Attractions and entertainment of Jakarta

There are not too many attractions worthy of tourists' attention in Jakarta, and two full days are enough to see all the most worthwhile. Conditionally, there are two districts with interesting places, for each of which one day is enough:

• City center and Independence Square. In the morning, visit the Istiklal Mosque and the Cathedral, go for a walk around Independence Square and climb to the Monas observation deck. Then you should visit the National Museum, and if you have enough energy and time, then the National Gallery. The evening can end with a shopping trip in the modern area around the Ring of the Indonesia Hotel.
• The historical center of the city in the area of Kota and the old port of Sunda Kelapa. It is better to start in the morning in Chinatown Glodok. Then move to Fatahilla Square, where you can see one or more museums, and then walk or bike along the Sunda Kelapa bicycle route to the port area, where you can visit the maritime museum and the port itself. Along the way, you can see many more interesting places. In the evening, you should return to Fatahilla Square again, where you can have dinner at one of the restaurants, or even at the famous historical cafe Batavia.

If you accept such a sightseeing plan, then having reached the beginning of the route on each of the days by bus or taxi, then everything in the area can be viewed on foot, although you will have to walk around a lot and most likely under the scorching heat. To ease your lot, you can use a taxi or a motorcycle taxi for short trips, for which it is best to use the Grab application, since taxi drivers on the street charge many times more expensive. You can get acquainted with the historical center of Kota, the old port and other places in the area by bike along the Sunda Kelapa bicycle route (see below).

If you have more time planned for Jakarta, then you can still go to the city of Bogor for one or more days, or go to the beaches of the Thousand Islands resort near the shores of Jakarta.

As for entertainment specifically for tourists, this is also not very good in Jakarta. Not far from the port of Sunda Kelapa there is an Ancol water entertainment complex with a water park, dolphinarium, aquarium, but by the standards of foreign tourists this is an uninteresting and not the most comfortable place. For children there is an entertainment complex Kidzania with playgrounds, slides, etc., located far to the south of the city in the Pacific Palace shopping center. You can visit the Mini Indonesia Park (Taman mini) to get acquainted with the architecture and life of the 27 provinces of the country. A lot of huge and modern shopping centers are located south of Independence Square, and this is also one of the attractions for tourists, since there will be nothing else to do during the day. And yet, right from Jakarta you can buy excursions to the western part of the island of Java, including the famous and terrible volcano Krakatoa.

There is nightlife in Jakarta, and it is developed, but you will have to look for it. The most popular area with bars, nightclubs and "moths" is located far to the south of the city around the Blok M shopping center. There are establishments in the area of Jalan Jaksa Street, as well as in shopping and business centers around the Hotel Indonesia Circle. In the old town, the concentration of establishments for a night's rest is much smaller. Basically, you need to look for them in the Glodok Chinatown. Well, for simple evening walks and dinners with the late restorns, the pedestrian alley next to Fatahilla Square is suitable.

Learn more about the most interesting sights of Jakarta, indicating their opening hours, cost and ways to get further:

Architectural, parks, other

• Independence Square

  Independence Square

  Independence Square or Freedom Square (Merdeka Square) is one of the iconic points in Jakarta for tourists. It is located in the very center next to the main railway station of the city of Gambir, within walking distance is also the tourist area along Jalan Jaksa street with inexpensive hotels and an area with shopping centers. Here (nearby) is the National Museum and several other small museums, the presidential Palace.

  This is one of the few places in the city where there is space for walking, and there is no shortage of it, which is very important for Jakarta. Learn more about Independence Square and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the very center of the city next to Gambir station (Independence Square on the map). From the tourist area on Jalan Jaksa Street there are 2 kilometers on foot.

• Monas National Monument

  Jakarta National Monument

  The National Monument or Monas Independence Monument is a 132–meter-high tower (almost 50 floors) in the center of Independence Square, one of the main symbols of Indonesia. It was built in the period from 1961 to 1968, opened to the public in 1975. From an architectural point of view, it does not represent anything special, except that it will be interesting from an engineering point of view, but you will not be able to miss it, since Independence Square itself is simply mandatory to visit during a visit to the city. In addition to the external inspection of the monument, you can visit the small museum of the history of the country at its base, and take the elevator almost to the top to the observation deck of 115 meters. But if you want to go upstairs, you'll have to stand in line, especially if you get here on a day off. Learn more about Monas and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: you can inspect the outside at any time, it is beautifully illuminated at night. The museum and observation deck are open from 08:00 to 16:00 every day except Monday. The observation deck is also open from 19:00 to 22:00 on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Closed every last Friday of the month

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the complex and ascent to the observation deck - 40,000 rupees (2.54 USD, see Indonesian currency and exchange rate).

