7 Best Things to Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Are you looking for the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? Yogyakarta is a popular destination in Indonesia, so you can’t miss it on your Java Itinerary.

Wondering what to do in Yogyakarta, Central Java?

Catch the beautiful sunrise at Borobudur Temple, explore the Taman Sari Water Castle & Underground Mosque, visit the Prambanan Temple, and take a day trip to Jomblang Cave.

This ultimate guide to visiting Yogyakarta includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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Where is Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is located in Central Java Province, Indonesia. It is the perfect base for visiting Borobudur and Prambanan Temple.

Best Time to Visit Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season.

Java is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Yogyakarta is during the dry season, from May to October.

The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring Java attractions.

Java Island has a tropical climate, hot and humid, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round.

The busiest time to visit Java is between July and August. The rainy season in Java runs from November to April.

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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

Recommended post → Ultimate Java Itinerary

How to Get to Yogyakarta, Indonesia

To get to Yogyakarta, you first need to get to Java Island, Indonesia. The plane is the most comfortable and fastest way to get to Java!

Java has several airports. There are many international flights from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and domestic flights from other parts of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bali.

Yogyakarta is easily accessible by flight or train. We arrived by train from Malang to Yogyakarta, and the journey took 6-7 hours. Buy your train tickets here.

Yogyakarta has an International Airport, the Yogyakarta Kulon Progo International Airport (airport code YIA). The distance between Yogyakarta Airport and the city center is 47 km, and the travel time is approximately 1.5-2 hours.

From Bali, you can fly to Yogyakarta from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS).

The flight takes just 1.5 hours, and plane tickets start from 40 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.

We have a detailed post on how to get to Java with all the information you need.

If you’re already in Java, you can easily get to Yogyakarta by train from Malang, Surabaya, Probolinggo, or Banyuwangi. Buy your train tickets here.

How to Get Around Yogyakarta

Wondering how to visit Yogyakarta, Indonesia? Getting around Yogyakarta is easy.

The best ways to get around Yogyakarta are to rent a scooter, hire a private driver, or join an organized tour. You can also travel by trishaw, Gojek (similar to Uber), horse-drawn carriage, and Trans Jogja buses.

Scooter rental costs around 60,000 IDR (4 USD) to 80,000 IDR (5,30 USD) for 24 hours.

From Yogyakarta to Malang by train, bus

There are no direct flights between Yogyakarta and Malang, you have to change flights in Jakarta! Therefore, this option is not recommended!

The best and most comfortable way to get from Yogyakarta to Malang is by train. The journey time is approximately 6-7 hours, and depending on the type of ticket, the price ranges between 15 and 40 USD per person.

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You can easily buy train tickets at the Yogyakarta (Tugu) train station, but we recommend booking online with 12Go!

Alternatively, you can travel by night bus, but the journey takes at least 12 hours. Damri bus tickets start from 15 USD per person.

You must arrive at the bus boarding point at least 30 minutes before departure.

Is it Safe to Travel to Yogyakarta, Indonesia?

Yes, it is generally safe! But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike, and avoid driving at night!

Are you looking for affordable travel insurance for your upcoming holiday or for digital nomads? We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

1. Visit Prambanan Temple

Are you looking for the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? We recommend watching the sunrise at the Borobudur Temple and combining your visit with the magnificent Prambanan Temple at sunset. (Due to the current opening hours, you cannot watch the sunset at the Prambanan Temple.)

Important note
It is currently not possible to watch the sunrise at Borobudur. But from Setumbu Hill, you can admire the temple at sunrise!

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The three main temples are dedicated to the most important Hindu gods, like Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva’s shrine is the tallest at 47 meters and offers the most beautiful scenery.

The best way to visit Prambanan Temple is to join a day trip from Yogyakarta. The distance between Yogyakarta and Prambanan Temple is only 16 km, and the journey takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.

You can see the beautifully carved reliefs, walk around the archaeological site, look inside the temples, and enjoy the beautiful sunset at Candi Prambanan.

Plan to spend 2-3 hours around Prambanan and explore the beautiful temples.

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Book the best Borobudur Sunrise and Prambanan tour through GetYourGuide, where you can get great prices.

Recommended post → How to Visit Prambanan Temple

Places to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2. Explore Taman Sari Water Castle & Underground Mosque

Water Castle is a must-see attraction in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Taman Sari Water Palace is just a 10-minute drive from the famous Malioboro Road and is easily accessible.

It was formerly a bathing complex, and according to stories, this water palace was used by the Sultan of Yogyakarta to pick out his potential concubines or wives while the women bathed.

The Taman Sari Water Castle is open daily from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The Underground Mosque, also known as Sumur Gumuling, is part of the Taman Sari Complex and one of the best photo spots in Yogyakarta. Plan to spend 1-2 hours around Taman Sari.

Taman Sari Water Palace entrance fee is 15,000 IDR (1 USD) per person. In addition, there is an extra charge for a camera, which is 3,000 IDR.

To get the most out of the experience, you can join a guided tour or hire a private guide who will explain the history while walking around.

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We recommend you arrive as early as possible and avoid weekends.

