When we first stumbled upon Yogyakarta, we had absolutely no idea what the city was. We’d never heard of it and really weren’t sure what it could possibly offer. But it seemed like a memorable name, and flights there were rather cheap from Kuala Lumpur so we went for it. This would become one of our best decisions, as we would discover this hidden gem on Indonesia’s island of Java.

Yogyakarta Guide – Paradise on Java

Yogyakarta is in the central region of Indonesia’s island of Java – existing both as a city and a special governate region. Referred to by many names: Yogya, Jogja(karta), or Djokja(karta) due to its rich heritage of colonization. The city is very unique within Indonesia, serving as the artist center of the nation, as well as boasting amazing world heritage sites.

Yogyakarta is unique in that it is designated as Special Region of Yogyakarta. This is because the Sultanate heavily assisted the newly formed Indonesian Republic during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945 – 1949) against Dutch colonialism.

Due to the help, Indonesia awarded the Sultanate a province status, that would be independently governed – to this day Yogyakarta remains the only region in Indonesia still ruled by a monarchy. Yes, the Sultan does live at Keraton Palace in Yogyakarta.

The region extends from Mt. Merapi in the north, south to the ocean; and west from Magelang east to Pracimantoro. The greater metropolitan area contains over 4 million residents.

Where Were We?

We spent our time divided between two areas, spending 1 week in each area:

• Magelang – about 2 hours outside of Yogyakarta proper, Magelang is a medium-sized village about 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta. It is the closest township near Borobudur and has several high-end resorts as well as numerous homestays. It is part of the greater metropolitan area, though very rural.
• Keraton Yogyakarta – the Keraton of Yogyakarta is the old walled city that used to be the Sultan’s private city. Today, the Sultan still resides within the Keraton palace, but Keraton has become the center of the bustling city that is Yogyakarta. The location of most activities and amenities make this the ideal place to stay while visiting.

Upon finishing our two weeks in the Yogyakarta region, our biggest wish was that we would have spent more time here. Two weeks really wasn’t enough time to do everything with our schedule and would have been extremely rushed if we had tried to force everything in. Part of the allure is taking it slow to appreciate the jungle and mountains.

Magelang

Magelang was our first destination upon arrival. We really had no idea what to expect from the area and experienced a little cultural shock once we landed. First, there was a lot more traffic in town than we expected. Then our driver kept driving further and further into the jungle for a nearly a couple of hours, and the entire time, “Where are we going?” kept running through our heads.

Finally we arrived at Griya Harja Homestay, which very authentic and enjoyable. Our hosts recommended some great ideas for local experiences to have and placs to go. It took a few days to get used to local beat, but we quickly came to appreciate the morning call to prayer floating over the rice paddies, and the sounds of rural life.

We kept very busy here and did not let the weather slow us down. Since we had lived in Florida for so long, the rain really didn’t bother us in the slightest, but it is worth it to bring a poncho or a rain jacket.

• Borobudur – the largest Buddhist temple in the world and a World Heritage Site. The structure dates back to the 9th century and is covered in thousands of life-size stone Buddhas and numerous relief carvings along the walls of the 7 levels of this pyramidal monument. If there is one must-see while in Yogyakarta, it is Borobudur. Book your sunrise tour here.
• Menoreh Hill – this hill we would normally call a mountain, but it just doesn’t feel right to do so in the presence of the behemoth volcanos nearby. This was a hike that we took on accident, but loved the entire thing. Easy enough to do and provides excellent views of the surroundings. You even walk through a chili pepper farm.
• Camera House – a unique interactive art museum built by a photographer. It provides opportunities to take selfies and pictures in perspective altering ways. It is a fun way to spend an hour or so, and the cafe makes some good snacks. It was so close to us, we went a couple of times just for the snacks. We recommend the fried mushrooms.
• Pottery Village – a simple and authentic view of life in Central Java. This village which doesn’t seem to actually have a name is dedicated to the production of pottery. Clearly high-quality, and hand-crafted, you can show up and witness the production of numerous stoneware items. Purchase directly from the makers or observe as you please.
• Haji Widayat Museum – an art museum featuring local artists and a venue to rent out for larger gatherings.
• Mendut Buddhist Monastery – a 9th-century Buddhist monastery with a free-sitting Buddha statue in the center and Hindu carvings. An actively practicing center, it is a good place to meditate or learn about the faith in the region.
• Ketep Pass – a vista point for observing Mount Merapi and Mount Merabu. Situated on a high pass between the two, it offers great panoramas.
• Mount Merapi – the most active volcano in Indonesia, this stratovolcano has regularly erupted since the 15th century. It is impossible to miss and an attraction to the region. Although dangerous, erupting and wreaking havoc every decade or so, it is a popular climb when weather permits. We wanted to hike the mountain, but the weather made it too dangerous during our visit. Book your tour here.
• White Water Rafting – one of the most popular action sports in the region, the rivers are stable and provide fun Class-III rapids to traverse. Many companies offer excursions in Magelang and Yogyakarta. Book your tour here.

Accommodations

Because of the high number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, there is a wide range of places to stay depending on your budget. We try to go budget, but that doesn’t mean you are limited to that. Below are places you might want to stay if you are visiting Borobudur or want a more rural experiece. If you would like to explore the city of Yogyakarta I would look within the city.

