City: Indonesia
Top Things to do in Indonesia
Top Hotels in Indonesia
Things to do in Indonesia, Indonesia: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Coordinates: 5°S 120°E / 5°S 120°E / -5; 120
Restaurants in Indonesia
1. Tri Dharma Dewi Sakti Temple
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. Istiqlal Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,680 reviews
Indonesia's largest mosque is a sacred place of worship as well as a center for conferences, lectures and seminars.
Reviewed By erinhN4157MB
We visit this mosque with a guide from Holiday Jakarta City Tour and he showed us around mosque give us information about Moslem and Islam which is very beautiful religion. The building itself is gigantic and amazing. Love it!
4. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,763 reviews
This lakeside temple was constructed in honor of Dewi Danu, goddess of the lake that was formed by a volcanic eruption 30,000 years ago.
Reviewed By nat31591 - Selangor, Malaysia
this is our 1st visit here and the view are really amazing! the entrance fee is about RP50K per person and additional fee if you want to take a speed boat for the lake tour. the weather quite windy and you may find few cafe/restaurant near the lake.
5. An-Nur Grand Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By clarkshimpson - Canberra, Australia
The biggest mosque in Riau province and many people come to there for praying and have islamic school for children...good place for praying and relaxing.
6. Tirta Empul Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,363 reviews
A very active temple built around a bubbling spring, Pura Tirta Empul is an interesting place to observe Hindu devotees purifying themselves by means of ritual bathing. It is especially recommended to visit on a full moon day, which has special significance in the local religion.
Reviewed By 255nicholast - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tirta Empul is relatively busy, especially if you want to join in the cleansing ritual with the natives in the two large pools of natural ware near the entrance gate. There people queue to cleanse different aspects of their life by standing under water spouting from a sequence of stone sculptures. The ritual is optional and was busy and we opted against it and instead took in the large calm of a temple walk. Prayer was ongoing and we took in some of the ceremony as we strolled, being provided with information by our knowledgeable guide. The temple dates back over 1,000 years and is a truly fascinating place to spend some time and soak in a some Balinese culture. Towards the end we reached a further large pool of spring water, which was bubbling continuously at its base. Evidence that the springs remain active. Well worth a visit...
7. Mount Kawi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,222 reviews
Gunung Kawi is a temple complex centered around royal tombs carved into stone cliffs in the 11th century. It is located amid scenic rice terraces about 30 minutes from Ubud. Note: There are more than 300 steps to climb.
Reviewed By Liefhebber19 - Breda, The Netherlands
We combined The Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul in one day. Two of the most beautiful templegrounds we have visited on Bali. This 11th century temple complex (one of the oldest on Bali) is thought to be the burial complex of King Anak Wungsu, his wives and favorite concubines. There are shrines (7 meters high) carved out of the rocks. To get to the temple and shrines you need to descend 371 stone steps. Next to the stairs there are lots of nice souvenirshops and on your way you have a beautiful view at the surroundings. This templecomplex is quite large, located in a jungle environment. There are lots of stone walkways and stairs. A unique templecomplex surrounded by beautiful nature. You have to wear a sarong which you can borrow at the entrance. We had our own sarong with us. A must see!
8. 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
9. Marian Shrine of Annai Velangkanni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
Reviewed By 650jimmy - Singapore, Singapore
We have known Pastor James for more than 10 years and whenever we are in Medan, will attempt to go and visit the church and meet Pastor James, if he is available. Once I saw him bless a car. He always spent time to speak to the public and we are comforted by him. We go to lick a candle after prayer and also to collect some bottles of holy water for blessing and bring back to Singapore. We will write a petition to ask for blessing and help in our daily life. Please feel free to come and view the historical gallery and buy some sovenirs for remembrance.
10. Jabal Arafah Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By nextflowerz
The superb place to be in Batam. Beautiful qiraat, great ambience. Do visit the observation tower, kids will enjoy this place. A place to have some Indonesian snack also available Has a pool at the entrance with fishes being the attraction.
