I have been to Indonesia twice prior to this trip, and I had never had a chance to check out Jakarta until now. Jakarta is one of the most populous cities in the world and is considered to be the largest in Southeast Asia, with more than 10 million people living in it.
The beauty of the capital city of Indonesia does not lie in its attractions or the chaotic character of the city, but in the kindness within the hearts of the locals that make the city so special.
Within this guide, you will find a complete list of the best things to do in Jakarta, along with all the information you need to have fun here. Without further ado, here are the eight best things to do in Jakarta for solo travelers:
Jakarta Things To Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Explore Kota Tua, Jakarta's Old Town |
|---|---|
| 💎 Hidden Gem: | Explore the Old Harbour (Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa) |
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Learn the History of Indonesia at the National Museum |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Go On a Day Trip to the Thousand Islands |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Stanley Wahid Hasyim Jakarta |
8 Best Things to Do in Jakarta
1. Explore Kota Tua, Jakarta's Old Town
- 📍 Location: Kota Tua [Map Link]
Kota Tua is an old town area, also known as Old Batavia, where you will find all kinds of Dutch-colonial structures surrounding a huge square where people often congregate in the evening to socialize and relax.
This is where the capital of the Dutch East Indies lies, and you are sure to find some really interesting things to do here. From visiting the beautiful Jakarta History Museum to enjoying a cup of coffee at a colonial-era cafe, Cafe Batavia, or simply going people-watching in the evening.
The square was jam-packed when I was there, and there were many people selling all kinds of street food, as well as street performers break dancing and rocking to a local Indonesian rock band. It was a great place to start your journey in Jakarta and the best place to get your bearings before we explore Jakarta further.
- Wonderloft Hostel (Budget)
- Stanley Wahid Hasyim Jakarta (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni (High-End)
- Active Volcano, Rice Field, Hot Spring, Fruit market, Tea Plantation with Lunch (12 to 13 hours)
- Private Half-day Tour : Visit Highlights Places of Jakarta (4 Hours) (4 to 5 hours)
- Jakarta City Tour (Explore Highlights places & Local activities) (7 to 8 hours)
Where to Stay in Jakarta?
2. Explore the Old Harbour (Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa)
- 📍 Location: Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa [Map Link]
I was tipped by one local whom we randomly met at the Old Town's Square about an old port called Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa where one can stroll around and explore all the old traditional Phinisi wooden boats that are neatly lined up and anchored at the port.
Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa played a significant role in turning Jakarta into a prominent trade port city and crowned it as the capital city of the spice trade in the region during the Dutch colonial era.
You can enter, explore, and observe the port however you like. However, if you really want to dive deep and see how the people work on these colossal wooden boats, you can go on an organized walking tour. You will be able to have access to these boats, interact with the people working there, and see firsthand how life is for them.
It was definitely an eye-opening experience, and I highly recommend you check the port out while you are in Jakarta. Also, these massive wooden boats are pretty unique, and they make for a great photo opportunity.
3. Stroll Around Merdeka Square
- 📍 Location: Merdeka Square [Map Link]
Merdeka Square is considered to be one of the largest squares in the world, spanning approximately one square kilometer. It is home to the Eiffel Tower of Jakarta, the National Monument of Jakarta, one of the most important landmarks in the city.
The monument is surrounded by a large green space that acts as the lungs of the massive city, and it is a place where one can escape from the chaotic city of Jakarta and be among beautiful nature and vast open space.
There are also many other points of interest around the park for you to check out, such as the Prince Diponegoro National Statue. If you are interested in the history of the square and why it is so important to the people here, a local guide on a walking tour can dive deeper into the history of the square, as well as other tourist attractions listed here.
4. Marvel at the Istiqlal Mosque
- 📍 Location: Istiqlal Mosque [Map Link]
Istiqlal Mosque is probably one of the most modern-looking mosques I have ever seen. Its contemporary design stands out from all the other mosques you see in Indonesia, which is a breath of fresh air to see.
The mosque is also considered to be the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia, consisting of a massive prayer hall that can hold more than 200,000 people at a time. It has multiple levels with balconies looking down at the prayer hall.
