Location: Yogyakarta
Top Things to do in Yogyakarta
The 10 Best Things to Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogyakarta boasts stunning architecture and a truly spiritual sensibility. The ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan look like hand-drizzled sand castles, while the Sultan's palace is reminiscent of a gilded music box filled with jewels. Known for its arts and handicrafts, Yogyakarta is a cultural hub, a nerve center for traditional and modern puppetry.
Restaurants in Yogyakarta
1. Ullen Sentalu Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Javanese Heritage museum
Reviewed By Thomas T - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The owner of our hostel told us to go give this museum a try and I'm glad he did as it was a nice find. They offer tour guides that will take you through the halls and explain a lot about most pieces. The downside of this is that you don't get to walk around freely and you cannot stand around admiring a piece for long as the guide has a limited amount of time to take you through the museum. We had some questions and some pieces we wanted to see a bit longer due to the connection with culture in other parts of our planet and that led to us being in the same room as the group that came after us all the time.. then there were 2 guides explaining 2 different things in 2 different languages and it became clear that we had to rush on out. Nice place but we felt like we were just rushed through so they can do as many groups as possible in a day.. maybe they can think about offering a bigger tour for people with more than average interest.
2. Timang Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By Hafiz J
Visitor has two options to go to the island. It can either be by the hanging bridge or the gondola. Both offer their own unique experience. Be sure to bring your selfie stick to get nice shots of yourself during the ride. The guide at the island can help you to get nice photo of yourself at the island itself. One of a kind attraction that is a must if you go to Gunung Kidul beach area. They now offer 4x4 ride to Timang Beach instead of motorcycle. I do recommend to take the 4x4 due to safety reason.
3. Ganjuran Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By MegaNainggolan
This is a roman catholic church building with a Javanese joglo house architectural style.
The building was beautifully built with intricate decoration on the pillars, ceilings, and antique lamps.
The altar, tabernacle, and all liturgical ornaments are designed in harmony with the traditional Javanese culture.
A place for devotion, meditation, and prayer to Christ the King is situated in the form of a Hindu-style temple (Candi). Inside the temple is a statue of Christ the King, artistically imagined in the form of a Javanese King costume.
A quiet and tranquil place for devoting your prayer in a spiritual journey, or simply a visit to enjoy this unique architectural feature.
Pilgrims from many distant places come to this Church, and there is a large open hall for resting, and shower rooms are available for pilgrims.
4. Jomblang Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Reviewed By Dr John K - Singapore, Singapore
Key to enjoying this to the full is to be prepared. (And there is one group going down a day - around 10am and back out between 12 and 2pm.)
Recommended clothing
Some people cam prepared, most did not.
I'd recommend wearing slippers/thongs/flip flops (according to your accent) taking a pair of hiking socks. They provide boots, limited choice of size (25 is the smallest, 30 the largest. Roughly size 5 to 10 UK) if not bring your own wellies. It is seriously muddy down there.
Long pants, long sleeve shirt, bandana or something (like a shower cap) for your hair in the luscious safety helmets.
Bring a torch. Don't believe anyone who tells you that you don't need one. Sure camera phone is good but remember the mud I mentioned?
Bring clothes to change into afterwards if you don't want to stink the car up.
There are showers available (no towels that I saw).
You want a strap for your camera around your neck (or on either of those fancy sports cameras better still) and leave your bags with your driver.
Ready?
Jomblang cave is a good 1.5 to 2-hour journey from the city. The last 2km is a bumpy dirt road.
We arrived first at 9am and had full choice of the boots available. Apparently, there can be 80 people some busy mornings. And there ain't 80 pairs of boots for sure. Sign in and pay (450k) each.
We left at 10am after waiting in a covered area (plenty of mosies at the waiting area to give you the real jungle feel).
You descend in pairs by arrival order. Safety and checks are excellent. And the equipment is well rinsed off (but I can't say 'clean' hence long sleeves and trousers!)
The drop looks frightening and letting go is not for the faint-hearted but once off the edge, it's a comfortable and easy descent and really not at all bad. 60m down two guides will ask you to sit, they release your harness and you can stand on shaking legs.