  🚶 How to get there: the national monument is located in the very center of the city in the center of Independence Square (National Monument on the map). Nearby there is a major transport hub and Gambir railway station, and the tourist area and Jalan Jaksa Street are 2 kilometers away on foot.

• The old seaport

  The old seaport

  The old seaport of Jakarta, Sunda Kelapa, is still one of the important transport and trade hubs of the country. It is here that countless transactions take place every day and cargoes are sent to thousands of islands in Indonesia, fishing schooners constantly arrive and go for the catch. In general, the port is a whole district, or even a separate city within a city, with its own markets, shops, and even housing. Yes, the poorest port workers, longshoremen, live right here in shacks made of plywood and slate among piles of garbage and abandoned boats.

  This place is not for every tourist, but if you like unusual places that are not trampled by tourists, then it will be interesting here. Learn more about the old seaport in Jakarta here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit in the afternoon or evening before sunset

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge, guide services from $ 10.

  🚶 How to get there: the seaport and district of Sunda Kelapa is located in the north of the capital and the outskirts of the historic district Kota (old seaport on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12 and then 20 minutes on foot, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta and then two kilometers on foot.

• Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah)

  Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah)

  This is the main historical place of the city, the heart of the old quarter of Batavia (the former name of Jakarta). Today it is the most tourist place in Jakarta. And not only because there are several museums and architectural buildings on the square, but also because in the evenings and weekends the whole "tourist hangout" of the city takes place here. There are cafes and restaurants on the pedestrian alley nearby, street artists paint pictures, street artists show performances. On the south side there is the legendary historical cafe Batavia (Batavia Cafe), the prices in which, of course, are too high, but going to it is akin to visiting a museum. You can also rent a bicycle here and go along the developed Sunda Kelapa bicycle route. And a little further north along Jl. Kunir street there is a tourist evening market. Read more about the square and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is best to visit in the evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: the square is located in the heart of the historic district Kota (area on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• Glodok Chinatown

  Chinatown Glodok or Chinatown in Jakarta

  Chinatown in Jakarta is not the same as in most other Asian cities. He is just as fussy and very "trading" as everywhere else, but outwardly very different. There is little classical Chinese architecture and temples here, everything is clogged with traffic and traffic jams. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is definitely worth visiting this area as a tourist attraction. But if time permits, go here to see some beautiful Buddhist Chinese temples and stroll through the evening street markets, where everything is sold, and of course, a lot of counterfeit. And of course, with the advent of darkness, countless outdoor cafes with the most exotic food open here. And yet, this is one of the most successful areas with entertainment for adults. Learn more about the Glodok district here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: Goldok Chinatown is located north of the center, adjacent to the historic district Kota (Chinatown on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Glodok stop of corridor 1 and 9B, or by city trains to the station Jakarta, and then walk 1 kilometer.

• Sunda Kelapa Old Town Bike Tour

  Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah)

  The Sunda Kelapa bicycle route includes visits to almost all more or less interesting historical and architectural places in the historical districts of Kota and Sunda Kelapa. The length is 6 kilometers, and without visiting museums it can be overcome in 3 hours. If you plan to visit some of the museums, it is better to lay the whole day. A special application for iDiscover Java smartphones has been developed for the movement. It works offline, you only need to download it in advance, and follow the map using the built-in GPS. Learn more about the cycling route and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: it is better to complete the route during the day. Most museums are closed on Monday.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: Bike rental in Fatahilla Square costs 50,000 rupees (3.18 USD) for one hour, visiting museums along the route is paid additionally, from 5000 rupees (0.32 USD)

  🚶 How to get there: Bike rental is located on Fatahilla Square right on the street (rental on the map). Then you need to follow the route using the iDiscover Java application or using a paper map that you will be given with a bicycle, or it can be found at hotel receptions. Also, this route can be done on foot, but it will take a whole day instead of 3 hours, besides, do not forget about the merciless heat.

