Jogjakarta, Indonesia: Top Things to Do

Jogjakarta (also spelled Yogyakarta) has a lot to offer. If you have about a week, that’s a good amount of time to explore without rushing. The people in Jogjakarta are generally humble, friendly, and simple. But when it comes to driving, it can be a different story - traffic can be heavy, and drivers may seem impatient. Still, they’ll get you safely to all the main tourist spots, even with the jams.

Museum Ullen Sentalu

Located in the highlands of Kaliurang near Yogyakarta, Museum Ullen Sentalu is where you can learn about Javanese history and culture. It was opened in 1994 and is privately owned. Inside, you’ll find royal family heirlooms, traditional batik, and artworks that tell the story of the Mataram kingdom and how Javanese culture has changed over time.

The museum tour is guided, and you’ll walk through quiet, dimly lit rooms filled with history. The exhibits focus on the lives of Javanese royalty - the sultans, their wives, families, and marriages. Photos are not allowed inside. The whole visit takes less than an hour, and after the tour, the garden outside is a nice place to relax for a while.

Museum Kereta Karaton (Royal Carriage Museum)
This museum is also linked to the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and opened to the public in 1989. It displays royal carriages used during special ceremonies and events. Most of these carriages were made in the Netherlands and date back to the 19th century, from the time of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII and IX.

 

The museum is small. You’ll just walk one round to view all the vintage and antique carriages, but they’re beautiful and worth a short stop, maybe 15 minutes or so

Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Keraton Palace)
Located in the city centre, this palace was built in 1755 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. It combines Javanese and Islamic design, with wooden carvings, open courtyards, and peaceful gardens. The palace is still the residence of the Sultan and also functions as a museum.

 

Inside, you’ll see royal items, old weapons, musical instruments, and traditional art like gamelan performances and Javanese dance. Some important areas include the Gedong Kuning (Yellow Building) and Siti Hinggil, which are used for royal ceremonies. You’ll walk from one building to another and see whatever catches your interest.

Taman Sari (Water Castle)

Taman Sari, also called the Water Castle, was built in the 18th century as a royal garden and private retreat for the Sultan. It has a mix of Javanese and Portuguese architecture. The area once had pools, fountains, and lakes, used for bathing and relaxing. There are also underground tunnels and secret chambers.

Today, it’s a popular tourist spot, but to be honest, it’s not very well maintained. You can visit if you're interested in the history, but if you're short on time, you might choose to skip it. 

Prambanan Temple
Prambanan, or Candi Prambanan, is a grand Hindu temple complex from the 9th century. It’s one of the biggest and most important Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. The temple is known for its tall, pointed towers and stone carvings that show scenes from Hindu stories like the Ramayana.

 

The main temples are dedicated to the Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, with Shiva's temple being the largest. The design shows the high level of art and architecture during ancient Javanese times.

 

Prambanan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest temple in Indonesia for Shiva worship. Walking around and climbing the stairs to see each temple takes energy, especially since the stone steps are uneven. After visiting the main temple area, you can walk through the garden to the small museum, where statues and Hindu figures are on display. This is definitely a must-visit place in Jogjakarta.