The 16 Most Beautiful Towns In Indonesia

Bukittinggi is a charming little inland town located in West Sumatra. Set against the backdrop of two stunning mountains, and a beautiful canyon, Bukittinggi offers incredible views. Cobbled stoned alleys, colourful markets, and tasty street food can all be found around the clock tower, the most iconic building in Bukittinggi. This small town is also a cultural hub as it nurtures and preserves Minang traditions and customs. Only a short distance away from the city center, visitors can explore traditional villages with houses which boast typical Minang architecture.

Yogyakarta, popularly referred to as Jogja, is one of the most charming towns in Indonesia where tourists go to soak in local culture. It has endless narrow alleys to get lost in while searching for street art, food stalls, puppet makers, batik and silversmiths. Without doubt, Jogja is the main cultural and historical hub in Java. It is the gateway to the country’s most magnificent temples, namely Prambanan and Borobudur. A visit there will certainly take you back in time to the two greatest kingdoms; one Buddhist, the other Hindu.

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Just outside of Jakarta, Bogor is the perfect weekend escape for Jakarta’s city dwellers. The town itself is very charming, relaxing and green. It is home to the renowned botanical gardens, and is surrounded by beautiful tea plantations, and the Puncak mountain range. In addition to strolling around the botanical gardens, going on a safari tour, a berry picking experience, and paragliding in Puncak are some of the most popular activities that tourists engage in when they visit Bogor.

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Located in West Java, Bandung is one of the coolest and most beautiful cities in Indonesia, often referred to as the Paris of Java. Nature lovers will be mesmerized by the scenic landscapes in and around the green city of Bandung, food lovers will find such a variety of mouth-watering dishes to suit their tastes, and fashion lovers will be delighted to explore the many outlets in the city. Finally, culture lovers will love the Angklung performances and the art galleries.

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Located in Central Java, Solo bears many similarities with its twin sister, Jogja. However, as it is smaller in size and remains less touristy, it has preserved much more of a local Javanese character. Historically, Solo has been a major royal city, home to the royal enclaves of the Mangkunegaran Principality and the Kasunanan Kingdom. Today, the town has a thriving arts and culture scene and is a famous educational center. Batik is one of the art forms that they truly master here. Solo is also said to be home to the most softly spoken and charming people in the region.
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Situated in East Java, Malang is a stunning, cool and clean city in Indonesia which used to be the seat of the Mataram Kingdom. It is also a city which played an important role throughout history; this is reflected in the many historical remnants which are scattered around Malang. Rich in local culture, Malang has many temples that attract local and foreign tourists. In addition to the beautiful architectural sights of interest within the city, the stunning tea plantations, waterfalls and mountains are not to be missed. Malang is also home to many beautiful beaches such as Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendang Biru.

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Back in colonial time, Batu used to be the charming hill town that welcomed Dutch visitors who went on retreats. Today, it is the wealthy Indonesians from East Java’s bigger cities who travel there the most, as they have built weekend villas up there. The beautiful town is an agricultural hub, and tourists can see apple orchards and orchid nurseries everywhere. It is surrounded by stunning mountains and hills all around, one of which, ‘Gunung Banyak’, is used as the paragliding site for both national and international competitions.

A stronghold of the Dutch in colonial days, Manado is home to the Minahasa people, and their culture, traditions and architecture are still preserved. Trade with the neighboring Philippines, and the spice trade with countries around the world were what made the town prosper for a long time. However, since the bombings of World War II and the local insurgency of the 50s, most of the older buildings lie in ruins. Nevertheless, the town remains prosperous by local standards, and is interesting due to the fact that, unlike most of the country which is predominantly Muslim, Manado contains a big Christian population.

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When Indonesians think about food, they regularly think about tasty Padang food. Indeed, wherever you go in the country, you will find a large number of Padang restaurants, which are very distinct with their buffalo horn-like curved roofs. So what better place to visit to relax and indulge in delicious food? Historically, Padang played a significant role as an important Dutch harbor town. The colonial period is reflected in the city’s architecture and tourists can visit the colorful and charming Dutch old town, and the harbor. The old Chinatown is a worth a visit too.

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Located on the island of Bali, Ubud is a charming and relaxed rural town with beautiful rice terraces. It is the island’s cultural hub as many contemporary artists have decided to set up their studios and galleries in the area. Ubud is also where exotic festivals take place, and where tourists go for yoga retreats. Unlike other towns in Bali, Ubud has managed to preserve the island’s colorful and rich Hindu heritage. It has also managed to stay quiet and peaceful, far away from the party scene of Kuta.

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Located on Jakarta’s northern coastline, the Jakarta Old Town (or Kota Tua Jakarta), was once a bustling business district. The Sunda Kelapa harbour was a crucial hub for the intercontinental spice trade orchestrated by the Dutch East India Company, which also built its headquarters in the vicinity. In the early 1600s, the Dutch devised an ambitious urban plan for the neighbourhood – building fortresses, public squares, churches and other landmarks. Some of these buildings still stand today, repurposed as museums and heritage sites. The old city hall is now Jakarta History Museum, while the former Court of Justice is now the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum.

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This small neighbourhood in Central Java was a colonial trade centre and military hub during the 1700s. Nicknamed ‘Little Amsterdam’, the buildings here channel the European architecture of the time – characterised by elegant whitewashed and brick facades, big entryways and colourful stained glass. Some unmissable highlights include the old ‘thousand door’ office building, Lawang Sewu, and the Blenduk Church with its iconic dome.

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While Yogyakarta may be more renowned for its ancient Javanese temples, the city has its own beautiful old town. Buildings and landmarks from the colonial era are scattered across the city, but Kotabaru and Malioboro are especially dense with charming architecture. Fort Vredeburg, built in 1776, was strategically placed to ‘monitor’ activities in the nearby sultanate palace complex, and now serves as a museum of the nation’s pre-independence struggles. Many other landmarks in the area – the market, shops, banks, post office, and others – are also housed in former colonial premises.

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Palembang is the capital city of South Sumatra and the oldest city in the entire Indonesian archipelago. As an important fixture of the ancient trade route between China, India and later, European countries, this city is imprinted with a wide range of different cultural influences. Many important landmarks were established along the great Musi river and around the Ampera Bridge, many of which are still used today. The current mayor’s office for example, was originally built as a water tower during Dutch rule, while a former resident office has been repurposed as a municipal museum. Kambang Iwak lake is still surrounded by old European-style residences and churches.

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Medan is Indonesia’s largest city outside Java, with a dynamism and diversity typical of an urban sprawl. Even with modern advancements, the city has still managed to preserve its old colonial buildings, most of which are concentrated around Ahmad Yani Street. Medan’s architecture is relatively newer than those in other cities, mostly built around the late 1800s and early 1900s. Eclecticism and Art Deco influences, are evident. Aside from the old city hall, post office and other former colonial administrative buildings, the Grand Mosque and Maimun Palace of the Deli Sultanate were initially designed by a Dutch architect – presenting a unique fusion of European architecture and local design elements.

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This humble town in Central Java used to be the metropolis of the prominent Kediri Kingdom, as well as the trade and production centre for sugar and cigarettes. Dhoho Street was (and still is) a lively shopping district with old colonial buildings lining its sides. Many of the buildings have been modified, but signs of a time gone by still reverberate through their worn-out corners and structures. Not far from the street lies the iconic ‘red church’, which houses a rare 1867 copy of the Bible in Dutch.
Additional content provided by Edira Putri.