Attractions Nearby Semarang, Day Trips and Excursions

(Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)

Close to Semarang and located throughout Central Java are an array of attractions, resort towns and possible day trip destinations. From Semarang, it is possible to journey to the attractions of Ambarawa, Bandungan, Jepara, Kudus and the lively cities of Solo (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta.

If you are based in Semarang and planning to visit some temples, then a trip to the Borobudur Temple and its endless ancient attractions really is a must, along with the almost adjacent Prambanan temples. Alternatively, the Gedung Solo Temples are also nearby, along with important archeological sites scattered around the Dieng Plateau.

Ambarawa

A thriving market town less than 30 km / 19 miles from Semarang, Ambarawa is regularly frequented by keen train spotters, since it is home to the ever-popular Ambarawa Train Station Museum, which is overflowing with railway memorabilia from the past two centuries. The Ambarawa Train Station Museum is also known as the 'Museum Kereta Api Ambarawa' and houses a number of lovingly restored steam locomotives from the late 19th century and early part of the 20th century.

Bandungan

The attractive hill resort of Bandungan is not to be confused with the similarly named city of Bandung, which lies in West Java, close to Jakarta and the Banten province. Bandungan is well connected by regular buses and is generally used by many as nothing more than a gateway to the outlying Gedung Solo Temples, as well as being a useful place to escape from the high temperatures on the northerly shoreline.

Borobudur

The Borobudur Temple is to Indonesia what Machu Picchu is to Peru - a wondrous ancient attraction of epic proportions. Lying approximately 94 km / 58 miles south of Semarang, the Borobudur Temple is one of the most spectacular sights in South-East Asia and is believed to date from the mid-8th century, being built with in excess of two million individual stone blocks. This Buddhist monument earned itself the prestigious title of World Heritage Site in 1991. The temple's admission charge also allows entrance into the onsite Karmawibhangga Archaeological Museum.

Demak

Featuring a very important place in Java's history, Demak was the capital city of the first Islamic state on the island. The town of Demak is close to Semarang and stands just over 26 km / 16 miles to the north-east, where attractions include the acclaimed Muslim pilgrimage site of Mesjid Agung, which dates back more than 550 years and is the most historical mosque still standing on the whole of Java. If you are interested in learning a little more about the Mesjid Agung Mosque, then a museum is on hand and filled with related artefacts.

Gedung Solo Temples

The Gedung Solo Temples are close to Semarang and comprise a total of nine small Hindu temples, which are distributed around the Gurung Ungaran foothills. Built during the 8th and 9th centuries, the Gedung Solo Temples are fairly simple in appearance, with the main attraction here being the simply awesome view across Danau Rawa Pening, Gunung Merbabu and Gunung Merapi.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Jepara

Jepara is a small and surprisingly affluent town, famed for its exceptional woodcarving and furniture businesses. There are a huge assortment of woodcarving workshops lining the road into Jepara and if you have come here for a souvenir or two, then the choice can be a little overwhelming to say the least. On the westerly outskirts of Jepara, the seaside park of Pantai Kartini is worth checking out and offers inexpensive boat hire and trips to the neighbouring island of Pulau Panjang.

Kudus

Kudus is an interesting town, since it is actually the only place on the island of Java to have a name with Arabic origins. Located just over 50 km / 31 miles to the north-east of Semarang, the attractions of Kudus can be easily reached in around an hour. Those intending to pay Kudus a visit can expect to marvel at the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Mesjid Al-Manar), which dates back to the middle of the 16th century and features an eye-catching minaret (menara). Just behind the mosque, the Tomb of Sunan Kudus is quite impressive, while for something completely different, take a tour around the Djarum factory, where Indonesia's famous 'Kretek' tobacco / clove cigarettes are produced in huge quantities.

Solo (Surakarta)

The spreading city of Solo also goes by the name of Surakarta and stands at 107 km / 66 miles to the south-east of Semarang. Solo's attractions include palaces (such as the famed Kraton Surakarta and the Puri Mangkunegaran), parks and temples, and there is even a zoo. Batik silk is available throughout Solo and makes for the perfect souvenir, with handmade batiks being the most desirable and expensive.

Yogyakarta

Often referred to as being the soul of Java, the city of Yogyakarta is popular with tourists and at 125 km / 78 miles from Semarang, day trips here are just about possible, if you are prepared for an early start. The very heart of Yogyakarta is centred around an enormous palace (the Kraton), which is really more like a small walled city and home to around 25,000 residents. Located on the western side of the kraton, the Water Castle (Taman Sari) is an enticing pleasure park and was built for the sultan and his family. Yogyakarta's main market resides on the Jalan A Yani and sells everything from spices (rempah rempah) and local produce, to clothing and batik scarves. Lovers of museums will no doubt enjoy visiting the Sono Budoyo Museum and its excellent collection of Javanese art works.