I had been to Indonesia twice before this trip, but I had never had a chance to properly explore Jakarta until now. With more than 10 million people living in DKI Jakarta alone, it is an enormous city, and the wider metropolitan area stretches far beyond the city itself.
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: | Kota Tua |
|---|---|
| 💎 Hidden Gem: | Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa |
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | The National Museum in Jakarta |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Thousand Islands |
8 Best Things to Do in Jakarta
1. Explore Kota Tua, Jakarta's Old Town
- 📍 Location: Kota Tua [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Kota Tua was a great first taste of Jakarta for me. Be sure to come in the evening, as it is the liveliest!"
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]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is such an awesome random encounter for me. We met a random local guy who took us to the old harbor and let us on the boat to see, and in the end, he didn't ask for any money for it! How nice of him!"
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]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This square is massive and has lots of open space without much shade, so be sure to come here when it's not too hot outside!"
Merdeka Square is a vast public square in central Jakarta spanning roughly one square kilometer. At its center stands the National Monument (Monas), one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
2026 update: The Monas monument itself is temporarily closed to visitors for intensive cleaning and maintenance as of September 2026, although the surrounding Monas park remains open. Check the latest status before planning to go up the monument.
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]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This was one of the most impressive buildings I saw in Jakarta. Visitor procedures have changed since my trip, so check the mosque's current guidance before you go."
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.
When I visited, someone approached us at the entrance, led us to another room to leave our shoes, and later asked us to pay a tourist/guiding fee. That was my experience at the time, rather than something I would assume still happens today.
Visitor procedures are different now, and Istiqlal's official website has a formal visitor-reservation service for domestic and international groups. Rather than relying on my old experience above, check the mosque's current visitor rules when you arrive and follow the instructions from official staff.
5. Shop Handicrafts at Jalan Surabaya Antique Market
- 📍 Location: Jalan Surabaya Antique Market [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is where you can buy some really great souvenirs. Make sure to compare prices and negotiate hard!"
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
Photos by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas.
- 📍 Location: The National Museum in Jakarta [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Tue–Thu: 8 AM–6 PM; Fri–Sun: 8 AM–8 PM; closed Monday and national public holidays
- 💰 Entry Fees: 150,000 IDR
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 understand Indonesia before and during the colonial period, this is one of the most useful museums to visit in Jakarta. As of 2026, it is open Tuesday to Thursday from 8 AM to 6 PM and Friday to Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM. It is closed on Mondays and national public holidays. Foreign visitor admission is currently 150,000 IDR, but check the official museum website before your visit in case hours or prices change.
7. Experience Modern Art at MACAN Museum
- 📍 Location: MACAN Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM; last entry 5:30 PM; closed Monday
- 💰 Entry Fees: 88,000 IDR Tue–Fri; 110,000 IDR Sat–Sun (2026)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Check what’s currently showing before you go, since the exhibits change."
If you are looking for contemporary art in Jakarta, Museum MACAN in West Jakarta is well worth checking out. The museum opened in 2017, and its exhibitions change regularly, so what you see may be completely different from what was on display during my 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.
During my visit, one of the highlights was Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room, with colorful lights reflected repeatedly across the mirrored space. MACAN's exhibitions rotate, though, so do not assume that the same installation will be showing when you visit. Check the current exhibition program before buying a ticket.
8. Go On a Day Trip to the Thousand Islands
- 📍 Location: Thousand Islands [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you are not planning to visit anywhere else in Indonesia except Jakarta, this day trip might be worthwhile. If you are, then you can skip it, as there are other places elsewhere."
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.
Southeast Asia Travel Video
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, Jakarta is well connected by air to major cities across the region. I would compare the current routes and fares on Skyscanner or Expedia rather than routing through a specific hub, since airline schedules and prices change frequently.
How to Travel Around Jakarta?
You have several useful public-transport options between Soekarno-Hatta Airport and Jakarta. Depending on where you are staying, you can use the airport rail link, an airport bus, or a taxi/ride-hailing service. Jakarta also introduced a TransBandara service between the airport and Blok M, with a 15,000 IDR fare from September 2026.
Once you are in the city, Jakarta's public transport is much better than it was when I first wrote this guide. The MRT is especially useful between South and Central Jakarta, with fares currently ranging from 3,000 to 14,000 IDR, while TransJakarta covers a much wider network across the city. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are still useful for places that are difficult to reach by public transport.
Walking can still be tiring in Jakarta's heat and humidity, and pedestrian infrastructure varies considerably from one neighborhood to another. For sightseeing, I would combine the MRT and TransJakarta with short walks and occasional taxis rather than relying on taxis for every journey.
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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