Location: Jakarta
Top Things to do in Jakarta
Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Jakarta, Java
Chaotic, crowded, and cosmopolitan, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is a city of contrasts. Home to millions of people from around the world, the city is a mixture of languages and cultures, poverty and wealth. The city boasts some of the best nightlife in Asia and some of the worst traffic. Every holiday, the locals escape the pollution and the crowds to enjoy relaxing diversions like Ancol Dreamland, an amusement area featuring water parks, beaches, golf courses, and a SeaWorld.
Restaurants in Jakarta
1. 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!
2. Museum Bank Indonesia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,078 reviews
Once the first banks of Indonesia, now a museum of banking in Indonesia.
Reviewed By JackieLeeCanada
I've visited many museum in Jakarta because I love to get to know to Indonesia's history. I will say this museum is the best museum all over the city. Eventhough, their main focus is for the Indonesia's economic history.
3. Jakarta Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,251 reviews
Reviewed By snavi153 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta’s neo-gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral stands on the north corner of Lapangan Banteng, or Banteng Square, which, during the Dutch colonial period was called Waterlooplein, or Waterloo Square in Central Jakarta. Today, the Cathedral stands right across Jakarta’s largest mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque. Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, chose the site for the mosque on purpose, to symbolize the nation’s philosophy of unity in diversity, where all religions could co-exist in peace and harmony. Today, both establishments continue to cooperate with one another, especially to accommodate the parking of cars during religious festivals. The parking lot of the mosque is used by the church congregation during Easter and Christmas midnight mass, and vice versa, during Eid prayers, parking is extended to the Cathedral’s parking lot. This neo-gothic church was consecrated in 1901 having been rebuilt at the same location where previously stood the old cathedral, which was built in 1829 but collapsed in 1890. As the Dutch were Protestants and prevented the spread of the Catholic faith in the East Indies, the church was left in ruins. It was not until Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Europe, and placed his brother Lodewijk (Louis Napoleon) on the Dutch throne that Catholicism was again allowed to be spread in the archipelago. Jakarta’s Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is officially named Gereja Santa Maria Pelindung Diangkat ke Surga, meaning the Church of Our Lady of Assumption. A statue of Our Lady Mary stands at the front portal, facing West, with a sentence above the portal saying: “Beatam Me Dicentes omnes Generationes”, meaning: All generations shall call me blessed. Although from its appearance the church seems to be made of stone, as are neo-gothic churches in Europe, in fact, the cathedral is constructed of thick red brick that is covered with plaster and applied with patterns to mimic natural stone construction. The thick walls are made to support the teak beams to form the roof. The three spires are made from iron frame. These materials were used instead of stone because they are relatively lighter than stone masonry Above the church are three wrought iron spires, the two highest are 60 meters tall, while the central spire is 45 meters. Entering the church one sees that the cathedral is designed to form a cross. Its central aisle is 60 meters long and in front of the altars the aisle stretches 10 meters plus 5 meters to each side. There are three altars. The left is the Altar of Saint Mary which was completed in 1915, and on the right is the Altar of Saint Joseph, completed in 1922. The splendid and most important central altar and tabernacle and the gold cross are said to have been made in the Netherlands in the 19th century and installed here in 1956. Around the walls of the church are paintings of the Stations of the Cross, where before every Easter, congregations stop to meditate the sufferings of Jesus Christ to his crucifixion until his resurrection from the dead. On the south side is the statue of Pieta, showing Mother Mary carrrying Jesus Christ on her lap after his crucifixion On central right is a raised decorated pulpit with a shell shaped construction overhead for acoustics. The building itself has two floors. The upper floor used to be for the choir, but as the building has aged and there are concerns that the floor will not hold many people, the upper floor has now been converted into a museum, which holds relics for rituals during the days of the Dutch East Indies, as also the history of the spread of Catholicism in Indonesia. The Cathedral is still actively used to this day. During Easter and Christmas, when congregations overflow, tents are pitched on the parking lot to allow the hundreds to pray, by following mass through TV monitors.
4. Grand Indonesia Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,232 reviews
Reviewed By Lily18S - Jakarta, Indonesia
Good place to enjoy shopping, eating, etc. Very near to Plaza Indonesia, Grand Hyatt Hotel & Kempinski Hotel.
5. Central Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 433 reviews
Reviewed By IMJASIM
This is another big mall in Jakarta, There arre 5 floors altogether which range from clothes outlets to eating places. There is a outdoor park called Tribeca park which has a raising water fountain in the middle and at night when the lights are on is beautiful. You can eat in one of the restaurants and watch the view.
