top 5 recommendations for things to do in Yogyakarta with kids for your Yogyakarta itinerary.

• Tour Borobudur and Prambanan temples
• Learn about Java’s cultural heritage
• Take a batik master class
• Watch a Ramayana dance performance
• Hang out at Alun-Alun Kidul

Where to stay in Yogyakarta

If you’re planning a visit to Yogyakarta, there are plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods to stay in while you're exploring the things to do in Yogyakarta. While you can certainly stay at places like the Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta , our family prefers to stay at more locally owned places while we’re in Yogyakarta. 

When we visited in 2019, we stayed in the Danunegaran neighborhood in southern Yogyakarta, near Jalan Tirtodipuran and Jalan Prawirotaman. These two streets are popular among tourists, and are lined with restaurants and tour companies. They’re pretty close to many of the things to do in Yogyakarta, which is why this area is so popular among travelers.

If you’re looking for hotels to stay in the Danunegaran area, here are three highly rated hotels to consider. Keep in mind that most hotels in Yogyakarta will usually only have 1-2 beds in a room. So families will need to book more than one room.

Duta Garden Hotel

Duta Garden Hotel is a 3-star hotel set in a garden setting in the Danunegaran neighborhood. It’s located several blocks north of Jalan Prawirotaman, on a relatively quiet street. We stumbled across as we were walking around the neighborhood, and loved how peaceful the area felt.

Rooms at Duta Garden Hotel come with air conditioning, TV, and WiFi. There’s also daily housekeeping available. And the rooms either overlook, or have access to the garden and outdoor pool. The hotel offers laundry services, luggage storage, and airport shuttle for a fee. Babysitting is also available for families with young kids.

Greenhost Boutique Hotel

A popular 3-star hotel in the Danunegaran neighborhood is Greenhost Boutique Hotel. This hotel is located one block south of Jalan Prawirotaman. It boasts a bar, restaurant, outdoor pool, and garden. The hotel also offers bike rentals and airport shuttle services for guests.

The rooms at Greenhost Boutique Hotel only have either 1 king-size bed or 2 twin-size beds, so families will need to book more than one room. However, rooms are reasonably priced, and are quite spacious, so you’ll definitely get much value for your money. All rooms come with air conditioning, WiFi, TV, and free tea and coffee.

Adhisthana Hotel 

Another 3-star hotel in the neighborhood to consider is the Adhisthana Hotel. This hotel has an outdoor pool and a restaurant that offers daily breakfasts for a fee. The architecture of the hotel is more traditional Javanese style, with accents of Dutch colonial, so you feel like you’re transported back in time to old Java.

Rooms at Adhisthana Hotel come with free WiFi and TV. Other services offered at Adhisthana Hotel include airport and train station shuttles, massages, laundry, and luggage storage. Hotel staff can also provide assistance with arranging tours around the city.

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Ideas for things to do in Yogyakarta with kids

We spent a month in Yogyakarta in 2019, and to be honest, we wish we could have spent more. There were just so many things to do in Yogyakarta. And we didn’t get a chance to do them all!

Of the things that we did get to do (and thankfully, there were plenty), we were quite surprised to find that many of them were extremely kid friendly. Indonesians love children, so most places you visit in Indonesia will be welcoming of kids , no matter what age.

Here are 20 of our favorite things to do in Yogyakarta with kids. These activities will surely help you gain some insight into Indonesian culture.

1. Climb the Borobudur Temple

The Borobudur Temple is a massive Buddhist temple structure that is located about two hours outside of Yogyakarta. It’s one of the most well-known Indonesian tourist attractions (and in Southeast Asia), primarily because of its sunrise views, but also because it’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In a predominantly Muslim country, it may seem odd that people here would hold such a reverence to this temple structure. But the Borobudur temple is a real source of pride for Indonesians, and one that even Indonesians will come in flocks to visit. 

In a way, the temple is a reminder of Indonesia’s glorious past, prior to the Dutch occupation, when Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms ruled the islands. Indonesian culture is full of mythology, and the Borobudur temple is just a part of the country’s mythological past.

