Most travelers visiting Indonesia start their journey in Jakarta. Often, this choice is not due to a particular fascination with Jakarta itself, but rather because Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s largest and busiest airport, serves as the primary gateway to the country. While it’s true that many visitors often rush to explore other parts of the country, Jakarta has its own unique charm and attractions that are worth exploring. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what to do in Jakarta.

Where to Stay?

Accommodation
For our first days in Jakarta we stayed in 1O1 URBAN Jakarta Thamrin. The hotel is located within walking distance of everything you’ll want to see in the city center. The rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable. The rooftop terrace has a small swimming pool, and provides a nice view of the city, especially at night. While you can certainly find cheaper hotels in Jakarta, we opted for a nicer accommodating for our first nights.

Traveling to Jakarta

When you are planning out your itinerary, do not underestimate the time it takes to fly to Indonesia. Of course, this depends from your point of departure, but if you (like us) are not in Asia already, be sure to account for a full day of traveling to Jakarta.

Once you arrive at Soekarno Airport, you have to obtain a visa, go through customs, and take care of some practicalities such as getting a sim card and withdrawing money. You can read more about your arrival in this guide where we will walk you through all these steps to ensure you can smoothly start your journey.
Going from the airport to your hotel is easiest using a taxi. We’ve used Grab during our trip in Indonesia, taxi’s were cheap and always quickly able to pick us up.

Jakarta Day 1: City Center

Assuming you started your trip to Indonesia in Jakarta like most travelers, you will probably feel jet lagged and sleep deprived on day 1, so we advise you to take it easy (even though you are probably really excited to start exploring immediately). Take the morning off to rest, and start your day in the afternoon by taking a stroll through Central Jakarta.

Jakarta’s city center is an interesting mix of modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks. By walking around you’ll discover a fusion of cultures, flavors, and experiences. During our visit, we had the pleasure of staying at a hotel right in the heart of the city. This was the perfect starting point for our adventure.

Medan Merdeka

The first landmark you must pay a visit to is Medan Merdeka. It is one of the largest squares in the world (1 square kilometer). At its center stands the 132m high National Monument, often referred to as ‘Monas’.

You can enter Medan Merdeka through one of the gates of the edge of the square. The gates are open from 08:00 and there is no entrance fee. You can first walk around the square for a bit, there is often live music to listen to, and there are some market stalls with food and souvenirs. The main attraction however, is the Monas. You can look at the Monas from the ground or take the elevator up to the observation deck for a small fee. We spent quite some time walking around the monument looking for the entrance. We later found out that the entrance is opposite the Monas, you enter the monument through an underground tunnelway.

• Ticket price: 50.000 IDR.
• Opening time: When we visited, the monument was open from 08:00-15:00 (not until 21:00 as some websites claim!). Also, good to keep in mind that the Monas is closed on Mondays.

💡Interesting to know
• The name ‘Medan Merdeka’ translates to Independence Square. This name was given to the square by president Sukarno, Indonesias first president, at the end of the Indonesian national revolution in 1949.

• President Sukarno wanted a ‘monument national’ (Monas) at the center of the square to commemorate Indonesias struggle for independence. His ambition was to make the Monas higher than the Borobudur and Eiffel Tower.

• The shape of the Monas represents the philosophy of Lingga and Yoni, which are two important traditional indonesian tools: a rice pestle and mortar, symbolizing harmony and eternal life.

Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral

Located next to the historic Merdeka Square, two iconic landmarks stand side by side: the Jakarta Cathedral and the Istiqlal Mosque.

The Jakarta Cathedral’s roots trace back to the 19th century when the Dutch colonial government initiated its construction. However, it wasn’t until 1901 that the cathedral was completed, encountering challenges with funding and architectural plan changes. This extended construction period gave rise to its unique blend of architectural styles, with both neo-gothic elements and local Javanese influences. Don’t forget to explore the rear of the cathedral, where you can find a small, complimentary museum that houses Catholic artifacts.

In close proximity, you’ll find the majestic Istiqlal Mosque. The Istiqlal mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the ninth largest mosque in the world. Just like the Medan Merdeka, the mosque was built after the national revolution of Indonesia, explaining why the name Istiqlal translates to “Independence” in Arabic.

💡Tip: You can enter the mosque and get a free tour through the building, even if you are not muslim yourself.