One tip I can give you is that when you enter the mosque, there will be a guy who will try to lead you to another room to put your shoes on, and in the end, ask you to pay for the tourist/guiding fee.
Don't go with him and if he insists, tell him that you will explore the mosque by yourself. Unfortunately, we did fall for it and even though the gesture seemed genuine, it was unnecessary. Plus, you will have to wear a robe which no one wears except clueless tourists like us.
5. Shop Handicrafts at Jalan Surabaya Antique Market
- 📍 Location: Jalan Surabaya Antique Market [Map Link]
If you are looking for a place to buy some handicrafts as souvenirs for the people back home, the best place to be in Jakarta is Jalan Surabaya Antique Market, a hub of all things antique.
You will find all kinds of handicrafts and antiques, from beautiful traditional paintings to intricately designed home decors, that you can buy.
The price varies quite a bit from store to store, and you will have to rely on your negotiation skills to drive the price down to what is reasonable, but that is just part of the fun of buying things in Southeast Asia 😉.
6. Learn the History of Indonesia at the National Museum
- 📍 Location: The National Museum in Jakarta [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 3 PM
Photos by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas.
The National Museum in Jakarta is one of the best places to visit if you are interested in learning about the rich history of Indonesia and its kingdoms before and during the colonial times.
Photos by Photo Dharma.
With its massive archaeological collections, regarded as one of the best in Southeast Asia, the museum preserves more than 141,000 objects. These objects range from prehistoric artifacts to stone statues from the classical Hindu-Buddhist period of ancient Java and Sumatra.
If you are a history buff and would like to know how important this part of the world was before the colonial period, there is no better place to be than here. The museum opens from 9 AM to 3 PM every day except on Mondays.
7. Experience Modern Art at MACAN Museum
- 📍 Location: MACAN Museum [Map Link]
If you are looking for a cool sight to see that will offer you a ton of photo opportunities, Museum MACAN, a newly opened contemporary art museum located in West Jakarta, is definitely worth a visit.
The museum showcases some of the most beautiful contemporary art pieces that were created by the talented young artists of Indonesia, as well as work from international artists. The exhibition is always changing, and there is always something cool on display for you to explore.
The museum holds more than 800 modern Indonesian and contemporary artworks from around the world, including the famous 'Infinity Mirrored Room' by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, where you will find these balls of colorful lights in a mirrored room multiplying the colorful lights to infinity. It is quite a sight to behold. You can get a ticket here.
8. Go On a Day Trip to the Thousand Islands
- 📍 Location: Thousand Islands [Map Link]
Did you know that you can go island-hopping straight from Jakarta? Since Jakarta is a port city, there is a small archipelago off the coast of the capital city dubbed the Thousand Islands, and you can visit them on a day trip or even spend a night on these little islands.
Pulau Pramuka and Pulau Tidung are two of the most popular islands you can visit in Jakarta. They are quite small but have their own resorts and tourist attractions waiting for you to explore.
If you have only a few days in Jakarta and are looking to escape the bustling city for a few days and spend your time at the beach or go snorkeling, I highly recommend going on one of these tours. It is a great way to be among nature without having to travel very far from Jakarta.
How to Get to Jakarta?
The best way to get here is to fly to Soekarno Hatta International Airport as it is the major hub for domestic flights across the country. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Jakarta so you can pick the best one that fits your itinerary.
If you are already in Southeast Asia, you can find cheap flights from any major city via Skyscanner or Expedia to Jakarta. If there is no direct flight from where you live, then try flying to either Bangkok, Singapore, or Malaysia and get on an AirAsia flight from there to Jakarta.
How to Travel Around Jakarta?
You will have many options to get to the city from the airport. If you want the cheapest and most reliable option, go with the shuttle bus.
You can get the ticket from the many counters at the airport exit. For around 170,000 IDR, you can get a taxi directly from the airport without having to wait for the shuttle bus. We went with the Blue Bird taxi since people have been saying that it is one of the most trustworthy operators out there.
Getting around by walking can be tiresome, especially during rush hour in the extreme humidity of Jakarta. The walking path is also not very good, and you will find yourself walking on the road among dangerous motorcycles most of the time. If you want to travel a bit further and don't want to sweat your butt off, go with the Blue Bird taxi.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
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