Visiting Borobudur temple

Buses are available to take visitors to Borobudur temple, but for families, the best option is to hire a private car. Families can book a car and driver through the travel company Via Via . A 5-hour car and driver hire will cost roughly Rp. 1,000,000 IDR (roughly $65 USD) for up to 5 people. 

Alternatively, you can book a private driver ahead of time online.

Entrance to the temple will be $25 (USD) for kids and adults over 10 years old, and $15 (USD) for kids between the ages of 3 and 10. 

If you want a deeper experience of the Borobudur temple, you can join a guided tour. A tour will be able to provide you with more history of the temple, as well as take you to other temples.

Visiting Borobudur at sunrise

For the ultimate Borobudur experience, come during sunrise. Mornings at Borobudur have the least amount of tourists and are also the coolest times of day. It’s also the most picturesque time to visit the temple!

You can leave Yogyakarta in the wee hours of the morning to catch a sunrise tour. Alternatively, you can book an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. These hotels are all within a 10 minute drive from the temple.

• Watu Agung Guest House  
• Sarasvati Borobudur
• The Omah Borobudur

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2. Marvel at the ruins of Prambanan

Another important part of Indonesian culture and history is the Prambanan Temple complex. It’s the largest Hindu temple in Java and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike Borobudur, these temples are Hindu rather than Buddhist, but they still hold a similarly high level of reverence among Indonesians. We visited Prambanan in 2015, and we were so impressed by its beauty!

Built in the mid-9th century, these temples harken back to the glories of Java’s empirical past. Today, visitors can walk around the temple grounds, and look inside many of the temples. And in the evenings, Prambanan becomes the backdrop to dance performances of the Hindu epic, The Ramayana.

Tickets to Prambanan are $25 (USD) for kids and adults over the age of 10, and $15 for kids between 3 and 10. You can bundle a ticket with Borobudur for $45 (USD) for kids and adults over 10 years old, and $27 (USD) for kids between 3 and 10. 

For the Ramayana Ballet , tickets range from Rp. 150,000-450,000 per person (roughly $10-$29), and will need to be reserved separately and ahead of time.

3. Experience royal history at the Keraton

If you can’t tell, Yogyakarta is proud of its historical and royal past. You can see it quite clearly if you visit the Keraton Yogyakarta (the royal palace), located in the historic city center. A visit to the Keraton is a must for things to do in Yogyakarta, because you observe so much of Javanese culture there.

The sultan, Hamengkubuwono X, still lives at the palace, and also serves as the governor of the Yogyakarta region. You can tour some of the rooms that are open to the public. And each day, from 10am to 12pm, there are cultural demonstrations that visitors can enjoy, including music performances, wayang golek (wood puppets) performances, traditional poetry recitings, wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances, and traditional dancing.

Entrance to the Keraton is Rp. 25,000 per person (roughly $1.65). And there is a separate fee for use of a camera.

You can visit the Keraton on your own. Or if you want to make the most of your Yogyakarta itinerary, book a heritage tour that includes the Keraton along with other historical places (Taman Sari water castle and Sonobudoyo Museum, described below).

Budgeting for a trip to Indonesia? Read my Indonesia travel budget post for ideas.

4. Learn Indonesian history at Taman Sari

Besides the Keraton, another royal building worth visiting is Taman Sari . Built in the 18th century, Taman Sari was built as a pleasure palace for the sultan of Yogyakarta at the time. The buildings, also known as the Water Castle, have two pools that the sultan and his many wives and concubines would bathe in. 

A visit to Taman Sari provides a glimpse into the stratified and inegalitarian society of Java’s past, with the sultan occupying a god-like position at the top. Fortunately, Indonesia has progressed much since then.

Entrance to Taman Sari is Rp. 30,000 (roughly $2) per person. If planning a visit, hire a guide for an additional Rp. 50,000 per person (roughly $3.25). A tour guide is helpful in providing meaning and explanation to the architecture, as well as insight to the palace’s history. 

To maximize your Yogyakarta itinerary, book a heritage tour that includes Taman Sari, along with the Keraton (described above) and the Sonobudoyo Museum (described below).

5. Learn about Indonesian culture and history at Sonobudoyo Museum

Speaking of learning about Indonesian culture, located near the Keraton is the Sonobudoyo Museum . It’s a great place to see artifacts from Indonesia’s past, including batiks, gamelan instruments, prehistoric tools, and even royal weapons!

