Top Things To See and Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogyakarta’s natural, cultural, and historical highlights have long attracted various kinds of travelers to its tourism gems. Whether you’re a daredevil adventurer, culture-vulture or a shopaholic, discover the top things to see and do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
1. Prambanan Temple
Hindu Temple, Ruins
This massive, 9th-century Hindu temple compound is one of Indonesia’s most important cultural sites. The mighty construction holds ancient history and legends in every detail, and it’s an awe-inspiring sight to behold. In this temple, you get to enjoy both the natural and cultural charm, such as magnificent sunsets that turn the grand temples into silhouettes and the Ramayana Ballet performance that commences shortly after.
Prambanan Temple, Bokoharjo, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Prambanan temple near Yogyakarta on Java island Indonesia | © Tatiana Popova/Shutterstock
2. Taman Sari Water Castle
The calming, airy architecture served this water castle well as a recreational palace for the wives of Yogyakarta’s first sultan. It has delicate bathing pools, gardens, as well as rooms to meditate, study, and rest. Tourists can now explore this area that is full of beauty and secrets — that includes the fortress, rooms, pools, and underground halls.
Travel Kampung Taman Sari, Patehan, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Taman Sari Water Castle in Yogyakarta | ©Maarten van der Bent/Flickr
3. Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat
Building, Museum
Since the 18th-century, the royal family of the Yogyakarta Sultanate has been living in this stunning palace complex. Seemingly humble in architecture and style, this palace is actually a very rich cultural and historical site, holding ancient artifacts and heirlooms passed down through generations of sultans, some of which can be found in the on-site museum. The palace is also ornate with details that depict Javanese philosophies and ways of life. Here, tourists can explore some parts of the building and see traditional dance and music performances.
Interior of the Yogyakarta Palace | ©Danumurthi Mahendra/Flickr | © Danumurthi Mahendra / Flickr
Museum-hopping
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.
5. Sandboarding at Gumuk Pasir Parangkusumo
Being a cultured heritage city doesn’t make Yogyakarta less enticing for daredevils and adventurers. Yogyakarta has a wide and diverse repertoire when it comes to nature, including the seemingly out-of-place desert at Parangkusumo. Tourists can enjoy the unlikely sight in the tropical paradise or even try sandboarding while waiting for the magnificent sunset.
Gumuk Pasir Parangkusumo, Parangtritis, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Parangkusumo in Yogyakarta, Indonesia | © celebrityabc / Flickr
Beach-safari
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.
Caving Adventure
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.
Borobudur Temple
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.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