• Indonesia Hotel Ring and statue

  Indonesia Hotel Ring and statue

  Hotel Indonesia Circle or Jakarta Hotel Indonesia Circle and the Welcome Monument (Welcome Statue or Selamat Datang Monument) is an iconic geographical place in Jakarta, and an important landmark point. The monument was built in 1962.

  By itself, the ring and the monument are not particularly remarkable, but around the most interesting and modern part of the business district of Jakarta. There are several large malls (shopping centers), high-rise office buildings, hotels, restaurants. If you are not staying in this area, then it is worth coming here at least once and walking around to see modern developing Jakarta.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: the ring is located in the city center (the ring on the map). You can get here on a variety of Transjakarta Busway bus routes.

• Taman Mini or Mini Indonesia Park

  Taman Mini Park

  Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park is a huge complex for exploring the numerous peoples and cultures of Indonesia. Miniatures of architectural structures and sights from all over the country from only 27 provinces, each in a separate pavilion, are located on its territory. But do not think that there is nothing here except architectural miniatures: you can get acquainted with the life and culture of Indonesian ethnic groups in 15 museums; visit a water park; go boating on a pond. There are pavilions with exotic animals: a park of birds, reptiles, insects. Learn more about the park here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 22:00 seven days a week, but the attractions and pavilions close at 17:00 hours, after which it remains only to walk around the territory.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance 15 00 rupees(0.95 USD), for entry by car, moped, bicycle, etc. surcharge from 1000 to 15,000 rupees. Entrance to museums and pavilions is charged an additional 4,000 to 15,000. Visiting animal pavilions 20 000 – 30 000 . Entertainment, cable car, water park and swimming pool – from 40,000.

  🚶 How to get there: the park is located quite far from the center on the outskirts of the city (park on the map), you will have to get there by taxi or Transjakarta buses. A taxi ride from the center will cost 200,000 rupees. TransJakarta buses should take you to the final Kampung Rambutan, where you can transfer to a local minibus to the park.

Museums, galleries

There are dozens of museums in Jakarta, but there are very few really worth visiting. Most of the museums are dedicated to any one event or person, and are of little interest to tourists and a sad sight because of poor care. The following is a selection of the most interesting museums and galleries with an indication of opening hours, the cost of visiting, and ways to get to them:

• National Museum

  The Wayang Museum in Jakarta

  This is the main museum of the capital and the country as a whole, and objectively it is really the best museum in Indonesia. There are a huge number of fossil artifacts, huge statues found during archaeological excavations, as well as an ethnographic section. On the 4th floor there is a large collection of jewelry. However, one should not expect too much from this museum compared to even some Russian non-capital museums, but for Indonesia it is definitely the best. learn more about the National Museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: Tuesday-Friday from 08:00 to 16:00; Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 10000 rupees (0.64 USD)

  🚶 How to get there: nationalthe museum is located in the city center on the west side of Independence Square (National Museum on the map)

• Taman Prasasti Museum

  Taman Prasasti Museum in Jakarta

  Taman Prasasti is a museum of the cultural heritage of the Dutch colonial period. In fact, this is an old European cemetery, where ancient tombstones, miniature tombs, statues act as exhibits. Everything is located in the open air, well-groomed, clean and very quiet. Not to say that you should definitely visit here, but if you want to take a walk in peace and quiet, then this is one of the best places in the bustling, bustling Jakarta. Learn more about the museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 15:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 5000 rupees(0.32 USD)

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center within walking distance from Independence Square (Taman Prasasti Museum on the map).

• Bank of Indonesia Museum

  Museum Bank Indonesia in Jakarta

  Museum Bank Indonesia is one of the most modern museums in the country. Located in a beautiful historic building. Inside there is a large collection of coins and banknotes, telling about the history of money and banking in the country, there are interactive exhibits, you can watch a movie. It cannot be said that tourists will be interesting to everyone, and the price is too high, but if there is absolutely nothing to do in the capital, you can visit it. Learn more about the museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: 08:00 – 15:30 , Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 50,000 rupees(3.18 USD)

  🚶 How to get there: located in the historical district of the city (Kota district, See areas of Jakarta where to stay) at Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.3 (Bank of Indonesia Museum on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Kota stop along corridors 9B or 1, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• Independent Bank Museum

