10 Must-Visit Places in Yogyakarta 2025

Planning a trip to Indonesia? Don't miss Yogyakarta — a city rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. From the majestic Borobudur and Prambanan temples to lively markets and traditional arts, Yogyakarta offers something for everyone. In this 2025 travel guide, we'll highlight the best places in Yogyakarta, top attractions, and unique things to do in Yogyakarta. Whether you're into adventure, heritage, or food, this guide will show you exactly where to go in Yogyakarta for an unforgettable experience. Discover why it's one of Indonesia's must-visit destinations!

 

1. Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple and one of Indonesia's most awe-inspiring monuments. Built in the 9th century, it features nine stacked platforms adorned with over 2,600 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues. The temple is designed as a giant mandala representing the path to enlightenment. Surrounded by misty mountains and lush fields, Borobudur offers a spiritual and visual experience, especially during sunrise when golden light bathes the stone carvings.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Badrawati, Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java

• Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Entrance Fee: Rp 50,000 (locals), Rp 375,000 (foreigners); sunrise tour costs extra

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Watch the sunrise from the top of the temple

2. Explore ancient Buddhist reliefs and stupas

3. Visit the nearby Borobudur Museum

 

2. Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Built in the 9th century, its towering spires and detailed bas-reliefs depict scenes from the Ramayana. The site is a testament to ancient Java's Hindu heritage and is still used today for traditional dance performances. At night, the complex becomes even more magical under lights during cultural shows.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Raya Solo-Yogyakarta No.16, Prambanan, Sleman

• Opening Hours: Daily, 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM

• Entrance Fee: Rp 50,000 (locals), Rp 375,000 (foreigners)

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Explore the towering Hindu temples and smaller shrines

2. Watch the Ramayana Ballet (evening shows)

3. Take a bike tour around the temple complex

 

3. Kraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Palace)

The Kraton is the royal palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta and a living center of Javanese culture. Built in the 18th century, it is not only a historical site but also the current residence of the Sultan and his family. Visitors can explore intricately decorated pavilions, view royal heirlooms, and witness traditional Javanese music and dance performances. The palace offers a rare glimpse into the living traditions of Indonesia’s monarchy.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Rotowijayan No.1, Kraton, Yogyakarta City

• Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (closed Fridays)

• Entrance Fee: Rp 15,000

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Tour the royal court and audience halls

2. Watch traditional gamelan and dance performances

3. View historical artifacts and royal heirlooms

 

4. Taman Sari Water Castle

Once a royal garden and bathing complex, Taman Sari was the leisure retreat of the Sultanate. The 18th-century structure includes bathing pools, underground tunnels, and a secret mosque. Its architecture blends Javanese and Portuguese styles, creating a unique aesthetic. As you explore its ruins, towers, and subterranean passages, you can imagine the lives of sultans, queens, and palace attendants who once used this serene sanctuary.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Taman Sari, Kraton, Yogyakarta

• Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Entrance Fee: Rp 15,000

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Visit the bathing pools and royal garden ruins

2. Explore the underground mosque and secret tunnels

3. Take photos at picturesque, historical spots

 

5. Malioboro Street

Malioboro Street is the beating heart of Yogyakarta's tourism and local life. Lined with street vendors, food stalls, batik shops, and colonial-era buildings, it's the best place to soak up the city's atmosphere. Whether you're shopping for souvenirs, enjoying street food like gudeg, or watching local performers, Malioboro offers an authentic and lively taste of modern-day Yogyakarta.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Malioboro, Yogyakarta City

• Opening Hours: 24 hours (most shops 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

• Entrance Fee: Free

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Shop for batik, souvenirs, and street fashion

2. Try street food like gudeg and bakpia

3. Enjoy live music and local street performers

 

6. Ullen Sentalu Museum

This unique museum is dedicated to Javanese royal culture and batik heritage. Set against the backdrop of a forested hillside near Mount Merapi, Ullen Sentalu feels more like an art sanctuary than a conventional museum. Its atmospheric layout and curated displays tell the story of Javanese princesses, spiritual traditions, and timeless court culture. The tranquil surroundings enhance the sense of reflection and cultural appreciation.

 

 

• Address: Jl. Boyong Km 25, Kaliurang, Sleman

• Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Monday)

• Entrance Fee: Rp 50,000 (locals), Rp 100,000 (foreigners)

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Join a guided tour of royal Javanese culture

2. Admire traditional batik and royal family portraits

3. Relax at the museum café surrounded by nature

 

7. Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, looms dramatically over Yogyakarta. Adventurous travelers can take jeep tours along its lava trails, explore villages affected by past eruptions, and visit the Merapi Museum for geological insights. For those seeking a challenge, sunrise treks to the summit offer unforgettable views of central Java and a close encounter with the island’s untamed natural power.