See also → Things to Do in Java

3. Visit Borobudur Temple

Are you looking for the best places to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? One of the top things to do in Yogyakarta is to visit Borobudur Temple. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world! It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Southeast Asia, like the Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Bagan Temples in Myanmar.

Buddhists and many tourists come from all over the world to visit this important pilgrimage place.

You can visit Borobudur Temple on your own and join a private or organized tour. The distance between Yogyakarta and Borobudur Temple is only 40 km, and the journey takes 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Once you arrive, follow the signs and explore the beautiful carvings and stupas. It takes about 20 minutes to climb the steep stairs to the top and at least 1.5-2 hours to wander around the Borobudur Temple.

Good to know
To climb up Borobudur Temple, you need to buy a separate ticket, which costs around 455,000 IDR (30 USD) per person and is allowed 1200 climbers per day. If you don’t want to wait hours at the bottom of the temple and want to be sure, book online.

At the moment, the Borobudur and Prambanan temples are closed every Monday, so check for up-to-date information before you travel!

Read the full post → Guide to Visiting Borobudur Temple

4. Take a Walk and Discover Malioboro Street

One of the best things to do in Yogyakarta is to walk along Malioboro Street to discover the best street food and talk with the locals.

It is the most famous walking street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Malioboro is the perfect place to shop, eat, and offer fantastic photo opportunities.

You can explore Malioboro Street independently or join a guided walking and food tour in Yogyakarta.

Keep reading → How to Visit Mount Bromo

5. See Hutan Pinus Pengger

Are you looking for the best places to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? Hire a private driver or motorbike and see the best viewpoints. The Hutan Pinus Pengger is about a 50-minute drive from the city center.

The Hutan Pinus Pengger entrance fee is 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD) per person, an additional 3,000 IDR for each photo spot.

There are many Instagram-worthy places where you can take some fantastic pictures. Our favorite was the Panawacara (giant hand), but you should also visit the Bukit Panguk Kediwung, a 30-minute drive away.

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There’s also a great photo spot at Seribu Batu Songgo Langit with lovely hobbit houses!

6. Take a Day Trip to the Jomblang Cave

Are you looking for adventure activities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia? A visit to Jomblang Cave is a must for those who like adventure. The journey from downtown Yogyakarta to Jomblang Cave takes about 1.5-2 hours.

The entrance fee to Jomblang Cave is 500,000 IDR (33 USD) per person and can only be paid in cash.

The Jomblang Cave can be visited from 9 AM to 2 PM. For the best light, you should arrive between 10 AM and noon.

The best way to visit Jomblang Cave is to join a day trip from Yogyakarta.

Use your rappelling equipment to descend about 60 meters to the bottom of the cave, then explore the cave through a tunnel and catch the most beautiful lights.

The muddy, slippery path, the high humidity, and the darkness can be challenging for visitors.

Good to know
Visitor numbers are limited to 80 people/day, so we recommend booking your tour online.

7. Visit Kedung Kayang Waterfall

Are you looking for more attractions near Yogyakarta, Indonesia? One of the hidden gems is the stunning Kedung Kayang Waterfall, just a 1.5-hour drive from the city center.

Once you arrive, it takes about 10 minutes from the parking lot to reach the first viewpoint, which offers a beautiful view of Mount Merapi in sunny weather.

The entrance fee to Kedung Kayang Waterfall is 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD) per person. Each viewpoint has a fee of 5000 IDR (0,35 USD) per person to take photos.

Air Terjung Kedung Kayang is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

After that, you can get to the waterfall in about 30-40 minutes, but the path is steep and slippery. It is not recommended for the elderly or small children!

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If you have enough time, you can visit other impressive waterfalls from Yogyakarta, such as Kedung Kandang Waterfall or Kedung Pedut Waterfall.

Another beautiful waterfall in Java → Tumpak Sewu

Where to Eat in Yogyakarta

In Yogyakarta, you can find many local restaurants (warungs), vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets.

Best restaurants in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yogyakarta Kitchen by Marriott (Best buffet restaurant with Indonesian and Western dishes)
ViaVia Jogja (Tasty food with vegan and vegetarian options)
Water Castle Cafe (Delicious breakfast near the Taman Sari)
Gubug Makan Mang Engking Soragan Castle (Cozy dining place, delicious food)
Roaster And Bear Restaurant (Our favorite place to eat in Yogyakarta)
Kesuma Restaurant (Delicious local food)
Blanco Coffee And Books (Perfect place for breakfast)
Warung Spesial Sambal (Indonesian cuisine with great sambal selection)

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta

Although Yogyakarta is a popular tourist destination in Java, accommodation options are available for all budgets.

The city has good restaurants and great places to shop. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Luxury: The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta
Mid-Range: The Victoria Hotel Yogyakarta
Budget: Java Villas Boutique Hotel & Resto

more hotels in Yogyakarta

How many Days do you Need in Yogyakarta, Indonesia?

Yogyakarta is one of the best places in Java, so it’s well worth a visit. We recommend you spend at least 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Yogyakarta will help you plan your next trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

7 Best Things to Do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia