Top 10 Must Visit Places in Indonesia
Indonesia is diverse and extensive, with 17,000 islands. You may be sure to find everything to your fancy, but there are a few must-visit places here that you should know. After all, not everyone has the time to traverse the entire wonderful Indonesia.
Be it for leisure, shopping, culture, history, diving, trekking, or nature, you can find all of those in the places below of our top travel places in Indonesia.
Jakarta
The capital of Indonesia, everyone would inevitably find themselves visiting Jakarta as their first or last stop in Indonesia. Jakarta is also a vital international airport hub for Indonesia serving airlines worldwide. Your visit here would not be complete without getting absorbed into the hectic and congested city. Once attuned, you would be ready to take on the rest of the country quickly. It has many hidden treasures and nightlife and is a shopping haven.
Jakarta night skyline. Photo by yohanes budiyanto
Yogyakarta
Personally, Yogyakarta is my favorite place to visit in Java, Indonesia. It has everything from ancient attractions to shopping to food and culture. Explore the main street and the narrow valleys in search of silversmiths, puppet makers, street arts, and food vendors, soaking in Indonesia’s culture, people, and food as it has always been.
Yogyakarta serves as a hub for historical and cultural Java, Indonesia; this is the best springboard for you to find the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Bath is in the remains of two great kingdoms of two different religions – Buddhism and Hinduism.
Trishaw at Yogyakarta. Photo by bob|P-&-S
Mount Bromo
Do not miss out on the majestic Mt Bromo at Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, with active and dormant volcanoes to choose from. Standing tall at 2329 m, it is one of the most iconic mountains in Indonesia. You may ride a horse or catch or rent a jeep to the top and be in time to see a sunrise. You will be rewarded with one of the most out-of-this-world views as the sun appears on the horizon over the blue misty volcanic craters. It is one place you should put on your must-visit list in Indonesia.
Mount Bromo, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Photo by masterbutler
Lake Toba
Relax and unwind from the hectic travels at Lake Toba, swim in the largest volcanic lake in the world on lazy afternoons, and have a long massage after then, followed by an excellent meal to end the day. With a quiet and serene beauty, it is famous for travelers as a place to unwind while the time away, especially after hardcore extended backpacking or trekking. Lake Toba is one of the most visited lakes in Indonesia, and that must mean something.
Largest Volcanic Lake at Lake Toba. Photo by schristia
Bali
Tourist-packed? Yes. Well-beaten track? Yes. Overrated? Maybe, maybe not. You should go there with your open heart and mind despite after Eat, Love, Pray commercialization and hope to get a glimpse of its natural beauty of it. No matter what the skeptics say, Bali remains a must-visit place for every tourist in Indonesia, and it remains so full of zest. After all, it is still the place with Bali’s best beaches, misty treks across volcanoes, impressive famous temples like Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, and laidback coasts. At night you can even set out for a party or two along Kuta and other Bali nightclubs.
Lombok
A quieter shadow of Bali, this place is slowly becoming a popular visit place in its own right. People come here to escape the crowds and for the blue waters and green mountains. For the adventurous, a trek up Gunung Rinjani would not disappoint or surf the great waves at the coast. The nearby Gili Islands are also no strangers for those who escape Bali.
Gili Trawangan, Gili Islands. Photo by Jeda Villa Bali
Tana Toraja
A highland and the most popular destination in Southern Sulawesi, this cultural island between mountains is unique. Engulf in its rich culture, traditional villages, and fascinating ceremonies that would wow even those who thought they had seen it all.
Graves at Lemo, Tana Toraja. Photo by 710928003
Baliem Valley
The best place to explore the Papua area in Indonesia, you may find tribes that are still practicing rites and ceremonies from ancient times in places with cool air, misty purple mountains, and buzz of human activities. Trek and explore the lands of Lani, Dani, and Yali tribes in this remote Papua.
Barapen Ceremony at Baliem Valley. Photo by Arian Zwegers
Raja Ampat
Known as one of the best diving destinations in Indonesia and the world, Raja Ampat is estimated to host over 75% of the world’s coral species, with more than a thousand tropical fish species, many previously unknown. It is a diver’s paradise for those who love marine life.
