Top Things To See and Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Often considered the cultural capital of Indonesia, there are plenty things to see to satiate your curiosity about one of the oldest and most prominent cultures in the archipelago. Ullen Sentalu Museum showcases the best of Javanese art and culture, while the Affandi Museum houses the works of one of Indonesia’s most prominent painters. Museum Batik brings together hundreds of batik collections from different origins and eras. And there are more — Fort Vredeburg Museum from the colonial era, Air Force Museum, Code Museum, to name but some.

Affandi Museum, Jalan Laksda Adisucipto, Caturtunggal, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Museum Batik, Panembahan, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Museum Vredeburg, Jalan Margo Mulyo, Ngupasan, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

You might not expect this but the Gunungkidul region of Yogyakarta holds some of the most stunning beaches on the southern coast of Java. Explore the sprawling shorelines of Yogyakarta and you’re in for endless nice surprises, from the cable cart at Timang Beach to the quiet rock-protected lagoon at Wedi Ombo Beach.

Timang Beach, Jl. Pantai Sel. Jawa, Purwodadi, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Pantai Wedi Ombo, Jepitu, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yogyakarta’s caves serve as one of its most-sought natural highlights. Many caves in Yogyakarta requires ample skills or extremely strong valor, but the challenging path will always take you somewhere equally spectacular. Jomblang Cave, for example, will reward travelers’ efforts with the famed ‘heaven’s light’, the natural phenomenon in which the glorious sunlight finds its way through the cracks of the cave and appear in soft rays as if a providence from above. Langse Cave, on the other hand, is a famed meditation spot with the sound of the crashing waves bouncing at the walls of the cave.

Jomblang Caves (or around), Pacarejo, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Goa Langse, Giricahyo, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Technically not in Yogyakarta, this magnificent temple has been considered one of tourism highlight from the heritage city. There are many things to do in this temple, which is the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, from observing the massive relief carved on the temple’s walls to watching the sunrise.