The museum also has two complete Javanese gamelan sets (traditional Indonesian percussion instruments) on display. As someone who has spent over a decade learning and playing traditional Javanese gamelan music, I was over the moon. They even let me play a few notes on one of the instruments!

The museum is open everyday of the week from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. On Fridays, the museum closes at 2:00 pm. Admission to the museum is Rp. 20,000 (roughly $1.30) per person.

As with the Keraton and Taman Sari mentioned above, you can maximize your Yogyakarta itinerary by booking a heritage tour that includes all three of these attractions.

6. Watch a wayang performance

Every night, except for Sunday nights, the Sonobudoyo Museum puts on a wayang kulit performance from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Wayang kulit are shadow puppets made from leather ( kulit means skin in Indonesian). The stories performed at the Sonobudoyo Museum are episodes from either the Hindu epic, Ramayana , or sometimes from the Mahabarata.

Wayang kulit came to Indonesia by way of India, around the time that Hinduism came to the islands. Although Hinduism (and Buddhism) eventually became usurped by Islam in Indonesia, the wayang kulit traditions and stories remained. 

In the past, wayang kulit performances would often last all night, with the gamelan orchestra accompanying the puppeteer, known as the dalang . During the Nationalism movement in Indonesia in the 1920’s, when the country was trying to gain its independence, wayang kulit performances were often used as a way to spread nationalist messages!

Tickets to the wayang kulit performances at Sonobudoyo Museum are Rp. 50,000 (roughly $3.25). The setup is such that you can sit on either side of the screen. So you can watch the shadows on the screen. Or you can watch the dalang and the gamelan at work, which is equally as exciting. 

7. Experience Indonesian culture at Alun-Alun Kidul

One of our favorite things to do in Yogyakarta is to ride a bicycle-car at Alun-Alun Kidul. This is an activity that you will most likely not find in your typical list of Indonesian tourist attractions. But for families putting together a Yogyakarta itinerary, it’s truly something you can’t miss!

The bicycle-cars are old VW beetles and vans that have been gutted and fitted with benches and bicycles inside. The outside is decorated with different colored lights, and there are usually speakers blaring pop music as well. A ride around Alun-Alun Kidul will cost between Rp. 60,000-100,000 (roughly $4-6). These bicycle-cars are only available at night, starting after sunset.

Alun-Alun Kidul is a popular spot for locals to hang out at night, including families. Food stalls, known as warungs , line the streets, and vendors will sell toys for kids throughout the grassy area. Plus, there are games you can play there. Alun-Alun Kidul is a great place to catch a glimpse of how local families hang out together.

You can make your visit to Alun-Alun Kidul even more fun with a night time street food tour.

8. Stroll through a kampung

During our time in Yogyakarta, we stayed in an Airbnb right on the edge of Kampung Danunegaran. In Indonesian, kampung means village, and in Yogyakarta, this can be loosely translated as neighborhood.

In between the main streets of Yogyakarta are little alleyways, called gangs , that wind through the kampungs . The alleys are hardly wider than the width of two motorbikes. But we loved walking along the gangs rather than along the main roads. 

It was like catching a glimpse of contemporary Indonesian culture. Passing by homes with families, and children biking along the gang, we felt like we were part of a neighborhood, rather than just tourists.

You can enjoy a tour of Yogyakarta’s neighborhoods and kampungs with a morning bike tour. It’s a fun way to stay active during travel .

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9. Hang out on Jalan Malioboro

You can’t have a Yogyakarta itinerary without a visit to Jalan Malioboro (known in English as Malioboro Street or Malioboro Road). It’s a popular street for travelers to hang out primarily because it’s near many of the things to do in Yogyakarta. It’s very close to Yogyakarta’s central train station.

The street is lined with shops selling batik clothes and souvenirs. Many of the things for sale are priced higher than usual, but if you’re hard pressed for time, this is a great option for souvenir shopping.

Jalan Malioboro will occasionally have street performances showcasing traditional Indonesian culture from Java or the other islands. During one of our visits to Jalan Malioboro, we saw a small street parade comprising of drummers and percussionists from the island of Lombok, near Bali.

