Yogyakarta is where culture comes alive. Here, traditions are not just remembered — they’re lived. Batik makers, puppet shows, and gamelan music fill the city with soul. DISCOVER the heart of Javanese art and history with our personal recommendations.

**HOW MANY DAYS |**
3 - 4

**BEST TIME TO VISIT |** April to October

**WHERE TO STAY |**

Yukke Tembi Homestay
TOP THINGS TO SEE |

Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Batik workshop
**HOW TO GET AROUND |** Gojek, bus or hire a driver

We weren’t sure what to expect from Yogyakarta before we arrived. Of course, we had seen stunning pictures of both Borobudur and Prambanan temples, but we didn’t anticipate diving so deeply into Javanese culture. In Tembi Village, we discovered a different side of Indonesia—one that contrasts beautifully with the more tourist-heavy spots like Bali. We immersed ourselves in local experiences like batik workshops and cooking classes, and after 10 days, Yogyakarta became one of our favorite places in Indonesia.

✈︎Planning a getaway to Indonesia and wondering where to begin? Start with our Indonesia Travel Essentials—your go-to guide for top destinations, travel costs, packing advice, and itinerary ideas to make your trip seamless.

HOW MANY DAYS FOR YOGYAKARTA?

We recommend spending 3 to 4 days in Yogyakarta to fully experience the city's highlights and local culture. In this time, you can visit iconic sites like Borobudur and Prambanan temples as well as the city itself. For a deeper cultural experience, explore Tembi Village, where you can try different kind of cultural workshops.

WHEN TO VISIT YOGYAKARTA?

The best time to visit Yogyakarta is during the dry season, from April to October, when the weather is more comfortable for exploring temples and the surrounding nature. The months of May to September are particularly ideal, offering pleasant temperatures and less rainfall. During the rainy season (November to March), expect fewer crowds but daily downpours, which may limit outdoor activities.

WHERE TO STAY?

Yogyakarta offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxurious resorts. For a good accessability, stay close to attractions like the Water Palace or Malioboro Street. If you prefer a quieter, more scenic environment, consider staying near the temples, like Prambanan or Borobudur. Tembi Village offers a unique experience, with traditional homestays where you can immerse yourself in local culture.

BUDGET | We loved staying at Yukke Tembi Homestay. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, a Javanese typical breakfast is included, the staff is kind and helpful but communication in English is limited.

COMFORT | Located in the centre of Yogyakarta, the Greenhost Boutique Hotel Prawirotaman features a unique courtyard with plenty of plants and a swimming pool.

ESCAPE | Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta is the perfect spot for relaxation including a golf course, a multi-level swimming pool, as well as spa and wellness center. It also has a large lagoon pool, a 70-metre slide and a whirlpool.

HOW TO GET TO YOGYAKARTA?

The best way to reach Yogyakarta from Jakarta is by train — the journey takes around 8 hours through Java’s countryside. Make sure to book your tickets a few days in advance, as trains can sell out. Alternatively, you can take a bus, but expect a longer travel time.

From East Java, you can also reach Yogyakarta easily by train or bus, with connections to cities like Surabaya and Malang.

Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) has domestic flights from cities like Bali, Jakarta, and international connections mainly to Southeast Asia. From the airport, it’s about a 1-hour drive into the city center. You can book a Gojek or Grab for an easy and affordable transfer.

BOOK | Book official train tickets directly through Traveloka

HOW TO GET AROUND YOGYAKARTA?

You can easily get around Yogyakarta using local apps like Gojek or BlueBird, though they might be harder to find in remote areas like Prambanan Temple. Staying connected is key for directions, rides, and restaurants, which is why we use this eSIM to avoid roaming fees.

For more flexibility, consider renting a car from a local company, allowing you to explore at your own pace. If you’re not comfortable driving in Indonesia, hiring a driver is a great option for a more relaxed experience.

BOOK | Hire a Driver through GetYourGuide here

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THE LARGEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN THE WORLD: BOROBODUR TEMPLE

Borobudur is one of Indonesia’s greatest treasures — a massive stone pyramid covered in intricate carvings that tell stories from Buddha’s life.

To help protect this UNESCO site, visits are now only possible with an official guide during a set time slot. When you arrive, you’ll receive a small kit with water, a tote bag, and special sandals. You’ll need to swap your shoes for these sandals to reduce the impact on the structure, which is slowly sinking about 3mm each year.

The visit is fully guided, but don’t worry — your guide will share fascinating insights and leave time at the end for you to take pictures freely. Thanks to the limited group sizes, you’ll have space to really enjoy the experience, especially at the top. Important to know: sunrise tours are no longer available.

BOOK | Reserve your spot in advance through Traveloka here

MUST-VISIT: PRAMBANAN TEMPLE

Prambanan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the highlights of our trip—it’s a huge and beautiful Hindu temple just outside Yogyakarta. The main temple is dedicated to Shiva and has amazing carvings that tell the story of the Ramayana of Prince Rama. We went early in the morning to beat the heat. We spent all morning here, discovering some of the over 200 temples in the area, though many are ruins or partially restored. We left just in time to have lunch, but you can spend some time enjoying the atmosphere or meditate here.

