From Bali to Jakarta

The direct flight from Bali to Jakarta takes 1 hour 35 minutes and this is the fastest way to go from Bali to Jakarta. Driving from Bali to Jakarta takes 18 hours, this route includes a ferry, using the toll / express way.

To help you visit Jakarta, we have created a complete guide with places to see, activities to do in and around Jakarta. Here is the list of the 20 must-see places to visit in Jakarta. Have you decided to spend a few days in the Indonesian capital but you don’t know what to do in Jakarta?

Jakarta is the Indonesian capital, is located in the North East of the island of Java and has no less than 11 million inhabitants. At the antipodes of Bali, Jakarta still has some nice surprises in store for you and is often a must for travelers from Southeast Asia. Jakarta and Bali being not far apart, this is the perfect opportunity for you to include a visit to the capital in your trip.

All means are possible to reach Jakarta from Bali or vice versa: car, ferry, plane, train. Your choice will be made according to your available time, your budget and your objectives.

From Bali Jakarta by air

The main airport of Jakarta, Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the one operating flights to Bali, the duration of the flight is on average 1 hour 50 minutes, sometimes a little bit less, the airlines offering these flights are:

• Airasia
• Super Air Jet
• TransNusa Airlines
• Batik Air
• Citilink
• Garuda indonesia
• Sriwijaya Air
• Lion Air

Competitive prices

With Airasia which I think is the cheapest, the one-way Bali Jakarta starts at 24€ (airport taxes included) and the round trip at less than 50€! Cheaper than a one-way TGV ticket.

Bali Jakarta by land

You can use a combination of bus, train and ferry or even drive to reach Jakarta from Bali. In the end you will see more landscapes and you will pay slightly less but it will take you much longer.

Bali – Jakarta by Bus

You can book a seat on a bus that will travel all the way from Bali to Jakarta from Denpasar. The companies operating these routes:

• Lorena
• Pahala Kencana

The trip lasts 24 hours, the buses are clean and your ticket includes meals. However, delays are frequent and can be very long. Around 25€ /person.

Bali – Jakarta by Bus and Ferry

Bus from Bali to Yogyakarta: For less than 20€ buses departing from the airport in the evening will take you to Yogyakarta (Ferry passage is included) in about 15 hours.

Train from Yogyakarta to Jakarta: From the station the express train reaches Jakarta in 8 to 10 hours at a cost of around 18€

Menteng, the old history of Jakarta

First of all, Jakarta is a megalopolis which is certainly not the most beautiful place to visit in Indonesia, but it is a very lively city with cultural and historical places to see.

What to do and see in Jakarta?

Jakarta has a population of over 30 million. It is a cosmopolitan city with many cultural mixes with Javanese, Malay, Arab, Indian, Chinese and European influences. But where is Jarkarta? Jakarta is on the northeast coast of the island of Java in Indonesia.

Picture of Jakarta, from top to bottom: panoramic nightview, Jakarta old Town, Bundaran HI, Monas, Jakarta traffic, Istiqlal Mosque. Gunkarta (compilation), source authors listed above (for correct attribution), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Visit Jakarta: the must-sees

1. National Monument or Monas

Monumen Nasional or national monument in English, is the most famous monument in Indonesia. It’s a bit like the Eiffel Tower to the French. It is a 137 meter high tower located in downtown Jakarta at Merdeka Square.

This monument was erected in memory of the many struggles for Indonesian independence. Its construction took about 14 years and passed through the hands of the first two presidents of the Republic of Indonesia.

At the top of the tower, there is a flame composed entirely of gold. To have access and visit the Monas, the entrance is paying. You will be able to climb to the top of the tower by elevator to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Jakarta and its region. You will find on the ground floor many works retracing the history of Indonesia.

Monumen Nasional is for us a must place to visit in Jakarta.

Jakarta National Monument (Monas Monument). The history of monas begins. After the center of government of the Republic of Indonesia returned to Jakarta after previously being based in Yogyakarta in 1950, following the recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia by the Dutch government in 1949, President Sukarno began planning the construction of a National Monument which was equivalent to the Eiffel Tower in the field right on in front of Merdeka Palace. The construction of the National Monument Monument aims to commemorate and preserve the struggle of the Indonesian nation during the 1945 independence revolution, so that it continues to inspire and inspire the spirit of patriotism for the next generation of the nation. Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square literally means “Independence Square” in Indonesian. It is a public square located in the center of Jarkata.

