Yogyakarta – The ultimate list of what to do! This is a must visit destination for your Java of Indonesian itinerary. It’s a busy city with loads to offer. It’s also known as a foodie hub, with lots of must try delicacies!
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Table of Contents
Is Yogyakarta worth visiting?
Yogyakarta is absolutely worth visiting, in fact it ended up being one of our favourite places in Java. It is such a special place filled with temples, great food, lovely people and interesting things to see and do. We were never at a loss for something to do! We highly recommend you visiting, just make sure to book your temple visit well in advance or you may risk missing out….like we did!
Where to stay in Yogyakarta
We stayed at Fave Hotel Marlboro which we loved, the staff were incredible! Contact was fast and easy over What’s app and they have a courtesy car to and from the train station as well as to Malioboro Street. Just book it a minimum of an hour before you need it. Their rooms are comfortable and well priced and the buffet breakfast was great with lots of delicious options. As I’m coeliac I asked if there was any gluten free options before arriving. At my first breakfast I was given gluten free bread, red rice (a specialty of Yogyakarta for dietary issues) and eggs. The staff were all so caring and friendly we looked forward to it every day!
Other hotels we recommend:
Novotel Suites-in an excellent location right on Malioboro Street.
The Phoenix Hotel– a very grand hotel with lots of beautiful rooms.
How many days for Yogyakarta?
We stayed 4 days and that was just about perfect! You could squeeze it into 3 days if you need or extend it to 5 or 6 if you want to explore even more of the area!
The ultimate list of what to do in Yogyakarta
Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple is a must visit, in fact it is the absolute ultimate thing to do in Yogyakarta! It is spectacular and huge. A tour can be the best way to see it so everything is taken care of for you, sunrise over the temple is pretty as well. Tickets cost 45 USD and you can buy a combination ticket for Borobudur Temple and Prambanan.
Pro Tip-there are 2 ticket types. One for just walking around the ground and another to climb the temple. Only 1000 people are allowed to climb per day and these tickets usually sell out over a month in advance. Book your tickets here very early if you want to do the climb. We did not realise this and hadn’t booked, missing out on this and it is so high on our list to come back and do on our next trip.
Book your tickets very very early as they sell out, the best thing to do is book a tour that will get you there and you can learn about the history also. This Borobudur sunrise tour is one of the best as it also includes Prambanan, it sells out so make sure to book early as well! Alternatively this is one of the best tours for Borobudur Temple as it has a guaranteed climb up (if you choose that option). If you want to do sunrise at Borobudur Temple this is another great tour!
Note-You will need to pay for your entry tickets on tours.
Prambanan Temple
One of the largest temple structures in Yogyakarta Prambanan is well worth visiting. You can do it on a combined day trip with Borobudur Temple, visiting one for sunrise and the other for sunset.
Prambanan Temple is a Hindu temple that was built in the 9th Century and covers 39.8 hectares consisting of approximately 240 temples, the biggest is dedicated to Shiva and is 47m tall.
You can buy a ticket or combined ticket with other temples from their site or you can book a tour which takes care of all the hassle and gets you there and around as well! This tour is a great option to combine both of the big temples.
Plaosan Lor Temple
While at Plaosan Lor Temple take a side trip to Plaosan Temple. It’s a nice set of structures which were built in mid-9th century by Sri Kahulunnan or Pramodhawardhani. This temple complex is unique in that it was built to celebrate the love between a King and his wife one of which was Buddhist and the other Hindu. The temple combines both and legend has it that if you sit in one of the carvings inside, the mouth crushes those impure of heart! Luckily I passed the test!
Tickets cost 50k for foreigners and it makes a nice stop off while visiting Prambanan.
Ratu Boko Temple
Often combined with tours to Prambanan Temple, and you can buy a combination ticket for both which includes a free shuttle between them. It’s a large complex in a lush green field that offers views across the landscape. Tickets cost 40k and it is a great sunset spot.
Useful information- women need to cover their shoulders and legs to visit temples, and this is the common dress for ladies here. I found myself wearing linen shorts and pants or a long skirt/dress so I was able to enter if we decided to visit a temple location.
The Emperor’s Palace
Built in 1755–1756 The Emperor’s Palace is a nice stop in while in Yogyakarta. It’s interesting to see in itself but also to understand the history of the royal family.
The buildings are open air structures and some rooms where restoration work can be watched as well as a museum area with historical images and artefacts from the wedding of the Emperor’s daughter. Each building is beautifully decorated and preserved. Tickets cost 40k for foreigners.
