Attractions Nearby Jakarta, Day Trips and Excursions

(Jakarta, Java, Indonesia)

There are many wonderful Indonesian attractions close to Jakarta, ranging from tranquil beaches to hectic cities. Situated around 60 km / 37 miles to the south of Jakarta and within West Java, Bogor is an enormous city, with a population of over three million people and plenty of attractions for those looking for a day trip.

Also consider the beach resort of Anyer, which is to be found roughly 160 km / 99 miles from Jakarta and is around four hours' drive away. Other popular day trip attractions include both the city of Bekasi and Puncak, while further afield, notable excursions include Bandung, Semarang and the Ujung Kulon National Park.

Ujung Kulon National Park

The Ujung Kulon National Park lies directly to the south-west of Jakarta, alongside the Indian Ocean and on the far south-westerly side of Java, where it can be reached in around five hours by car. Home to an enormous rain forest and many animal attractions, highlights within the park include the very rare Javan one-horned rhino, which number around 50 in total and can only be occasionally sighted. The Ujung Kulon National Park is now a World Heritage Site and has been since the early 1990s.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Anyer

Those sunbathing on the beaches of Anyer will find that many locals sell tasty snacks on the beach, particularly along the Putri Duyung area. Beneath the surface of the water, scuba divers will enjoy exploring the exceptional coral reefs and exotic fish. Others will find that Anyer is located at the very start of the Great Post Road.

Bandung

Bandung sits some 180 km / 112 miles to the south-east of Jakarta and can be reached in just under three hours, along the Cipularang toll road, meaning that a day trip here is possible if you are prepared for an early start. Currently the fourth-biggest city in Indonesia, Bandung serves as the capital of West Java and is known for its proximity to a number of volcanoes, natural hot springs and spreading tea plantations. Other attractions within Bandung include the Museum Konperensi, the Museum Mandala Wangsit, the tower of Masjid Agung, and the Bandung Institute of Technology.

Bekasi

To the south-east of Jakarta and home to a population now exceeding two million residents, the ever-expanding city of Bekasi has become something of a bustling commuter city for Jakarta, being generally considered to be a satellite city. The attractions of Bekasi are not especially noteworthy, with most people likely to come here for the cheaper accommodation. However, do be aware that the highways regularly become rather congested and heavy traffic jams are commonplace.

Bogor

There are many good reasons for day trippers to pay a visit to Bogor, with the city's exceptional Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya Bogor) coming highly recommended, where both the Orchid Garden (Rumah Anggrek) and the Presidential Palace (Istana Bogor) await. On a sunny day, the walking trails next to the canals and rivers become especially appealing, while golfers will enjoy playing a round at either the Klub Golf Bogor Raya, the Rainbow Hill or the Riverside Golf Club.

Depok

A sizable city in West Java, Depok is sited to the south of Jakarta and linked by the Bogor train line, being home to the acclaimed University of Indonesia, which boasts a student base of approximately 35,000. Those who make the effort to come to Depok will find the main attractions are based around the vast Lake of Babakan (Setu Babakan), where each week on Wednesday and Sunday, locals perform folk dancing.

Puncak

Puncak can be found around 75 km / 47 miles to the south of Jakarta and has a driving time of around two hours. This mountain region of West Java offers beautiful scenery and many popular mountain resorts. A visit to the Indonesian Flower Garden (Taman Bunga Nusantara) is recommended, although most tourists tend to come to Puncak to spend time at the country's premier zoo, the Taman Safari Indonesia, where elephants, hippos, lions and zebras are to be found. Close by is the Wisata Agro Gunung Mas Tea Plantation.

Semarang

Connected to Jakarta by air, train and road, Semarang can be reached in just over ten hours by car and is therefore too far for a day trip, although perfect for a weekend break. Semarang is located to the far east and serves as the capital of Central Java, being called home by more than 1.5 million people. Attractions and landmarks within Semarang are in plentiful supply and include the Sam Po Kong Temple, the Tanjung Mas Port, the Tanjung Mas Church, the Taman Budaya Raden Saleh Gardens, and the Taman Budaya Raden Saleh, which is an enormous square within the very heart of the city. Also hard-to-miss is the Tugu Muda, a prominent monument commemorating a five-day battle in late 1945. Families visiting Semerang will enjoy spending time at the Mangkang Zoo or the Marina Beach.