Dive at Raja Ampat. Photo by lakshmioct01
Komodo National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia has the most famous Komodo Dragon, the giant living lizard. In the star-filled night sky, you may even catch legions of flying foxes (giant fruit bats).
Komodo Dragon walking at the beach. Photo by Adhi Rachdia
Versi Bahasa Indonesia – 10 Tempat Wisata yang Wajib Dikunjungi di Indonesia
Hi
I would like to know what the top places in Indonisyia that we need to see .. all about nature
There are a lot of top places in Indonesia that you must too see, especially relate to nature. Bali is a must, It offers you not only beautiful nature but also warm atmosphere from Balinese. If you love beach, Indonesia has Lombok and Belitung island. If you are surfer, Mentawai Archipelago is the answer. If you are diver, dont forget to visit Raja Ampat, Bunaken, and Wakatobi. Satisfaction Guaranteed!!!
If you like mountaineering Mt Bromo in East Java, or Mt Merapi in Central Java are amazing and superb I guess
i would like to visit indonesia but i dont know which place i should visit and beautifull nature and safe place if you can advice me it would be great . thanks yours Yacoub Murad
hi yacoub, poke around this site and you will find something to your fancy. I had traveled as a solo female in Java, Indonesia and find it relatively safe!
I am planning my next travel to Indonesia, I was wondering if there are any rain forest treks or anything ?
for rainforest trekking maybe you can look at Kalimantan, Indonesia
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for giving us information about Indonesia, i am planning to visit Indonesia as a solo traveler but i want to visit is the place which is cool climate, Clean&cheap hotel but not far from airport and amenity, safe entertainment, halal restaurant & cheap to buy goods, quality local products i.e: stylish T shirts & short etc. Please give me some hence about it. Thank you.
west java is the answer, cool climate, one of big city (bandung) in Indonesia, airport, great shopping experience. east java, u can visit malang city, bromo mountain with the very best sunrise view ever. tana toraja in south sulawesi is another great cool climate destination, well actually there’s a lot more wonderful place to visit in Indonesia. dont worry about the food, Indonesia is the biggest muslim population in the world, even in bali as the hindu island, also easy to find halal food
Hi rachel,
Please email me details (prices and coverage) of the 10days in bali package.
Wanted to know where all can I go around Indonesia if I’m coming for my honeymoon..also is July a right time to visit this country ?
i suggest you to go to bali,lombok or bromo
Bali is definitely the complete package. A cultural hub as well as an inviting beach destination to retreat to, Bali has now earned its place among the most popular and must visit destinations in Indonesia. An outstanding area to lookout for would be the hills and the area referred to as Ubud is sure to serve you well during your time in Bali. The traditions of Bali followed by spectacular scenery can be witnessed here. Perhaps a stay at Alil Ubud can be considered?
Hi Rachel
I’m Polish citizen and my boyfriend is Scottish. As far as I’m concerned we can stay in Indonesia visa free for up to 30 days. My question is: do we still need to apply for visa if we want to visit Papua? I read that some permit has to be obtained from Papua police station for which you need Indonesian visa and photographs.
Also, do you think 30 days are enough to visit all these places: Bali, Lombok, Gili Islands, Flores and Papua?
Thanks
I believe you for the Indonesia side of Papua, you may go there with your Indonesia visa but certain areas would require travel permit to visit, do check and apply in advance. 30 days may be a little tight (especially including Papua) but it is still possible. Without papua, it can easily be done as the other islands are near to each other, with exception Flores a little far off but well worth the journey.
Hi,
Is vegetarian food a concern if travelling to Indonesia?
You are amazing! Thank you so much for this site (and links to your other sites beyond!). My sister and I are planning a pretty spontaneous trip to Indonesia and we can only stay for 2 weeks so this is beyond helpful in narrowing down the list! =)
you can add more kelimutu lake as the top travel destination in indonesia since it’s one of the most weird lake phenomenon in indonesia. Nevertheless all the places mentioned above are truly amazing place
Hey Rachael,
I am planning a trip for our anniversary for 6 days to Indonesia in August and i am running short of time .