  Museum Bank Mandiri in Jakarta

  Museum Bank Mandiri is another museum about banking, and is very close to Museum Bank Indonesia. But unlike its modern neighbor with interactive and multimedia exhibitions, this museum is much simpler. The exposition tells about the history of Indonesian banks, there is a collection of coins and banknotes, old safes. The exhibit is the historical building of the museum itself. Learn more about the museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: 09:00 – 15:00, Monday and national holidays are days off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 5000 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the historical district of the city (Kota district, See areas of Jakarta where to stay) at Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.1(Museum of the Independent Bank of Indonesia on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Kota stop along corridors 9B or 1, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• Maritime Museum

  Jakarta Maritime Museum

  Museum Bahari is located in the former warehouses of the Dutch Shipping Company and is dedicated to the maritime history of Indonesia and the modern shipping of the country. There are models of fishing boats, navigation equipment, tools, weapons, models of ancient and modern ships. Visiting the museum will be interesting for a wide range of tourists, not just those who are fond of the sea. In front of the entrance there is an observation tower Menara Syahbandar, which can be climbed to the top, from there there is a good view of the port. Her visit is included in the ticket price to the museum. Learn more about the maritime museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: 09:00 – 16:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: adult - 5000 rupees; children - 2000 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the port area (Sunda Kelapa district , See areas of Jakarta where to stay) at Jl. Ps. Ikan No.1 (Maritime Museum on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12 and then 5 minutes on foot, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta and then one and a half kilometers on foot.

• The observation Tower of Syahbandar (Menara Syahbandar)

  Observation Tower of Syahbandar

  It was built in 1839 and served as an observation tower for ships entering the city of Batavia (the old name of Jakarta) and leaving them along the sea route. There was also a "customs" service to collect taxes on goods that were unloaded at the port. Its height is 12 meters, and at the age of about 180 years, it gradually tilts, for which it received the popular name "Leaning Tower". If you go upstairs, you can feel how it sways because of the heavy trucks passing by on the highway. Inside, at the base of the tower and around it, there are several marine-themed exhibits, and when you go upstairs, you can see the surroundings and the port through the observation windows. Read more about the tower and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: 09:00 – 15:00, Monday and national holidays are days off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the tower is not paid separately, you need to buy entrance tickets to the Maritime Museum for 5000 rupees adults; 2000 - children.

  🚶 How to get there: located near the port of Sunda Kelapa near the maritime museum (tower on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12 and then 5 minutes on foot, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta and then one and a half kilometers on foot.

• Wayang Doll Museum

  The Wayang Museum in Jakarta

  The Wayang Museum is not a museum of children's toys at all, rather the opposite. He talks about the Wayang Shadow puppet Theater, which occupies a very important place in the culture and religion of Indonesia, and is even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an intangible object. Although the museum is not very large, the exposition is very interesting. There are flat dolls for use in the shadow theater and musical instruments used during performances; full-length dolls, literally terrifying; collections from different countries, including Russia. A traditional performance is held daily at 10:00. Of course, it is worth visiting on time for a walk through the historic district of Jakarta. Learn more about the doll museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 15:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 5000 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the heart of the historic district at Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.27 (Wayang Doll Museum on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• Jakarta History Museum

  Jakarta History Museum

  The Jakarta History Museum (Sejarah Jakarta Museum), also called the Fatahillah Museum or the Batavia Museum, is located in the old town Hall building built in 1707 on Fatahilah Square. Both the building itself and the square are iconic historical places of the old town (Kota district), located almost in its very heart. Therefore, even if you can't visit the museum, you should at least walk around the square and see the historic building from the outside.

  The museum itself is not in the best condition inside, it is almost empty. There are very few exhibits, only furniture, models and a couple of archaeological finds; the inscriptions are duplicated in English, but in fact do not explain anything. Learn more about the museum and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 5000 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the heart of the historic district Kota on Fatahillah Square (history museum on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• National Gallery

  Jakarta National Gallery

  If you are at least a little interested in the beautiful, then you should definitely visit the National Gallery, especially since its visit is free. There are almost two thousand works by Indonesian and foreign artists, including our famous compatriots. Mostly works of contemporary art are exhibited, but there are also classical paintings. There is a permanent exposition, temporary exhibitions are held.

  🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 16:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center near Independence Square and Gambir railway station, Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14 (gallery on the map).

