https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/central-java/best-things-to-do/10070014430090
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Central Java [2025]
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Prambanan Temple
4.7
/5
303 reviews
6.7
From £2.16
77.2 km from downtown
Phone +628112688000
Address: Jl. Raya Solo - Yogyakarta No.16, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Kec. Prambanan, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Ancient Hindu architecture showcase
6 temples for Hindu deities & mounts
Saved by 378 users170 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We were lucky that a trainee volunteer offered us a guided tour, which made the experience so much more authentic. We found out about the history of the temple, as well as the meaning of all the sculptures, which we wouldn't have known otherwise. He was very sweet! The temple that is a bit more further from Prambanan was closed, so we could only see the site from the gate. The ticket is a bit expensive for Indonesia, but slightly cheaper than other websites on Trip.com.
1. Prambanan is a Hindu temple complex with a very large grounds. In addition to the main temple, there are many other smaller temples scattered around. If you want to visit them all, it's recommended to allow more time.
2. It's quite far from the city center, so it's best to rent a car or drive yourself.
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Mount Merapi
4.8
/5
106 reviews
4.8
54.9 km from downtown
Address: Dusun 2, Suroteleng, Selo, Boyolali Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Verified user reviews
Keindahan Gunung merapi di Java Tengah menuliskan cerita tersendiri bagi kita orang jawa. Dan tidak ada bosan nya untuk mengunjunngi nya. love it this place
Active Volcano MerapiThe drive to Merapi is lovely, passing through small villages along the way. The closer you get to the volcano the colder it becomes due to elevation. Tips: You have clear views if the volcano early morning as clouds cover the mountain top from 9am in dry season, and could be earlier in wet season.Passing the farm fields it’s noteworthy that the big leaf plants around are tobacco plants and the tobacco leaves can be seen being dried on the sides of the road. Hiking up to the crater is possible but it is advised to stop at the wooden barrier before reaching the crater
Lawang Sewu
4.5
/5
31 reviews
4.7
35.2 km from downtown
Phone +6281215168808
Address: Jl. Pemuda No.160, Sekayu, Kec. Semarang Tengah, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50132, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Experience layers of doors
Historic museum with rare exhibits
67% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Thousand Gates is Semarang's most legendary attraction. Once a train station, it later became the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, as the trains were built there.
The building is so numerous, reportedly over 1,000 doors, that it's called the Thousand Gates. Walking around, you'll find it's truly remarkable. Each floor has rooms of varying sizes, each with its own number of doors—it's hard to count them all.
This place was once used to hold some unjustly convicted criminals, making it a renowned haunted house. Of course, if you visit in the morning, there's no problem.
The entrance fee, if I remember correctly, is 20,000 Indonesian rupiah. It's quite impressive. There's also a small garden in the center, where bands sometimes perform. The building is particularly beautiful at dusk, and a complete walk around it takes about an hour.
This is the must go if you come to Semarang. Lawang Sewu or A Thousand Door is a colonial office built at the Dutch Era back in 1900.
It was originally a Dutch Train Company Office, but when Japan came to occupy Indonesia, they took over the building and used the basement as a prison and to torture locals and their hostiles.
Now the building is believed to be haunted, especially the basement, where it's now flooded and not allowed for visitors.
No.
4
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Dusun Semilir
5.0
/5
3 reviews
4.5
Based on 29 reviews
33.7 km from downtown
Phone +628112747724
Address: Jl. Soekarno - Hatta No.49, Ngemple, Bawen, Ngemplak, Kabupaten Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50661, Indonesia
Verified user reviews
Try to get the all in one ticket so you dont have to pay for an individual ticket at every game and pitstop. With the all in one band you can ride the slide multiple times. When I was there they were still building the race or go kart place. Food is affordable. The souvenir shop good to see see to buy is your own choice coz the price for this kind of places is definitely more than normal shops.
only 45 minute from semarang to enjoy a plastic board
No.
5
Alun Alun Kota Purwokerto
4.5
/5
4 reviews
4.4
>100 km from downtown
Address: Komplek PJKA 386-388, JL. Jend. Sudirman, Purwokerto Lor, Purwokerto, Sokanegara, Kec. Purwokerto Tim., Kabupaten Banyumas, Jawa Tengah 53115, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Verified user reviews
tempat sejuk untuk bersantai di tengah kota purwokerto. banyak penjual makanan disekililing komplek ini. ada parkir luas juga.
Now, Purwokerto Square looks neat, beautiful and pedestrian-friendly with the installation of lights, grass fires and widening of pedestrian paths.
No.