Get a feel for Jalan Malioboro with a night walking tour led by a local travel guide. You’ll get to visit a market, sample street food, and ride one of Yogyakarta’s famous becaks (pedicabs).

10. Explore things to do in Yogyakarta at Pasar Beringharjo

If you’re looking for more affordable souvenirs and local goods, head to Pasar Beringharjo, also located on Jalan Malioboro. This public market sells clothes, batiks, textiles, bags, and traditional clothes. I bought a traditional Javanese dance costume here!

Local markets are always a great way to see how locals go about their lives, and Pasar Beringharjo is no exception. The market has a large selection of batik , Indonesia’s traditional wax print cloths. This is where you should go if you want to buy batik .

11. Take a becak around town

For the more adventurous travelers, a unique way to get around Yogyakarta is by riding a becak . These are the bicycle rickshaws or pedicabs that you can find all around the city.

A ride on a becak will depend on the distance. Expect to pay between Rp. 20,000-50,000 ($3-4 USD). We love piling all four of us into a becak and riding through the streets of Yogyakarta at night.

12. Sample Indonesian food things to do in Yogyakarta

Another great way to experience Indonesian culture is through food. Yogyakarta has plenty of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the country. But we also enjoy frequenting warungs , food stalls and small family-run restaurants.

In Indonesia, a popular dish is satay , which is grilled meat on a stick. Ikan bakar (roasted fish) is also popular. Mie bakso (noodles with meatballs) and nasi goreng (fried rice) are also popular dishes. For a meatless option, try gudeg , which is a curry dish made from jackfruit. 

If you happen to travel to Yogyakarta during the month of Ramadan, some of the warungs may be closed during sun down, as most locals will be fasting . But come sunset, the food stalls will be brimming with activity once again!

Another way to experience Indonesian food is by doing a cooking class! You’ll get to make popular street food snacks like martabak , tempeh , and kue putu .

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13. Supplement things to do in Yogyakarta with a batik course

Another one of our favorite things to do in Yogyakarta is to take a batik course. Batik is such an integral part of Indonesian culture. And although the art form didn’t originate from Indonesia, the country has refined the process so much that Indonesian batik has its own unique and distinctive look. 

The process of making batik involves drawing complex wax designs and patterns on fabric, dyeing the fabric, and then boiling the fabric to release the wax. Traditional Javanese batik are double-dyed, with an additional step of adding wax to some of the dyed parts, so that the designs are two-toned.

Where to take batik lessons

We took a batik course from Batik Seno, located near Jalan Tirtodipuran. A three-hour lesson at Batik Seno costs Rp. 300,000 (roughly $20 USD) per person. The ladies Batik Seno have been making batik for thirty years!

Batik Seno doesn’t have a website, so you can’t buy tickets online. So if you feel more comfortable booking things online, you can book a batik master class ahead of time through Viator.

14. Spend an afternoon at the mall

The malls in Indonesia are more than just a place for buying things, they’re also a place for socializing and hanging out. Indonesian malls can have restaurants, movie theaters, play areas, hotels, and even waterparks!

There are several malls in Yogyakarta, scattered throughout the city. They’re great places to hang out if you’re looking for a low key, yet cool (thank goodness for air-conditioning!), way to spend an afternoon.

Malioboro Mall on Jalan Malioboro is conveniently located in central Yogyakarta. But you can also head north to the more upscale Hartono Mall.

15. Ride an andong

One of the fun things to do in Yogyakarta with kids that we enjoy is riding one of the horse-drawn carts, called andong . You can find andongs along Jalan Malioboro. A ride will cost around Rp. 50,000-80,000 ($4-6 USD), depending on the distance.

The andong drivers are dressed in traditional Javanese attire. So, it’s a fun way to imagine what life might have been like for Javanese during the colonial era, before the advent of cars.

16. Try your hand at fishing

Although Yogyakarta doesn’t have any lakes or beaches nearby, fishing is a fun activity that local families like to do. There are several fishing ponds around the city where you can catch your own fish and even have them grilled or fried for you.

Our favorite place to fish in Yogyakarta is Ledok Gebang, a fishing pond and restaurant located in northern Yogyakarta. The place has a big pond with covered bamboo platforms all around the perimeter where you can fish for the afternoon. 

