Top 8 most beautiful cities in Indonesia to visit2026 ranking

As the cultural center of Indonesia, Ubud is famous for its gorgeous terraced rice paddies, temples, and craft traditions, sitting right in the center of the Hindu island of Bali. Set where two rivers meet, this artistic hub lets you catch traditional legong and gamelan music and dance performances, plus browse dozens of art galleries. Nature lovers will find plenty to love here too, starting with the surprising depth of the local rainforest. The name Ubud literally translates to medicine, reflecting its deep historical roots in herbal healing. That tradition carries on today through the town's massive selection of hiking trails, yoga studios, and spas. You can also book a four-hand Balinese massage and sample refined local dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice), bebek betutu (slow-cooked spiced duck), and babi guling (Balinese-style roast pork).

The climate is tropical and equatorial, featuring a dry season from April to October and a wet season from November to February. Heavy rain is mostly limited to January and February.

A Jungle in the Middle of Town, Balancing Nature and Macaques

Start your trip at the Monkey Forest Sacred Sanctuary, set inside a wooded area that houses the temple of death and evil spirits, which locals avoid entering due to local superstition. You will appreciate the intricate Hindu stone carvings and the lively atmosphere. Keep a close eye on the thousand or so resident monkeys, as they love anything shiny or edible. If you want to feed them, do it only with the help of the reserve's staff of monkey experts.

Next up is the Purilukisan Museum, a fine arts museum where you can explore the kamasan painting style along with works by Nyoman Lempad and Arie Smit. When evening hits, head over to Puri Saren Ubud, the Royal Palace right in the middle of town, which hosts fantastic evening performances.

A short walk away, Lempad’s House is worth checking out. This was the home of Gusti Nyoman Lempad, a legendary local artist who lived to be 116 years old. Another notable historic residence is the Walter Spies House, named after the Moscow-born artist who hosted famous guests like Charlie Chaplin here. Today, anyone can book a room at the property, which operates as the Campuhan hotel.

Art Around Every Corner

The Neka Art Museum is a private institution tracing the history of Balinese painting and how Western influences shaped local artists. The museum stands out for its clear explanations, chronological layout, and strong international collection.

Art fans should also visit the museum dedicated to Antonio Blanco, often called the Bali Dali. The setting is a meticulously maintained estate, and while local censorship famously burned many of his erotic works, the remaining collection is fascinating. Afterward, grab a cold drink on the terrace of the Bridge Café for relaxing views of the river and gardens.

Just down the hill, do not miss the Pura Gunung Lebah temple, surrounded by lush greenery that makes for a peaceful stop.

Getting There

There is no nonstop route from North America: carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Korean Air and EVA Air fly from the West Coast to Denpasar with layovers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Doha, and Bangkok.

Getting Around

Book a ride with the country's main taxi company, Blue Bird, right at the airport for a flat rate of around 300,000 Rp. Expect the drive to take 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes depending on your arrival time. Traffic in Bali is heavy, and cars rarely exceed 30 km/h.

Compact and walkable, Ubud is easy to explore on foot. To reach the outlying rice fields, rent a bicycle or a scooter for about 30,000 to 50,000 Rp per day.

Alongside Gili Meno and Gili Air, Gili Trawangan makes up the small Gili Islands archipelago sitting northwest of Lombok. In Sasak, the local language spoken in this part of Indonesia, Gili translates to small island. Gili Trawangan is indeed the largest of the three, spanning a mere 3.4 km²! Motorized vehicles are banned across these islands, meaning you will get around strictly on foot, by bicycle, or via horse-drawn carriage. In 2018, the area was struck by a magnitude 7 earthquake that caused widespread damage.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Gili Trawangan

The primary draw on Gili Trawangan is unquestionably diving and snorkeling. Grab a boat tour out to Nest, located just offshore from Gili Meno. This underwater art installation features human figures sculpted by Jason deCaires Taylor, consisting of 48 statues arranged in a circle on the seabed to form a giant nest. The project was designed to help regenerate the coral reef in this corner of the Indian Ocean. Another underwater highlight is the local population of sea turtles, which you might encounter while swimming.

