Jakarta

Travel Guide
Istiqlal Mosque featuring modern architecture, interior views and heritage 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.

Where to stay in Jakarta

Sentral Cawang Hotel - CHSE Certified
Sentral Cawang Hotel - CHSE Certified
3 out of 5
Jl Mt Haryono No 9 Cawang, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ₹1,706 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
₹1,706
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (29 reviews)
Good but service took so long
"Room itself is nice but the service always takes so long from front desk to resto. Breakfast choices were good thou"

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2020

Sentral Cawang Hotel - CHSE Certified
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 ₹2,938 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
₹2,938
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (100 reviews)
"Rooms were big, amenities were plentiful and staff was accomodating and friendly."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2023

Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada, an IHG Hotel
Anara Airport Hotel
Anara Airport Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Jl.Terminal 3 International Mezzanine Fl, Tangerang, Banten, 15126
The price is ₹6,805 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
₹6,805
per night
8 Jun - 9 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Tangerang. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Soewarna Business Park ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (268 reviews)
"It is a very good airport hotel...If you are going out of Jakarta Airport Terminal 3 it is great. The alternatives are all unacceptable"

Reviewed on 1 Jun 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.
Menteng Park Exclusive Emerald
Menteng Park Exclusive Emerald
3.5 out of 5
Jl. Cikini Raya No. 79, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Popular attractions Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall and ...
8/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
"The stay was great!"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2020

Menteng Park Exclusive Emerald
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, 12950
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (305 reviews)
"Excellent!"

Reviewed on 17 May 2023

Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
Ascott Jakarta
Ascott Jakarta
4 out of 5
Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya No 2, Jakarta, Jakarta, 10230
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (414 reviews)
Good stay in Central Jakarta
"Good stay. Staff are warm, welcoming and attentive. Room was spotlessly clean. Only used the restaurant for breakfast and one lunch. Quality was excellent, just a little more variety might be needed at times. Central location. Special mention to Lia. Friendly and professional."

Reviewed on 30 May 2023

Ascott 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 :)

Cities near Jakarta