6. Jakarta Aquarium & Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Jakarta Aquarium & Safari is the largest indoor living planet in Indonesia. In about a hectare conservation area, Jakarta Aquarium & Safari is home to more than 3,500 aquatic and non-aquatic animals. Touch them and feed them! You can feel the intimate interaction with our animals. Guided by our experienced animal keepers, you and your family at all ages will get exciting information about the aquatic and non aquatic animals. Know the uniqueness of Nurse Shark, Humboldt Penguin, Sea Dragon, Serval, Tamarin, Binturong (Bear Cat), Meerkat and many more! Dive deep into our magnificent underwater kingdom and fall in love with the stories you’ve never heard before! Jakarta Aquarium & Safari received Trip Advisor's Certificate Excellence Destination 2018, Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2020 and Indonesia Travel Tourism Awards (ITTA) as Indonesian Leading Conservation Destination 2018-2019 / 2019-2020.
Reviewed By galevic497 - Jakarta, Indonesia
First time going there with my friends to relax and experience new things. We were immediately greeted with a warm welcome by the staff named Louisa. We walked in awe and admiration towards the variety of animals presented as she explained all of their names, behaviors, characteristics, and so on. Thought we were on a National Geographic TV Show for a second there :D . We thought to ourselves that Louisa is truly knowledgeable & passionate about what she does that's why we never felt bored and keep entertained. . We proceed to see her explaining the archerfish, how to feed Meerkat. Those were unforgettable moments we would love to experience again. . But we kinda sad seeing those jellyfishes displayed so few..
7. Aeon Mall Jakarta Garden City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Rachman87 - Jakarta, Indonesia
A new big mall in Bekasi that just opened early of this year (2018) (I think). This mall sell variety of items and brands from Japan which was never available in other malls in Bekasi so far. The mall itself is big and located in a newly developed (rather premium) housing area, but the access to this mall still feel limited due to development of infrastructures at the main roads towards this place. That probably also one among many the reason why this mall is not that crowded, even in weekends (aside the fact it's new and not many people might aware of its existence). Now, aside from Japanese brands, this mall also have many shops from standard famous fashion, accessories, and food brands in Jakarta and Bekasi. There is also CGV movie theater which is also cozy and quite good. Aside from that, the BIG ferris wheel outside the mall and its surrounding area also good for selfies and strolling after shopping. Now, I do feel this mall lack one important store: the book store, preferably the Japanese franchise one, particularly Kinokunniya. IF that book store opened it branch here, this would be a perfect mall (at least in my opinion).
8. National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,663 reviews
In 1778, the Batavia Society for Arts and Science established what would become, after many expansions and name changes, the world-famous National Museum.
Reviewed By nariswari05 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Been there watching the perform of didi ninik thowok actually.. i think with a very affordable entrance fee (only 5000 rupiahs for adult), everything is beyond expectation. The museum have so many things to see about history (statue, guns, pledge, gold jewerly and so many more and it'all well maintained and it's clean...
9. Wayang Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 541 reviews
This museum exhibits a great many wayang kulit, two-dimensional puppets used in the ancient art of Javanese storytelling.
Reviewed By DipuKV - Pune, India
The museum gives you an excellent view of the varied aspects of the culture of this diverse nation via the various forms of puppets and musical instruments.
10. Fatahillah Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 582 reviews
Fatahillah Square, also known as Old Batavia, is the historical district of Jakarta located in Kotas. During Dutch Colonial times in the 16th century, this was the heart of the walled city. Home to attractions such as the Jakarta History Museum and many colonial buildings, this area fills up with artisans, jugglers, and tourists on the weekends.
Reviewed By JohnA7396
Just a five minute walk either along the canal and market street, or via the bridge, village and open market from Mercure Batavia Hotel. Surrounded by Bank Museum, Red House, train station and not far from Chinatown, Fatahilla Square is a haven in the old Dutch Colonial style of architecture. There are great views of the town hall with defences, ceramic museum, post office, restaurants and the Cafe Batavia. The streets are festooned with arts and craft stalls and boutiques and various museums of interest. Artistes practice mime and puppetry, vendors offer the use of bright-pastel coloured bicycles and fancy dress. Well-orchestrated and supervised school children in their droves politely ask to survey foreigners - how can you say no? A massive museum exhibition and concert venue took up the expanse, which added to the charm of the location, and was buzzing.