The beaches on Gili Trawangan are exceptionally scenic, offering front-row seats to sunsets on the western side of the island, particularly around the famous overwater swing at the Ombak Sunset hotel.

Things to Do on Gili Trawangan

The island invites exploration, whether you are riding a horse along the shoreline or hiking inland to the summit of the 73-meter hill for panoramic views sweeping across the Gili Islands, Lombok, and Mount Rinjani. For downtime, you can alternate between yoga sessions, lounging on the sand, and traditional Indonesian massages.

Gili Trawangan is equally famous for its nightlife, where parties run until dawn on the beach or even aboard floating boat parties.

Down by the port, a nightly street food market pops up where you can sample regional specialties like Nasi Goreng, a plate of spiced, stir-fried rice with vegetables, or Satays, which are small grilled skewers of meat or fish. Near the market, you might stumble upon a traditional stick-fighting martial arts tournament.

When to go

The optimal window for visiting Gili Trawangan in Indonesia falls during the dry season between May and September. July and August form the peak season for heading to the Gili Islands as a way to trade the heavy crowds found on Bali during those months for a more relaxed island atmosphere.

How to get there

You can reach Gili Trawangan by boat from Bali, departing from the ports of Amed, Sanur, and Padangbai via regular ferry or speed boat. From Lombok, departures leave out of the port of Bangsal. You can also hop between the neighboring islands of Gili Meno and Gili Air by booking crossings locally through island agencies.

Borobudur sits on the island of Java in Indonesia. Tucked into the Kedu plain, the area is framed by the Menoreh mountain range and the volcano Merapi. These peaks served as a spiritual sanctuary for Buddhist monks for centuries, leading to a high density of temples in the region. Among them is the largest Buddhist monument on the planet, the Borobudur temple, built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty. After being abandoned around 1100 and left to be reclaimed by volcanic ash and jungle growth, the temple was rediscovered in the early 19th century by Java governor Thomas Stamford Raffles.

The world's largest Buddhist temple

Starting in the 1970s, the Indonesian government and Unesco teamed up for a major restoration project to save the structure from collapse. It was named a World Heritage site in 1991. The temple is essentially a massive stupa, a bell-shaped Buddhist monument measuring 123 meters long and 43 meters high. From above, the layout forms a mandala, a visual representation of Buddhist cosmology. Its construction involved moving nearly 1,600,000 blocks of volcanic stone.

The structure consists of nine platforms, with six square bases topped by three circular ones. The highest level holds a large stupa, surrounded by 72 smaller stupas. The temple walls are covered in detailed reliefs telling the story of Buddha. There are 2,670 relief panels in total. Of these, 1,460 are narrative, documenting the transformation of Prince Siddharta into Buddha and the spiritual journey of the pilgrim Sudhana toward ultimate truth. The temple was originally home to 504 statues of Buddha, though 43 have been lost and at least 300 have been damaged.

The sacred valley of Borobudur

The Borobudur temple is only part of the story, as the entire Kedu plain was a hub for ancient religious life. The valley is lush and fertile, filled with rice paddies and palm trees, and the surrounding mountains have long held deep significance. Nearby, you will find two other notable sites: the Mendut temple and the Pawon temple. The Mendut temple houses three well-preserved statues of Buddha and serves as a center for learning Buddhist precepts. The Pawon temple commemorates the moment Siddharta reached supreme wisdom.

Each year between May and June, during the full moon, processions are held to celebrate Vesak, a sacred day marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, which is a public holiday in Indonesia. Pilgrims begin their journey at the Mendut temple, continue through Pawon, and finish at the Borobudur temple.

When to go

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

How to get there

From the bus terminal in Yogyakarta, you can take a local bus or a taxi to reach Borobudur. Alternatively, you can book a private excursion through a tour operator.