Wandering through the city

The true beauty of Jakarta lies not just in its landmarks or markets but in the everyday moments you encounter while wandering its streets. As the sun sets over the city, casting a warm glow on the bustling streets, you’ll find yourself captivated by the diverse tapestry of people going about their daily lives. The vibrant street art adorning walls and alleys adds an artistic flair to the city’s landscape, inviting you to pause and appreciate the creativity that thrives in its midst. It’s in these simple, unscripted moments that Jakarta reveals its authentic charm, inviting you to truly experience the heartbeat of this dynamic metropolis beyond its famous attractions.

Jakarta Day 2: Kota Tua & Glodok

Your second day in Jakarta you will visit two neighborhoods of Jakarta, each with an interesting history. You will start your day visiting Kota Tua (also known as Old Batavia) used to be the center of Dutch colonial administration during the 17th and 18th centuries when Indonesia was known as the Dutch East Indies. It was established by the Dutch as the walled city of Batavia in the early 17th century, and many of the colonial-era buildings and structures have been preserved.

Museums

Kota Tua has some nice museums which you can visit for 5.000 IDR each. Opt to visit one of the following museums while in Kota Tua:

• The Fatahillah Museum: This museum is housed in the former Batavia City Hall and showcases the history of Jakarta.
• The Wayang Museum: In this museum you can marvel at Traditional Indonesian Puppets
• Bank Indonesia Museum: This museum teaches you all about the Indonesian currency from the pre-colonial era to the present state
• The Fine Art and Ceramic Museum: This museum displays paintings, sculptures and ceramics from Indonesia’s greatest artists.

💡Tip: All museums are closed on Monday! So plan your trip accordingly.

Makutharama Puppet Studio (Toko Wayang Kulit)

For travelers seeking a unique and culturally enriching experience in Kota Tua, a visit to the Makutharama Puppet Studio is an absolute must. Tucked away in an unassuming alley, this hidden gem offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Indonesian puppetry. Upon entering the studio, you’ll be greeted by the friendly and passionate owner, Mr. Ally. He welcomes visitors with open arms, inviting them to explore his meticulously crafted puppet collection. What sets this experience apart is the absence of any sales pressure; Mr. Ally simply shares his knowledge and love for the craft. As you delve into the world of puppets, you’ll gain insight into the stories behind each creation and the intricate process of their making. Moreover, you’ll discover that Mr. Ally is not just a local artist but one of Indonesia’s foremost puppet players, renowned on a global scale. His travels and encounters with prominent figures from around the world are showcased on the studio’s walls.

Cafe Batavia

Stepping inside Cafe Batavia is like stepping inside a time machine. This vintage cafe offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past through the extensive collection of antique memorabilia (old photos, vintage mirrors, typewriters, historical maps) displayed throughout. Because of it’s charming atmosphere, Cafe Batavia has become a popular spot for many tourists and prices are unsurprisingly a bit higher than at other cafes. While you can have a good lunch here, we recommend just having something to drink here to escape the afternoon sun.

Jindeyuan and the Vihara Dharma Bhakti temples

Next, you will grab a taxi to Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown. It’s the largest Chinatown in the country and it is even older than Indonesia itself. This is because it was originally the Chinatown of Batavia, where the Dutch required the Chinese to live. Today, the whole area is called Glodok and includes traditional houses, markets, architecture and some very beautiful Chinese temples. Definitely worth a visit.

While exploring this vibrant district, you’ll encounter several temples, including the renowned Vihara Dharma Bhakti and Jindeyuan. Entrance to most of these temples is free, making it accessible to curious travelers. Inside, you’ll be greeted by intricate architecture featuring ornate motifs and captivating altars, often adorned with offerings like incense and fruits.

Glodok Market

Walking through Glodok, you will find that the streets are lined with stalls selling a variety of fruits and vegetables. Many locals shop here for fresh produce and it’s common to witness haggling between vendors and customers. The marketplace is a busy thoroughfare with scooters rushing past, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
While exploring the marketplace, local sellers playfully dared us to try their fiery hot chili peppers. While we didn’t accept their spicy challenge, we had a good laugh with them!

Shopping Mall

Not yet tired? Visit one of Jakarta’s shopping malls! We went to the Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall, a huge mall where you can watch a movie, grab a bite, and of course do some shopping.
The mall spans 640,000 m² and consists of 2 building: East Mall and West Mall. While we personally did not feel like shopping, a visit to the movie theater was a nice end of our day. For very little money you can get yourself premium seats in the movie theater, these are the softests, most comfortable seats. They fully recline and come with a complementary blanket. After a long day of walking, this was amazing!