Yogyakarta Travelers Recommend

With two days in Yogyakarta, you can do more than just check off the region’s signature temples—Borobudur and Prambanan—and sample the city’s delicious street food. Natural attractions such as the sacred volcano Mt. Merapi and majestic Jomblang Cave come into reach. Here are our top tips for a 2-day itinerary.

Day 1: Temple Touring

Morning: The 8th-century Buddhist temple of Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and watching the sun rise over the misty jungle as its sacred spires come into view is an experience that easily repays the early start. Explore the temple and perhaps some nearby villages, too.

Afternoon: Head back closer into Yogyakarta town to explore the vast Prambanan temple complex, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, albeit a little younger than Borobudur. A guide can accompany you around the complex’s star attractions, particularly Prambanan itself, Indonesia’s answer to Angkor Wat.

Night: After watching the sun set behind Prambanan’s spires, settle in for a timeless performance of the Ramayana Ballet, a retelling of ancient Hindu myths and legends using dance, drama, and music. Savor dinner as brilliantly costumed dancers replay the ancient epic.

Day 2: Natural Adventures

Morning: Start the day by discovering the sacred slopes of the ancient volcano Mt. Merapi. Sunrise hikes can be magical, if energy permits, or tour the lava-strewn slopes by 4WD. Some Merapi packages include trips to one of Yogyakarta’s signature caves, such as Jomblang or Pindul.

Afternoon: Make your way back into the city and explore its historic heart: the Yogyakarta Palace, the royal cemeteries, the silversmithing old city of Kota Gede, and the crumbling water gardens (Taman Sari). A becak (cycle rickshaw) is a classic way to discover Yogyakarta’s old quarters.

Night: Yogyakarta’s street-food scene is known across Indonesia. Discover classics like gudeg (jackfruit stew) or nasi kucing (rice parcels wrapped in banana leaf) as you stroll Jalan Malioboro—or join a tour for insider info. Wrap up the evening with live music in one of the city’s bustling, grungy bars.

Indonesia’s most active volcano, 9,610-foot-high (2,930-meter-high) Mt. Merapi is considered sacred by the people of the region. Yet, when conditions permit, it makes for a dramatic climb, one usually conducted by night to enable hikers to see sunrise from the crater rim—and avoid the dangerous gases that rise later in the day. Here’s what you should know about hiking Mt. Merapi.

Highlights

• On a clear moonlit night, the views of the surrounding volcanoes are spectacular as you scale the cone.
• Sunrise from Mt. Merapi can offer sweeping views across the island of Java.
• Circling the crater, complete with puffs of steam and gases, makes it clear how very active the volcano is.
• The physical challenge of scaling this impressive peak offers rich rewards.

How to Prepare

As the climb is conducted in the dark and conditions on Mt. Merapi can vary, it’s wise to travel with an experienced local guide. The last section of the climb is very steep and leads over volcanic ash and rock, so it’s well worth wearing hiking boots. Temperatures at the summit can drop to freezing (with windchill), so bring layers and a waterproof jacket, as well as all the water you need for your trek and sunscreen.

When to Go

The most popular time for hiking Mt. Merapi is during Yogyakarta’s dry season, roughly July to September. However, people can and do climb outside those times, while rain may still fall during the dry season.

Things to Know

The summit trek sets out from the village of Selo, usually at around 1am or 2am. Some tours from Yogyakarta include accommodation in Selo to allow you to rest before you climb, while others set out as soon as they arrive.

Gentler day hikes are possible on the lower slopes of Mt. Merapi, but these do not reach the crater.

To experience Mt. Merapi without the physical strain of hiking, try a 4WD lava tour around the Kaliurang side of the volcano.

Volcanologists monitor Mt. Merapi closely, but eruptions can still happen unexpectedly.

With three days in Yogyakarta, you can experience the region’s UNESCO World Heritage Site temples, discover the city’s heritage, and explore natural attractions, whether that’s hiking the active volcano Mt. Merapi, tubing an underground river, or descending into Jomblang Cave. You might even be able to visit Semarang or Solo. Here’s how.

Day 1: Tour the Temples

Spend your first day in Yogyakarta ticking off the region’s signature temples: 8th-century Buddhist Borobudur and 10th-century Hindu Prambanan. Start by watching the sun rise over the serene spires of Borobudur as the mist clears from the jungle, then discover some nearby villages or the smaller temples of Pawon and Mendut. Backtrack toward Yogyakarta to experience the wonders of Prambanan, Indonesia’s answer to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. If you’re hoping to explore beyond Yogyakarta later, spend this afternoon discovering the city’s historic center. If your pace is more leisurely, enjoy dinner as you watch the Hindu epic Ramayana re-created as a classical ballet among the Prambanan temples.

Day 2: To the Bowels of the Earth

Start the day with a trip to Mt. Merapi, the almost perfectly conical active volcano that overshadows the plains around Yogyakarta. Choose between a classic sunrise hike, a 4WD adventure, or a lava tour. Continue to one of the region’s signature caves: Jomblang, which begins with a vertiginous descent to a hidden forest, or Pindul, where you can tube an underground river. If time permits, discover some of the golden beaches in the Gunung Kidul area. Spend the evening exploring Yogyakarta’s vibrant street-food scene, feasting from the stalls on Jalan Malioboro or joining a foodie tour of the city by night.

