Jakarta

Day Trips

Make the most of your day with our curated plans, packed with Jakarta's hidden gems and unique experiences!

day 1
Arrival & Kota Tua Exploration
morning
:

Arrive in Jakarta, complete immigration, and transfer to a hotel near Kota Tua to freshen up. Head to Café Batavia for a hearty local breakfast overlooking Fatahillah Square. Stroll around the colonial architecture and watch street performers bring history to life.

afternoon
:

Sample local snacks like siomay at Jalan Pintu Besar Selatan food stalls. Visit Jakarta History Museum and Wayang Museum to delve into the city's past. Pause at a local coffee shop to rest while savoring an avocado coffee.

evening
:

Enjoy a riverside walk along Kali Besar and admire the illuminated old warehouses. Dine at a seafood restaurant in Sunda Kelapa Harbor with fresh grilled ikan bakar. Return to the hotel for a soothing early night or try a rooftop bar with city views.

day 2
National Museum & Merdeka Square
morning
:

Start with a traditional nasi uduk breakfast near the National Museum, fueling up for a cultural deep dive. Spend two hours wandering exhibits showcasing prehistoric fossils, tribal art, and historic relics. Engage with an insightful guided tour to understand Indonesia's rich heritage.

afternoon
:

Walk across the landscaped Merdeka Square to the National Monument (Monas). Ride the elevator to the observation deck for panoramic cityscapes. Meander through the surrounding gardens and snap photos of the presidential palace.

evening
:

Head to Jalan Sabang street food alley for an array of sate, bakso, and martabak. Find a cozy warung to sample es cendol or es doger for dessert. Conclude the evening enjoying modern Indonesian jazz at a nearby lounge.

day 3
Thousand Islands Day Trip
morning
:

Rise before sunrise to catch the speedboat from Marina Ancol to the Thousand Islands. Enjoy freshly prepared on-board coffee and pastries, feeling the sea breeze. Arrive at Pulau Macan and check into a charming eco-resort with overwater bungalows.

afternoon
:

Snorkel above vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. Pedal along the island's trail to visit a hidden coastal freshwater lake. Indulge in a picnic lunch on the white-sand beach prepared by your resort.

evening
:

Watch the sunset from a beachfront lounge with a refreshing coconut. Savor a seafood barbecue dinner while local musicians play gamelan. Return to mainland Jakarta or stay overnight under starlit skies.

day 4
Glodok Chinatown & Modern Cafes
morning
:

Meander through Glodok's bustling markets, sampling kue keranjang and bakpia as incense smoke drifts around Boen Tek Bio temple. Haggle with vendors over Chinese herbs and antique trinkets along Petak Sembilan. Absorb the neighborhood's mix of color, aroma, and heritage.

afternoon
:

Cross the Ciliwung River and head to Kemang for a modern coffee scene. Sip a single-origin brew in a minimalist café, surrounded by greenery and local artwork. Pair your drink with avocado toast or a melt-in-your-mouth croissant.

evening
:

Return to Glodok to try authentic Peranakan dishes like mie yamin or ayam tian. Dive into a labyrinth of night markets illuminated by lanterns and neon signs. Cap the night at a speakeasy bar hidden behind a fortune cookie shop door.

day 5
Taman Mini & Ancol Dreamland
morning
:

Begin at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, snapping photos of over 30 regional pavilions showcasing traditional houses and costumes. Ride the cable car for panoramic views of the sprawling park. Sample local snacks like sagon and klepon at the cultural stands.

afternoon
:

Head to Ancol Dreamland for sun, sea, and thrills. Brave roller-coasters at Dunia Fantasi and then cool off in water slides at Atlantis Water Adventure. Grab a seaside lunch of nasi campur at the beachfront food court.

evening
:

Stroll along Ancol Beach walkway to watch purplish sunsets. Enjoy freshly grilled ikan bakar with sambal matah at one of the hawker stalls. Dance the night away at an open-air concert or chill at a beachfront café.

day 6
Shopping at Grand Indonesia & Thamrin
morning
:

