Things to Do in Jakarta: Top Attractions & Beaches

Things to Do in Jakarta

One day in Jakarta is, in our opinion, completely sufficient. On our Java road trip, we ourselves stayed for a full day (two nights).

Here’s our suggested itinerary for sightseeing in Jakarta in one day:

• Old town of Jakarta: Kota Tua
• Jakarta History Museum
• Chinatown
• Monumen Nasional
• Istiqlal Mosque
• Jakarta Cathedral

If you’re in Jakarta for more than one day, you’ll also have time for these highlights:

• Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
• Sunda Kelapa (Old Port)
• Jakarta beaches

Jakarta Sights on a Map

We’ll walk you through the highlights one by one, in the best order to visit them. To make orientation easier, we’ve marked everything on a map.

Just keep in mind that distances in Jakarta are huge — you really can’t cover many of the attractions on foot.

Old Town of Jakarta: Kota Tua

What you need to know: Kota Tua is Jakarta’s old town, located in the north of the city right next to Kota Station. The centerpiece is Taman Fatahillah square, home to the Jakarta History Museum and the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum. The side streets with their restaurants and historic buildings are seriously charming too.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! We especially loved that the old town has very little traffic — it’s a genuinely pleasant place to wander around.

Our tip: If you head to the old town in the morning like we did, stop in at Café Batavia for a coffee.

Jakarta History Museum

What you need to know: The standout attraction in Kota Tua is the History Museum. The building sits right on the central square and was built in the Renaissance style — you can really feel the Dutch colonial influence here, and the exhibits inside go even deeper into that history.

Is it worth it? Since we’re not really museum people, we skipped the interior. But if you’re into history, it’s definitely a must-do in Jakarta.

Our tip: If you want to explore the museum, go early in the morning. It gets really crowded in the afternoons and on weekends.

Chinatown

What you need to know: Jakarta’s Chinatown is called Glodok and is the largest in all of Indonesia. It sits right next to the old town, and you’ll find all kinds of Chinese restaurants, shops, and markets like the Glodok Chinatown Market.

Is it worth it? Definitely — since Chinatown is close to Kota Station, the detour is totally worth it.

Our tip: We escaped the heat in the Pancoran shopping mall and ate at the restaurant Thien Thien Lai — highly recommended!

Monumen Nasional

What you need to know: The Monumen Nasional is Jakarta’s number-one sight, full stop. This symbol of Indonesian independence stands at the heart of the city and was inaugurated in 1975. You can take an elevator to the top of the 132-meter tower, and there’s a museum beneath it too.

Is it worth it? 100%! We only viewed the monument from the outside since it was really crowded, but we loved strolling through the surrounding park — it’s a wonderful green oasis in the city.

Our tip: If you want to go up the tower, arrive right at opening time or expect a long line. Alternatively, you can book a guided half-day tour of Jakarta — tower admission is already included.

Istiqlal Mosque

What you need to know: With a capacity of 120,000 people, the Istiqlal Mosque is the third-largest mosque in the world. That’s no surprise — around 89% of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, and religion plays a central role in daily life. Even if you’re not Muslim, you can visit the mosque.

Is it worth it? Definitely — don’t miss the mosque. To enter as a non-Muslim, you’ll need to join a donation-based guided tour.

Our tip: Tours run every hour on the hour and last about half an hour. You’ll need to wear a robe and remove your shoes. Inside, your guide will walk you through the key areas and explain the most important information.

Jakarta Cathedral

What you need to know: The Catholic Cathedral of Jakarta stands right next to the mosque — a powerful symbol of religious coexistence in Indonesia. Built in 1901 in the Neo-Gothic style, it’s a real architectural contrast to the mosque next door.

Is it worth it? Yes. We found the contrast with the mosque right across the street genuinely fascinating.

Our tip: Entry is free. That said, if an event is on, you may only be able to see a small area — when we visited, there was actually a wedding happening inside.

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

What you need to know: With a capacity of 77,193 spectators, the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is the largest stadium in Southeast Asia. Located southwest of the city center, it hosts events across a wide range of sports. There are also public sports facilities on site where you can work out or go for a run.

Is it worth it? It’s a real under-the-radar pick in Jakarta — but honestly, we’d only make the trip out here for a specific event or if you’re a big sports fan. Otherwise, it’s probably not worth the journey.

Our tip: Ask your hotel about upcoming events, since the Gelora Bung Karno website is only in Indonesian — we couldn’t figure it out at all.

