Things to do in Jakarta: must-see attractions

Visiting Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of the island of Java. This megalopolis is home to over 30 million people, making it the second most populous urban area in the world after Tokyo. The site originated as a port belonging to the Hindu kingdom of Pajajaran. It was captured in 1527 by a Muslim warrior named Fatahillah. He renamed the area Jayakarta, which translates to "victorious deed" in Sanskrit. In 1619, Dutch colonizers landed on the island of Java and established Jakarta as the capital of the Dutch East Indies, renaming the city Batavia.

Visiting Jakarta's Old Town

Kota Tua and the Sunda Kelapa port are the primary remnants of Jakarta's colonial past. Start your visit at Fatahillah Square, which is surrounded by numerous cultural institutions. The Sejarah Museum, which dominates the square, serves as the city's history museum. The building itself was once the headquarters for Dutch colonial administration. Erected in 1710, its architecture reflects the Dutch tradition of that era. It houses a vast array of artifacts tracing the island's history from prehistory through the colonial period. If you enjoy traditional museums, do not miss the Wayang Museum, recognized by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage site. It features an extensive collection of the island's iconic puppets once used for intricate shadow play performances.

Continue your walk north to reach the city's historic port, Sunda Kelapa, where much of the spice trade between the Netherlands and Indonesia once flowed. You will see a tangle of wooden beams and traditional wooden schooners moored there. Near the historic center, make sure to visit the Glodok neighborhood, a particularly lively Chinatown, and its Dharma Bahkti Buddhist temple.

A Southeast Asian Powerhouse

Jakarta is a massive metropolis today, complete with the challenges that come with such scale, including heavy traffic, pollution, and wealth disparity. Due to rising sea levels and the unregulated extraction of groundwater, the government announced plans in 2019 to relocate the Indonesian capital to the neighboring island of Borneo.

As the capital of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Jakarta is a powerful and modern city. The Merdeka Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, serves as a symbol of this evolution. In its center, you can admire the MONAS, a 137-meter-high tower commemorating the country's struggle for independence, which offers a panoramic view of the city. You will also find the National Museum of Indonesia here, housing approximately 115,000 art and history objects representative of Southeast Asia. Another local landmark is the massive Istiqlal Mosque, which can accommodate up to 115,000 worshippers.

When to go

The best time to visit Jakarta is during the dry season, which runs from May through October.

How to get there

Jakarta is served by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. You can reach the city center from the airport by train, bus, or motorcycle taxi. A metro system is gradually expanding throughout the city and now serves the most popular tourist districts.