When we visited in 2019, fishing pole rental and bait (live and pellet) were only Rp. 3,000 ($.21 USD) each. The cost for the place to cook the fish was Rp. 95,000 (about $7 USD), and you could also order side dishes and drinks. (Note, prices have likely doubled since then.)

We spent an afternoon at Ledok Gebang and caught two fish. Along with gear rental, food, and drinks, the whole afternoon only cost us Rp. 168,000 (roughly $12)! A lot of families in Yogyakarta like to do this on the weekend, as it’s a good way to socialize in a relaxed environment.

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17. Expand your mind at Taman Pintar

We love visiting science museums. So we were pleasantly surprised when we visited Taman Pintar . It was a fun museum for the kids to experience. Besides science exhibits, there are also exhibits for kids to learn about Indonesian culture and history.

Located close to the Keraton and Sonobudoyo Museum, Taman Pintar is a large complex of several buildings dedicated to kids. The exhibits are interactive and kid-friendly. And even though the condition of some of the exhibits seemed a bit old, the kids didn’t seem to mind.

Admission to Taman Pintar is only Rp. 24,000 (roughly $1.60 USD) for adults, and Rp. 14,000 (roughly $1.00) for kids. Tickets for the planetarium or learning activities are additional to the standard entrance fee.

18. Splash and play at Waterboom Jogja

We celebrated our son’s birthday while we were in Yogyakarta in 2019. And as a special treat, we spent a day at Waterboom Jogja (at the time it was called JogjaBay Pirates Adventure Waterpark). It’s a waterpark in northern Yogyakarta.

Waterboom Jogja has waterslides, both for young kids and teens and grown-ups. There is a lazy river that circumnavigates the whole park. And there is also a large wave pool, which our family really enjoyed. 

Admission to Waterboom Jogja is Rp. 90,000-100,000 (roughly $7 USD) per person, depending on the day of the week. Locker rental is an additional cost. There is also food available to purchase at the waterpark.

Since Indonesia is a Muslim country, for women planning to swim, it’s wise to wear a shirt and pants over your bathing suit for modesty reasons. Full body cover-ups are available for sale at the gift shop.

Read my other Indonesia posts for more travel ideas.

19. Take an Indonesian language course

If you’re planning on spending a good chunk of time in Yogyakarta, then the best way to experience and learn about Indonesian culture is to take a language class. During our time in Yogyakarta, we took Indonesian language classes at Wisma Bahasa , a language school based in Yogyakarta.

Having access to an Indonesian teacher is so valuable, as they can provide you with so much insight into the culture. And learning more than just the standard Indonesian phrases for travelers can get you a long way to making connections with Indonesians.

Wisma Bahasa is open five days a week, but you’ll need to contact them to set up lessons. Enrollment fee is Rp. 300,000 (roughly $21 USD) per person. Private lessons for one person costs Rp. 350,000 per lesson. But the per person cost will decrease if you have two or more people in your class.

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20. More ideas for a Yogyakarta itinerary

Even though we spent a month in Yogyakarta, there were still many things to do in Yogyakarta that we didn’t get a chance to experience. I’ve listed a few of the activities here. They are definitely on our list for the next time we come to Yogyakarta. 

If you have more time to spend in Yogyakarta with kids, check out these additional things you can append to your Yogyakarta itinerary.

• Hike at the picturesque Seribu Batu Songgo Langit
• Visit Mount Merapi, an active volcano (see it on this tour )
• Take day trips to Jomblang Caves and Timang Beach (not recommended for really young kids)
• Spend an afternoon at Gembira Loka Zoo
• Take an excursion to Kalibiru National Park

Going beyond the touristy things to do in Yogyakarta

As visitors to Indonesia, it’s easy to just hit up the Indonesian tourist attractions and call it a day. Even in Yogyakarta, most visitors will only spend a few days in the city to visit the tourist sites and then leave for other parts of Indonesia, like Bali.

But if you really want to get a better understanding of Indonesian culture, you need to go beyond the tourist activities. This will help your kids develop a deeper appreciation for travel . Spend a little longer exploring the things to do in Yogyakarta, and try things that you won’t readily find in a guide book or on Instagram.

