Jakarta Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Jakarta
Istiqlal Mosque featuring interior views, heritage architecture and modern architecture
Jakarta
Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics featuring interior views and heritage architecture as well as a couple
Jakarta

Jakarta Travel Guide Video

Visit Indonesia’s capital city, with colonial-era relics, gorgeous mosques, abundant shopping and family entertainment, to find out why it's known as the Big Durian. 

Like the durian fruit, Jakarta, in the northwestern corner of the island of Java, has a somewhat rugged exterior but beneath this there is plenty of flavour and colour.

Begin your exploration of Jakarta in centrally located Kota district, formerly known as Batvia. Don’t miss the cobblestoned Taman Fatahillah Square, which still shows Dutch influences. Follow the city’s history from the Stone Age to the present at the Jakarta History Museum. See local artwork at the Ceramics Museum and at the Seni Rupa gallery.

Watch painted fishing vessels come in from the outer islands at Jakarta’s historic Sunda Kelapa port. Browse the Maritime Museum, located in a 17th-century spice warehouse, to learn about Indonesia’s extensive naval history.

In the heart of Medan Merdeka Public Square is the National Monument (Monas Tower), which rises to 137 metres (450 feet). Take an elevator to the top of the tower to get superb views of Jakarta. Visit the National Museum to see some of the best ethnographic artefacts Indonesia has to offer. Admire the architecture of the Presidential Palace and the iridescent Istiqlal Mosque, which has a capacity of up to 120,000. At the Textile Museum see over 2,000 beautiful fabrics and materials.

Buy traditional Indonesian wayang puppets and sarongs in the market stalls of Jalan Surabaya. Be sure to try to local street food. You’ll taste culinary influences from Arab, Chinese, European and Indian foods. For high-end brands, shop at Grand Indonesia or at the Living World, the retail and entertainment complex located just out of town.

Beat the heat by plunging down the waterslides at Ocean Park. For a thrill, ride the roller coasters at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Ancol Dreamland). To see replicas of traditional Indonesian dwellings, visit the Taman Mini Indonesia cultural park.

During the monsoon season, from November to March, Jakarta is muggy and smoggy. Take taxis or buses from destination to destination to avoid the heat and rain.

Use Jakarta as a base from which to take trips to see volcanoes, reefs, surfing beaches and exotic wildlife, including Komodo dragons and orangutans.

Where to stay in Jakarta

Default Image

Central Jakarta

Central Jakarta is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Sarinah Mall and National Monument, and you can get around town on the metro at Bundaran HI MRT Station.

Central Jakarta
Menteng which includes modern architecture

Menteng

Discover Menteng, memorable for its monuments. Popular attractions in Menteng include Bundaran HI and Sarinah Mall, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Bundaran HI MRT Station.

Menteng
Jakarta showing a city as well as a large group of people

Sudirman Central Business District

You'll enjoy the restaurants and spas in Sudirman Central Business District. You might want to make time for a stop at Kidzania or Pacific Place.

Sudirman Central Business District
Default Image

Kuningan

Kuningan is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Kuningan City Mall and Ambassador Mall while in the area.

Kuningan
Default Image

Pantai Indah Kapuk

While visiting Pantai Indah Kapuk, you might make a stop by sights like By The Sea PIK Shopping Center and Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.

Pantai Indah Kapuk
Default Image

Setiabudi

Noted for its shopping and spas, there's plenty to explore in Setiabudi. Top attractions like Kuningan City Mall and Ambassador Mall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bendungan Hilir MRT Station or Bendungan Hilir Station to see more of the city.

Setiabudi
Artotel Gelora Senayan Jakarta
Artotel Gelora Senayan Jakarta
4 out of 5
Jl. Pintu Satu Senayan, RT.1/RW.3,, Gelora, Kecamatan Tanah Abang,, Jakarta, Jakarta
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Blok ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (68 reviews)
"ok"

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2025

Artotel Gelora Senayan Jakarta
Shangri-La Jakarta
Shangri-La Jakarta
5 out of 5
Kota BNI, JL. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is NZ$238 per night from 26 July to 27 July
NZ$238
26 July - 27 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (641 reviews)
"lovely stay - staff"

Reviewed on 18 Jun. 2025

Shangri-La Jakarta
InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah by IHG
InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah by IHG
5 out of 5
Jl Metro Pondok Indah Kav Iv Ta, Jakarta, ID
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$218 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$218
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (168 reviews)
"Newly built hotel, like many hotels in Jakarta it is linked to a Mall. The area is away from the popular business center, it is a hour away with the traffic."

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah by IHG
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.
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 WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Kota Kasablanka Mall and Gelora Bung Karno ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (446 reviews)
"Wonderful place to stay in terms of location, quality of rooms and service. Apartment affordable lifestyle with close to 5 stars amenities and attentions."

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2025

Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
Citadines Sudirman Jakarta
Citadines Sudirman Jakarta
4 out of 5
Jl. Karet Sawah 219,, The Newton 1 at Ciputra World 2, Jakarta
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (110 reviews)
"Grateful one male staff help me during long waiting check in. Good job👍 Kiblat sign not visible, hard to find. cosy stay. Thank u"

Reviewed on 20 Jun. 2025

Citadines Sudirman Jakarta
PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Jakarta
PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Jakarta
4.5 out of 5
Jl. M.H Thamrin No. 10, Thamrin Nine Luminary Tower, Jakarta
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Grand Indonesia and Thamrin ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (64 reviews)
Amazing stay!
"I love my stay here and we have been using this as a benchmark for our future booking. This certainly sets the new benchmark. Staff had been womderful and helpful. Property is centrally located next to largest mall.. room wise, it is cosy amd hige with 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom. Everything we needed ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites 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

Activities

Reviews of Jakarta

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
20
5 - Excellent 26%
4 - Good
33
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 27%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Traffics

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Busy, lots of traffic. But friendly people. Tip and youll be treated even better.

3/5 - Okay

Richie88888

The best way to handle Jakarta is to stay in your comfortable air-conditioned bubble........your hotel is a bubble, the shopping malls are a bubble, your car is a bubble. Outside the bubble, Jakarta can be a bit harsh and hot, not very walkable.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn't go as a tourist but Plaza Indonesia meets most of one's needs.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Jakarta is busy and the traffic can be terrible but it has a gritty, friendly vibe character that is unique - it really grows on you. Public transport is a good way to get round where available

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good shopping area. Tanah Abang wholesale and Sarinah Department Store. Pasar baru

Cities near Jakarta