Top 10 Things To Do and Places to Visit in Jakarta

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If you are only here for a day or even a week or more, there are many places to visit in Jakarta. Jakarta has many things to do: tourist attractions, shopping malls, and hidden back streets for nightlife, food, and fun.

In Jakarta, you will not find it short of tourist places to visit, tourist attractions to see, and things to do. Here is our list to help you out.

Places to visit in jakarta
Places to Visit in Jakarta. Photo by Aditya Anggara on Unsplash

Top Places to Visit in Jakarta

Ancol Dreamland / Dream Park (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol)

If you are looking for a place to visit in Jakarta away from the busy city, this is as cheesy as it sounds, Ancol Dreamland could be your dream place. It is open 24 hours with amusement park – Fantasy World (Dunia Fantasi (dufan)), Atlantis Water Adventure, Ocean Dream Samudra (pentas lumba) for animal shows, Seaworld, beaches (pantai), Art Market (pasar seni), golf range, bowling, Ocean Eco Park, gondola, Hailai club, art academy, paintball and wakeboarding.

National Museum

Being two centuries old, National Museum of Indonesia (musium nasional) is an iconic tourist attraction in Jakarta. It is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in the center of Jakarta city and is an archeological, historical, ethnological, and geographical museum. Jakarta’s national museum is well known as Elephant Building (gedung gajah) because of the elephant statue there. Visit here to get acquainted with Jakarta and Indonesia’s history and culture.

National Monument

In Jakarta’s city center of Merdeka Square stands the National Monument (Monumen Nasional (Monas)) tower. It is a famous tourist attraction in Jakarta as it is a symbol to be beckoned with. It stood to symbolize the fight for Indonesia and was constructed under the direction of President Sukarno. It is open from 800-1500 daily except the last Monday of the month. Definitely one of the places to visit in Jakarta!

National Gallery

National Gallery of Indonesia combines a museum and art gallery in Jakarta, where you can enjoy culture, history, and visual arts. Your visit to Jakarta would be well rounded with a visit to this place to admire the local arts.

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Arts Theater)

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta is a concert hall built during the Dutch colonial period in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is situated close to the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. Check out the various arts programs, from theater shows to musical performances. This is the place to visit to stock up on cultural shows and concerts.

Top Things To Do in Jakarta

Shopping in Jakarta

If shopping is your thing, Jakarta offers a lot, from high-end to budget shopping, from malls to markets. You may also want to look at places to stay near Plaza Indonesia * to maximize your shopping spree. Recommended Shopping malls or shopping centers or markets in Jakarta:
Plaza Indonesia of FX Mall – designer goods
Grand Indonesia
Mangga Dua – cheap yet quality imitation goods
Blok M – shoes, clothes, bags
Pasar Ikan – souvenirs and household items

Eat and Drink

Don’t forget to check out our Top 10 Best Indonesian Food to try all the delicious local delicacies and where else, but Jakarta is the best place to hunt for them! Pondok Laguna is one of my favorite restaurants in Jakarta that serves delicious local Sundanese food. This place is popular with locals and travelers, so you may find it packed during peak hours like lunch and dinner. Another widespread culture here is the coffee culture; many locals go to coffee shops and cafes to hang out and have a good cup of coffee. With so many choices, you may want to check out our recommendation of a local’s favorite coffee place in Jakarta.

Nightlife

Being a large city, Jakarta is not short of things to do at night. For nightlife, you have many choices of clubs and bars. There are places like Kemang for the younger but dynamic crowds in Jakarta clubbing scenes or cafes like Ecobar. It is one of Jakarta’s coolest places to party, and the club is trendier yet affordable. Or you can go to the more famous traveler’s street Jalan Jaksa, for some choices of bars, clubs, and cafes; the better reason to party here is there are more food choices.

Walk around Pasar Baru (Jakarta’s market)

Come here for a nostalgic walk down memory lane in Pasar Baru, one of the rare streets of Jakarta that is pedestrian-friendly. You will find many locals here and family-run businesses selling clothes and watches. Many vintage fashions here, such as shirts, dresses, belts, and jackets, sell as low as USD1 from second-hand/old to new. Also, catch the best local Indonesian food you can find, for example, bakmi. Start walking from Metro Atom at Jalan H. Samanhudi and then walk towards the rear of the Jakarta Art center ( Gedung Kesenian Jakarta).

Spa and Massage and Beauty

Jakarta has many spas, massage, or beauty choices for self-pampering. You can go for traditional Indonesian massages or soothing spas in the middle of the city, or even go for manicure and pedicure, facial and hair wash, and styling in various malls and establishments, ranging from affordable to splurge. If you have more time in Jakarta, you can go for a weekend getaway at the Javana Spa, only 2 hours away from the city.


Best Accommodations in Jakarta

Booking.com * is a good choice because most bookings can be canceled right up to the trip, allowing flexibility.
Agoda.com * is another good one because they have Asia’s most extensive hotel listings.