6
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Wisata Sam Poo Kong
4.3
/5
31 reviews
4.3
33.3 km from downtown
Phone +622476431701
Address: Jl. Simongan No.129, Bongsari, Kec. Semarang Barat, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50148, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Sambokong statue parade in June
Chinese & Indian style architecture
47% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Semarang is the only city in the world named after the eunuch Sam Po. It's said that during the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He's fleet visited here, leaving behind a wealth of cultural heritage. Upon their departure, some of the crew members chose to settle down here. To this day, many of their descendants have built the Sam Po Kong Temple in Semarang to commemorate Sam Po Kong.
Sem Po Kong hasn't always looked the same. After several renovations and transfers of ownership, it was even relocated to Dajue Temple for a period.
The current Sam Po Kong is quite nice. The entrance fee is divided into two sections. If you don't enter, you only need to pay for the first section to see the various temples within. If you do, you can purchase an additional ticket. The combined price of both sections is actually quite reasonable, so if you're here, you've definitely seen it all.
The entire square is quite spacious, with a statue of Sam Po Kong and many Chinese-style buildings. It looks quite familiar. There's even more information about the fleet's achievements further back.
The specific Sam Po Cave refers to the inner temple inside, which requires buying a second set of tickets to enter. As the most important cultural relic in Sam Po Long, it is really worth coming.
Sam Po Temple was built to commemorate Zheng He, the eunuch of the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He visited Malacca seven times and is a spiritual pillar in the hearts of the Chinese living here. In order to protect Sam Po Temple, the Chinese fought.
No.
7
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Central Java Grand Mosque
4.5
/5
8 reviews
4.3
Based on 633 reviews
38.4 km from downtown
Phone +6282134970000
Address: Jl. Gajah Raya, Sambirejo, Kec. Gayamsari, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50166, Indonesia
Verified user reviews
The Great Mosque of Central Java is a bit far from downtown Semarang, but not terribly far. It's easily accessible by motorbike. The area around it is relatively suburban, with a market across the street.
It's easy to find, walking all the way from the main entrance. It's quite large, with a large plaza in front. You can climb the minaret next to it, but it's only open when the gates are open, so it's recommended to arrive around the same time.
I was truly impressed upon first sighting the Great Mosque. Honestly, while it's not as large as the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, its layout and grandeur far surpass it. Of all the mosques I've seen in Indonesia, I personally think it's the most beautiful.
The large umbrellas outside can probably be opened in the rain, so it can accommodate quite a few people. Inside, you can see a giant open Quran.
It's a truly worthwhile place to visit. The five-hour train ride was well worth it.
Not only magnificent, the Great Mosque of Semarang has a variety of uniqueness that makes it special. One of them is that there are giant umbrellas in the courtyard outside the mosque. The umbrellas can open and close automatically.
No.
8
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The Lawu Park
5.0
/5
3 reviews
4.2
Based on 7 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6281238923626
Address: Bulakrejo, Gondosuli Kidul, Gondosuli, Kec. Tawangmangu, Kabupaten Karanganyar, Jawa Tengah 57792, Indonesia
Verified user reviews
the charm of the natural panorama of Mount Lawu, pine forests and beautiful hills
nice view, delicious culinary delights especially the atmosphere there is cold. there are lots of spots for cool photos.
No.
9
Magelang City Square
5.0
/5
6 reviews
4.2
37.3 km from downtown
Address: Jl. Alun-Alun Utara, Kemirirejo, Kec. Magelang Tengah, Kota Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56117, Indonesia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
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Clean city with adorable view in every corner, we can see Mt. Sindoro, Mt. Sumbing, Mt. Merapi and Mt. Merbabu. The food is delicious and the people are friendly.
Located in the middle2 of Magelang city, close to various public facilities and social facilities. The location is adjacent to shopping centers, banks, police stations, places of worship, shops, hawker centers, restaurants, government offices, schools, etc. Often used as a tourist destination, culinary, sports, children's play2, gathering2, and events2. Parking is on the South side and on the West side. There are Ground coffee and Food Courts, Sports facilities, Parks, and Playgrounds for children2. For cleanliness, it is quite clean, but at some points it can be seen that the waste of cigarette butts and snack packaging, especially around the monument to the statue of P.Diponegoro and the Banyan Tree. On Weekdays the atmosphere is not too crowded except for the afternoon, while for weekends it is very crowded with visitors and traders, especially in the afternoon.
No.
10
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Arjuna Temple
5.0
/5
4 reviews
4.1
Based on 258 reviews
26.4 km from downtown
Address: Karangsari, Dieng Kulon, Batur, Banjarnegara, Central Java 53456, Indonesia
Verified user reviews
One of oldest Hindu temple in Central Java. The iconic temple was build in 8th century.
i was here with my friends and all i can say is how great it was. the architecture of the temple is always a great sight to see and be here with my friends is one of a great moment.
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