Tegallalang sits in the Gianyar province on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is known for its terraced rice paddies, a traditional agricultural layout carved into hillsides at an altitude of 600 meters. Perfectly positioned between the town of Ubud and the sacred Lake Batur, it is a standard stop for anyone traveling through Bali.

Beautiful rice fields in Indonesia

The rice terraces of Tegallalang rank among the most visited sites on the island of Bali. They operate on the Subak principle, an agricultural management system created in the 9th century by the saint Rsi Markandeya that is specific to Indonesia. In this complex water distribution system, priests oversee irrigation and farming schedules. You can take scenic walks through the Tegallalang rice paddies, often for a small entrance fee. In recent years, swings and a zipline have been added to accommodate the rise in tourism.

To relax after exploring the fields, head to the sacred springs of Tirta Empul, founded in 962, in the Tegallalang region. The presidential palace overlooking them was built in 1957 for the first Indonesian president, Soekarno. While the water in the bathing pools is quite cool, it is believed to purify those who bathe in it, as the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of water. Be sure to properly knot your sarong before entering the site.

Artisan capital of Bali

Along with the nearby small village of Pakudui, Tegallalang is famous for its thriving craft scene focused on wood carving techniques. This local art is passed down through generations, and their creations, including bowls, dishware, and small decorative items, are sold globally. You will likely find something to take home at the town market.

Regarding religious heritage, the area around Tegallalang was once home to a powerful Brahmin caste. In Manuaba, a small village a few miles from Tegallalang, you will find the Pura Griya Sakti temple, built in the 17th century. Among the temples to see in this part of the island, do not miss the Lake Batur temple, perched in the middle of the caldera at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The Gunung Kawi temple in Tampaksiring is another essential stop. Built in the 10th century, it features a dozen mausoleums carved directly into the rock face, within cavities nearly seven meters high. The tombs hold members of the royal family from that era. Note that to reach Gunung Kawi, you must climb a total of 230 stone steps that wind through lush rice paddies.

When to go

The best time to see the rice paddies of Tegallalang is right before the harvest, specifically in May and June or between September and November.

How to get there

The best way to reach Tegallalang is by motorized vehicle, either a car or a scooter. Additionally, many local agencies organize their own shuttle excursions directly to the rice terraces.

Karangasem is a regency located on the far eastern side of the island of Bali in Indonesia. It served as the seat of a historically powerful Balinese kingdom. The rulers took the name Anak Agung, a direct reference to Mount Agung. At 10,308 feet, this is the highest volcano on Bali, and the ruling dynasty considered it the center of the world. By the 19th century, the nine kingdoms of Bali had gradually fallen under Dutch administrative control. The Besakih temple, the most significant on the island, and the vestiges of Semarapura remain as markers of the grand history of Karangasem's sovereigns.

Surrounding areas: remnants of a kingdom

On the road to Karangasem, stop at the historic site of Klungkung, or Semarapura, which holds the remains of the former royal capital. Its courthouse, built in 1710, is packed with traditional Balinese frescoes, carvings, and paintings. The site preserves a deep cultural and ritual legacy from the Dewa Agung dynasty. Closer to Karangasem, a trip to Tirtagangga is essential. This water palace was founded in 1946 by the last rajah of Karangasem. After suffering damage during the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, the pools and gardens were carefully restored for public access. In a similar vein, the Soekasada Ujung water palace is worth the detour. Built right on the coastline, it once served as an observation point for monitoring maritime traffic coming from the neighboring island of Lombok.

The Karangasem region is dense with temples. The nearest is Lempuyang Luhur, a complex dedicated to Shiva that consists of seven distinct temples. Be prepared for a climb of 1,700 steps to reach the top. Not far away, on the slopes of Mount Agung, stands the most sacred temple in Bali: Besakih. It encompasses nearly 80 individual temples scattered across a wide area, all dedicated to the three major Hindu deities, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Eastern Bali: rice paddies and the coast

Experience the local geography of Karangasem by hiking in Sidemen, a lush valley filled with vibrant green rice terraces. For those looking for a physical challenge, you can arrange a trek to summit Mount Agung.