I am overwhelmed and confused too as in which all places to cover in Indonesia. It will be great if you could tell me which are the must visit places which i can cover in 6 days.
Thanks in advance.
-Shweta
in 6 days you definitely should choose only a region in Indonesia, if it is your first time there I would suggest either Java or Bali. For Java, you may go to Yogyakarta and Mount Bromo. For Bali, there is the whole island to explore plus Lombok and Gili Islands if you are keen. It all depends on what you are looking for. Check out our Java Travel Guide and Bali and Lombok Travel Guide for more ideas.
hello rachel ,
i m pavithra from India ..looking to visit indonesia in month of april with my parents n kids for about fifteen days .. v r more interested in also seeing the famous temples plz can u guide us
check out our Top 10 Temples to Visit in Bali
Hello!
Loved your writeup on Flores.
Is it advisable to go in December? What would the weather be like? We’re looking for a 3-4 days break from Singapore and this looks perfect. We are not looking at alot of sea sports or activities, maybe just snorkeling or tubing. Would we be able to do all these in December? if not what are the activities you think are possible.
Which route would you reccommend for us to go by from Singapore? :)
Rubiah island is in Sabang, exactly there in addition to the Northwest island of Weh. The name of Rubiah taken from one inscription on the headstone that exist on the island. Rubiah island known by the natural beauty of its bottom. At least 14 of the 15 sea life which are now protected in Indonesia. You can diving and snorkeling here, please you are swimming in unison a variety of tropical fish and enjoy the beauty of the colorful coral reefs.
Hi Rachel,
We are two families (4 adults and 4 teenagers) traveling to Indonesia in february.
First stop is Jakarta for one night, then the plan is to go somewere with really nice beaches, food, things to do and shopping. Is there only Bali area with really nice beaches? Do you have any suggestions and how to get there?
We will end our 15 day trip with a couple days in Jakarta.
Best regards
Staffan
If you have the time you may also check out Lombok or Gili Islands for beautiful beaches but there are definitely fewer happenings.
Hello Rachel,
these are great informations thank you!!!! i wanted to ask you something about alor archipelago and the fastest way to get from far east of flores to jakarta :)
we have 3 weeks only and we spend 5 days in komodo diving. after were thinking on an easy exploring trip of flores since adding anything else might make it too much running
THANK YOU
Hi Martina, you can take a flight from Jakarta to Bali and then another flight to either Maumere or Labuan Bajo, depending on what you want to do. Check out our Flores Travel Guide for more information.
I’m looking to explore Indonesia during my honeymoon.
Could you share with me the best itinerary as per you?
I’d prefer to keep last 2 days to study market for business (preferably Jakarta).
Hi Moby, take a look at our 3 weeks itinerary and customized to your needs. Don’t forget to check out our Bali Honeymoon Idea if you are heading there!
I am flying in and out of Denpasar and will be in the area for two weeks. I have been to Bali, Java, Flores island and the Komodo Islands about 7 years ago so want to do some things different. Suggestions? I will go to Upud (I have been before) and Nusa Lembatan.
Thinking of going to Lompok/Gili Islands. What else do you suggest?
For within Bali, you can check out our Top 10 Bali Off the Beaten Tracks.
As for out of Bali, what about exploring Sumba or Sumbawa Islands?
Hi Rachel,
i’m thinking about traveling to Indonesia for my PADI open water certification course. i hear Gili island is a good place to get this done?
But it’s confusing. Do you think it’s worth it?
Can you help with which island/ area is the best but relatively cheap for this?
i liked it a lot I want to go there myself
Realy this is top 10 Must Visit Places in Indonesia? No. For my are orangutans top of visiting Indonesia. I like orangutans and jungle.
Trekking in the jungles of Bukit Lawang to see the Orangutans in the wild are in our Top 10 Things to Do in Indonesia. Check it ou! :)