Location: Central Java
Top Things to do in Central Java
Top Restaurants in Central Java
The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Central Java, Java
Central Java (Javanese: ꦗꦮꦠꦼꦔꦃ; Indonesian: Jawa Tengah, abbreviated as Jateng) is a province of Indonesia. This province is located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang.
Restaurants in Central Java
1. Prambanan Temples
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,313 reviews
These ancient masterpieces of Hindu architecture are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story.
Reviewed By WorldGlutton - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
As we arrived at the Carpark we did not like see the temple except for a few modern contemporary buildings. However upon walking in, we were awestruck by this UNESCO world heritage temple constructed about 856 AD. It is located in an enclosed park hidden away with with stalls & facilities. The Prambanan Temple being the main temple with many other several small temples in the same compound are Hindu Temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (The Creator, The Protector and The Destroyer). The steps to these individual temples are quite narrow and steep with many visitors taking selfies which make it a bit difficult to climb through. Our tour guide walked us through and explained/narrated in detail the history on each and every panel reliefs of stones carving and every temple building which house a statue of Hindu god or goddess. The Temples Park are well maintained, many ruins from earthquake could be seen lying neatly. There is an enclosed area with spotted deers, a souvenir shop and café. For visitors who do not wish to walk , they can pay a price for the Buggy Transport. The driver will gladly stop and wait for you while you explore the temples site . At the Exit , there are plenty of market stalls for souvenirs. Certainly worth the time to explore this ancient Hindu Temple, definitely one of the best tourist site around Yogyakarta !!!
2. Borobudur Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,548 reviews
Borobudur Temple Compounds This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.
Reviewed By JeremyCaney - Seattle, United States
I often find that the most famous sights in a country are so hyped, so crowded, and so commercialized that they are underwelming. Borobudur is certainly hyped, crowded, and commercialized. And yet it’s a beautiful and unique ruin, painstakingly restored, and absolutely worth seeing. A few tips for your visit. First, a lot of visitors pay extra for the Manohara Resort’s exclusive 4:30A access for sunrise hoping to recreate one of those iconic shots of Borobudur. You can do that. But, at least in March, I found that arriving at 6:00A was just fine. It was cheaper, the crowds had thinned out, and there was still an hour of beautiful lighting and atmospheric mist offering plenty of good photo opportunities. All of the attached photos of the summit were taken between 6:30A and 7:30A. So unless you are dead set on catching those few moments where the sun crosses the horizon, consider enjoying the extra hour of sleep! (That said, you’ll definitely want to go in the early morning or late afternoon; it is miserably hot, crowded, and far less photogenic midday.) Second, the vast majority of visitors immediately climb to the top, spend an hour, then go onto their next destination. That’s a mistake. While the top level offers some of the best Instagram opportunities—and should certainly be where you go around sunrise or sunset—the lower levels provide the most historical and artistic significance with hundreds of remarkable stone reliefs. As an added bonus, you’ll encounter comparatively few visitors here, and the walls offer welcome cover from the afternoon sun. Third, and related, many visitors come to town exclusively for the temple, and then move on. If you’re more adventurous and have the time, however, then the nearby villages are full of charming and welcoming people, astonishingly beautiful scenery, and a couple of smaller temples. Those are easily as memorable for me as Borobudur itself. I highly recommend booking at one of the nearby bed and breakfasts (I loved Etafa Home Stay), renting a bike (if one isn’t provided for you), and spending a couple of days exploring the surrounding countryside. (Note: If you’re planning on also visiting Prambanan, you’ll want to see Borobudur Temple on either your first or last day, as you save a lot of money if you buy a joint ticket—but you have to visit each within one day of each other.) I only stayed two days in Borobudur, opting to spend another two days in Prambanan. And while I enjoyed my time in Prambanan, I think I’d have preferred skipping it entirely and spending more time in and around Borobudur. The temple is a must-see when you’re in Indonesia, but the entire area is beautiful.
3. Demak Great Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Masjid Agung Demak (or Demak Great Mosque) is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, located in the center town of Demak, Central Java Indonesia. The mosque is believed to be built by Sunan Kalijaga, one of the Wali Songo (nine Muslim saints) during the first Demak Sultanate ruler, Raden Patah during the 15th century.
4. Menara Kudus Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
The Menara Kudus Mosque or Al-Manar Mosque is located in Kudus in the Indonesian province of Central Java. Dating from 1549, it is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, built at the time of Islam's spread through Java. The mosque preserves the tomb of Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (the Wali Sanga), and it is a popular pilgrimage point.
Reviewed By abdkodir12 - Surabaya, Indonesia
The holy tower is a mosque tower that is designed like a Hindu temple. this is a historic tower built by sunan kudus (an Islamic religious leader) by adopting a Hindu style. What distinguishes the Hindu temple, there are no statues or reliefs that depict human life. That said, under this tower there is a well that springs water from life. This water when you drink can make you stay young. But it was closed by Sunan Kudus and the tower was erected so it would not be misused. for you, non-Muslim foreign tourism is not a problem entering this area because this is not a place of worship for limited visits.
5. Cetho Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 400 reviews
Reviewed By ModestTravel - Shah Alam, Malaysia
It's like standing in Heaven since it is on Mt Lawu. Went with a driver from Yogyakarta. Possible to be a 1-day trip from Yogyakarta.
6. Central Java Grand Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
Reviewed By nfwldr - Bekasi, Indonesia
I recommend to visit here by online transportation. The area is so spacious. There is a tower than you can visit, it's called Asmaul Husna Tower. The outside mosque was so hot but inside was very fresh, probablye because there are many fans, and many architectures was made from woods. The toilet area was big and clean. There is an area to keep our shoes
7. Mantingan Mosque
8. Selogriyo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Selogriyo temple is a village's Hindu temple situated on the foot of Sumbing Mountain, Windusari village. It is a nice area to visit by a walk through the village and rice fields. You may explore and feel the real Javanese atmosphere and environment.
Reviewed By twsp68 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
If you have more time, this is another site which optional to visit, take about an hour or less to explore and hike along the rich country side - passing lots of paddy field, children playing football, climbing the tamarind tree... if you lucky may stumble some water buffalo too. Recommend for those who seek and wants to know the life hood of local village and highest point is restore old temple. The view overlooking the rolling hills and terrace of rice field is very captivating.
9. Sendang Sriningsih
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By JAS840 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After parking your car you need to climb the stairs and passing the stations of the cross along the path-stairs te get to the sendang ( water spring). For a long time I didn't visit a place like this. The daily chaos in our lives would be noticed immediately as soon as you step your feet by the shrine area. The old bayan trees provide a perfect picture of the shrine. No sound of traffics or crowd except birds and insects. Very quiet and serene. I've never been here before. It is the place of pilgrimage for the Catholic. I accompanied my friends who did pray rosary. It's really recommended if you want to get and listen to yourself. Take an hour meditation.
10. St. Joseph Church (Gedangan Church)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Established in 1870, the Catholic church of Gadangan or otherwise also known as St Joseph Church is a colonial church in Semarang. Nearby the church there is a cloister built by bricks, the bricks of this church and the cloister are known to have been brought directly from the Netherlands.