Getting to know Indonesian culture

Indonesian culture is complex and diverse. This archipelago of over 17,000 islands has around 300 different ethnic groups. 

The largest ethnic group are the Javanese, located on the island of Java, who make up 40% of the population. But there are also the Sundanese (from West Java), the Batak (from North Sumatra), the Minangkabau (from West Sumatra), and the Buginese (from Sulawesi and Kalimantan). The Balinese make up less than 2 percent of the population.

While Java is not the largest island in Indonesia, it is certainly the most populous. Many of the Indonesian tourist attractions are located on this island. And Indonesians from other islands come to Java to study and work. As a result, the island is a microcosm of the many cultures and ethnic groups that pass through its shores.

In south-central Java, Yogyakarta holds a unique spot in Indonesian culture and politics. It’s the only region that is still governed by a sultan. And its rich cultural history and thriving traditional arts makes it a popular place for academics and art lovers to come and study. The book, Brief History of Indonesia , covers some of Yogyakarta's relevance in Indonesian history.

Learn more the island of Java by reading my Java posts .

Getting to Yogyakarta

From Jakarta (Indonesia’s capital city) or Denpasar (which is the main airport in Bali), flights to Yogyakarta run everyday. Air Asia has several non-stop flights that are about an hour in duration. Other airlines also have flights flying to Yogyakarta from Jakarta or Denpasar. But besides Air Asia, the only other airline I have flown is Garuda, so I can’t vouch for the service or quality of those other airlines.

You can find flights for Yogyakarta from destinations around the world via Skyscanner or Kayak .

Another option, if you’re coming from Jakarta, is to take a train to Yogyakarta. From Gambir station, a train will cost roughly $28-35 (Executive Class). The trains have air-conditioning, and serve food on board, although the journey will be around 7 hours.

We have not yet tried driving from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, though it’s certainly possible. If you’re going with a tour company that is taking you to see Indonesian tourist attractions, they can help you arrange the best way to get to Yogyakarta.

Getting around Yogyakarta

In terms of getting around Yogyakarta, families have several options. We prefer using GOJEK, which is a ride sharing app, much like Uber or Lyft. We also use a similar app called Grab. There are taxis that you can hail at the train station or at the airport. And there are also TransYogyakarta buses, although we have not taken them yet.

If you have a lot of baggage (or don’t want the hassle of dealing with taxis) you can hire a private transport from the airport or train station to the hotel.

So many things to do in Yogyakarta to truly experience Indonesian culture

There is so much for families to discover in Yogyakarta. Families who go to Bali just to see the Indonesian tourist attractions are certainly missing out!

We loved our time in Yogyakarta, and wished we could have stayed longer. We really felt like we had a chance to get to know Indonesian culture a lot better during our time there.

Have you visited Yogyakarta Indonesia before? What did you think about it?

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Homecoming Travel: Traveloka Shares Pre-Eid Travel Trends for 2024

Jakarta - April 3, 2024 —

As Eid al-Fitr 1445 H festivities draw closer, Indonesians are again immersed in preparations for the Eid homecoming journey, known as " mudik ."The Ministry of Transportation ( Kemenhub ) of the Republic of Indonesia projects that the potential movement of people during the 2024 Eid season could reach 71.7% of Indonesia's population, or approximately 193.6 million people. With the mudik season and holidays drawing near, Traveloka, the leading travel platform in Southeast Asia, shares the trends for the 2024 Eid season.

Iko Putera, CEO of Transport at Traveloka , notes, "As the Eid holiday approaches, consumers began planning their trips as early as February. It's not just transportation; accommodation bookings are also on the rise, signaling the enduring popularity of staycations. Moreover, many consumers are taking advantage of the Eid period to visit various tourist attractions."

As part of its Eid holiday preparations, Traveloka is bolstering its infrastructure to ensure safe and comfortable travels for consumers. Iko explains, "Aligned with our commitment to excellent service, Traveloka collaborates closely with partners to ensure inventory availability across our comprehensive product range, including transportation (Flights, Trains, Bus & Travel), Accommodations, and Xperience. Our customer service team is also specially equipped to handle diverse needs and inquiries efficiently."