The Karangasem coastline is equally striking. The small village of Amed, with its black volcanic sand beaches, offers a quiet, authentic atmosphere. Beyond the beaches, diving enthusiasts should head to Tulamben, a coastal spot known for exceptional marine life. Resting on the seafloor here is the wreck of the Liberty, an American cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and beached at Tulamben, which the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung sent sliding to the seabed.

When to go

Plan your trip to Bali during the dry season, which runs from April through September.

How to get there

From Denpasar, where the international airport is located, you can take a taxi or a shuttle to Karangasem. Alternatively, renting your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore the rest of the island at your own pace.

Tabanan serves as the capital of the district of the same name, a rice-growing region on the island of Bali tucked between the Batukaru mountains to the north and the island's west coast. During the colonial era, the Dutch government recognized Tabanan as one of the eight official Balinese kingdoms. The city itself does not hold much for the average traveler, but the surrounding countryside is dense with sights, from the Jatiluwih rice terraces, a designated Unesco World Heritage site, to the wave-battered Tanah Lot temple.

The rice-growing region of Tabanan

The landscape around Tabanan is defined by lush green terraces and traditional farming. Before or after your trip to Jatiluwih, stop by the Mandala Mathika Subak Museum in Tabanan, which details the subak system, an irrigation method invented in 9th-century Indonesia. Every rice paddy owner receives water from a shared canal branch, which allows for coordinated water distribution among all farmers. At the center of every subak sits a water temple, as the system relies on a deep intersection of nature, culture, and religion. Because rice is viewed as a divine offering, every step of planting and harvesting involves sacred rituals. This is the Tri Hita Karana, a Balinese concept describing the relationship between nature, humanity, and the divine.

In Tabanan itself, stop by the local market or grab lunch at one of the many warungs, small family-run shops serving rice-based dishes. You can also visit the Bali Butterfly Park, a nearly 3,500-square-meter reserve that houses hundreds of butterfly species, including several that are endangered.

Temples of the Tabanan region

A few miles from Tabanan along the coast, you will find the iconic Tanah Lot, or Sea Temple, perched on a rock formation surrounded by the ocean. It is said to be the work of Nirartha, a 16th-century Hindu priest. The Taman Ayun temple, built in 1634, is located in the neighboring town of Mengwi. It is a large temple complex that originally belonged to a powerful local family. The grounds are filled with gardens and merus, the multi-tiered pagodas that symbolize the sacred Hindu mountain.

If you have time to venture further, head toward Lake Bratan, a high-altitude lake where you can see the Ulun Danu water temple, built in 1663 to honor Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes and rivers. The final temple to see in the Tabanan region is Pura Luhur Batukaru, a sanctuary built into the mountainside surrounded by jungle in the 11th century by the holy man Mpu Kuturan.

When to go

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

How to get there

The airport for Bali is located in the neighboring city of Denpasar. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to reach Tabanan. Many hotels also offer shuttle services for guests.

As the capital of Bali, Denpasar is a frequent landing point on this Indonesian island. While it skips the coastal charm you might picture, the city easily warrants a day or two of your itinerary.

History, Art, and Religion

Denpasar serves as Bali's administrative and economic hub, yet it maintains a distinct provincial atmosphere despite its capital status. The modern architecture is largely uninspired and traffic can be chaotic, which explains why many travelers blow right past it on their way to the beach. Even so, the city holds genuine appeal for anyone interested in history, art, and local traditions. The Bali Museum (Museum Negeri Provinsi) is essential for its deep collections covering various Balinese eras and regions. Traditional costumes, weapons, precious jewelry, everyday artifacts, masks, and textiles fill the galleries, offering a solid window into the past of Denpasar and its surroundings. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Badung and later colonized by the Dutch in the early twentieth century, the city packs a serious historical punch. Like the rest of the island, it is dotted with temples such as Pura Maospahit and Pura Agung Jagatnatha, along with royal palaces like Puri Pemecutan.