You'll wait for the rest of the group (we only had 24 ppl in the group, so how they do it with 80 I don't know)
It's hot and humid but you will be grateful for the long pants and long sleeves again soon.
Then off to the cave led by a guide. The first 'steps' down are slippery and steep, take your time.
At the cave mouth, there are steps atop the mud. Sometimes, they disappear under water and you gingerly seek the firm footing and you soon need a torch to see the next step and least slippery footing.
It's a slow and steady trek 300m to the heavens lights at the end. Hearing the roar of the river some 40m below. You'll stand awhile waiting for the group to catch up and take photos.
Then it's an easier walk out and back up to the rope elevator (rappel is misleading cos you do no work at all just sit while 20 villagers do all the work).
Whilst waiting for your turn back up you can admire the mud caking everything and be glad that you were better prepared than others.
At the top you can collect your photos (50k) taken just after you set off down, collect your very tasty local lunch box with water and either hang around to eat or set off back down that bumpy dirt road and your next adventure.
This is a must do. Though be prepared with the right clothing and a torch.
5. Sewu Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 699 reviews
Reviewed By semara b - Gianyar, Indonesia
The best tour guide takes us to this site and inform us lots of things about the history, function of this building. Unique and very fun. I wish I could come again.
6. Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By jamuna - kuala lumpur
We got good seats for IDR200K.
Though despite being in the very first row,, we found the english commentary blurrish.
Despite the fact the show runs on lots of international tourists, they had no english subtitles at all. The whole time the story line displayed on a side screen was in malay. Being an Indian myself and I understand Malay, it was easy for me to follow the play.
However, I pity those who have little knowledge of the entire story and do not understand Indonesian language. One would be lost...
Very nice costumes and beautiful casts. Hanuman was a tad too thin.
We saw people sleeping off 10mins into the show.
We lefr after 1 hour during the interval as it was just too boring by then.
All in all, it could have been better if the commentaries were clearer and the storyline was in English as well. My husband who is a non-Malay speaker barely knew what was going on.
7. Merapi Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By bernie47801 - Denpasar, Indonesia
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see the famous volcano due to heavy rain and clouds. You can visit the high country and spend time in teahouses and other family friendly eateries. If you only have a limited stay in Yogyakarta try and visit this location as it’s about 90 minutes away from the cbd.
8. Plaosan Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By capturademoments - Batam, Indonesia
If you searching for alternative temples to visit, I personally recommend you to visit this temple and Ijo temple (in different area)
First, this temple is not 'commercialized' yet, so the entrance fee is so cheap (cost 3-10K rupiahs) compared with Prambanan, Borobudur and Ratu Boko (which cost 40K rupiahs for domestic/ 13 USD for foreigner)
Second, usually no crowd in here, so I found it more enjoyable.
To reach it you should use motorcycle or car, because no public transportation nearby.
Tips: No toilet or tourism center in this place. But in urgent case, there are some locals sells souvenirs, snacks and beverages but don't expect too much.(so make sure you prepare it well)
9. Jogja Bay Water Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 181 reviews
Jogja Bay Water Park (JBW) is one of southeast asia's largest Water Park located in the second largest tourist city in Indonesia namely Yogyakarta. And lately, it has become one of the tourist destinations in Yogyakarta. The uniqueness of Jogja Bay Water Park is there is story telling between the tradition of Yogyakarta with the Pirates of Europe that poured through On-site Live Show, character, Water rides and Merchandise. Jogja Bay Water Park old ghetto became a Pirate ambience Tropical Lust filled with greenery and thematic old pirates. In addition, there is the bay of jogja in 9 exciting rides that can be played, some of the most challenging rides.
Reviewed By Danica_Coloay - Jakarta, Indonesia
Playing water for some people is considered as children game, not for us as a family who is excite with the various games of water, either in nature or on the rides like Jogja Bay. This time, we took our teenagers to enjoy various sliders...MoreThanks dear! Hope u can play again at Jogja Bay! ;)
10. Wediombo Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By Dian D
Second visit to wediombo. Perfect place to spend a day with family or friends. Beautiful view with natural pond. It takes 2.5 hours by car from Yogyakarta city.
