Java is a volcano-dotted island at the geographic and economic center of Indonesia, and home to 150 million people, more than half the country’s population. Although less visited than its more popular neighbor, Bali, the best places to visit in Java range from a diverse range of attractions, from stunning natural landscapes and 121 active volcanoes, to fascinating ancient temples, vibrant cities, and diverse cultural activities.
10 Jakarta
After landing in Jakarta, I only had one morning to explore the city, so I headed to the historic old town, aka Kota Tua. The main square offers a glimpse into Jakarta’s past, consisting of 17th-century Dutch colonial architecture. It’s all that remains of Old Batavia, the first walled settlement of the Dutch. The old town contains several museums and cafes.
I also visited Jakarta’s old port, aka Sunda Kelapa Harbour, located on the estuary of the Ciliwung River. Once a thriving main port, today it only accommodates pinsi – traditional wooden sailing boats.
9 Bandung
My afternoon in Bandung was spent exploring Alun-alun (city square), lovely Praga Street (also called the Paris of Indonesia) lined with a plethora of shops and restaurants, delicious lunch of grilled lobster on fettucine, a walk through Apandi, which I had been told were the “slums” (but not bad at all and had lots of street art). The highlight was visiting a puppeteer with the most gorgeous hand-made puppets. I could not resist buying an Indonesian princess puppet; the price was irresistible.
8 Ngadas
Prior to my climb of Mt. Bromo, I stayed at a homestay in Ngadas, an adorable, remote village not far from Malang in East Java. This hidden gem on the slopes of Mount Bromo offers visitors a glimpse into the authentic fusion of lush beauty and rich culture. It is also home to the Tengger tribe, one of the indigenous communities that has been well-preserved.
7 Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is by far my favorite city in Java. In addition to the magnificent ancient temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, the city also offers a host of additional attractions such as the Sultan’s Palace, Taman Sari Water Castle, and Malioboro Street.
One of my favorite places to visit in Java was our night at Warung Heru. A warung is a small, casual restaurant owned and operated by locals with an informal and authentic vibe. Their specialty, nasi rendang, was delicious. It consisted of savory beef tenderloin prepared in a scrumptious sauce made from coconut milk and spices. The dinner cost? 65,000 IDR ($3.99)!
The only thing better than the food was the live performance of The Akusara, a pop indie band. The lead singer was incredible – he was able to sing anything requested by the patrons with a range that included everything from AC/DC to Whitney Houston! Our little group enjoyed it so much that we stayed until closing. Lol, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that!
6 Kawah Ijen
Towering at 9085 ft, Kawah Ijen is not Indonesia’s tallest volcano, but it’s one of the most unique thanks to its blue-fire phenomenon that occurs when sulfuric gas comes into contact with the volcano’s intense heat. To get to the summit involves a strenuous two-hour hike, usually starting in the early hours of the morning. Arriving at the summit, visitors will get a birds-eye view of the world’s largest acidic crater lake. The gorgeous turquoise water is due to high levels of sulfuric acid.
5 Tumpak Sewu
Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (also known as Coban Sewu) isn’t the largest but is arguably Indonesia’s most impressive waterfall. The tiered waterfall lies in the shadow of Semeru, an active volcano and the highest mountain in Java. The best way to experience Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is from the viewpoint above or by hiking down into the canyon to reach the base of the falls.
4 Jodipan
Jodipan, also known as Rainbow Village, was a slum just a few years ago, slated for demolition, with its residents to be relocated. Thankfully, a group of local university students had the brilliant idea to paint the houses in an endless variety of vibrant colors, in hopes of attracting tourists. They also painted colorful murals and interesting graffiti in the nooks and crannies of the village. Their efforts worked, and the village was saved.
3 Mt. Bromo
One of the most epic places to visit in Java is Mt. Bromo. Before my epic hike to the top of Mt. Bromo, our group hiked to the top of Pananjakan Hill to witness a stunning sunrise over the volcano. Notice the smoke rising from the top?
Mount Bromo, part of the Tengger mountain range in East Java, is an active volcano and a Hindu pilgrimage site. With an elevation gain of 8,520 ft, it is not the highest peak of the mountain range, but it is the most active and famous.
There have been recent eruptions (in 2004, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016, with some minor shaking in 2019), but the volcano is monitored and generally considered safe.
After eating an al fresco breakfast across from the volcano, we rode in a 4×4 off-road, insanely bumpy, to the foot of the volcano, where we began the hike. After a dusty ascent, the end of the trail lay ahead, marked by hundreds of steep stone steps that led to the crater rim.
The rim was very narrow and JAMMED with people. I won’t lie, it was pretty scary being shoulder-to-shoulder with the edges so close. Unfortunately, the sulfur smoke from inside the crater obscured a lot of the visibility.
2 Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex dedicated to the Trimūrti, the expression of God as the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer. Located about an hour away from Yogyakarta, the temple grounds are a model of the Hindu universe according to Hindu cosmology and the layers of Loka.
The temple is renowned for its legend, a captivating tale of a beautiful Javanese princess, Roro Jonggrang, and a powerful prince, Bandung Bondowoso. Roro Jonggrang attempted to avoid marriage by demanding an impossible task – the construction of a thousand temples in a single night. She evaded the marriage by trickery and was cursed into a stone statue of the Hindu Goddess, Durga.
Part of the temple is covered by bas-reliefs of Ramayana illustrating how Sita, the wife of Rama, is abducted by Ravana. The monkey king Hanuman brings his army to help Rama and rescue Sita.
Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Ayutthaya in Thailand are all extraordinary demonstrations to the influence of ancient Hinduism across Southeast Asia.
To enter the site, your shoulders must be covered, and pants or skirts must be below the knee.
1 Borobudur
Borobudur Part I: After a long but scenic train ride from Bandung, I arrived in Yogyakarta. Most of you are aware of my fascination with ancient ruins, so you won’t be surprised to hear that my trip to Java was inspired by my long-standing desire to explore Borobudur, considered to be one of the best places to visit in Java.
Built between AD 780 and 840 during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and ranks with Bagan (Myanmar) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) as one of the great archeological sites in the world.
Sitting majestically on a hilltop overlooking a picturesque landscape of lush green fields and distant hills, the monument is divided into 9 distinct platforms.
The monument had been abandoned and lost in the jungle for hundreds of years, but subsequent to its rediscovery in 1814 by Thomas Raffles, it has been gradually restored to much of its former glory.
Conclusion
Java is a hidden gem packed with memorable activities. This island should be on the must-visit list for all adventurers!
Most photos by Kary Kern.
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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