• Griya Harja Homestay – A homestay run by locals, the budget option. This is where we stayed. We had a private room and bathroom, but the options ranged from a private room to dorm (similar to a hostel in that sense). We enjoyed our time, and recommend the place.
• Manohara – an ideal place that is upscale, but not overpriced. With rooms starting around $80/night it offers some luxury for those who don’t want to go crazy on splurging. We didn’t stay, but did visit their restaurant multiple times and enjoyed it. It is also located directly next to Borobudur, so you can walk from your room to the temple and get the best morning and evening vistas.
• Villa Borobudur – an all-inclusive resort with private suites including multiple nice-looking options. Rooms beginning around $150/night and the accommodation is nestled in the quiet of a mountain valley.
• Plataron – another beautiful 5-star hotel. Also present: spa and yoga retreat. This location offers a private and secluded getaway still with ready access to Borobudur. Prices start around $200/night. It has two restaurants and will leave you pampered.
• Amanjiwo – and a final one. 5-star, every room has it’s own private sweet and sunken spa. Beautiful vistas of rice paddies fill the view with Borobudur rising from the mist. With prices starting at $700/night, this is only for those who have the money to spend. We couldn’t visit but could see the compound from our Menoreh Hill hike.

Note: prices may have since increased and/or there could be a change in exchange rates.

Keraton Yogyakarta

This area was once part of the Sultan’s private land but now is a bustling residential area. Yogyakarta has over 2 million residents, but if you want to be part of the action and really experience Yogyakarta, then you want to be in or near the Keraton. Our host had a great home that we stayed at – and the location let us walk everywhere we wanted to. Though there were still plenty of tuk-tuks to take us where we wanted if we needed to go out a little further.

The cultural heritage of Yogyakarta is quite interesting. It is the art center of Indonesia and boasts numerous shops, museums, and schools. There are also numerous examples of street graffiti and phenomenal food options and sweets to be eaten.

• Plengkung Gading – the southern gate into the Keraton, it is a prime example of old architecture from the region.
• Jalan Malioboro – this street is essentially a giant open-air market. Malioboro street is the place to go to grab trinkets, souvenirs, and clothing while in Yogyakarta. It is busy, but also an experience to be had. Multiple monuments line the city streets as well.
• Alun Alun – the name simply means “city square”, but the Alun Alun in the Keraton becomes a lively place every evening with festivities and shows occurring nearly every night.
• Keraton Palace – the current residence of the Sultan. Yes, Yogyakarta is still governed by a Sultan and he and his family live here. You can tour part of the palace most days, and see cultural shows throughout the week. It is not the most exciting place, but still worth checking out.
• Taman Sari Water Castle – now in ruins, it was once the private residence of the Sultan featuring multiple pools for his indulgence. Now, it is open to the public to view the historic baths. It is a must-see in Yogyakarta.
• Batik Ori School – batik is everywhere in Yogyakarta, and Indonesia in general. Nearly everyone tries to sell some batik to you. While some say that the Batik Ori school is a scam, we think it is a matter of perception and enjoyed our experience. We got to see how it is made, and even make a little ourselves. Batik is also an easy to carry souvenir.

We Didn’t Make It There, But You Should Check It Out

• Prambanan – a 9th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the god Timurti. The size of the compound is astounding and the temple is very picturesque. We wanted to see this badly but simply didn’t have the time. You can book a tour here.
• Ramayana Ballet – a Hindu dance that has Prambanan as the backdrop, it is an authentic and lively example of the local culture. Purchase tickets here.
• Goa Jomblang caves – located about an hour outside of Yogyakarta, this giant sinkhole is entered by rappelling 60 feet down before you even begin to explore. An exciting day trip for the adventurous. Book your tour here.
• Timang Beach – a popular beach, this area is popular for rope bridge and cable bridges to coral outcroppings. There are numerous beaches in the area to satisfy any kind of beach-goer. Book your tour here.
• Kalibiru National Park – made famous through Instagram, the National Park offers numerous trails and activities such as zip lines.
• Waterfalls – there are just so many of them, I can’t even begin to list them. The region is a mountainous rainforest jungle so waterfalls are everywhere. Just ask around and find a tour operator and they will take you to the best spots. Book your tour here.
• Nglambor Beach – Yogyakarta is just a short hop from the ocean. The waters of Indonesia are stunning and offer pristine conditions to swim and observe the local marine life. Book your tour here.

Prepare for Yogyakarta

While you can easily just show up to Borobudur and start seeing the sights, there are many things that you can do ahead of time to ensure that your visit is the best one you can possibly have. So we’ve gathered a quick list to help get you on the right track.

*Note that we are members of the Amazon Affiliate program and that we receive tiny compensation at no cost to you for all valid purchases made through our site.

• Travel Pack – Carrying the right pack can make a huge difference while out. Our Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Travel Pack will help ensure you get off on the right foot.
• Water Bottles – Collapsible Water Bottles – These are some of our favorite items to bring with us. They’re really light-weight and you can also roll them up so you can store them away easily. If there is one item that is most important to bring with you, it is water.
• Hiking Clothes – Yogyakarta has a lot of outdoor activities to keep you occupied. Since it’s mostly jungle, wearing the right clothing can really help out. A recent addition to my wardrobe has made a big difference in comfort and utility. For him | For her
• Raingear – It poured on us while multiple times, and it came out of nowhere. Being the tropics, you can expect this kind of weather at any time. I really like this jacket because it’s light enough to wear without getting hot, but if it’s cool out it will also keep you from getting chilled. As a plus, it folds into itself making it very easy to carry or pack. For him | For her
• First-aid Kit – You really need to be prepared for anything when hiking, which means you need to be prepared for injury. We don’t often get hurt, but we have. You never know what could happen so you should always carry a basic first aid kit to be able to patch up whatever may happen. First-Aid Kit
• Sun Screen – If you don’t cover up with clothes, then you should wear sunscreen. We’ve used these and we haven’t been burned since, plus they are allowed in carry-on luggage. TSA Approved Sunscreen
• Bug Repellant – The tropical jungles of Indonesia are hotbeds for mosquitos and their diseases. We like to use wipes so that we can effectively get any exposed spots without having to spray noxious gases everywhere. Off! Deep Woods Towelettes

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