Java’s long history has resulted in countless heritage buildings and museums and Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono’s Palace is a must-visit site. The Palace and the nearby three heritage buildings from the colonial era (BNI, Post Office, and Bank of Indonesia), all represent fine examples of Javanese structure.
Visitors should not miss the Candis or the ancient Hindu temples. The symbol of Indonesia, Candi Borobudur and Candi Prambanan are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Travellers should keep in mind that most museums in Yogyakarta close early in the afternoon and they are usually closed to visitors on Fridays.
Borobudur Temple
The most popular tourist attraction in Indonesia, the majestic Borobodur temple in Central Java is also the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The colossal pyramid-shaped structure was built in the 8th and 9th centuries from thousands of huge blocks of stone, and is arranged in ascending platforms. The first five terraces are square, and the top three circular. The entire temple is crowned by a large central stupa (bell-shaped shrine) that helps give Borobudur its distinctive silhouette.Read more...Prambanan temple
It may not be as well known as Borobudur, but the Prambanan temple is a definite must-see for anyone who visits the Yogyakarta area. This 9th century architectural gem comprises 240 temples in various states of repair. Just like Borobudur, it is a breathtakingly large and intricately decorated religious monument. However, while Borobudur is shaped like a flattened pyramid, Prambanan’s distinctive towers were modelled on the mountains where the Hindu gods reside. Read more...Candi Sambisari
Candi Sambisari is one of the most famous archeological structures in Yogyakarta. Uniquely set approximately six metres under sea level, it is believed to be built in honour of Siva during the ninth century. The site consists of one main candi and three auxiliary candis. Inside the main candi, visitors will see lingg and yoni, the symbols of males and females. Also, there are three Hindu statues of Agastya, Ganesha, and Dewi Durga on its wall. All are well worth visiting.Opening Hours: 06:00 - 17:00
Location: Close to Adisucipto International Airport
Location: Close to Adisucipto International Airport
Cerme Cave Walisongo
This cave was once a meeting place where Walisongo (Islamic preachers) taught Islam to the locals. It is an approximately 1,500 metre-long alley with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Several small caves nearby, including Dalang, Ledhek, Badhut, and Kaum, were often used as religious places. Generally, tourists spend from three to five hours looking around the caves.Location: Selopamioro Village, Imogiri district. Around 20km south of the city centre.
Shadow Puppet Plays
Wayang Kulit or the Shadow Puppet Plays were designated by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Wayang are believed to have been around for more than half a millennium. The puppets are made of polished and gilded buffalo leather. Stories and tales are recounted by the puppeteers and they reveal many aspects of Javanese culture.With accompaniment from a gamelan orchestra, the show starts every evening at the Museum Sonobudoyo, located on the northern side of the city's main square, in front of Sri Sultan’s Palace.
Opening Hours: 20:00 – 22:00
Location: Museum Sono-Budoyo, Jalan Trikora 6.
Location: Museum Sono-Budoyo, Jalan Trikora 6.
Sri Sultan’s Palace
Also known as Kraton Ngayoyakarta, the palace encompasses the main palace, the Sultan's residential area, two of the Sultan’s grounds, and a large servants’ residential area. The group of buildings where the current Sultan still resides was built during mid-18 century. The palace is a splendid example of traditional Javanese court architecture while the interior (added in the 1920s) offers a European-style feel.A museum within the palace holds an extensive collection including gilt copies of the sacred pusaka (heirlooms of the royal family), gamelan instruments, and gifts from European monarchs. Much like a mini city, the palace complex is a walled community within a city with over 25,000 residents and it has many stunning sites. Besides notable attractions, Sri Sultan’s Palace also contains its own market, shops, batik and silver cottage industries, schools and mosques.
Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 – 13:00 (Friday closed at 11:00)
Location: City Center
Address: Jalan Let Sen S. Parman / Jalan Polowijan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, IDThe Taman Sari is to be found on the western side of the kraton and is a magnificent pleasure park, designed for the use of the sultan and his large family and extensive entourage. Better known to tourists as the Water Castle, the Taman Sari is a spacious park, comprising a mixture of grand palaces, waterways, large ponds and even some bathing pools. This 'no-expense spared' retreat was designed and built in the middle of the 18th century, being created by a Portuguese architect, who it is said was executed by the sultan soon after the park's completion, so that he could be sure that this indulgent attraction could be kept a secret from the world. Damage to the complex was suffered during Diponegoro's Java War, and again after a severe earthquake in 1865, the Taman Sari is a mixture of ruins and restoration projects.
Open: daily - 08:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge
Kota Gede (Kotagede)
Address: Kota Gede, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, IDA relatively quiet and understated suburb of Yogyakarta, Kota Gede has been famous in Central Java for its silver industry since the 1930s. Kota Gede has an especially interesting history, being founded in 1582 and was once the capital of the entire Mataram Kingdom. Today, the main attractions of Kota Gede really do revolve around its plentiful silver workshops, many of which line the Jalan Kemasan and sell stylish silver jewellery, boxes and dishes. There is also a much-visited sacred tomb here at the old mosque, which is where the actual founder of Kota Gede, Panembahan Senopati, is buried. This tomb is open to the public on Sunday, Monday and Thursday at 09:00 to 12:00, and on Fridays between 13:00 to 15:00.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Affandi Museum
Address: Jalan Solo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, ID
One of the most famous international Indonesian artists, Affandi (1907 to 1990) was born in the city of Cirebon, West Java, and has long had strong connections with Yogyakarta. Affandi created many of his most acclaimed expressionist paintings in his unique tree-house studio, some 6 km / 4 miles to the east of the actual city centre. Today, the Affandi Museum stands within these grounds and in his former residence, which he actually designed himself and boasts an unusual roof, shaped rather like a banana leaf. This cultural attraction very much celebrates his life, exhibiting more than 200 of his paintings, as well as some additional art works created by non-other than his own daughter. Interestingly, Affandi is actually buried here, in the back garden.
Open: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge
Address: Jalan Solo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, IDOne of the most famous international Indonesian artists, Affandi (1907 to 1990) was born in the city of Cirebon, West Java, and has long had strong connections with Yogyakarta. Affandi created many of his most acclaimed expressionist paintings in his unique tree-house studio, some 6 km / 4 miles to the east of the actual city centre. Today, the Affandi Museum stands within these grounds and in his former residence, which he actually designed himself and boasts an unusual roof, shaped rather like a banana leaf. This cultural attraction very much celebrates his life, exhibiting more than 200 of his paintings, as well as some additional art works created by non-other than his own daughter. Interestingly, Affandi is actually buried here, in the back garden.
Open: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge
Bird Market (Pasar Ngasem)
Address: Jalan Polowijan / Jalan Ngasem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, IDFor something a little different to the more obvious attractions on Yogyakarta, take a wander around the bustling bird market, which is better known to the local Indonesians as the 'Pasar Ngasem'. This colourful and noisy menagerie features a mixture of exotic birds, such as budgies, parakeets and song birds, as well as hens, turtledoves and a huge quantity of pigeons. There are also further creatures sold at this unusual market, including reptiles and small cuddly animals.
Open: daily - 08:00 to 18:00
Admission: free