Ratu Boko Temple Tours

Set on a hill with views over the Prambanan temples, Ratu Boko Temple was not actually a temple but a palace. Most likely the main court of the Mataram dynasty, the vast 8th-century complex includes bathing pools, meditation caves, an elaborate gateway, various halls, and a cremation platform. While ruined, it’s a great sunset spot.

The Basics
Travelers almost always visit Ratu Boko Temple from nearby Yogyakarta as part of their explorations of the Prambanan area, though it is also possible to visit from Solo (Surakarta). There’s a very significant charge to enter, heavily discounted for Indonesians. Save money by buying a combination Ratu Boko and Prambanan ticket, which includes a shuttle bus between the two sites. Relatively few Prambanan tours visit Ratu Boko, preferring to add in Borobudur or more obscure Prambanan-era temples such as Plaosan. Those that do include Ratu Boko tend to visit for sunset, which can be spectacular as you look across the mighty temples the Mataram kings built.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Ratu Boko Temple is a must for history buffs.
• The site, including the extensive surrounding wall, has been gradually reconstructed over many decades.
• Flights of steps and uneven terrain mean Ratu Boko is not wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There
Ratu Boko is located about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of Yogyakarta, about a 2-mile (3-kilometer) walk south of Prambanan Archaeological Park. There’s no way of reaching the complex by public transport, although Prambanan combo tickets include a shuttle bus transfer. If you want to stay for sunset, a tour or a private driver is the easiest option.

When to Get There
Ratu Boko Temple is open from early in the morning until late afternoon, seven days a week. Most travelers visit during the afternoon to catch the sunset, and on weekends there can be quite a lively scene, with live performances and local students enjoying the grassy lawns. For a quieter experience, visit midweek.

The Legend of Ratu Boko and Prambanan
Ratu Boko Temple is more properly known as Kraton Ratu Boko (the Palace of King Boko). In Javanese folklore, King Boko was a man-eating giant killed by a hero named Bandung Bondowoso. Bandung wanted to marry Boko’s daughter, Loro Jonggrang, but she refused unless he could build her 1,000 temples in a single night. The results are the hundreds of temples that scatter Prambanan Archaeological Park.