Day 3: To the City—or Beyond

With a heritage dating back to the eighth century, you could easily spend a day exploring Yogyakarta’s historic districts: the palace, the water gardens, the royal tombs, and the silversmithing district of Kota Gede (Old Town). Some, however, may want to spend their third day in Yogyakarta discovering other nearby cities, such as bustling Semarang or Solo (Surakarta), which is often coupled with a visit to Sukuh Temple and its erotic carvings. Whichever option you choose, wrap up the night mingling with Yogyakarta’s artists and students at a live music venue or café-bar.

As the gateway to some of Indonesia’s most revered Hindu and Buddhist sites, Yogyakarta is the cultural and spiritual heart of Java, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with magnificent temple complexes. Here are a few that you won’t want to miss.

Borobudur Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Buddhist temple on earth, Borobudur tops to-do lists for first-time visitors to Yogyakarta. Take a walking tour of the vast temple complex and marvel at the towering stone stupas, decorated with more than 2,500 relief panels and 500 statues of Buddha, or opt for a Borobudur sunset tour for memorable views. 

Prambanan Temple

Though smaller than Borobudur, the Hindu temples of Prambanan are just as impressive. Built by the Mataram Kingdom in Central Java in the 9th century, the complex includes shrines, statues, and temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. It’s possible to visit both Prambanan and Borobudur on a day tour from Yogyakarta; combine it with a Yogyakarta city tour or a stop at Merapi Volcano. 

Pawon and Mendut Temples

Located just east of Borobudur, the Buddhist temples of Pawon and Mendut are often included on a day tour from Yogyakarta. Built during the Sailendra dynasty, the Pawon temple is the older of the two, and it’s known for its beautiful Kalpataru (the Tree of Life) reliefs. The Mendut Temple, meanwhile, contains a remarkably preserved statue of Dhyani Buddha.

Sukuh and Cetho Temples

Two of Central Java’s lesser-known temples are the Hindu temples of Sukuh and Cetho, located in the foothills of the Mount Lawu volcano. You an explore both on a day trip from Yogyakarta—it’s a scenic journey through rice fields and lush countryside. The temples are known for their unique architectural style and terraces, and share similarities to Mayan temples in Mexico. 

A university town with a regal history, Yogyakarta is probably Indonesia’s most user-friendly city. Couple that with the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site temples that surround it—particularly Buddhist Borobudur and Hindu Prambanan—and it’s one of the country’s top destinations. Here’s how to make the most of it in just one day.

Morning: Sunrise Over Borobudur

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 3-tiered Buddhist temple of Borobudur dates back to the eighth century and is one of the world’s great religious monuments. Watching the sun rise over the ancient carvings and the towering peak of Mt. Merapi is an experience not to be missed. Once you’ve explored the site itself—an adventure best enjoyed with a guide—consider joining a tour that includes a cycle trip through the timeless rice-field landscapes and unspoiled Javanese villages around Borobudur, perhaps with lunch at a farmer’s restaurant. History buffs will want to add the smaller nearby temples of Mendut and Pawon.

Afternoon: Temples of Prambanan

Travel back closer to the city to discover a second UNESCO World Heritage Site: the 10th-century Hindu temple complex known as Prambanan, with its towering spires and fragmented shrines. The site sprawls over many square miles and makes for a rewarding cycle adventure. Consider staying for the sunset and then watching the Ramayana Ballet. Performed on an open-air stage during the dry season and under cover during the wet, it’s a magical reenactment of ancient Hindu legend that draws on dance, drama, and music. Some packages include dinner while you watch, as well as round-trip transfers.

Evening: Discover the City

Spend the evening taking in Yogyakarta’s other sights—the sultan’s palace, royal tombs, the historic silversmithing district of Kota Gede, crumbling water gardens—as well as its vibrant modern-art and nightlife scene, whether by becak (cycle rickshaw), powered vehicle, or on foot. Alternatively, savor Yogyakarta specialties such as gudeg (jackfruit stew) or the bite-size morsels known as nasi kucing (banana leaf–wrapped rice) along Jalan Malioboro or on a street-food tour, and soak up the history as you explore the charming old town.

Jakarta might be the capital of the Indonesian island of Java, but Yogyakarta is its historic and cultural heart. Here’s how to experience Javanese culture and traditions while visiting “Yogya.”

• Visit Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—on a group or private tour from Yogyakarta.

• Shop for Indonesian handicrafts such as batik and pottery at the atmospheric Pasar Beringharjo and Pasar Klithikan Pakuncen markets.

• Tuck into delicious street food such as bubur ayam (chicken porridge) and fish dumplings along Malioboro Street.

• Explore the markets and artisan workshops of the Kota Gede neighborhood, renowned for its silver craftsmanship.

• Marvel at Javanese art and cultural artifacts during a tour of the Ullen Sentalu Museum.

• Cycle around Yogyakarta’s rural villages, historic temples, and rice fields on a scenic bike tour.

• Attend a traditional dance performance, Ramayana ballet, or a Wayang Kulit show—a shadow puppet show accompanied by an Indonesian orchestra.

• Ride around the city in a traditional becak (cycle rickshaw) or andong (horse-drawn cart), and hop off to explore the Kraton Sultan Palace and Taman Sari Water Castle.