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

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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 featuring 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
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Kuningan

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

Kuningan
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
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Pantai Indah Kapuk

While visiting Pantai Indah Kapuk, you might make a stop by sights like By The Sea PIK Shopping Center and Pantjoran Chinatown PIK.

Pantai Indah Kapuk
Istiqlal Mosque which includes modern architecture and a square or plaza

Gambir

Monuments, museums and shopping are some highlights of Gambir. Make a stop by Merdeka Palace or Istiqlal Mosque while you're exploring.

Gambir
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! (70 reviews)
"ok"

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2025

Artotel Gelora Senayan Jakarta
Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta

Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta

5 out of 5
Jalan MH Thamrin, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is NZ$264 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
NZ$264
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (508 reviews)
Football and children
"Great hotel well placed Disappointed that it was being used as a training camp for a junior football team which meant the inside gym was unusable at times Children playing on electronic devices should be banned from dining areas !"

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta
Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo by IHG

3.5 out of 5
Jalan Pekan Raya Jakarta Pintu 6, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is NZ$66 per night from 25 July to 26 July
NZ$66
25 July - 26 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (273 reviews)
"Situed just minutes from the Expo the hotel is very clean and the staff are all extremely helpful and genuinely welcoming. I can’t recommend this hotel enough if you’re heading to an event at the Expo!"

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2025

Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo 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! (451 reviews)
"Great location and environment."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 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! (113 reviews)
"Close to 3 major malls( Lotte Mall, Ambassador, Kuningan City. ). Staffs are fluent in English, immediate response on any requests, Siloam hospital nearby."

Reviewed on 30 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! (68 reviews)
"My family and I enjoyed our stay here in the clean 2 bedroom apartment. We enjoyed the view from high floors. Checking in was quick and breeze. Breakfast spread was alright. Amenities such as pool and gym were great. Walking distance to the malls. Hoping it was a much longer stay for us. The only ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul. 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.

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