Attractions Nearby Bandung, Day Trips and Excursions

(Bandung, West Java, Indonesia)



There are plenty of day trip possibilities and neighbouring attractions suiting those based in Bandung, around both West and Central Java. Popular nearby attractions within easy reach of Bandung include mountain trekking, lush tea plantations, natural hot springs, campsites and coastal resorts.

A charming suburb town in West Java, Lembang has become something of a hotspot for weekend excursions and stands on the foothills of a rather prominent mountain, where it is just 20 minutes from Bandung. Other popular attractions and excursions worth considering include the Tangkuban Prahu volcano, the Rancabali tea estate, the Ciater Hot Springs and also the Maribaya Hot Springs.


Ciater Hot Springs

Located close to Bandung and approximately 9 km / 6 miles to the north-east of nearby Tangkuban Perahu crater, the attractions of Ciater reside within the very heart of a spreading clove and tea plantation. The Sari Ater Hot Spring Resort resides at the end of the main road and serves as the top draw card in the Ciater area, being amongst the best of its kind that the region has. There are a series of small sulphurous pools at the resort, which are fed by natural mineral springs, warmed by volcanic activity, and are reputed to offer medicinal qualities.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for pools

Kawah Putih

The mountains situated on the southerly outskirts of Bandung tend to offer less in the way of attractions and facilities than those in the north, although these resorts do have the distinct advantage that they are quieter and less developed. If you are in this area, then do keep an eye out for the volcanic crater that is better known as the Kawah Putih. This crater comes with a beautiful azure-blue lake and may be small, but is really quite stunning and very photogenic. The Kawah Putih is especially close to Gunung Patuha and Rancabali.

Lembang

Close to the Sari Ater Hot Spring Resort and around 15 km / 9 miles to the south of Bandung, Lembang is a small and often bustling market town, with areas boasting a strong Dutch colonial character. Day trippers visiting Lembang will find that the waterfalls at nearby Maribaya park are particularly enticing. The acclaimed Bosscha Observatory (Observatorium) is also located at Lembang, on the Jalan Peneropongan Bintang, and is actually Indonesia's only observatory currently in existence.

Maribaya Hot Springs

Maribaya is to be found 5 km / 3 miles to the east of Lembang and therefore within easy reach of Bandung. The number one attraction here is without a shadow of a doubt the Maribaya Hot Springs, which comprise an extremely popular thermal spa and some rather beautifully landscaped flower gardens, as well as a dramatic waterfall and a neighbouring river gorge, complete with hiking track to Dago.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Tangkuban Prahu

Tangkuban Prahu is an active volcano and lies a mere 30 km / 19 miles from Bandung, being sited directly to the north. Very much a tourist attraction in its own right, Tangkuban Prahu attracts hordes of visitors each year, who come here to marvel at the sheer scale of the crater. It is possible to take a hike up to the top and peer into the crater itself, where you can view the hot springs and feel the heat. If you are feeling peckish, then you may like to buy one of the eggs that are cooked on the hot surface of the volcano.

Rancabali

Standing just over 40 km / 25 miles from Bandung, Rancabali has become a vast tea estate, with endless tea plantations and picture-postcard countryside scenery. Rancabali is located next to Situ Patengan, an attractive lake offering tea rooms and pleasure boats. The Malabar Tea Estate is one of the main attractions here and is around 5 km / 3 miles from Pengalengan, where guided tours of the productive plantation await visitors.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, charge for guided tours