Fuel up with a hearty bubur ayam at Menteng before heading to Grand Indonesia Mall. Meander through high-end boutiques and local designer pop-ups across the sprawling complex. Stop for a mid-morning pick-me-up at a chic pâtisserie café.

afternoon
:

Explore neighbouring Plaza Indonesia and indulge in luxurious retail therapy. Try on batik-inspired apparel at an upscale concept store. Treat yourself to gelato or artisanal ice cream between shopping sprees.

evening
:

Ascend to the rooftop bar at Skye for sunset cocktails and sweeping views of the glittering skyline. Savor a fusion dinner menu blending Indonesian flavors with global techniques. Cap off the night dancing to live DJ sets under the city lights.

day 7
Bogor Day Trip & Botanical Gardens
morning
:

Catch the morning train from Jakarta Kota Station to Bogor, sipping Javanese coffee en route. Arrive at the historic Bogor Botanical Gardens and wander under a canopy of towering palms and banyan trees. Discover the orchid greenhouse and savor the tranquil lake views.

afternoon
:

Visit the Bogor Presidential Palace grounds and its charming but off-limits English rose garden. Lunch on Sundanese specialties at a local rumah makan, sampling lalapan and sambal terasi. Explore the lively Bogor Market for fresh fruits like markisa and belimbing.

evening
:

Return to Jakarta as twilight falls, gazing out at the illuminated cityscape. Unwind with a comforting bowl of soto betawi at a nearby warung. Relax at your hotel spa with a traditional massage to ease any travel fatigue.

day 8
Culinary Tour of Menteng & Senayan
morning
:

Begin your day in the leafy streets of Menteng with a plate of tender lontong sayur from a roadside warung. Wander past colonial-era villas and fragrant frangipani trees on the way to a bustling pasar. Sample freshly baked kue cubit and sweet pisang goreng for a mid-morning treat.

afternoon
:

Head to Senayan’s Gelora Bung Karno complex, stopping for a gourmet lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant. Visit an artisanal chocolate shop for a tasting session of single-origin Indonesian cacao. Wander through a local cooking school for a demonstration on sambal and spice blends.

evening
:

Dine at one of Senayan City’s rooftop restaurants, enjoying modern takes on nasi goreng and gado-gado. Toast with a signature cocktail infused with local tropical fruits. Dance the night away at a lively live-music bar showcasing indie bands.

day 9
Museum Hopping & Batik Workshop
morning
:

Start museum hopping at Bank Indonesia Museum to learn about Jakarta’s financial history in a restored colonial bank building. Continue to the Wayang Museum to admire intricately carved leather puppets and traditional stage props. Enjoy a snack break with kue rangi in the museum café.

afternoon
:

Venture to Museum MACAN for contemporary art exhibits by Indonesian and international artists. Join an interactive gallery tour to deepen your appreciation of modern art forms. Stop at the museum’s bistro for a light salad and freshly brewed es kopi luwak.

evening
:

Roll up your sleeves for a batik-making workshop in Kota Baru, mastering the art of wax-resist dyeing on fabric. Display your one-of-a-kind batik cloth alongside fellow participants. Celebrate with a festive dinner at a nearby padang restaurant, savoring rendang and gulai tunjang.

day 10
Spa, Farewell Dinner & Departure
morning
:

Sleep in and luxuriate with a Balinese massage and aromatherapy session at your hotel spa. Savor a light breakfast of fresh tropical fruit, yogurt, and coconut water by the poolside. Embrace the tranquility as you reflect on your Jakarta adventure.

afternoon
:

Shop for last-minute souvenirs like batik scarves, silver jewelry, or artisanal coffee at a nearby boutique. Take a leisurely stroll through a leafy park or café-lined boulevard to soak up the city’s rhythm one last time. Enjoy a late lunch of mie Aceh in a cozy urban hideaway.

evening
:

Dine at a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the city skyline with a multi-course tasting menu highlighting Indonesian flavors. Toast to newfound memories with a glass of sparkling palm wine. Transfer to Soekarno-Hatta Airport for your departure flight, bidding adieu to Jakarta.

Discover Jakarta

Read more in our Jakarta 2025 Travel Guide.

Jakarta Travel Guide