Sunda Kelapa (Old Port)

What you need to know: Sunda Kelapa is Jakarta’s oldest port and still in operation today. Old wooden ships are docked here, making it a fantastic spot for photos. Just know that this is a working port, not a tourist destination — don’t expect much in the way of infrastructure.

Is it worth it? Definitely for photographers. Otherwise, we’d only recommend visiting the Old Port if you have more than one day in Jakarta.

Our tip: Take the train to Kampung Bandan Station and then a Grab or Gojek to the port. Or book a full-day tour of Jakarta — a visit to Sunda Kelapa is included.

Beaches in Jakarta

Yes, there are beaches in and around Jakarta. For a proper beach vacation, though, we’d really recommend heading to Bali, Nusa Penida, or Lombok instead — the beaches there are in a completely different league.

That said, if you’re spending a few days in Jakarta and the heat gets too much, a quick trip to the beach is a great option.

Ancol Beach

What you need to know: Ancol Beach is Jakarta’s most well-known city beach. It’s no stunner compared to the beaches on Bali, but it’s your best option in the city when the heat becomes too much to handle.

Is it worth it? Honestly, no. We didn’t find Ancol Beach particularly beautiful.

Jakarta Thousand Islands

What you need to know: Off the coast of Jakarta lie 130 small islands — called, for whatever reason, the Thousand Islands. You’ll find stunning beaches with turquoise water here, and you can book a boat trip out from Jakarta.

Is it worth it? Yes — the islands are breathtakingly beautiful and a real local favorite near Jakarta. For us, they have the most beautiful beaches the Jakarta area has to offer.

Our tour tip: Trip to the Thousand Islands with kayaking and snorkeling

Where to Stay in Jakarta?

We recommend booking a hotel in the Menteng or Sawah Besar neighborhoods. Most hotels are concentrated in Menteng, while Sawah Besar has plenty of budget-friendly options. Both are centrally located, which makes getting around much easier.

Here are our top 3 hotel picks for Jakarta:

Getting Around Jakarta

Jakarta is pure traffic chaos.

Cars stuck in gridlock, motorcyclists weaving through every gap, construction sites everywhere — and 11 million residents on top of it all.

But don’t worry! Here are the best ways to get from A to B.

Trains in Jakarta

For longer distances, we mainly got around by train. To use the network, you’ll need a rechargeable card, which you can buy at the counter at any train station.

It costs 40,000 IDR (about $2.50) and you can load money onto it as needed. We loaded ours with 10,000 IDR (about 80 cents) — enough for two rides. Just tap the card against the turnstiles when boarding and exiting.

Our tip: When you land in Jakarta, take the train from the airport to the city center. You can find out more in our article about Jakarta’s airport.

Grab/Gojek in Jakarta

If the train doesn’t get you where you need to go, your best bet is Grab or Gojek. These apps let you book a regular taxi or a scooter taxi — they’re super affordable and one of the most common ways to get around in Indonesia.

They’re especially handy for shorter distances. You only need one app since prices are fairly similar between the two.

If you’re comfortable on a scooter, book a motorbike rather than a car — in Jakarta, cars are almost always stuck in traffic.

Exploring Jakarta on Foot

For very short distances, walking works fine. Just keep in mind that it’s usually seriously hot in Jakarta, and covering long distances on foot in that heat is really no fun.

Jakarta is also a massive city, and the points of interest can be quite far apart from each other.

Is Jakarta Dangerous?

No. We always felt safe in Jakarta and haven’t heard of any tourists running into trouble. That said, always keep a close eye on your bags and valuables.

Do keep in mind that if you have a European appearance, you’ll often be stared at and have things called out to you. This can feel uncomfortable, especially in poorer areas — but nobody got pushy with us.

Honestly, the thing that scared us most in Jakarta was the traffic. There are hardly any traffic lights, and even where they exist, motorcyclists happily run red lights.

Our tip: Cross the street when traffic is a bit lighter, and keep a constant eye on cars and motorcycles. Most drivers will slow down when they see you and go around you.

Read all our safety tips for Indonesia
Check out our travel tips for Indonesia

Best Time to Visit Jakarta

The best time to visit Jakarta is during the dry season from April to October. It rarely rains during this period. In the other months, expect frequent heavy downpours — though these usually only last a few hours.

Keep in mind that Jakarta is very hot year-round, which makes walking around the city for long stretches genuinely uncomfortable.

One silver lining: a thick layer of smog usually hangs over the city, which actually takes some of the edge off the direct sun.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jakarta