Yogyakarta, or in short just Yogya, is the centre of Indonesia regarding arts, culture, music and dance. The long and rich history of the city kept traditions going. You will not soon find another city in Southeast Asia that is as artistry as Yogyakarta is. This four day itinerary will have you explore the many different sides that the city has to offer.
Day 1
Lunch
After checking in to your hotel, get yourself a proper Indonesian meal to fuel up for your day of exploring. For cheap, but good, eats discover one of the many warungs that offer traditional dishes for only 2 USD or so. But, diverse as Yogya is, it is not hard to find a restaurant with more high cuisine.
Explore fusion food in old colonial buildings, Spanish food in the backpacker district, Mediterranean food made by a superb cook, or more luxurious local dishes.
[Afternoon] Taman Sari Water Castle: the ancient sultans bathing area
The perfect start for exploring Yogyakarta is Taman Sari. Get lost in little alleyways to get there, but friendly and helpful locals will point you in the right direction.
This 18th century complex housed the royal garden of the former Sultanate of Yogyakarta. The bathing area of the sultans is extremely well preserved and absolutely stunning. Several rooms around the swimming pool will give you an idea of the wealth and luxury that this sultan was living in. Dressing rooms, relaxing rooms, laundry rooms, it’s all there. You can spend hours walking around the complex. Through the little alleyways you will always stumble upon a new room or a new area of the complex.
It is recommended to bring a guide with you since the original use of rooms will not always be clear and it is easy to get confused in the little alleyways which might lead to missing out on the best stuff. Locals living in the area will offer themselves and they have interesting stories to tell.
Adress: Jalan Taman, Kraton, Yogyakarta
Opening hours: always
Price: Free
Fort Vredeburg: a colonial remnant
This old fortress was build by the Dutch in the 18th century. Fort Vredeburg means “Peaceful Fortress”, which refers to the peaceful co-operation that existed between the Dutch and the sultan in the Kraton (palace) of Yogyakarta.
After years and years of planning the fortress was finally transformed in a museum in the 1990’s. The museum shows Indonesia’s struggle for independence, mainly in Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, through old photographs, historical objects and replica’s.
Adress: Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani 6, Yogyakarta
Contact: +62 274 586934
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Price: 2.000 rupiah
[Evening] Wishing Trees: join the locals for a fun-filled evening
A place that most tourists don’t know about. Behind the Kraton lies a big square with in the middle two enormous trees. Every evening this square turns into a playground for local residents. All kind of Indonesian snacks and drinks are to be bought at the vendors hanging around the grounds with their pushcarts. Kids are playing everywhere with toys that light up when they are moved.
Absolutely great are the transformed old cars driving on the road around the square: the Beatles and Volkswagens are decorated with circus lights in all different kind of shapes and colours. The inside is build this way that it is a pushbike, so you will have to power your own car. And every car is equipped with an ipad and a soundsystem so you can choose your music for your ride.
Last but not least: go to the big trees to make a wish. Local legend says that if you close your eyes, keep your wish in mind and walk between the trees, your wish will come true.
Adress: the big square behind the Kraton
Opening hours: 7 pm – 10 pm
Price: Free
Day 2
[Morning] Borobudur: the most famous temple of Indonesia
The world-famous temple of Borobudur is the main reason most tourists come to Yogyakarta, and it absolutely is a sight not to miss. The largest Buddhist temple of the world houses over 500 Buddha statues. Imagine yourself in 9th-century Buddhist Java while you behold this great structure.
The temple was lost for centuries and got rediscovered in the 19th century by British rulers. Restorations took place in the 20th century.
Nowadays the temple is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Indonesia and yet again a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all corners of the world.
How to get there: you can either book a tour with car, driver and guide, or you can easily do it yourself by renting a motorbike for the day.
Adress: Jalan Badrawati, Borobudur, Magelang
Price: 280.000 rupiah, 420.000 rupiah for a combination ticket with Prambanan
Opening hours: 6 am – 5 pm
Contact information: +62 293 788 266
Website
Insider tip: at the counter of either Borobudur or Prambanan it is possible to buy a combination ticket, which allows you to visit both temples for a cheaper price.
Take note that if you book a tour you will not get a combination ticket and will have to pay more for the entrance fee.
[Afternoon] Stroll Jalan Malioboro: the place for shopping and art
Jalan Malioboro has to be the most famous street of Yogyakarta. Most hotels and cheap guesthouses are situated around here.
But more importantly, this is a place where culture, shopping and art come together.
The street is filled with shops and market stands selling everything from souvenirs to clothes to traditional Indonesian paraphernalia.
On this street you will also come across numerous Batik shops and the artists will be more than happy to show you their work and how they make it.
More so, the artistic side of Yogyakarta is shown in the numerous streetart pieces that you come across while strolling through this street.
Kraton: the old palace of the sultan
The Kraton in Yogyakarta used to be the palace and living area of the sultans that ruled the Sultanate of Yogyakarta before colonialism took over.
The colonialist destroyed big parts of the palace, as did two earthquakes. It was rebuild several times.
The open areas now host a museum, showing all different kinds of artefacts used by the sultans. Wander around the palace and get a bit of an idea of the life of the ruling Indonesians before colonialism hit the country.
