9 Best Things to Do in Yogyakarta

9 Things to Do in Yogyakarta

1. Visit Borobudur at Sunrise ♥️ Must Visit

Borobudur is, hands down, one of the most famous landmarks in Yogyakarta. The Buddhist temple was constructed in the 9th Century, back when Buddhism thrived on the archipelago, and it consists of a big central dome surrounded by more than 70 stupas with Buddha images inside.

The temple is built in a multi-tiered layout, with stupas surrounding the main dome on the upper levels. If you want to climb the monument itself, you now need a Temple Structure ticket; the cheaper courtyard ticket only gives you access to the temple grounds. Structure access is controlled and capacity is limited, so book ahead.

When I visited, I was able to experience sunrise from Borobudur itself, and it was one of the highlights of my time in Yogyakarta. Today, sunrise access is sold as a separate limited-capacity experience, so do not assume a normal Borobudur ticket lets you climb the monument at dawn.

Borobudur can get extremely busy, especially during weekends and Indonesian holidays. If you prefer a quieter visit, book one of the earliest available sessions rather than relying on sunrise to guarantee solitude.

There are many organized sunrise tours from Yogyakarta, but check exactly what the tour includes. The official Borobudur ticket system now has a dedicated Sunrise product with limited daily capacity, while many other tours watch sunrise from viewpoints around Borobudur before visiting the temple later.

Where to Stay in Yogyakarta?

Budget

OstiC House

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Mid-Range

OYO 347 Bayang Brothers Guest House

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High-End

Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

King Room | $$$

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2. Bewildered at the Sight of the Chicken Church (Gereja Ayam)

What is the Chicken Church, you asked? Well... it is a church shaped like a chicken, duh! We were tipped off by a hostel owner about this place, and since it sounded pretty intriguing (I mean, who wouldn't want to see a chicken-shaped church?), and due to its location being near Borobudur, visiting the place was a no-brainer for me.

I chose to check out this place after we visited Borobudur. With our motorbike, we rode northwest from Borobudur and walked up a steep path to the top of a hill where the church was located.

This unusually-shaped church is actually designed to look like a dove, but due to how it appears from the ground to people, they decided to rename it to what it actually resembles: a chicken.

The church was built by a devoted Christian in the 90s, but due to the financial crisis and fierce resistance from the locals, it was never finished, and construction stopped in 2000, leaving it pretty much abandoned.

That said, due to its appearance in films, the place has gained new fame and is now a tourist attraction for travelers looking to see something unique. In 2026, admission costs 25,000 IDR, and you can climb to the crown at the top for views over the surrounding countryside.

3. Be Amazed at the rare animals in Gembira Loka Zoo

Usually, zoos aren't exactly why I travel to a place. But since Indonesia is home to many rare animals, including the Komodo Dragons, and since I had never seen one before, I decided to give it a go. I visited Gembira Loka Zoo in Yogyakarta, and boy, was it worth seeing.

The zoo doesn't just have Komodo dragons; they also have a pretty impressive collection of other animals that you don't get to see every day, like the great tortoises and all kinds of creepy reptiles, which I'm not a big fan of. Snakes creep the bejesus out of me 😂.

If you are not planning to visit the Komodo Island anytime soon but you still want to witness the Komodo Dragons, the Gembira Loka Zoo is your chance to witness these magnificent beasts.

For more information about which cruise to pick, how many days and what to consider, check out:A complete guide on cruising around the Komodo Islands

4. Explore Taman Sari, the Water Castle

Taman Sari is an old, yet beautifully ornated, royal garden that was constructed in the 18th century by the Sultanate. The structure used to have many functions, but only the main bathhouse area and its artificial lake are well-preserved enough for us to visit.

Since the only preserved area is the main bath complex, that is why the place may also be referred to by tourists as the water castle. You can't actually swim in the lake, but you can stroll around, however you like, and there are many nooks and crannies to be discovered here.

There are also tunnels and underground places to explore at Taman Sari, like the underground mosque, so be sure to spare at least an hour here.

5. Visit Prambanan Temple

If you think Borobudur is big, wait until you see Prambanan temple, a 9th-century Hindu temple complex that is considered to be the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and one of the largest in the region.

The temple consists of the main structure with the spire reaching a height of 47 meters, while being surrounded by other smaller but still very impressive temples. Back in its glory days, there used to be more than 200 temples around here. It really shows just how impressive and grand this old Java ancient city was.

