Top 10 Things To Do in Jogja

Top 10 Things To Do in Jogja


#1 Sunrise or Sunset at Borobudur Temple

It’s a bit expensive (IDR 350.000/person for sunset: price as of Dec 2018) but totally worth the price. You’ll get to experience the tranquility of Borobudur Temple with only a few people lingering around you. Unfortunately, on our last sunset visit to Borobudur Temple on Dec 2018, the guide told us that more and more people (too many people) are interested in this sunrise and sunset packages. Thus, the experience is becoming less magical :P

my sunset visit on Dec 2018: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2019/05/borobudur-sunset.html

my sunrise visit on Dec 2008: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2008/12/sunrise-borobudur.html

#2 Try riding the 'odong-odong' of Alkid

Unleash your inner child and try the ‘odong-odong’ at alun-alun kidul (southern city square). When the night comes, this place is filled with odong-odong. You can choose whichever you want and drive it around the square. I went there in 2017 with my two colleagues, payed IDR 40.000 for one round. It was very amusing and satisfying :D we giggled along the way.

#3 Try sate klathak

One of the famous place for this kind of satay is Sate Klathak “Pak Pong”. This place serves goat meat in many forms: sate (satay), gulai, tengkleng, and many more. One portion of sate klathak consist of two sticks of satay (yes, only two sticks but it has big chunks of meat on each stick) and a soup.

#4 Try kopi joss

While in jogja, make sure you try kopi joss (charcoal coffee). There are many stalls offering kopi joss at night located north of the Tugu Train Station area.
You will be served a glass of hot coffee with a burning charcoal inside. Take the charcoal out before you drink the coffee.

#5 Visit Museum Affandi

Affandi is one of the famous Indonesian expressionist painter. You can find many of his artworks at Museum Affandi. This museum in Jogja consist of several gallery building displaying many  artworks, from his earlier sketches to his daughter’s paintings. This museum is a must visit.
You can also see Affandi's paintings in Galeri Nasional's permanent exhibition and Neka Art Museum Ubud

My experience at Museum Affandi: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2017/11/museum-affandi-jogja.html

#6 Visit Kotagede

This charming old town area is best explored by walking. Walk through the small streets and alleys and find many many interesting spots. Interesting spots not to be missed: an old mosque, remains of a fortress, old cemetery, and traditional market.
I think you can skip the silver shops and just concentrate on exploring the alleys. If you like photography and like cultural stuff, I’m sure you’ll like Kotagede.

My visit to Kotagede: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2017/11/kotagede-jogja.html

#7 Sendratari Ramayana Prambanan 

Ramayana Ballet Performance is based on Ramayana stories and performed at night on an outdoor stage with prambanan temple as a background. I don't know why they translate it as a 'ballet'. I think it's more like a traditional dance - theater.
Well, the 'ballet' is usually performed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on dry season (i.e. from May to October). You can check the schedule here: http://visitramayana.com/reservation/schedule/

#8 Batik Workshop 

At Batik Kayu Sanggar Peni (located at Desa Krebet), you can try to create your own batik motive on a wood medium using chanting and malam (hot wax). Batik workshops usually offer the participants to create batik on a piece of small cloth the size of a handkerchief. But At sanggar peni, I got the chance to create batik on a small wooden mask, using chanting and malam. 

See the pictures here: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2012/12/mbatik-desa-krebet-jogja.html


#9 Merapi Jeep Tour 

One of the popular thing to do when in Jogja is to join a Merapi Jeep Tour (or Merapi Lava Tour). The tour takes you on a jeep to see Merapi mountain areas which are affected by the last Merapi big eruption on 2010. There are many tour operators providing this service. 

http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2015/04/merapi-jeep-tour.html


#10 Visit the beaches in Gunungkidul area

When you’re done exploring the city of jogja and ready for other adventure, head to gunungkidul area and visit the beaches. There are so many of them, each with their own characteristics. Some of the beaches also have their own instragrammable spots. Fortunately (or is it unfortunate?) I visited some of the places before they started to build man-made ‘instagrammable spots’. 

Pictures of Pantai Baron at 2014: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2015/04/pantai-baron.html

Pictures of Pantai Wediombo at 2010: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2011/01/pantai-wediombo.html

And if you’re feeling extra adventurous (like I did about 10 years ago :P), try caving at jomblang cave (http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2009/11/goa-jomblang.html) or try rock climbing at siung beach area (http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2009/10/pantai-tebing-siung.html).

For more Jogja travel info, please click here

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