It is the second largest public square in the world with an area of one square kilometer. In the center is the famous Monumen Nasional that we described earlier in this article.

It is a huge must-see place to visit in the city of Jakarta.

2. Old Batavia – Fatihillah Square and Museum

Fatihillah Square or Fatihillah Square is the historical center of the old quarter of Batavia (Old Batavia). This is the center of the old city of Jakarta.

There is the famous Fatihillah Museum which traces the history of Indonesia, the Wayang Museum and the Kota Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics. It is a pedestrian tourist area without any cars.

You can walk around the neighborhood and discover lively places to visit in Jakarta.

Fatahillah Square in Jakarta (view from the Jakarta History Museum‎). Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jakarta History Museum (The Fatahillah Museum)

Jakarta History Museum (Indonesian: Museum Sejarah Jakarta), also known as Fatahillah Museum or Batavia Museum, It is located in Fatahillah Square in Old Jakarta in Kota Tua (Old Town).

The building was built in 1710 and renovated into a museum in 1974. There are rare objects dating from prehistoric times found in the Jakarta region and on the island of Java in Indonesia.

The museum also traces the history of the country’s colonization by the Netherlands until independence in 1945. You can also visit not far from there the Wayang Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts and Kota Ceramics.

Jakarta History Museum at Fatahillah Square. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 3.0)

3. The Seribu Islands

The Seribu Islands are an archipelago made up of around 100 islands off Jakarta about 45 kilometers away. Known as Kepulauan Seribu, the archipelago is a collection of tropical, paradise-like islands off the coast of Jakarta.

Kepulauan Seribu literally means “thousand islands”. It includes in particular the national marine park of Pulau Seribu. The islands are accessible by boat from Jakarta and promise superb marine expeditions.

Of the total of 110 islands, only 11 are inhabited and the others are either private or still natural and unspoilt. The most famous are: Bidadari Island, Ayer Island, Onrust Island, Tidung Island, Pari Island, Pramuka Island, Sepa Island, Pelangi Island, Macan Island and Putri Island.

There, you can explore the seabed and discover superb paradisiacal beaches. We strongly advise you to do this activity in Jakarta!

North Kepulauan Seribu. An airplane shot of the island chain of Kepulauan Seribu to the north of Jakarta. The picture is centered on the densely populated Kelapa-Harapan Island in the center, the island is linked with a bridge on the east-west direction as well as a pier to the south. To the north of the island is a rectangular shaped Panjang Island, the only island in Kepulauan Seribu which contains a landing strip. Rochelimit, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Kota Tua (Old Town District)

Kota Tua district is part of downtown Jakarta also known as Old Batavia. The district has an area of about 1.3 square kilometers and is located in the northwest of the city of Jakarta.

It is a large district which contains in particular the Chinese district that we advise you to visit in Jakarta.

There are many remarkable and historical places. Unfortunately, time takes its toll and these buildings tend to deteriorate. Only a few have been renovated such as the Wayang Museum or the old post office in Kota Tua (Old Town).

Street atmosphere in the Old Town (Kota Tua) area of Jakarta. Muhammadsyahid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Here is a list of some places of interest to visit in the Kota Tua district in Jakarta:

• Batavia cafe
• The Jembatan Kota Intan drawbridge
• Gereja Sion Church
• Luar Batang Mosque
• Yuan Jin Temple

Wayang Museum (Traditional Puppet Museum)

The Wayang Museum is located in the old quarter of Kota Tua in downtown Jakarta. It is a museum dedicated to the Indonesian art of Wayang. This art is a game of shadows and puppets.

In this museum, one can observe wood or leather creations that enliven shows. This cultural place is a good way to learn more about the art of wayang, an Indonesian specialty.

Museum Wayang Jakarta. At first the building used by this museum was named De Oude Hollandsche Kerk or Dutch Old Church and it is said that the church was first built in 1640. Then in 1732 it was repaired and changed its name to De Nieuwe Hollandse Kerk or Dutch New Church. This building lasted until 1808 and was destroyed by an earthquake that occurred in the same year. Now at the location of the former ruins, a building was built which is now referred to as the puppet museum building and then its use and designation was inaugurated as a museum on August 13, 1975. Nash ravers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5. St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Jakarta

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Jakarta is located in downtown Jakarta on the island of Java. It is a neo-Gothic style cathedral which was rebuilt in 1901.