Tamsan Sari
One of my favourite places in Yogyakarta is Taman Sari. It’s the Water Palace, once a holiday house for the sultan. The complex is well preserved and very busy with tourists. It’s easy to see why, the landscape and architecture is lovely. As you enter there are two big pools, with buildings at each end. One with a museum and the other with another pool and a stair well to climb. There are multiple places to visit in this complex, I was really excited to see Sumur Gumuling the underground mosque but it is closed. It was shut in 2019 and has not yes reopened. Tickets cost 50k to enter for foreigners.
Situs Warungboto
We found this little building by chance and loved visiting it. It was once a holiday residence for the emperor and is similar in looks to Taman Sairi, without the water or tourists.
It’s a quiet place where we only met two small children playing with a ball and a grounds man.m Walk amongst the well kept structures, I loved the aesthetic of the arches and colour. Entry is by donation to an honesty box.
Ceria Hotel
We found this beautiful art deco 1920/s hotel and had to stop in to their cafe. It’s a gorgeous space with well kept grounds. The cafe does a great iced coffee and you can enjoy it in the open seating area or cool of the lobby. I loved the details here, so many beautifully finished touches.
The Vredeburg Museum
Located at the bottom of Malioboro Street this museum showcases the history of Indonesia, particularly the struggle for freedom. It’s a great museum which is also it up at night. Entry costs 30k for foreigners.
The Senobudoyo Art Museum
Showcasing the arts from around Indonesia this museum is an interesting insight to the changing future of the city.
Kotagede District
This area has a lot of things to do, some great coffee shops and is worth a visit. These were our favourite:
UGM Historic House
Take a visit to this perfectly preserved piece of history. A home that once belonged to a childless couple turned into museum. The caretakers are lovely. You can discover what a traditional Indonesian house was like in he 1950s and take a look at all the interesting little pieces of history that are dotted around the house. Entry is by 5k donation
TokoToko Buku Natan Bookstore
This bookstore set in an old house has a great selection of books in Indonesian and some Indonesian bestsellers translated in to English. There is a cafe here which serves good coffee and food and lots of open spaces to sit and enjoy the pretty aesthetic.
Novotel Suites Pool Bar
We found the best rooftop bar at Novotel Suites right on Malioboro Street! Just walk into the lobby and take the lift to the 10th floor. Here you’ll find a relaxing pool deck with bar that is open to the public. You can purchase drinks and food with a city skyline view. We think this would be an excellent place to stay actually as it is in such a perfect location.
We came here in the early evening around 6pm which coincided with their happy hour! Lasting for 2 hours it includes beer, wine and cocktails. Mike enjoyed his cold Bintang(45k at happy hour) and I loved the lime squash (35k) ask for syrup to sweeten it and it’s incredibly refreshing. This was the perfect spot to relax before heading out to wander the famous Malioboro St night markets and street food! Check out this night tour which is awesome too!
NIght Time Walk Tour
Check out this food tour and night walk! It is super popular and really helps you uncover the best spots in the city.
Malioboro Street
Malioboro Street is a must visit. Any Indonesian person who we told we were going to Yogyakarta immediately told us to go here. Luckily Mike had booked the perfect accommodation for this-with a free shuttle included to the end of Malioboro Street. We loved eating here as well as shopping up a storm at the markets! I splurged on some cute handbags, art and soaps including a few gifts for family! My pick of the markets are in zone 2 and 4. They had the best range and prices!
The street is a vibe in the evening when locals and tourists alike come into enjoy the cool evening. From 6pm to 9pm the street is closed to cars but you’ll find lots of horse and carts or man pedalled transport ready to take you for a ride. You can take a night tour which takes you around this street and to local vendors it is really well rated!
Prawirotaman Street
This touristic area is well visited and there are a few things we loved.
Tempo Gelato Prawirotaman is a popular gelato store full of locals and tourists alike. The gelato is creamy and the decor is really cool.
Via Via Bakery
This little bakery serves up excellent cookies, cakes and muffins, as well as some gluten free biscuits. It’s a nice place to enjoy a treat. Located in Prawirotaman Street.
Oasis Handicrafts
This is one of the best shops for souvenirs in Yogyakarta. It’s full to the brim of everything from bags and wall hanging to bracelets and shell lanterns. The prices are excellent and the staff are so nice. We left with t3 bags full from their store and could have bought more!
Where to eat in Yogjogkarta
Yogjogkarta has some incredible foodie spots, these are our favourites and a must on the ultimate Yogjogkarta trip.
Doing a cooking class is always a great idea, you get to eat the food you make and have an authentic experience also, this is the one we recommend.
