Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is frequently overlooked by international tourists who opt for Bali or other small islands in favour of Java (by the way, did you know that Indonesia is scattered across 18,000 islands of all sizes?).
If you happen to be in the region, you might want to pop over to explore the historical sights, stay in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels at good prices, or indulge in shopping. I’m sure Jakarta has more to offer than I include in this guide, such as the Senayan City shopping complex or the Wayang Museum of traditional puppets. However, my list will give you a glimpse of what to expect!
1. Jakarta Old Town
For a glimpse into Jakarta’s past, visit Kota Tua, the city’s historic Old Town! The Dutch left a lasting legacy in Jakarta, establishing the Dutch East Indies colony in 1619, with Batavia (now Jakarta) as its hub.
The Dutch ruled until 1942, when Japan took over during WWII. Indonesia declared independence in August 1945, following Japan’s retreat after WWII, with the Dutch formally acknowledging it in 1949.
The Old Town still bears the marks of Dutch presence: there are many magnificent buildings mostly dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries that once showcased the strength of the Europeans here in the past and are now repurposed. Sadly, not all of them are in good condition, but there are a few you can visit (see below).
Besides that, you can wander around the streets admiring the architecture, walk along the canal, visit the market, and pop into the cafes! You can even ride a horse-drawn carriage, although I wouldn’t suggest that as the horses looked pretty exhausted.
Happy Birthday Jakarta!
We actually visited Jakarta while celebrating its Betawi heritage on June 22nd — the city’s 498th birthday was marked with street parades, puppet dances Kembang Kelape, ondel-ondel (mascots of the city) presentations, and open-air concerts throughout the city. One of the most festive events was held in the old city center.
2. Fatahillah Square
Fatahillah Square is an old square framed by colonial buildings. It used to be the very center of the Dutch East India Company, with buildings around it all related to its operations.
During our visit, it was full of people celebrating Jakarta’s birthday and listening to a concert! The square is named after Fatahillah, a national hero of Indonesia who conquered the old port of Jakarta called Sunda Kelapa and helped spread Islam to this part of the world in the 16th century.
3. Jakarta History Museum
The Old Town Hall, or Stadhuis, was built in 1710 as a replacement for an earlier building dating back to 1627. It faces Fatahillah Square and is now converted into the Jakarta History Museum.
The museum sheds light on the origins of humans in Java and the birth of Jakarta, tracking its history up to modern times.
The collection of artifacts is quite impressive, including prehistoric archaeological findings, paintings, meticulously crafted Dutch furniture, and a large timeline of Jakarta’s history. Be sure to visit the historical dungeons there too.
However, sometimes the museum exhibits lack structure, and the information signs in English are occasionally missing. If you have time, visit the Wayang Museum nearby to learn more about traditional puppets.
4. Café Batavia
A visit to the second oldest building in the historical square? Of course!
Come to Café Batavia, founded in 1805! It has served as an office building, a warehouse, and a residence before being converted into a restaurant in 1993. If you have a chance, visit the Grand Salon on the first floor to admire the wooden gallery and staircase made of Java teak wood, as well as the unbeatable views over the Old Town Hall and Fatahillah Square.
At Café Batavia, we tried some local delicacies and colorful drinks, but they also serve high tea.
5. Red Shop
Red Shop, or Toko Merah in Indonesian, is another spot to visit if you’re interested in monumental colonial architecture.
Built in 1730 close to the canal, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings of Old Batavia. Constructed in red brick as a private residence (hence the name), it was later converted into a hotel and an office building for various companies (one of the visitors here was William Bligh, the Captain of HMS Bounty, in 1789). Now it houses a café—pop inside for a coffee or a pastry!
6. National Monument (Monas)
The National Monument, or Monas, is a tower that stands 132 meters tall with a gold-covered flame atop — a symbol commemorating the country’s struggle for independence.
It usually functions as an observation deck, but on the day of our visit, it was closed in the morning due to the celebrations. If you’re luckier than we were, come here on a clear day to observe the whole city! If it’s foggy, you probably won’t see much.
7. Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square, or the Square of Independence, is one of the magnets of the city, as most modern landmarks and administrative buildings are located around it.
This enormous square covers an impressive 1 square kilometer, earning its spot as the third largest globally. At its heart stands the high tower of the National Monument, surrounded by green parkland and expansive pedestrian walkways segmenting the square into four sectors.
During Jakarta’s anniversary, we saw locals having picnics there and watching the festivities with ondel-ondel masks! To the side, there was a small market with festive goods, street food, and children’s toys.
8. Istana Merdeka
As you pass by the buildings surrounding Merdeka Square, you’ll probably notice a complex of six white colonnaded buildings adorned with Garuda bird symbols and the Indonesian red and white flag. The Istana Merdeka is a presidential palace and formerly served as the residence of the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. The oldest part, Istana Negara, was built in the early 19th century.