It replaces a church built in 1810 but which was destroyed by fire in 1826, collapsed in 1890. It was rebuilt during the Dutch East Indies period.

Its local name is Gereja Santa Maria Diangkat ke Surga. It is a superb building to visit in the center of Jakarta.

The reconstruction of the current building was completed in 1901, during the time of the Dutch East Indies, after a ten-year interruption due to financial difficulties, and inaugurated under the name of De Kerk van Onze Lieve Vrouwe ten Hemelopneming (in Dutch, “Church of our dear lady taken up into heaven”).

Jakarta Neo-Gothic style “The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. One of the most beautiful historical building in Jakarta. Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

6. The Great Istiqlal Mosque

The Istiqlal Mosque is located towards the large Merdeka Square in the center of Jakarta in Indonesia. It is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

The mosque, located at the northeast corner of the very large Merdeka Square, was built on the site of the former Dutch-built Prins Frederik fort.

It can accommodate more than 110,000 people, which is to say the immensity of the building. Its construction began in 1964 and was completed 20 years later in 1984.

Its hemispherical dome measures 45 meters (147 ft) in diameter. It is one of the must-see places to visit in the city of Jakarta!

Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta. Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

7. Jakarta Art building

The Jakarta arts building is also known as Gedung Kesenian Jakarta. It is a concert hall located in the center of Jakarta.

You can attend concerts or plays in a superb building that dates from the colonial era. The Jakarta arts building has Dutch colonial style architecture.

It is a very beautiful building to visit in central Jakarta, even without attending a show or concert.

Front entrance of Jakarta Art Building (Gedung Kesenian Jakarta). Albertus Aditya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

8. Pulau Bidadari Island

Pulau Bidadari belongs to the Kepulauan Seribu Archipelago and Marine Park off the coast of Jakarta. It is a beautiful island to visit.

The beaches of Pulau Bidadari are heavenly: white sandbanks and turquoise blue water with beautiful seabed.

Pulau Bidadari or Angel island is one of the islands in Kepulauan Seribu which has attracted many tourists and a haven for tourists who want to explore the thousand islands. Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) are famous for its beautiful islands that were there, including Angel Island. Angel Island is surrounded by many large trees and has a beautiful view. Previously the island is called Pumered Island and Sakit Island, but later changed to Angel Island inspired by islands in Kepulauan Seribu such as Nirvana Island, the Island Princess and other islands that show the name of a matter that relates to heaven or beauty. The island is located between the island of Onrust, Kelor Island, Khayangan Island and Anyer Island, including in the South Thousand Islands sub-districts and Thousand Islands districts. Distance from Marina Ancol to Angel Island is only about 30 minutes by speed boat. Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The island is also covered with mangrove forests which are home to some fairly rare exotic plants such as the tree of peace or ebony trees. Many plant species are protected on the island.

You will be able to stroll in a luxuriant nature also inhabited by monitor lizards. A great experience to do a few kilometers from Jakarta

The clear water of Angel island (pulau Bidadari). Pulau Bidadari or Angel Island is one of the islands in Kepulauan Seribu which has attracted many tourists and a haven for tourists who want to explore the thousand islands. Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

9. The National Museum of Indonesia

The National Museum of Indonesia is called Museum Nasional or Museum Gajah in Indonesian. It is located in downtown Jakarta on the island of Java. Formerly the headquarters of the Dutch Society of Dutch East Indies Arts (the Bataviaasche Genootschap), the museum officially opened in 1868, and is known as the Gedung Gajah (Elephant House) in reference to the bronze statue in front of the museum, donated by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871.

There are many works that trace the history of Indonesia. It is one of the oldest museums in Indonesia and widely considered the most interesting.

The original purpose of the establishment was to promote research mainly in the field of history, archaeology, ethnology and physics. Indonesian cultural diversity and the history it bears witness to makes it one of the richest in Southeast Asia. The museum has a collection of 61,600 prehistoric and anthropological objects, and 5,000 archaeological objects from all over Indonesia and Asia.

National Museum of Indonesia, a Dutch colonial architecture. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

You can visit in particular the treasure room in which there are many jewels.

It is a museum to do with the family to learn more about the history of Jakarta and Indonesia.

Unfortunately, the parts are not always indicated. Here are some benchmarks:

The Chamber of Treasures. The hall features treasures acquired from different Indonesian kingdoms, various Istanas, Kratons and temples in the Indonesian archipelago.

