Nestled in the heart of West Java, Bandung served as our first destination after visiting Jakarta. While Bandung might not be the most adrenaline-pumping destination on your itinerary, it’s a hidden gem worth considering if you have extra time and a desire to explore less touristy locales. Bandung is renowned for its scenic offerings, most notably the striking Kawah Putih and Tangkuban Perahu volcanoes, both easily accessible without the need for strenuous hikes, unlike the more daring Bromo and Ijen volcanoes. In this post, we’ll unveil how we spent two full days in Bandung, showcasing the hidden treasures that make this city a unique stop on any Indonesian adventure.
Day 1 Lembang: Arrive in Bandung → Check-in → Lunch → Tangkuban Perahu → Kawah Doma → Dinner
Day 2 Ciwidey: Breakfast → Kawah Putih → Rancabali Tea Resort → Tea Factory→ Dinner
Optional: Visit Dago Pakar
Where to stay
Our accommodation choice in Bandung was the charming Little Mykonos located in the Sumurbandung neighborhood. While the Greek-inspired hotel contrasted a bit style-wise with the other buildings in the street, we had a great stay here. Especially because of the strategic location of the hotel, just 1 kilometer away from Bandung station.
Our stay cost us just 25 euros per night, making it an excellent budget-conscious choice. The hotel staff were welcoming, and the rooms were clean and equipped with ACs. It’s worth noting that during our visit, the hotel was in the process of renovating its kitchen, which meant that breakfast was not served during our stay. Other than that, we can only recommend this hotel!
Bandung Itinerary Day 1 (Lembang)
Arriving in Bandung
After settling into our hotel in Bandung, we were ready to grab a bite. We decided to walk (approximately 30 minutes) to one of the most famous streets in Bandung, the Jl Braga. This bustling street is a tourist hotspot, adorned with an array of charming cafes and eateries both Western and Indonesian. A word of advice: don’t be swayed by the estimated taxi times on Google Maps. Opting for a leisurely walk is often a wiser choice, providing you not only with a first glimpse of the city but also ommiting Bandung’s notorious traffic congestions.
Tangkuban Perahu
After finishing lunch, call a cab (we used grab), to drive you in about 1 hour to the Tangkuban Perahu volcano.
Tangkuban Perahu is a stratovolcano located about 30 kilometers north of Bandung. The name “Tangkuban Perahu” translates to “upturned boat” in Sundanese, referring to the volcano’s shape. Unlike many volcanoes that require strenuous hikes to reach their craters, Tangkuban Perahu allows you to drive almost directly to the edge of its main crater. From there, you can take a short walk to various viewing points to marvel at the steaming vents and sulfuric fumaroles that give the volcano an otherworldly appearance. It’s quite touristy at the top. Near the crater, you’ll encounter numerous vendors eager to offer you a variety of souvenirs. In addition, there will be many fellow travelers who are also eager to take photos and explore the area. If you’d like to have crater to yourself, be sure to get there early!
💡 Practical information Tangkuban Perahu:
– Open from 7:00 until 17:00
– Tickets 200.000 IDR on weekdays and 300.000 on weekends (Extra fee for cars and parking)
– Kawah Domas is open from 8:00 tm 16:00. (Guide costs 150.000 IDR)
Kawah Domas
If you want a more up close view of the crater, consider walking down to the Kawah Domas. Simply follow the path around the Tangkuban Perahu, leading downhill. Prior to our visit, we had read online that the hike to Kawah Domas would take about 30 minutes, and would be easy enough to walk by yourself. However, when we ventured down independently we were stopped by an Indonesian gentleman who insisted that a guide was mandatory. We were directed to a small office nearby, where we were required to pay 150.000 IDR for a guide.
While we are still uncertain about the actual requirement for a guide, our experience with our guide was quite positive. He explained a lot about the history of the area, pointed out various noteworthy vantage points, and even assisted us in capturing numerous photographs to memorialize our visit.
The hike was pleasant, featuring a broad, easily traversable trail. We had a good time looking at the beautiful old trees surrounding us. It’s worth mentioning that we also shared our journey with some sizable flying insects buzzing around us. Thankfully, our guide even lent a hand in swatting these bugs away!
Upon reaching Kawah Domas, you’ll notice the landscape changing, becoming rugged and rocky, devoid of any vegetation. Here, you have a few options to explore. You can indulge in a relaxing massage by the hot springs, savor the unique experience of tasting boiled eggs cooked in the geothermal waters, or take in the breathtaking vistas while observing the intricate sulfur crystals.
Once you’ve had your fill of the remarkable sights at Kawah Domas, you’ll need to embark on a 30-minute walk back through the forest to return to the main road. From there, you can hail a taxi to take you back home.