Performances, Markets, and Food

Head to the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center. It features two large open-air amphitheaters hosting nightly kecak dance performances, alongside theater pieces, concerts, and modern dance shows, with art exhibitions happening frequently. Denpasar is an active city, and its markets give you the best seat in the house for daily local life.

Pasar Badung, the largest traditional market on the island, is stacked with fruit, spices, and flowers for temple offerings, while Pasar Kumbasari just across the river is the one for textiles and woven rattan goods, making it easy to pick up locally made souvenirs. The night market draws locals looking to grab a quick meal right at the stalls. Try some mie goreng (fried noodles) or nasi goreng (fried rice), finished off with some fresh tropical fruit for dessert.

When to go

The best months to visit Denpasar are May, June, September, and October, when the weather stays manageable without the intense humidity, and crowds thin out compared to July and August. Try to skip those peak summer months if you can, since prices can jump by 50 percent. That said, if you find yourself in Denpasar in July, catch the annual kite festival.

How to get there

Flights from the US require at least one or two stops, with total travel time pushing past 17 hours depending on your departure city. Off-season airfares typically run from $570 to $680*, scaling up significantly during the summer rush and winter holidays. Ngurah Rai International Airport sits about a 30-minute drive from downtown Denpasar.

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, sitting on the northwest coast of Java. With over 30 million residents, the sprawling megacity ranks as the second most populated urban area in the world right behind Tokyo. The site started as a harbor controlled by the Hindu kingdom of Pajajaran before a Muslim warrior named Fatahillah took it over in 1527. He renamed the area Jayakarta, meaning victorious deed in Sanskrit. Dutch colonists arrived on the island of Java in 1619, turning Jakarta into the capital of the Dutch East Indies under the name Batavia.

Exploring Old Jakarta

Kota Tua and the harbor of Sunda Kelapa stand as the main remnants of Jakarta's colonial past. Start your walk at Fatahillah Square, which hosts several cultural institutions. The Jakarta History Museum dominates the square, occupying a building erected in 1710 that once served as the headquarters of the Dutch colonial administration. Its architecture reflects traditional Dutch design from that era, and the exhibits trace the history of the island from prehistoric times through the colonial period. If you enjoy traditional museums, do not miss the Wayang Museum, dedicated to the puppet theater tradition recognized by Unesco as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It houses a vast collection of the island's traditional puppets once used in elaborate shadow play performances.

Head north to the historic port of Sunda Kelapa, where a major share of the spice trade between the Netherlands and Indonesia once took place. You will see a tangle of wooden beams alongside traditional wooden schooners from that period. Close to the historic center, make sure to visit the lively Glodok Chinatown and its Buddhist temple, Dharma Bhakti.

A Southeast Asian Powerhouse

Today, Jakarta functions as a massive metropolis complete with heavy traffic, pollution, and steep economic disparities. Rising sea levels and the unregulated extraction of groundwater prompted the government to announce plans in 2019 to relocate the Indonesian capital to the neighboring island of Borneo.

As the headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Jakarta operates as a powerful and modern city. Merdeka Square symbolizes this evolution as one of the largest public squares in the world. At its center stands Monas, a 137 meter tall monument commemorating the country's fight for independence that offers sweeping views of the city from the top. The square also houses the National Museum of Indonesia, holding around 115,000 art and historical objects typical of Southeast Asia. Another major landmark in Jakarta is the massive Istiqlal Mosque, which can accommodate up to 120,000 worshippers.

When to go

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

How to get there

Jakarta is served by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. You can get to downtown from the airport by train, bus, or motorcycle taxi. The metro system continues to expand across the city, connecting the main tourist neighborhoods.