All citiesJakarta Things to do and walking itinerary
Indonesia Jakarta travel guide
30 things to do in Jakarta, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Jakarta
- Istiqlal Mosque — mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- National Museum of Indonesia — archaeological, historical, ethnological, and geographical museum located in Jakarta (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Monument of Indonesia — national monument and architectural icon of Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Batavia — capital of the Dutch East Indies (1619–1949), now the city of Jakarta (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Merdeka Palace — official residence and office of the President of Indonesia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Jakarta Cathedral — Catholic church in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Maritime Museum — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Wayang Museum — puppet museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Selamat Datang Monument — monument in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Textile Museum — museum in Jakarta (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Cut Mutiah Mosque — mosque in Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museum Bank Indonesia — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gereja Sion — church in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fine Art and Ceramic Museum — art museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Gallery of Indonesia — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bank Mandiri Museum — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi — history museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Messiah Cathedral — Indonesian megachurch (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Immanuel Church — church in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jami Kampung Baru Inpak Mosque — mosque in Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museum of National Awakening — history museum in Jl. Abdul Rachman Saleh Jakarta , Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Youth Pledge Museum — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Great General DR. Abdul Haris Nasution Museum — Indonesian National Hero Museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sasmita Loka Ahmad Yani Museum — Indonesian National Hero Museum in Central Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Batavia Castle — VOC fort in Jakarta (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Taman Prasasti Museum — open-air museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Al Makmur Mosque — Mosque of Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Angke Mosque — mosque located in Tambora, Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jakarta Cultural Festival — museum in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sea World Indonesia — aquarium in Jakarta, Indonesia (visit ≈ 150 min)
2-day Jakarta walking itinerary
Starting point: Menteng. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,400 steps · 2 h 3 min on the way): Cut Mutiah Mosque → Jakarta Cathedral → Istiqlal Mosque → Merdeka Palace → National Monument of Indonesia
- Day 2 (≈ 9.6 km · 12,960 steps · 2 h 8 min on the way): National Museum of Indonesia → Textile Museum → Selamat Datang Monument
Where to stay in Jakarta
- Menteng: Dutch-era villas and leafy streets; central and calm.
- Sudirman / Thamrin: Big hotels, the MRT line and the airport train.
- Kota Tua: The old Batavia square and museums; for history lovers.
- Senopati / SCBD: Restaurants, bars and stylish cafés.
- Kemang: An expat favourite full of cafés and boutiques.
Getting from the airport to Jakarta
- Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK): Airport train ≈ 50 min; taxi or Grab ≈ 45–90 min.
Getting around
Traffic is very heavy; use the MRT, TransJakarta buses and Gojek/Grab. Reach Kota Tua by KRL commuter train.
Classic places to eat
- Café Batavia: Colonial atmosphere in an 1800s building on the Kota Tua square.
- Ragusa Es Italia: Ice cream made to the same recipes since 1932.
- Kopi Es Tak Kie: Iced coffee in Glodok (Chinatown) since 1927.
- Lara Djonggrang: Indonesian regional dishes in a Javanese palace setting.
- Gado-Gado Boplo: Gado-gado with peanut sauce since the 1970s; in Cikini.
Romantic views
- Kota Tua (Fatahillah Square) (Evening): The square, framed by Dutch colonial buildings, comes alive in the evening.
- Sunda Kelapa Harbour (Early morning): Rows of wooden schooners look lovely in the early light.
- Ancol Beach (Sunset): Seaside piers are good for a sunset walk.
- Suropati Park (Early morning): This leafy park in Menteng is calm and shady in the morning.
Football stadiums in Jakarta
- Gelora Bung Karno Stadium: Home of Persija Jakarta
Good to know before visiting Jakarta
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: Motorbikes require a valid licence and a helmet.
- Warning: The criminal code in force since January 2026 criminalises sex outside marriage if a family member complains.
- Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in mosques and temples; Balinese temples require a sarong and sash.
- Warning: Methanol poisoning from bootleg spirits has occurred; avoid dubious cocktails.
- Warning: Short-changing at exchange booths is common; use licensed ones and count on the spot.
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 118, fire 113)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled or refill-station water.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional; restaurants may add a service charge.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Indonesia, Wikivoyage — Indonesia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Jakarta travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Jakarta?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 17 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Jakarta?
- Highlights: Istiqlal Mosque, National Museum of Indonesia, National Monument of Indonesia, Batavia and Merdeka Palace. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Jakarta?
- Menteng: Dutch-era villas and leafy streets; central and calm. Other options: Sudirman / Thamrin, Kota Tua, Senopati / SCBD and Kemang.
- How do you get from the airport to Jakarta city centre?
- Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK): Airport train ≈ 50 min; taxi or Grab ≈ 45–90 min.
- How do you get around Jakarta?
- Traffic is very heavy; use the MRT, TransJakarta buses and Gojek/Grab. Reach Kota Tua by KRL commuter train.
- What is the emergency number in Jakarta?
- Emergency: 112 (police 110, ambulance 118, fire 113).
- Do you tip in Jakarta?
- Tipping is optional; restaurants may add a service charge.
Nearby cities
Singapore · Bali (Ubud) · Putrajaya · Kuala Lumpur · Nusantara · Penang (George Town) · Bandar Seri Begawan · Phuket
Indonesia travel guide: all cities · All cities