The pieces are arranged by islands: Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo, Sulawesi, and eastern Indonesia (Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua). There are various precious royal objects such as jewelry and weapons in gold and precious stones. There are also collections of Balinese golden kriss, golden royal crowns, a golden throne, golden royal insignia, swords and even a golden shield.

The ceramic collection

The collection includes ceramics from the Majapahit empire but also from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Burma. Chinese ceramics that date back two millennia provide a good insight into Indonesia’s maritime trade over the centuries. The Chinese sailed to India via Indonesia as early as the Western Han period (205 BC to 220 AD) as part of the maritime silk route.

The ethnography collection

The ethnographic collection includes a wide variety of objects that are part of daily Indonesian life as well as other pieces that are used in ceremonies and rituals. The collections are classified according to the geographical locations of each of the regions and islands of the Indonesian archipelago: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara), Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Examples of ancient cultures include Nias and Batak in Sumatra, Badui in Java, Balinese, Dayak in Kalimantan, Toraja in Sulawesi, and Asmat and Dani in Papua. The lifestyles of these people have remained unchanged for centuries. They still practice traditional customs (adat) to determine their daily activities and ceremonies.

The prehistory collection

There are artifacts dating from the Stone Age, such as fossil skulls and or skeletons of Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens, stone tools, menhirs, beads, stone or bronze axes .

The collection of relics

There are old relics of colonial Indonesia, from the days of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to the Dutch East Indies. Most of the pieces are old colonial furniture. However, most of the collections has been moved to Jakarta History Museum which mostly presents the history of Jakarta especially the colonial history of Batavia (Old Jakarta).

The inner yard of the National Museum Jakarta. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

10. The National Gallery of Indonesia

Still in the theme of museums, here is the Galeri Nasional Indonesia or The National Gallery of Indonesia. It is an art gallery and museum located in the city of Jakarta.

If you love art, this is the place for you. There are collections of local Indonesian and international artists.

There are more than 1700 exhibited works of different styles. Many world famous works are also exhibited in the gallery. It is a cultural institution that tries to raise awareness about the importance of making art.

National Gallery of Indonesia, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Chongkian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

11. The old port of Sunda Kelapa

The old port of Jakarta which is called Sunda Kelapa is a very pleasant place to walk around.

The old port of Sunda Kelapa is located in the Ciliwung River estuary in Jakarta. It was the main port of the kingdom of Sunda at the time.

Today, there are old wooden boats and ancient phinisi schooners. It is also the starting point for many trips to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

It is a beautiful port to visit and to take beautiful photos.

Sunda Kelapa harbor. Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

12. Glodok Chinatown and Temple

Glodok Chinatown is located in the old district of downtown Jakarta: Kota Tua. There are beautiful traditional Chinese houses and beautiful temples.

There is a special atmosphere with food smells. This Chinatown is home to the beautiful Buddhist temple of Dharma Bahkti. We also advise you to do the main street Gajah Mada which is a popular avenue for shopping in Jakarta.

The Gateway to the Glodok Chinatown at the Pancoran street in Jakarta, Indonesia. RasyaAbhirama13, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vihara Dharma Bhakti Temple (also known as klenteng Jin De Yuan or Kim Tek Ie.)

This is a Chinese Buddhist temple located in Glodok Chinatown in downtown Jakarta. Built in 1650, it is the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta.

This 3000 square meter temple is a regularly visited tourist spot in Jakarta. Believers come here to burn incense and light candles to ask for protection from the Almighty and ask for prosperity.

If you go there during the Chinese New Year period, the temple is packed with visitors. It remains a very interesting place to visit in the capital Jakarta. Vihara Dharma Bhakti is the center of Chinese festivities in Jakarta. The ghost festival (Cioko) is organized there in the courtyard as well as the lantern festival (Cap go meh). During the colonial period, a Chinese opera Baba-Nyonya was performed every vesak, accompanied by Batavian music played on the keroncong and traditional games.

Vihara Dharma Bhakti (Kim Tek Ie 金德院). Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History

The Vihara Dharma Bhakti complex was built in 1650 under the order of Lieutenant Kwee Hoen. The temple was then named Guanyin Pavilion in honor of Bodhisattva Guanyin. The original name, 觀音亭, is pronounced Kwan Im Teng in Hokkien and Guānyīn tíng in Mandarin. This term is itself the origin of the word klenteng which is the general name for designating Chinese places of worship in India.