The best areas to stay in Jakarta would be north and central Jakarta, which have most of the tourist attractions. Here are a few of the best accommodations that we recommend for a stay in Jakarta:

Luxury (from 150 USD)

The Hermitage, by Marriott, Central Jakarta

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A charming refurbished colonial house made into an elegant hotel. The location is also strategic, near a train station and quick access to the city center and beyond. With an outdoor pool, a gym, a luxurious lounge area, and a restaurant in a courtyard, this hotel also gives a romantic atmosphere with some rooms opening up to a back garden. It’s truly a dream.
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Jakarta Pacific Place, Kuningan, Central Jakarta

For those who want high security and a well-known hotel with world-class services. You will find all the usual luxury here, with an impressive outdoor pool and bar featuring a city skyline view. Kuningan is also well known for its upmarket shopping malls and restaurants with good sidewalks.
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Mid-range (50 – 150 USD)

Harris Vertu Hotel Harmoni, Gambir, Central Jakarta

For those looking for the best value mid-range hotel in the middle of the action. It is situated smack between all the top places to visit in Jakarta. Recommended for savvy travelers who want to cover everything in a short time. Modern, clean rooms, an outdoor pool with a view, spa, gym, and restaurant.
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Ascott Jakarta

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Ascott Jakarta is a well-regarded, serviced apartment hotel in the heart of Jakarta. It offers spacious, fully furnished apartments with separate living and dining areas, kitchens, and modern amenities. The hotel has a fitness center, swimming pool, and dining options. Ascott Jakarta is known for its comfortable accommodations, convenient location, and excellent service, making it a popular choice for business and leisure travelers.
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Budget (below 50 USD)

Wonderloft Hostel, North Jakarta

For those on a budget who still want to be in the city center. This hostel is in the north, right at the corner of the famous Jakarta’s Old City, Fatahillah Square. It has a charming mix of old colonial style with hipster-inspired interiors. Best value for money!
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Yello Hotel Harmoni, Gambir, Central Jakarta

It is for those on a budget who want an alternative to a hostel. This place has private rooms in a hip and stylish budget hotel style. The location is excellent, within walking distance of the National Monument Park. There is also a restaurant if you are too lazy to go out and brave the traffic at the end of the day.
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *

Nearby Jakarta

Check out our Top 10 Day Trips from Jakarta list or if you are looking for some sun and sea, see our Top 10 Beaches near Jakarta. Popular trips around Jakarta are Bogor and Taman Safari or Bandung for shopping.

Also, read on Jakarta Travel Guide for more information.

Versi Bahasa Indonesia10 Tempat Wisata di Jakarta yang Menarik

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15 Comments

  1. Hello, Thanks a lot. I got many information about Jakarta. We are around 25 teachers from Papua New Guinea planning to visit Bali and Jakarta. Our stay in Jakarta will be from 17th – 21st Sept ’13. We will visit some of the international schools as well. Can you please give me some information on must see places and city tour and accommodation etc. I will send my travel itinerary latter.

  2. Avatar p.venkatesan says:

    please give me advice I need to visit Bali

  3. Im planning to visit jakarta this year with my husband, i hope to visit the cheapest places to go shopping with :) Is there any cheapest route, we are traveling kuala lumpur malaysia to singapore, and from singapore we will travel to jakarta, though it takes long but im sure its gonna be amazing! i hope to find the cheapest place to buy some goods!

  4. Jakarta is such an amazing mix of colours and cultures, and the shopping is superb. The Ascott Indonesia is a dream of a stay too!

  5. This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. I will in Indonesia late November and will travel solo. Hope I can cover every item in your list.

    Next thing to do on my part now is to check for public transport route/stops.

  6. Avatar CALIN FLORA says:

    I will travel in Indonesia (Raja Ampat) and on my way back, I will stop for 2 days and nights in Jakarta. Interested in cultural atractions, history, monuments, museum, dance and local tradition! Please recomand my a cheap, safe and decent place to stay in Jakarta and what I can visit! Were I can change some USD in local currency at a better exchange rate? Thank you very much!
    Do you have any reccomandation for a Dive resort in Raja Ampat (basic accomodation but best places to dive and professional dive guide at a resonable-budget price)? I have a reccomandation for Kri Resort but the prices there are high! There is things to do or to see in Sorong?

    1. you may find many decent choices in Agoda.com or Booking.com for your stay in Jakarta. Also, check out our guide for Raja Ampat to get more information and places to stay.

  7. Avatar Shabbir Mehtawala says:

    Hi, I visiting Jakarta next week. Could you suggest me good Indian restaurants? Also cheap places for shopping and lodging? :)

  8. Avatar Babar Khan says:

    Hi Shabbir, If u looking for Indian restaurant in jakarta, then i share you my experience. After lot of hard work and travel in jakarta, i only found one indian restaurant that only in Near Kemang Village.

    That one not cheap for eat. One plate Biryani 10$.

    Hope, before u visit there must bring lot of money :)

    Hati-hati….

  9. Hi! We are going to Jakarta end of July. Any recommendation for drivers/ car rental that can bring us to wonderful places in Jakarta ?

    Thank You

  10. Me and my husband are planning to visit Indonesia but unsure as to where to go exactly. We are going on a budget vacation so price is a sort of an issue. What are really looking for is a quiet retreat in the night, tranquil environment maybe a good garden or mountain view to wake up in the morning. During the day we want to be able to go around and experience Indonesia at its best. Like kayaking, white water rafting, rent biking, and visit some tourist destinations like parks and museum. We also want to try the nightlife but not required. We were thinking of Bali particularly in Ubud but seems like the hotel’s are way too far from the airport. Another concern is the safety more than anything else. Please we need help to at least get us a head start as we are planning to go mid January. Thank u for any suggestions that u can give us.

  11. This is a good article about what to do there. It was really helpful. thanks

  12. i believe there will be as pretty as shown in the pictures. i ll be there this dec. meet me there.

  13. Can you suggest one day sight seeing at Jakarta and which points to cover.

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