Dinner
Bandung offers a plethora of delicious and budget-friendly dining options, and one gem we discovered during our stay was O’harang BBQ, a Korean barbecue restaurant conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from our hotel. What made this dining experience particularly delightful was the option to order as much food as we desired, with the only condition being that we finished every last bite.
Some other noteworthy options that we considered going to were:
- Warung Okkey ($): Nestled in charming wooden cabins, this eatery offers traditional Indonesian cuisine at wallet-friendly prices. It exuds a cozy ambiance, making it an appealing choice for those seeking an authentic culinary experience.
- Hummingbird Eatery & Space ($$): For those with a penchant for Instagram-worthy dining spots, Hummingbird is a visual delight. With its diverse menu offerings and a moderate price range, it seems a great choice for those looking to enjoy both delicious dishes and a good photo opportunity.
- Sadrasa Kitchen and Bar ($$$): Crowned the number one restaurant of Bandung, according to TripAdvisor, Sadrasa exudes an elegance that may be a bit too fancy for our personal taste. The restaurant is renowned for its exceptional Asian and Indonesian dishes, albeit at a higher price point, making it a top pick for those seeking a more lavish dining experience.
Bandung Itinerary Day 2 (Ciwidey)
Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast in Bandung, it’s wise not to place all your trust in Google Maps. Our first morning in Bandung taught us two important lessons: 1. Not all cafes listed are open (or serve the waffles they promise on their website), and 2. The real charm of Bandung lies in exploring the smaller streets and the connections you make with the people there.
If you want to see the real Bandung, we propose you don’t plan out your breakfast. Instead go and explore the city’s small streets. You’ll see people cooking outdoors, children playing in the streets, elderly women tending to their laundry, and get a glimpse into the real Bandung.
Sit down somewhere simple and local. If you do not know where to go, simply ask, people are eager to help you. We ended up having conversations with friendly locals and a flavorful nasi goreng! (You can read more about our Bandung breakfast adventure here)
Kawah Putih
No visit to Bandung is complete without experiencing Kawah Putih, a volcanic crater lake, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Bandung. Kawah Putih, which translates to “White Crater,” derives its name from the pale blue color of its water. The lake’s unique hue is a result of the high sulfur content in the area, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The 1.5 hour drive is definitely worth it!
For an additional fee, you can walk across a charming bamboo bridge that extends across the lake. However, during our visit, the water level was lower than normal, meaning that there was no water beneath the bridge to create this picturesque path. We walked across anyway, and followed the path up which provided another nice vantage point for viewing the crater.
💡 Practical information Kawah Putih
– Open from 7:00 until 17:00
– Tickets 81.000 IDR and another 11.000 IDR if you want to walk over the bridge (125.000 car entrance and 15.000 parking fee)
– Bring a facemask, depending on the weather you may need one because of the sulfur smell
Rancabali Tea Resort
From Kawah Putih grab a taxi to Rancabali Tea Resort. You don’t actually need to stop directly at the resort itself, the real gem lies in the stunning tea plantations nearby. As you approach the area, just ask your driver to pull over when you find a picturesque spot. Don’t just look at the tea plantations from the road, you can walk through the lush tea bushes as well to really take in the scenery.
While walking through the tea bushes is really fun, we do have to warn you: there are quite some kite spiders with webs spanning across the bushes. While these yellow creatures are not poisonous, you may want to keep your eyes open if you decide to explore the tea plantation further!
Tea Factory
Nearby the tea plantations is an old tea factory that is still in use. Our taxi driver had to search for a bit, but with the help of some friendly locals, we managed to find the factory. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the owner of the factory, and even received a welcoming cup of tea.
We can only recommend taking a tour through the factory. You’ll be witnessing rooms filled with towering bags full of tea leaves that are transported via old conveyer belts, and learn all about the meticulous drying process the tea leaves have to go through. As our tour reached its conclusion, we had the privilege of indulging in a tea tasting experience, featuring two distinct varieties: one crafted from young tea leaves (supposedly tasting the best) and another from older leaves.
Optional: Day 3
Dago Pakar
Not ready to leave Bandung yet? If you have an additional day to spend in Bandung, consider visiting Dago Pakar. Residing in the northern part of Bandung, Dago Pakar is known for it’s stunning natural scenery and cool climate:
Take a 1 hour taxi ride to Taman Wisata Maribaya. From the entrance gate you can embark on a scenic 5-kilometer hike. The trip will take roughly 2-hours, leading you to Taman Hutan Raya. However, along the way you should definitely make a few stops. Be sure to take in the breathtaking beauty of Curug Lalay and Curug Omas waterfalls. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to explore two intriguing caves: Gua Japang, which was used during World War II as a hiding place by Japanese soldiers, and Gua Belanda, associated with the Dutch colonial era.
💡 Practical information Dago Pakar
– Open from 6:00 until 18:00
– Entrance fee 25.000 IDR
– No guide needed!