Traveloka's Eid Homecoming and Holiday Trends

Ground transportation options like Trains, Buses, and Travel (door-to-door shuttles) remain popular, especially for inter-island travel within Java. Searches for Bus & Travel during Eid have increased nearly twelvefold, while Train searches have risen over thirtyfold compared to the previous month. Top domestic destinations for ground travel include Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Malang, Bandar Lampung, and Padang. To address the heightened demand during the homecoming season, Traveloka has collaborated with Cititrans to introduce new bus routes such as Jakarta - Semarang - Solo - Yogyakarta and Jakarta - Surabaya - Malang, accessible through the Traveloka website or app.

Internal data from Traveloka indicates varying peak periods for both the homecoming and return journeys, based on ticket purchases. For Flights, peak departures will be on April 5-6, 2024, with returns peaking on April 14-15, 2024. Trains will see its peak departure period from April 5-8, 2024, and returns beginning on April 13-15, 2024. Similarly, Bus & Travel surge in departures will be between April 3-8, 2024, with returns peaking on April 13-15, 2024.

Following the increase in transportation searches, there was a surge of over 50% in accommodation searches during the Eid holiday, compared to the previous month. Four-star hotels were particularly popular, whether for city staycations or out-of-town getaways. Key destinations for accommodation searches during the Eid homecoming and holiday period in 2024 included Bandung, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and Malang. Traveloka also noted a nearly 50% rise in interest in international accommodations during the Eid holiday week compared to the preceding week. Asian countries such as Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong emerged as top destinations for the 2024 Eid holiday period.

During the Eid holiday, many individuals explore various tourist attractions, as evidenced by the doubling of searches for amusement parks and recreational areas. While residents of Jakarta typically venture outside the city or even abroad during Eid vacations, the city becomes a sought-after destination for those residing elsewhere, drawn by the relatively affordable transportation costs. This trend results in an increase in tourists from beyond Jakarta visiting popular spots such as Dufan - Ancol, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, and Kidzania, along with other attractions like the Kecak Dance at Pura Uluwatu in Bali and Jatim Park in Malang. Moreover, there has been a twofold increase in demand for tour packages, with destinations like Labuan Bajo, Kintamani, the Thousand Islands, Ubud, and Borobudur (Punthuk Setumbu) emerging as top choices.

Easy travel with Traveloka

To accommodate the surge in traffic during the homecoming and Lebaran holidays, Traveloka has partnered with Kopi Kenangan along with well-known shuttle services, Jackal Holidays and Areon. This collaboration offers consumers a selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Consumers can choose to depart from the Virtual Point at Kopi Kenangan Shell Kesambi (Cirebon) with Jackal Holidays, heading to Jackal Holidays' Bandung pool (Dipati Ukur & Pasteur), or departing from Kopi Kenangan Antapani (Bandung) with Areon, bound for the Areon pool in Jakarta (Setiabudi & Kuningan area).

The journey will be even more delightful with fresh drinks from Kopi Kenangan. Customers can enjoy their favorite beverages while waiting for shuttle pickup at strategic locations in cities such as Bandung and Cirebon, two top destinations for land transportation, especially shuttle services.

Ananditha Mayasari, AVP, Head of Marketing, Kopi Kenangan, said, "We're delighted to join forces with Traveloka to aid travelers during the Lebaran 2024 homecoming season. This partnership also aligns with Kopi Kenangan's commitment to offering outlets at key points along the homecoming route, such as rest areas along the Java Island toll road, providing travelers with a comforting break during their long journey."

Traveloka goes beyond providing travel solutions by offering innovative products, features, and attractive deals to meet consumer needs such as the Promo Rama dan Kenyamanan the Rama and Comfort Promo program. The program offers discounts of up to 50% on various travel products, including Flights, Accommodations, Buses, Trains, and Xperience, available on the Traveloka app and website until April 21, 2024.

Recognizing the heightened interest in international travel and the associated risks, including visa issues, Traveloka introduces the Visa Protection feature. Travelers can rest assured that if their visa is rejected, Traveloka will refund 100% of the travel costs, subject to terms and conditions. For more details on the Visa Protection feature, visit the Traveloka website.

Release ID: 89126627

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