7 Best Things to Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Are you looking for the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? It is a popular destination that provides the best base for exploring the famous ancient temples and many other attractions.
Wondering what to do in Yogyakarta? Watch the beautiful sunrise at Borobudur, explore the Taman Sari Water Castle, stroll along Malioboro Street, sample traditional Javanese food, and take a day trip to Jomblang Cave.
This ultimate guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Yogyakarta.
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Best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
This was one of our favorite places in Java, and we would have loved to stay longer. It was a completely different experience than the other cities we visited on the island, so let’s explore our favorite things to do in Yogyakarta.
1. Visit Borobudur Temple at Sunrise
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the most beautiful monuments in Southeast Asia. Buddhists and many tourists come from all over the world to visit this important pilgrimage place.
We rented a scooter and set off at 4 AM to Borobudur Temple to catch the most beautiful sunrise.
Once you arrive, follow the signs and explore the stunning carvings and stupas. The walk to the temple takes about 20 minutes, and then you can climb the steep stairs to the top. Plan to spend 1.5-2 hours wandering around Borobudur.
Good to know
Only 1,200 people per day are allowed to climb the Borobudur Temple. If you don’t want to miss out on this fantastic experience, book this Borobudur Sunrise (guaranteed climb) Tour.
Read the full post → Guide to Visiting Borobudur Temple
2. Taman Sari Water Castle & Underground Mosque
Taman Sari Water Castle is just a 10-minute drive from the famous Malioboro Street and is easily accessible. It used to be a bath complex, and stories say that sultans used this water palace to select their future concubines or wives while the women bathed.
The Underground Mosque, also known as Sumur Gumuling, is part of the Taman Sari Complex and one of the best photo spots.
The water castle is open daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. We recommend you arrive as early as possible and avoid weekends.
Make the most of the experience and join a guided tour, or hire a private guide who will explain the history as you walk.
The entrance fee to Taman Sari Water Palace is 15,000 IDR for locals and 25,000 IDR (1,50 USD) for foreigners. In addition, there is an extra charge for a camera, which is 3,000 IDR.
3. Prambanan Temple
Looking for the best things to do in Yogyakarta? You can see the beautifully carved reliefs, walk around the archaeological site, look inside the temples, and enjoy the beautiful sunset at Candi Prambanan. The journey to Prambanan Temple takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The three main temples are dedicated to the most important Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva’s shrine is the tallest at 47 meters and offers the most beautiful scenery.
We recommend watching the sunrise at the Borobudur Temple and combining your visit with the magnificent Prambanan Temple at sunset. At the moment, the temples are closed every Monday, so check for up-to-date information before you travel!
Book your Prambanan and Borobudur temples tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Recommended post → How to Visit Prambanan Temple
4. Explore Malioboro Street
One of the best things to do in Yogyakarta is to walk along Malioboro Street to discover the best street food, enjoy dance & music performances, and talk with the locals. We loved the vibrant atmosphere of the street.
Yogyakarta’s most famous street is just a short walk or becak (rickshaw) ride from Tugu railway station. Jalan Malioboro is the perfect place to shop, eat, and offer fantastic photo opportunities.
For the best experience, join a guided walking and food tour at night.
Read our → Java Itinerary
5. Hutan Pinus Pengger
Wondering what to do in Yogyakarta? Hire a private driver or motorbike and see the best viewpoints. The Hutan Pinus Pengger is about a 50-minute drive from the city center.
The entrance fee to Hutan Pinus Pengger is 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) per person, with an additional 3,000 IDR for each photo spot.
There are many Instagram-worthy places where you can take some fantastic pictures. Our favorite was the Panawacara (giant hand), but you should also visit the Bukit Panguk Kediwung, a 30-minute drive away.
There’s also a great photo spot at Seribu Batu Songgo Langit with lovely hobbit houses.