Rama Shiva Resto
This is the perfect restaurant to visit when coming to Prambanan Temple. You can sit in the cool breeze and enjoy views of the temple. The menu is great although we just had a snack and a drink, french fries 28k lemon squash 28k water 13k.
The view is incredible, the staff are lovely and they have a nightly buffet dinner and traditional ballet performance as well.
Novotel Suites
We loved our evening drinks here and the food is good too! Our friends ordered pizza and rib eye steak, both were good. There is also a once a week buffet.
Lumpia Samijaya
Mike made a nightly visit to these lovely spring roll ladies. They make excellent fresh spring rolls with either chicken and vegetable (7k) or a special which includes chicken, vegetable and quail egg (8k). Both were delicious, he was taught by the locals to smother it in the fresh garlic that accompanied it and to take a bite of the green chilli before a bite of the spring roll to enhance the flavour.
The ladies are so charming and we met some lovely locals to chat with in our broken Indonesian BHASA.
House of Raminten
This restaurant quickly became our favourite place to eat in Yogyakarta. House of Raminten is located at the end of the street our hotel was located on. It’s set in a traditional style, with three levels. Upon entry you’ll notice the forbodding figure of Raminten, a lady who is not to be messed with! The ground floor is usually busy and has a mix of seats, upstairs on the second floor was our favourite place. Sitting on the floor with a cool breeze coming through the window we overlooked the street and watched the activity below. The hosts and hostesses are dressed in traditional clothes, they are all beautiful and will sit at your table while you order.
Ramintens Kitchen
Another location right nearby is Ramintens Kitchen. Owned by the same family it’s a short walk from our hotel and the food is just as good as the original. It’s set in a brighter and lighter style building but the staff wear the same outfits and the food as good!
De Celine
We had really wanted to visit this restaurant as it’s located super close to House of Raminten but we ran out of time. It is high on my list for next time as there is a beautiful glass conservatory to eat in much like a mini Lourve!
Lupis
Arriving about 8am in the morning we had the most delicious breakfast I’ve ever had. Almost like a dessert! This lovely lady has been making this street food dish for years and at 79 years old she has definitely mastered it!
Lupis is a combination of sticky glutinous rice, some cooked in a corn husk, coconut and a sweet palm sugar syrup. Served in a banana leaf it is truly delightful!
Cream & Creme
Stop by this retro style ice cream counter for a soft serve in a waffle cone or cup for 10k. Choose from vanilla, chocolate or if you’re like me and can’t decide, take the mix!
Via Via Bakery
This little bakery serves up excellent cookies, cakes and muffins, as well as some gluten free biscuits. It’s a nice place to enjoy a treat. Located in Prawirotaman Street.
Coffee Joss
Mike heard about the unique coffee in Java and had to try it, called Coffee Joss you’ll find it all over Yogyakarta. We visited the one near the train station. It offers lots of foods and drinks but the most unique is coffee joss with or without milk and sugar. The coffee is strong and comes with hot charcoal in it. Push is down and let it sit to infuse for a while before removing the charcoal. Then let it sit for about 3 minutes to settle the sediment. Once it’s ready you’ll be hit with a strong tasting coffee with an almost burnt flavour. The charcoal is said to pull toxins from your body. One cup costs 8k IDR which is a cheap way to try a local flavour!
How to get around Yogyakarta
We used GoJek to get around the city which is so easy and super convenient. The price is very cheap and they also offer deals. The drivers are pretty quick and friendly, I really recommend GoJek.
Scooter
We hired a scooter one day to head out and explore the area. The traffic was a little full on but nothing Mike couldn’t handle. I wouldn’t do this if you aren’t experienced in city driving as it is a little hectic. Make sure your scooter has a phone holder to help with directions.
Tours
For the bigger activities I think a tour is the best way to go. These are our picks:
Yogyakarta: Borobudur sunrise(guarantee climb up)& Prambanan.
Borobudur and Prambanan Private Tour
Yogyakarta: Selogriyo Temple Tour & Java Rice Terrace Trek
Jomblang Cave Day Trip with Pickup and Entry Fee
Guided City Walk and Food Tour
Yogyakarta: 2-hour Batik Making Course with Souvenir
That’s our ultimate how to visit Yogyakarta blog! Reach out in the comments or by email if you have any questions, we love to help!
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3 comments
Hi! We’re planning an Indonesia trip, and I’m wondering if I could you’d be willing to email directly with me to discuss your experience of traveling there with celiac. My daughter-in-law is very reactive to gluten. Thanks so much!
Hi Sally, I just sent you an email, hopefully it is helpful, feel free to ask any questions!
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