It is usually closed to the public, but this is an important landmark linked to Indonesia’s gaining independence from the Dutch in 1949, and you may still want to catch a glimpse of it.
9. National Museum of Indonesia
The National Museum of Indonesia was probably one of my favorite landmarks in Jakarta! The building where the museum is located is sometimes called “The Elephant Building” because of the elephant statue on a pedestal at its entrance.
It’s a very well-made museum with a permanent collection showcasing the national archaeological treasures of the country, exploring the various ethnic groups of Indonesia, and holding temporary exhibitions as well.
During our visit, there was an exhibition dedicated to the ancient trade links with China and the lives of Peranakan families when Chinese married into the local population.
The museum is within walking distance from the National Monument.
10. Jakarta Aquarium and Safari
The Jakarta Aquarium and Safari, located inside Neo Soho, a large shopping mall, is a great destination for families!
It houses hundreds of fish and other marine animals—including pythons, reptiles, small monkeys, capybaras, and a binturong. While the enclosures may not be very large, there are no interactions between the animals and the public, aside from feeding times with limited spots and only for some animals.
The aquarium is spread across two floors, and a visit might easily take about 1.5 to 2 hours, especially if you attend a mermaid show called “Pearl of the South Sea” or any of the official feedings.
Overall, we had a very pleasant experience there, and if you’re in Jakarta with kids, don’t miss this spot!
And make sure to explore the shopping mall too – at least to have a lunch there!
11. Istiqlal Mosque
Independence Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, which opened in 1978, is the main mosque of the country — and you can explore it as a visitor!
It’s the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and one of the largest mosques in the world by visitor capacity, accommodating up to 200,000 people. I can’t say it’s the most impressive mosque I’ve seen in terms of exterior and interior, but the interior is worth visiting.
Come to the registration office—they offer free tours for tourists every half hour, excluding a midday break. After completing the forms and wearing appropriate attire (they provide abayas and scarves), you can join a 30-minute tour with other visitors to see some of the mosque’s features.
12. St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral
Right across the street from Istiqlal Mosque, you can find another gorgeous religious building — this time designated for Roman Catholics!
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, also known as Jakarta Cathedral or Gereja Katedral, is a stunning neo-gothic church with two tall white spires. Construction began in 1891, and the cathedral was inaugurated in 1901 after the previous building was destroyed by fire (it was the first Roman Catholic Church here, as the Dutch are mainly Protestants).
Come inside to admire the murals depicting Jesus, stained glass, and beautiful old altarpieces and statues.
13. Lotte Shopping Avenue
The Raffles Hotel, where we stayed, is connected to the Lotte Shopping Mall, and believe me, it’s a fantastic destination.
If you’re looking for cafes of all sorts (Western like Starbucks, Japanese, or Korean) and restaurants, as well as retail shops, this is a great place to be. Korean culture lovers would enjoy this place more than others, as there are plenty of spots selling Korean skincare or K-pop-related items.
The supermarket on the ground floor also sells Korean products such as snacks, desserts, and ramen. We even witnessed a 360 Korea festival there! Moreover, they have a piece of Seoul in the basement, with bus spots, photo booths, drama-related costume rentals, and, of course, lots of street food.
14. Glodok
Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown, boasts a completely different ambiance compared to other tourist attractions in Jakarta.
Designated by the Dutch as a Chinese settlement area in the 18th century, Glodok is chaotic, smelly, and lively, with dozens of stalls packed into tiny alleys.
You can spot people frying food, boiling noodles, rearranging fresh fruits on shelves, selling electronics, and herbal medicines. Motorcycles are everywhere!
Also spot Santa Maria de Fatima Catholic Church – one of the must unusual sights here!
15. Dharma Bhakti Temple
Predictably, Dharma Bhakti Temple, Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple, is located in Glodok as well.
Said to have been built in 1755 on the site of an older temple dating to the mid-17th century, this Chinese Buddhist temple has everything you’d expect—lots of statues, candles, incense, decorations, and more.
Where to Stay
The Raffles Hotel, located in the business district of Jakarta, occupies a modern skyscraper and is decorated with pieces of art by the famous Indonesian painter Hendra Gunawan.
This is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in the Indonesian capital!
We received a warm welcome from the team — George even got a DIY kit for decorating cookies!
The standout feature of our room was the panoramic windows (including in the bathroom) with breathtaking views of Jakarta.
Breakfast is served in a stunning art café with mirrored decorations on the ceiling and walls, and large glass lamps. Their selection of pastries was great! You can enjoy buffet food or order dishes à la carte.
You might also like my other blogs about Indonesia.
Hope you liked my blog!
Yours, Anna
Xxxx