6. Jomblang Cave Tour
A visit to the Jomblang Cave is a must for all adventure seekers. The journey from downtown Yogyakarta to Jomblang Cave takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Goa Jomblang can be visited from 9 AM to 2 PM. For the best light, you should arrive between 10 AM and noon. The entrance fee to Jomblang Cave is 500,000 IDR (31 USD) per person and can only be paid in cash.
Use your rappelling equipment to descend about 60 meters to the bottom of the cave, then explore the cave through a tunnel and catch the most beautiful lights.
The muddy, slippery path, the high humidity, and the darkness can be challenging for visitors.
Good to know
Visitor numbers are limited to 80 people per day, so we recommend booking your tour online.
7. Kedung Kayang Waterfall
If you have enough time, you can visit some impressive waterfalls, such as Kedung Kayang Waterfall or Kedung Pedut Waterfall. Air Terjun Kedung Kayang is just a 1.5-hour drive from the city center.
Once you arrive, it takes about 10 minutes from the parking lot to reach the first viewpoint, which offers a beautiful view of Mount Merapi in sunny weather. The viewpoint offers a great photo opportunity, but unfortunately, when we were there, the clouds obscured the view.
You can visit the waterfall daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to Kedung Kayang Waterfall is 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) per person. The photo fee at each viewpoint is 5,000 IDR per person.
You can get to the waterfall in about 30-40 minutes, but the path is steep and slippery. It is not recommended for the elderly or small children!
Another beautiful waterfall in Java → Tumpak Sewu
Where to Stay in Yogyakarta
Although the city is a popular tourist destination in Java, there are accommodation options available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Yogyakarta
- Luxury: The Phoenix Hotel
- Mid-Range: The Victoria Hotel
- Budget: Java Villas Boutique Hotel & Resto
How to Get to Yogyakarta, Indonesia
To get to the city, you first need to travel to Java Island, Indonesia. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to the island.
Java has several airports. There are many international flights from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and domestic flights from other parts of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bali.
There are two airports in Yogyakarta: Kulon Progo International Airport (YIA) and Adisucipto Airport (JOG).
From Bali, you can fly to Kulon Progo from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). The flight takes just 1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 70 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
The distance between the airport and the city center is 47 km, and the travel time is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Bali to Java with all the information you need.
If you’re already in Java, you can easily get to the city by train or Damri bus. We arrived in Yogyakarta by train from Malang, and the journey took 6 hours.
How to Get Around
The best transportation options are Trans Jogja buses, using Gojek (similar to Uber), or hiring a private driver. Alternatively, you can join an organized shared or private tour that includes transportation.
Book this excellent 3-day tour from Yogyakarta that includes a visit to Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen Volcano with a drop-off in Bali.
We rented a motorbike and explored Yogyakarta’s sights at our own pace. Scooter rental costs around 60,000 IDR (4 USD) to 80,000 IDR (5 USD) for 24 hours.
Best Restaurants & Cafés
In the city, you can find many local restaurants (warungs), vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets.
- Roaster and Bear Restaurant (A popular restaurant near Malioboro Street)
- Waroeng Spesial Sambal (Delicious Indonesian cuisine)
- ViaVia Jogja (Tasty food with vegan and vegetarian options)
- Blanco Coffee and Books (Perfect place for breakfast)
- Gudeg Pawon (Perfect place to experience authentic Javanese cuisine)
Best Time to Visit Yogyakarta, Java
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Java is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Yogyakarta is during the dry season, from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring Java’s attractions.
Java Island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. The rainy season runs from November to April.
The busiest time to visit Java is between July and August. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How many Days do you Need in Yogyakarta, Indonesia?
We recommend spending at least 3 days in the city. Then, travel to Malang, Jakarta, or Surabaya.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Yogyakarta will help you plan your next trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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hi Dittus & Máté, thank you so much for exploring our beatiful city. greeting from Yogyakarta. 🙂
Hi! We loved Yogyakarta! 🙂
Have a nice day!