 

 

• Address: Kaliurang, Sleman, Yogyakarta

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lava tours); summit treks start at midnight

• Entrance Fee: Jeep tours from Rp 450,000 per vehicle; hiking guides additional

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Take a 4x4 jeep ride across the lava fields

2. Visit the Merapi Museum and destroyed villages

3. Watch the sunrise from Merapi's slopes

 

8. Goa Jomblang (Jomblang Cave)

Goa Jomblang is a vertical cave known for its incredible “heavenly light” – a beam of sunlight that pierces through the cave’s roof and illuminates the cavern below. The descent into the cave requires a harness and rope, making it a thrilling adventure. Inside, you’ll walk through an ancient underground forest and marvel at the surreal natural beauty, perfect for both adrenaline junkies and nature lovers.

 

 

• Address: Jetis Wetan, Pacarejo, Semanu, Gunungkidul

• Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (advance booking required)

• Entrance Fee: Rp 500,000 – 750,000 per person (includes gear and guide)

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Rappel 60 meters down into the vertical sinkhole

2. Witness the “heavenly light” beam at midday

3. Walk through the ancient underground forest

 

9. Parangtritis Beach

Parangtritis is Yogyakarta's most famous beach, known for its dark volcanic sand, rugged cliffs, and mystical atmosphere. According to Javanese mythology, it is the domain of Nyai Roro Kidul, the Queen of the Southern Sea. Visitors come here to watch sunsets, ride ATVs along the shore, or simply listen to the crashing waves. It’s a place where local legends and dramatic landscapes come together.

 

• Address: Parangtritis, Kretek, Bantul, Yogyakarta

• Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours

• Entrance Fee: Rp 10,000

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean

2. Ride an ATV or horse-drawn cart along the beach

3. Visit Gembirawati Cliff for panoramic views

 

10. Affandi Museum

This riverside museum is dedicated to Affandi, one of Indonesia's most celebrated modern painters. The museum is housed in a set of eccentric, self-designed buildings that reflect the artist's free spirit and creativity. Inside, visitors can view his bold, expressive works as well as those of his family and peers. The Affandi Museum offers a deep look into Indonesia’s contemporary art scene through the eyes of a true visionary.

 

• Address: Jl. Laksda Adisucipto No.167, Yogyakarta

• Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Entrance Fee: Rp 25,000 (locals), Rp 50,000 (foreigners)

 

Top 3 Things to Do:

1. Explore Affandi's expressive modern paintings

2. Tour the artist’s eccentric riverfront house

3. Visit rotating exhibits of Indonesian contemporary artists

 

Travel tips

1.Download offline maps (such as Google Maps offline areas)
The network signal is poor in some areas of Yogyakarta. Downloading offline maps in advance can prevent you from getting lost, especially when going to rural areas or volcanic areas.

2.Buy tickets for attractions in advance (especially Borobudur)
Starting from 2023, Borobudur will adopt a limited capacity policy. Reservations are required in advance to reach the summit, and the number of people is limited. Be sure to purchase tickets online in advance.

3.Renting a motorcycle is more flexible, but pay attention to traffic rules
Renting a motorcycle for a day costs about IDR 70,000, which is suitable for exploring urban areas and short-distance attractions. But don’t forget to bring your international driving license and wear a helmet.

4.Accommodation in Malioboro or Prawirotaman area
These two areas have convenient transportation and many restaurants and coffee shops, making them the most comfortable choice for tourists.

5.Don't underestimate the sun and humidity in Yogyakarta
Either it's sweltering or it's exposed to the sun! Carry a quick-drying towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle with you to maintain your strength.

6.Don't trust Google’s opening hours entirely
The hours of some attractions and museums will change during holidays. It is recommended to confirm the opening status on site or by calling the day before.

7.There are not many toilets near the attractions, so please solve it in advance or bring your own tissues/wet wipes
Especially in volcanoes and remote temples, there are toilets but sometimes no water or paper.

8.Choose your bus or charter driver carefully
Some "travel agencies" in the city are at risk of ripping off customers. It is recommended to use hotel recommendations, formal apps or services with high ratings on TripAdvisor.

9.Using a local Sim card is more stable (Telkomsel signal is the best)
You can buy a SIM card at the airport or convenience store. The network speed is better than roaming and the price is cheaper.

10.Be careful of motorcyclists stealing bags at night. Carry your backpack on the inside.
Yogyakarta is generally safe, but tourists are occasionally targeted, especially at night markets or in places with little traffic.