TIP | wear comfy shoes, bring water and put sunscreen on

BOOK | Buy your ticket through Klook here

THE ONLY RAMAYANA BALLET YOU SHOULD EVER VISIT

You can see the Ramayana in several places in Indonesia and in India. But this setting is truly special and you won’t find it anywhere else. This ballet takes place at night with the lit-up Prambanan Temple in the background. You will experience the epic tale of King Rama, a famous Hindu story that has been adapted into a traditional Javanese dance. It beautifully blends local culture, music, and dance styles into a powerful performance. If you have never heard the epic of the Ramayana before, we recommend you to read a bit before your visit. It will make it more easy to understand and follow through.

Right outside the entrance to the ballet sitting area, there's a really nice night market where you can grab drinks and food. You're allowed to bring it into the seating area to enjoy during the show, which was a first for us—and we absolutely loved the experience. After the performance, we went back for more food. The market even has eating tables.

This is something you may have to visit with a driver or a rental car, as it might be difficult to get a lift in the evening and so far from the city. You can also book a tour with pick-up and drop-off included.

BOOK | Buy your Ramayana Ballet Ticket

BOOK | GetYourGuide - Hire a Driver

GET LOST IN KOTAGEDE

Kotagede is one of Yogyakarta’s most charming historic neighborhoods. Once the seat of the Mataram Sultanate, it’s full of narrow alleys, old stone walls, and beautiful traditional houses. Visit the Royal Cemetery and the Great Mosque, then wander through the Alun-Alun square to admire the old Javanese architecture. Kotagede is also famous for silver craftsmanship, so take time to explore the local workshops.

WANDER AROUND THE MALIOBORO STREET

This street is the perfect place to find great souvenirs at the lowest prices. It’s full of shops, street food, drinks, and lots of batik art and clothing. We really loved the vibe here—and honestly, we didn’t find cheaper souvenirs anywhere else during our time in Indonesia.

WHERE | Google Maps

VISIT THE WATER CASTLE TAMAN SARI

Taman Sari, also known as the Water Palace, is one of Yogyakarta’s most beautiful historic sites. Once a royal garden for the Sultan of Yogyakarta, this maze-like complex is full of hidden courtyards, underground tunnels, bathing pools, and crumbling walls covered in moss. It's easy to spend an hour or two here just wandering around, taking photos, and imagining what life was like centuries ago. The early morning is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Afterwards, stroll through the surrounding streets — the colorful alleys and local art shops are just as charming as the palace itself.

WHERE | Google Maps

PRICE | 25k Rp | €2 | US$2

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ADMIRE THE KRATON OF YOGYAKARTA

Also known as the Yogyakarta Palace it’s still the home of the Sultan and his family, but parts of it are open to visitors. Walking through the palace was like stepping back in time—there were beautiful old buildings, royal decorations, and even traditional music playing in the background. We were lucky to witness a short live Javanese dance performance. It’s a great place to learn about Javanese culture.

WHERE | Google Maps

PRICE | 25k Rp | €2 | US$2

EXPLORE JOMBLANG CAVE

Visiting Jomblang Cave is one of the most unique adventures near Yogyakarta. You’ll descend about 60 meters down into a massive sinkhole, then walk through a dark tunnel that opens into a breathtaking cavern where a shaft of sunlight streams dramatically from above — known as the “heavenly light.” Tours need to be booked in advance, as daily visitor numbers are limited. You’ll be outfitted with safety gear, but make sure to wear sturdy sandals, a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, and bring a change of clothes, cash and sunscreen.

BOOK | GetYourGuide - Cave Tour

SPECIAL SOUVENIR: TAKE A BATIK WORKSHOP

Once you notice it, you’ll see it everywhere—batik is all around. Men wear it on shirts, women on hijabs or skirts, and you’ll even see it as wall art or on all kinds of fabric.

We stayed in Tembi Village, where Batik classes were offered just a few steps from our place. It’s a fun way to make patterns on cloth using wax and dye.

You start by choosing a design and drawing it on the fabric. Then, you cover the parts you don’t want to color with hot wax. After that, you dip it into the dye—only the parts without wax will soak up the color.

We ended up spending the whole day there! The teachers were super kind and helpful. If you get stuck or need help making your design look good, they’ll guide you. We loved the experience so much—we still talk about it as one of our favorite memories.

WHERE | Leksa Ganesha

PRICE | 350k Rp | €18 | US$18

LEARN TO COOK INDONESIAN FAMILY RECIPES

We also learned how to cook Indonesian and Javanese food from the owner’s mother at the same place where we took the Batik class. So, only great family recipes here. We just told the team in advance when we wanted to do it and what kind of dishes we were interested in.

They have a list of recipes—both vegetarian and non-vegetarian—but just a heads-up: the list is only in Bahasa. You can look up the names online or simply ask the team for their favorites. We picked the ones that looked the most delicious from our search!

One tip: try to choose dishes you can easily make at home with ingredients you can find where you live.

The team was really sweet and took photos of us while we cooked, so we left with another great memory to take home.

We were lucky to have a private class. Before cooking, we even got to do some easy fishing at a nearby fish farm. Then we made steamed fish in banana leaf and mie goreng (fried noodles). At the end, you get to eat the food you made — and it was so worth it!

WHERE | Leksa Ganesha

PRICE | 350k Rp | €18 | US$18 per person

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