If you have not seen Angkor Wat in Cambodia, this place will blow your mind away. And even if you have seen it before, the place is still an interesting place to visit, as its architecture is rather different from those in Cambodia, with several structures adorning a sharp-spire design.

The place preserves the forgotten history of this part of the world very well, and if you are interested in the history of Indonesia, this is a great place to visit.

6. Relax at the Parangtritis Beach

Most people do not know that there is a beach you can visit in Yogyakarta. However, if you are looking for a nice beach spot to relax in, Parangtritis Beach is a great place to be.

Parangtritis is around 30 km south of central Yogyakarta, and the drive generally takes about an hour depending on traffic. It is an easy option if you want to see the coast without traveling farther around Java.

Be extremely careful around the water. Parangtritis is known for strong waves and rip currents, so I would treat it as a beach for walking and watching the sunset rather than swimming, regardless of how strong a swimmer you are.

7. Go Caving at Jomblang Cave ☀️ Great Day Trip

Jomblang Cave is a collapsed sinkhole that is part of a larger network of caves outside of Yogyakarta, and it is a great place for people who are looking for a bit of adventure in Yogyakarta.

Jomblang is not a normal walk-in cave: the vertical descent requires ropes, helmets, boots, and trained staff. The easiest option from Yogyakarta is an organized trip that includes transport and the required caving setup. Book ahead because daily access is limited.

It is a great place to take a day trip if you have a few days to spare in Yogyakarta. If you are looking to visit Jomblang Cave, be sure to book the tour beforehand.

8. Go on a Walking & Food Tour

One of the best ways to explore a bustling Asian city like Yogyakarta is to go on a walking & food tour and discover the culinary delights of the light, sweet flavors of Javanese cuisine.

Since Yogyakarta is a university city and, like most university cities, there are a ton of affordable food options and nightlife to be had here. You won't discover them without going with a local tour guide. Hence, why I recommend you spend a night exploring Yogyakarta with a local guide.

On this tour, you will be visiting many famous places in the city such as Malioboro Road, Beringharjo Market, Alun Alun Utara, and more, and you will get to ride the becak rickshaw without having to haggle with them. If you want to dive deep into the city, there is no better way to do it than to go on a walking tour like this.

9. Explore Malioboro Road at Night

Last but not least, before leaving Yogyakarta, you should also go for a stroll along the major shopping strip of Malioboro Road at night to truly experience what Yogyakarta is all about.

During the day, Malioboro street is often empty and full of traffic, but the moment the sun disappears, the street turns into a bustling shopping area where you will find all kinds of handicraft shops, street food stalls, and plenty of opportunities for you to go people-watching.

It's like night and day (literally) at Malioboro Road, and you will be able to experience why Yogyakarta is so awesome.

To really make the best out of a night in Yogyakarta, I highly recommend you go on a walking & food tour as I recommended above. You will get to see everything in a few hours and without having to deal with all kinds of unwanted attention from salespeople on the streets. It's a win-win situation.

How to Get to Yogyakarta?

The easiest way to reach Yogyakarta by air is to fly directly to Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), about 40 km west of the city. From the airport, the YIA Airport Train is usually the fastest way into central Yogyakarta, taking roughly 35 - 40 minutes to Yogyakarta Station. Regular tickets start at around 20,000 IDR, while the express service costs more.

If you are coming overland from Jakarta, trains remain an excellent option, with multiple services each day from Gambir and Pasar Senen to Yogyakarta. Schedules, classes, and fares vary, so check the current timetable and book directly through KAI rather than relying on the old convenience-store payment process.

When I traveled this route, I paid for my ticket at an Alfa Mart and the journey took around 7 hours. I got off at Lempuyangan because it was close to my hostel. Today, long-distance trains can arrive at either Yogyakarta (Tugu) Station or Lempuyangan Station, depending on the service, so check your arrival station when booking.

How to Get Around Yogyakarta?

Renting a motorbike gives you the most flexibility for places outside the center, especially Borobudur and the surrounding countryside. When I visited, I paid around 50,000 IDR per day for a scooter near Malioboro. Treat that as what I paid rather than a current rental quote.

If you do not want to ride, Yogyakarta is easy to explore with Grab, Gojek, taxis, becak, and the inexpensive Trans Jogja bus network. For most first-time visitors, ride-hailing is the easiest option around the city, while tours or a private driver are convenient for farther-away attractions.