Adress: Jalan Malioboro, Yogyakarta
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Contact: +62 819 1553 4286
Price: 7.000 rupiah
[Evening] Wayang Puppet: Javanese shadow puppets
Of course the Wayang Puppet shows, or shadow puppets, are a must see while in Java. There are several places in the old centre of Yogyakarta where you can behold this ancient spectacle.
The making of the puppets is something to see as well. It is a true art form, and the makers will be more than happy to show you. With them you can even buy an original one to take home.
The Wayang Puppet shows all depict a story or legend that were passed on in Java for centuries. They are full of morals, sins, love and tragedy.
Where to see: Sonobudoyo Museum would be the best place. The puppet show is accompanied by a traditional orchestra. If you come a bit earlier the artists working here will gladly show you the process on producing the puppets and you can also buy top quality work here to bring home, all hand crafted in a traditional way.
Adress: Jalan Trikora 6, Yogyakarta
Opening hours: 8 pm – 10 pm
Price: 20.000 rupiah
Website
Day 3
[Morning] Pasar Beringharjo: get lost in the enormous local market
One of the best ways of getting connected to local life has to be a visit to the local market. Pasar Beringharjo is the biggest and most complete market of Yogyakarta.
The front part of the market has its main focus on tourism, so here you will find all your souvenirs and clothes. Walking further down the back part of the market is where the real magic happens.
Enormous baskets here are filled with known and unknown herbs and rice. The smell of dried fish, which admittedly isn’t the most enjoyable one, fills your nostrils.
People will take you from stall to stall to try local sweets and traditional medicine (without expecting you to buy something, this is pure Indonesian hospitality!).
Pasar Beringharjo is definitely the best place of Yogyakarta to get to know the locals and local life.
Adress: Jalan Malioboro, Yogyakarta
Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm
[Afternoon] Prambanan: an ancient and huge Hindu temple in Java
A little bit less famous than Borobudur, but definitely not less impressive, is the complex of temples called Prambanan. Unlike Borobudur, this is a Hindu temple.
The 9th-century temple is one of the biggest Hindu temples of Southeast Asia. The pointy roofes with their countless statues offer an even more dramatic sight at dusk or dawn.
Originally the temple was a complex of over 240 smaller temples. Since the rediscovery at the end of the 19th century only a few of them were left. The impressive carvings and statues will have you walk around here for hours.
Adress: Jalan Raya Yogya, Prambanan, Yogyakarta
Price: 280.000 rupiah, 420.000 rupiah for a combination ticket with Borobudur
Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm
Contact: +62 274 496401
Website
[Evening] Ramayana Ballet: a show of unknown proportions
Quite regularly the Prambanan temple transforms into one of the most spectacular stages of the world. The three main temples are covered in a dramatic light while the sun has already set.
A big stage in front of the temple appears, a view you will enjoy while you seat yourself on one of the ancient stone benches.
A centuries old ballet will be performed here, as has been the tradition at the Prambanan temple. The Ramayana Ballet is an epic poem from the Hindu religion which tells everything about morals, sins, love and rulership.
A few times a week this epic poem will be translated into an epic show here at Prambanan temple, fireworks included, and an absolute not to miss sight while in Yogyakarta.
Adress: Jalan Raya Yogya, Prambanan, Yogyakarta
Price: 100.000 – 350.000 rupiah
Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday starting 7.30 pm, only in dry season.
Website
Day 4
[Full day] Hike Up a Volcano: Explore How Indonesia Came to Existence
As Indonesian is a volcanic country, most of the over 17.000 islands are created with thanks to volcanos, there’s always a volcano nearby. Some of them are still active, others have been sleeping for a while, and a few are completely dead.
Always check up front before going to a volcano if you can actually make it to the summit. If the volcano gets too active, you might not be able to get there, or get even close to the volcano.
Around Yogyakarta are a few volcanos that are worth climbing, so take your pick. Closest to Yogyakarta is Gunung Merapi, which can be easily done as a day tour from Yogyakarta. If you are on your way to Bali from Yogyakarta, consider hiking up either Gunung Bromo or Gunung Ijen on the way, of which I would recommend the less busy but more impressive Ijen.
With all three volcanos you will see the sulfer smoke rising up from the crater, and at Ijen you will even see the sulfer carriers retrieving the enormous blocks of yellow stones from the crater with their bamboo baskets, which sometimes can be more than 90 kilograms.
How to get there: you will have to book a tour which includes a guide, transport, lunch, dinner and accommodation if necessary. Contact one of the many tour operators located in Yogyakarta city to arrange this tour. Most hotels can help you out as well.
Quick Summary: 4 Days 3 Nights Yogyakarta Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Morning
Arrive in Yogyakarta
Check into your hotel
Borobudur
Pasar Beringharjo
Hike up a volcano
Lunch
Take your pick in one of the local Warungs for a true Indonesian welcome meal
Exploring Borobudur will make you hungry, so it's best to try out one of the restaurants located around the temple
Try local snacks in Pasar Beringharjo. Mix your shopping with tasting local delicacies
Afternoon
Taman Sari Water Castle
Fort Vredeburg
Stroll Jalan Malioboro
Kraton
Prambanan
Dinner
Angkringan Ratu 1
Verandah Restaurant
Mediterranea Restaurant
Evening
Wishing Trees
Wayang Puppet
Ramayana Ballet
The post 4 Days 3 Nights Yogyakarta Itinerary appeared first on Path Finder City.