The temple was completely burnt down in the 1740 Batavia Massacre.

The Kong Koan, a Chinese organization created by Governor-General of the Dutch Indies Gustaaf Willem Baron van Imhoff following the incident, restored the temple in 1755 under the leadership of Chinese captain Oei Tji-lo. The restored temple was given the name Kim Tek Ie or Jīn Dé Yuàn.

At the end of the Dutch East Indies, the Kong Koan was disbanded. The management of Chinese temples in Indonesia was then handed over to an organization named Dewan Wihara Indonesia or DEWI. Following the nationalization of names in 1965, DEWI recommended the name Vihara Dharma Bhakti in place of Kim Tek Ie for the temple, in a nationalist effort to remove all names of foreign origin from Indonesia.

On the morning of March 2, 2015, Vihara Dharma Bhakti suffered severe fire damage from an accident caused by candles. The ornate roof and more than 40 ancient sculptures suffered the onslaught of flames.

13. Taman Mini Indonesia Park

Taman mini Indonesia park literally means the miniature park of beautiful Indonesia. It is an amusement park of about 1 square kilometer to visit in the city of Jakarta.

He wears his name well since he represents all the 27 provinces of Indonesia with different pavilions. Each pavilion represents the costumes, architecture, music and traditional dances of its province.

It is a real cultural center in which there is a lake with islets representing the archipelago of Indonesia. The people of Jakarta like to meet in this park because many activities are offered there.

It is a beautiful park to do with the family in the city of Jakarta.

Boat ride at Indonesian archipelago lake, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta. Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

14. Ragunan Zoo

Ragunan Zoo is in the South region of Jakarta. It is a 140-hectare animal park that is home to more than 270 species of animals and more than 170 species of plants.

Real green lung of Jakarta, Ragunan Zoo is a great activity to do with the family. You can see rare animals like the Sumatran tiger, the Komodo dragon or the Kaosar.

It is also a place where many Indonesians come to do their sport early in the morning. It must be said that green places are rather rare in the city of Jakarta…

Main entrance, Ragunan Zoo, Jakarta, Indonesia. Midori, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hang out places in Jakarta

1. Skye Bar rooftop

Here is one of the most beautiful rooftops in Jakarta. The bar is located on the 57th floor of the BCA Tower in downtown Jakarta.

It is a restaurant / bar that allows you to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the rooftops of Jakarta. The panorama is really very cool in this trendy bar.

You can eat international cuisine or drink very good cocktails “with a view”.

Address: Jl. M.H. Thamrin no. 1. Located on 56th Floor, Menara BCA, Jakarta 10350 Indonesia

SKYE BAR & RESTAURANT, Jakarta – Menu, Prix & Restaurant Avis – Tripadvisor

SKYE Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta : consultez 2 020 avis sur SKYE Bar & Restaurant, noté 4 sur 5 sur Tripadvisor et classé #60 sur 10 114 restaurants à Jakarta.

2. Tugu Kunstkring Paleis Restaurant, €€€€ Dutch, International, Asian

This is the place to eat in Jakarta. Guaranteed wow effect. Make sure your taxi driver knows the address as the location is not always easy to find. Arrival at night if you come at night. The place has a lot of allure. It is a 1914 palace that has been renovated by the Tugu group to regain its original luster.

There are huge murals, an antique shop just in case. The menu offers several styles of cuisine, Indonesian, Asian, Western. I tasted the not hot enough Oxtail soup, mash croquettes, good but lukewarm rendang and delicious red rice.

Several decorated rooms that takes you to a bygone era. It feels like we are back in the 19th century.

There is a show with fans offered by the waiters, guaranteed atmosphere. As we dragged to eat, the kitchen could no longer make desserts, which is unworthy for an establishment of this standing. The decor is really impressive. There is a sublime Chinese bar. The establishment has enormous charm and potential. It remains for the Tugu group to finally offer a cuisine that lives up to this setting.

Bataviasche Kunstkring. Architect P.A.J. Moojen (1879-1955). The text on the building front reads “Immigrasiedienst – Djawatan Immigrasi” (Immigration services). Maarten van der Bent, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credit (main picture): Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Wiew around Medan Merdeka (Merdeka square), the center of Jakarta and Monas (National Monument) on the foreground with rising Jakarta skylines on the background.

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