Things to Do in Indonesia: Our 11 Most Beautiful Highlights

Which Island in Indonesia Should You Visit?

Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands — so you can’t simply say: “I’m going on a road trip through Indonesia and I’ll check out the most beautiful sights.”

No, you need to decide beforehand which islands you want to visit.

Where in Indonesia is most beautiful is a very subjective question and depends entirely on what you enjoy. We recommend limiting yourself to 2 or 3 islands on your first trip.

Personally, we’d choose between Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumatra, and Flores.

• Java: there are a huge number of volcanoes here, as well as authentic Indonesian cities.
• Bali: Indonesia’s most touristy island, with plenty of hotels, rice terraces, and beaches.
• Lombok: think of it as a quieter version of Bali, with beautiful beaches and a seriously relaxed vibe.
• Sumatra: lots of untouched nature and a real under-the-radar pick among Indonesia’s islands.
• Flores: absolutely worth it for Komodo National Park alone — stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife.

The Most Beautiful Sights in Indonesia on a Map

On this map you can see what we consider the 11 best places to visit in Indonesia. We’ll walk you through them one by one.

Kelingking Beach

What you need to know: You’ve probably seen this image in plenty of photos already, right? No surprise — Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida near Bali is simply a fantastic photo spot. You can admire it from a viewing platform and walk down to the beach — there are far fewer people down there.

Is it worth it? Yes! Even though the beach and the island are very touristy, the trip is absolutely worth it for the stunning views.

Our tip: Most tourists take a day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida. We’d recommend spending at least one night on Nusa Penida — Kelingking Beach is also much less crowded early in the morning and late in the evening.

Our hotel pick: Alana Penida Hotel – one of the best hotels on Nusa Penida.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

What you need to know: The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are a popular excursion destination in Bali. As a result, the entrance area gets packed with tourists and there are photo swings everywhere. Walk past all of that and explore the expansive grounds — you’ll barely run into anyone else out there. Admission costs 50,000 IDR (3 euros).

Is it worth it? Yes. The entrance area is very crowded, but you can actually walk through the rice terraces for a long time and have the views almost entirely to yourself.

Our tip: There are many more rice terraces on Bali that are far less touristy — the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, for example. You can find more recommendations in our article about rice terraces in Bali.

Our hotel pick: The Studios Ubud

Komodo National Park

What you need to know: Komodo National Park is one of the lesser-known things to do in Indonesia, but it’s one of our top highlights. The rugged, green-draped rocks rising straight out of the ocean look seriously incredible. On top of that, you can spot exotic wildlife here — the Komodo dragon in particular draws a lot of visitors.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. For nature and wildlife lovers, Komodo National Park is a must-see. You can also hike up to some spectacular viewpoints.

Our tip: The best base for the national park is Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. There’s an airport there and boats get you to Komodo quickly. Our hotel pick is the Puu Pau Hotel & Coffee Shop.

Book a day trip to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo

Mount Bromo

What you need to know: Mount Bromo is an active volcano on Java, sitting within a national park alongside other volcanoes and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. From the King Kong Hill viewpoint you can witness what we think are the most spectacular sunrises in Indonesia — and afterward, you can climb right up to the Bromo crater.

Is it worth it? Definitely. The sunrise at Mount Bromo was one of our absolute highlights in Indonesia.

Book a sunrise tour to Mount Bromo
Our tip: Even better is visiting Bromo on your own — that way you can escape the tourist crowds. We explain how to do it in our article on Mount Bromo.

Ijen Crater

What you need to know: At the far eastern tip of Java stands the equally active Ijen volcano. What makes it special is the so-called “blue fire” — a phenomenon caused by sulfur rising from the crater that you can only see at night. That’s why the hike starts in the dark, with a gas mask on. The sunrise at the crater rim is spectacular too.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. The hike up is seriously strenuous (about 2.2 miles uphill), but every step is worth it for the stunning views.

Our tip: The best base for a trip to the Ijen volcano is the town of Banyuwangi. You can also get there super quickly from Bali by ferry. Our hotel pick: Robiu Bed & Breakfast.

Book a guided hiking tour to the Ijen volcano

Temples in Yogyakarta

What you need to know: Yogyakarta is a large city on Java that isn’t particularly remarkable in itself — but just outside the city center you’ll find the largest Buddhist temple in the world: Borobudur. And to make Yogyakarta even more worthwhile, the city is also home to Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple: Prambanan. Two world-class sites, one base.

Is it worth it? Oh yes. Religion plays a major role in Indonesian life, and that becomes very clear to you in Yogyakarta. Both temple complexes are incredibly impressive.

Book a guided tour to the temple complexes from Yogyakarta
Our hotel pick: 1O1 Style Yogyakarta Malioboro

Tumpak Sewu

What you need to know: Tumpak Sewu is an off-the-beaten-path natural gem in eastern Java. The waterfall drops 120 meters (nearly 400 feet), and you can view it from a lookout platform above before hiking down into the gorge via stairs. From below, it looks even more jaw-dropping.

Is it worth it? Yes! Tumpak Sewu looks unlike any ordinary waterfall — which is exactly why it ranks so high on our list of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

Our tip: Most people visit as part of a 3-day tour of Java. We’d suggest spending one night nearby though — that way you can visit the waterfall in the afternoon, when hardly any other tourists are around.

Our hotel pick: D’corner Homestay

Rinjani Volcano

What you need to know: Lombok is home to Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano at 3,726 meters (12,224 feet). You can climb it on a two- or three-day hiking tour. The tours are extremely demanding — you’re hiking uphill for long stretches — but the views and the overall experience are truly one of a kind.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. The hike was one of our personal top experiences in Indonesia. That said, only go for it if you genuinely enjoy hiking and don’t mind camping.

Our tip: We booked the hiking tour through the Ila Homestay in Senaru and were really happy with the value for money. Near the homestay you’ll also find the impressive Tiu Kelep waterfall, which is well worth visiting the day before the hike.

Lake Toba

What you need to know: Sumatra is our under-the-radar favorite among Indonesia’s islands — everything here feels totally authentic, and one natural highlight follows the next. Our top pick is Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world. In the middle of the lake lies the large Samosir Island, home to the traditional village of Tomok. It makes a great base for your visit!

Is it worth it? Oh yes. At Lake Toba you get to experience Indonesia’s authentic side while being surrounded by stunning nature.

Our hotel pick: Hub Tata Guesthouse

Tanjung Puting National Park

What you need to know: The stars of Tanjung Puting National Park are the orangutans. It’s incredibly rare to see these animals in the wild, and this is one of the best places in the world to do it. But that’s not all — the park is also home to all kinds of other wildlife, including birds, proboscis monkeys, and much more. The best way to explore it is on a multi-day boat tour.

Is it worth it? Definitely, for animal lovers. Orangutans are incredibly fascinating creatures.

Our tip: Tanjung Puting isn’t the only place in Indonesia where you can see orangutans. There are other national parks on Borneo, and the animals also live on Sumatra.

Tana Toraja

What you need to know: Tana Toraja is a district on Sulawesi where the Torajans live — a Christian people with fascinating customs and traditions. Their death rituals in particular are extraordinary to learn about. The Tongkonans (traditional houses) are also a defining feature of the landscape. A good starting point for a trip to Tana Toraja is the town of Rantepao.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! You get to discover a completely different side of Indonesia here and really connect with a culture unlike anything else. On top of that, Tana Toraja is a genuine local favorite that most travelers never make it to.

Our hotel pick: Toraja Homestay & Coffee Bunna

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Indonesia