• Textile Museum

  Jakarta Textile Museum

  A specific museum of fabrics and traditional Indonesian painting – batik. In addition to just presenting tissue samples, of which there are more than 2,000, the exposition tells about the role of painting in the religion and way of life of Indonesians. In general, this is not a very interesting museum for a wide range of tourists, but in addition to viewing the exhibition, you can participate in master classes and make a souvenir for yourself with your own hands.

  🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 15:00, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 10,000 rupees.

  🚶 How to get there: The museum is located in the central part of the city a few kilometers from Independence Square at Jl. Aipda Ks. Tubun Raya No.2-4 (museum on the map. Getting there on foot from the center is quite far (more than 3 kilometers). You can get there by city trains to Tanahabang Station, but from the center only with a transfer. Transjakara Busway buses do not go here.

Temples, mosques

• Istiklal Mosque

  Istiklal Mosque in Jakarta

  This is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, and according to some estimates the largest in the southern hemisphere, it accommodates about 120,000 believers on 6 floors at the same time (sometimes the figure is even called 200,000), and this, please note, is more than the population of most medium-sized cities. It is also the national mosque of Jakarta. The idea of its construction arose back in 1949, after Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands, but the construction was laid only in 1961, and it was opened only in 1978. The name of the mosque is appropriate - "istiqlal", which means "independence" in Arabic.

  Tourists, including non-Muslims, are free to visit the mosque. At the information desk on the ground floor, you will be given a free cape if you are dressed inappropriately. Remarkably, female tourists can even visit the mosque without a headscarf. If you are lucky, the volunteers will conduct a tour of the mosque in English for a tip. Learn more about the mosque and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: the mosque is located within walking distance from Independence Square (mosque on the map)

• Jakarta Cathedral

  Roman Catholic Cathedral in Jakarta

  The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Jakarta (Gereja Cathedral or Jakarta Cathedral) is located in the city center across the street from the Istiklal Mosque, peacefully coexisting with it, and even sharing parking space for the transport of believers. Also, during Christian holidays, the mosque provides its own parking for visitors to the cathedral. We can say that these two temples are a real symbol of religious tolerance in Jakarta. But it's worth seeing the cathedral not only because of this. The style of architecture is Neo–Gothic. Especially interesting are its three openwork spires made of steel. The interior is made in a classic form for such temples, and of course there is an old organ. Tourists can go inside, taking pictures is not prohibited. If you get here on Saturday, you will almost certainly get to the wedding ceremony. Learn more about the cathedral here...

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center next to Independence Square at Jl. Katedral No.7B (cathedral on the map).

• Gereja Sion Church

  Gereja Sion Portuguese Church in Jakarta

  The Portuguese Gereja Zion Church was built in 1695, and it is the oldest church in Jakarta. It was built by the Portuguese near the port specifically for slaves who were brought here from India and present-day Malaysia. They were given conditions that if they joined the Dutch Reformed Church, they would be granted freedom. The church was built, by the way, also by slaves, which is why it got a different name - Black Portuguese Church.

  The interior of the church is unremarkable, and it almost does not stand out against the background of other buildings of the colonial period in the area. However, inside it is much more interesting and worth a visit. Inside there is an old organ, candelabra, and in the courtyard you can see old tombstones. Read more about the church and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: Located in the historic district of Kota, Jl. Jemb. Batu No.17 (Gereja Sion Church on the map). You can get there by Transjakarta Busway buses to the Pakin stop along corridor 12, or by city trains to the final station of Jakarta.

• Vihara Dharma Bhakti Temple

  Vihara Dharma Bhakti Temple

  This temple is also called Kim Tek Ie Temple and Jin De Yuan Temple, and it is the oldest Taoist temple in Jakarta. Taoism is a kind of Buddhism in China, and, of course, this temple is located in the heart of the Chinese district of Glodok. It was built in 1960, but in March 2015 it was almost completely destroyed by fire. Restoration work is still ongoing, but it is already possible to visit it.

  As in most Buddhist temples, anyone can visit it. Tourists can walk freely throughout its territory, enter any premises. Chicks are sold in the yard and at the entrance, which can be bought and released according to the old Chinese tradition. Read more about the temple and photos here...

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free of charge, donations are welcome.

  🚶 How to get there: The temple is located in the heart of Jakarta's Chinatown Glodok on Jl. Kemenangan Raya Street (temple on the map).