Jakarta

Travel Guide
Istiqlal Mosque which includes heritage architecture, interior views and modern architecture
The capital city of Indonesia is a bustling metropolis, famous for its colonial-era relics, beautiful mosques, plentiful shopping and family entertainment.

Jakarta is a destination of contrasts and that’s why it’s often referred to as the “Big Durian.” Like the local durian fruit, this city, located on the northwestern corner of the island of Java, has a layer of ruggedness yet is also bursting with rewarding flavour and colour. 

Start your exploration in the picturesque central district of Kota, formerly Batavia, where the cobblestoned square Taman Fatahillah still shows some Dutch influences. Trace the city’s history since the Stone Age at the Jakarta History Museum. Spot work by Indonesian artists at the Balai Seni Rupa gallery and Ceramics Museum.

Head to Jakarta’s historic port, Sunda Kelapa, and watch brightly painted fishing boats arrive from the outer islands. Learn about Indonesia’s naval history at the Maritime Museum, housed in a 17th-century spice warehouse.

Gaze up at the 450-feet (137-metre) tall National Monument (Monas Tower), in the heart of Medan Merdeka public square. Ride the elevator to the tower’s summit for impressive city views. Check out the ethnographic artifacts at the National Museum. Take a tour of the Presidential Palace or visit the sparkling white Istiqlal Mosque, which can host 120,000 devotees. Admire over 2,000 fabrics and materials at the Textile Museum.

Browse the market stalls of Jalan Surabaya for traditional Indonesian wayang puppets and sarongs. Sample the local street food, which mixes Arab, Chinese, European and Indian influences. Shop for high-end brands at Grand Indonesia or go to the out-of-town Living World, a huge retail and entertainment complex.

Ride the waterslides at Ocean Park or the roller coasters at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland). See replicas of traditional Indonesian houses at the Taman Mini Indonesia cultural park.

Jakarta is hot and smoggy and monsoon showers are frequent from November to March. Avoid the heat and rain by travelling between sights via low-cost taxis or the large bus network.

This fascinating city is the gateway to many of Indonesia’s natural treasures, including pristine coral reefs, volcanoes, surfing beaches and wildlife, such as orangutans and Komodo dragons.

Jakarta Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Jakarta

Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Jl. Gajah Mada No. 211, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is S$71 per night from 7 Oct to 8 Oct
S$71
per night
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
"Spacious and very clean room with comfortable bed and spacious bathroom. Staff are nice and friendly from reception, concierge, housekeeping and breakfast staff. This hotel is connected to a mall with restaurants to eat lunch or dinner."

Reviewed on 18 Sep,2023

Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada, an IHG Hotel
Ashley Tanah Abang
Ashley Tanah Abang
4 out of 5
Jl. K.H Wahid Hasyim, Kebon Kacang,, Tanah Abang, Jakarta 10250, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
The price is S$94 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
S$94
per night
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Tanah Abang Market and Sarinah Mall are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (24 reviews)
"Has a great ambiance, clean and value for money!"

Reviewed on 27 Aug,2023

Ashley Tanah Abang
Anara Airport Hotel
Anara Airport Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Jl.Terminal 3 International Mezzanine Fl, Tangerang, Banten
The price is S$132 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
S$132
per night
21 Oct - 22 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Tangerang. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (364 reviews)
"We love the convenience of staying here and we really enjoy the breakfast."

Reviewed on 2 Oct,2023

Anara Airport Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ascott Jakarta
Ascott Jakarta
4 out of 5
Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya No 2, Jakarta, Jakarta
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Grand Indonesia and Thamrin City Shopping ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (442 reviews)
"Great location and customer service is excellent"

Reviewed on 25 Aug,2023

Ascott Jakarta
Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
5 out of 5
Jl. Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung, Blok E4.2 No. 1, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, Jakarta
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Ambassador Mall and Lotte Shopping Avenue ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (308 reviews)
"Excellent property and excellent staff!"

Reviewed on 8 Aug,2023

Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
Fraser Place Setiabudi Jakarta
Fraser Place Setiabudi Jakarta
4.5 out of 5
jl. Setiabudi Selatan No. 2, Jakarta
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
My stay at Fraser Place Setiabudi
"I very much enjoyed my long stay at Fraser Place Setiabudi. The room was comfortable, spacious and had a good view of the city. I found it very useful to have a laundry machine installed in the unit as well as a kitchenette. The breakfasts were so so because it seemed that the fruit on display at ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr,2023

Fraser Place Setiabudi Jakarta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Jakarta

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
29
" "5 - Excellent 31.182795698924732%
4 - Good
47
" "4 - Good 50.53763440860215%
3 - Okay
14
" "3 - Okay 15.053763440860216%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 3.225806451612903%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Feb 2020

Typical metropolis with a surprising number of Western shops and brands available nearby. Friendly people often with good levels of English language. Some terrible pedestrian pavements and few road crossing points. Polluted rivers and traffic fumes.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Jan 2020

MRT

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Jan 2020

Traffic is bad. But if you like to shopping or eat, Jakarta will surprise you and it has plenty to offer.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Dec 2019

Almost perfect! Just the traffic that's quite tiring...

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
18 Nov 2019

Nothing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Nov 2019

Jakarta has bunch of surprises to reveal along the way. Just brace yourself for some fun here, including the crowded traffic :)