Melo Villareal
Jakarta Bucket List: Amazing Places to Visit in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta is a city known for its busy metropolis, but it is even more fascinating because it is a very safe and affordable city. The city has numerous fun things that can quickly feel up to 52 weekends to complete your year.
When you arrive in Jakarta from the airport, the amusement can already start – the first thing you want to do is avoid the pack of drivers that vehemently offer you a ride.
The only reliable ride operator in Jakarta is Blue Bird, and they are stationed right at the airport. You can alternatively hire a private car or use the Silver Bird service.
The most important thing when you arrive in Jakarta is having your own transport sorted out.
Here are 15 exciting things to do in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Start your vacation with a day in Taman Mini Indonesia Park.
This unique park will easily make you spend the whole day here, whether you are solo or with your better half or a family.
Taman Mini Indonesia Park is the best place to begin learning Indonesian culture and prepare you well and make the rest of your stay in Jakarta worth your while. You will also get to witness fantastic art performances from different Indonesian islands.
At the heart of the park is a manmade lake that portrays the archipelago on a small scale, which fascinatingly you can view from above as you ride in a cable car. There are also museums, a bird park, a flower garden, a library, a water park, an IMAX cinema, and theater shows.
Visit Ancol Dreamland
To fully enjoy what Taman Impian Jaya Ancol offers, you will probably need more than one day. This is Jakarta’s major amusement park set on the northern waterfront.
The park is a massive complex with 552 hectares of space and features a golf course and a resort.
There are plenty of fun rides to attempt at Dufan Fantasy World, some splashing thrills at Atlantis Water Park, and two major beaches that also double as concert venues. There are still numerous recreational sites at the park for water sport.
Schedule a day at Indonesia National Gallery
If you are an art lover, you are going to love spending time at the National Gallery. Located in Central Jakarta, the National Gallery is an art center and museum with over a thousand art pieces created by national and foreign artists.
Permanent exhibits at this art center include statues and paintings by famous Indonesian painters like Raden Saleh and Nyoman Lempad of Bali. On the other hand, temporary exhibitions are usually held in the museum’s three spacious art halls.
Stroll down Chinatown
Jakarta’s Chinatown bears a lot of significance, historically as well as culturally. The Chinatown is sometimes called Glodok, and it is situated adjacent to Jakarta’s old town known as Kota Tua.
Jakarta Chinatown and Jakarta’s old town share the nostalgic setting dominated by eastern architecture in streetscapes.
You can find plenty of 17th-century temples, majestically forming the part of the area’s townscape among overriding rows of family-owned shops and eateries.
Cross over to Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua)
Jakarta’s old town has multiple names; Kota Tua and Old Batavia. The area is history as the former Jakarta’s downtown area and the Dutch East India Company headquarters.
You can admire the town’s building ancient architectural features and most of the city’s main museums lined up here.
The city is currently reconstructing the deteriorated buildings and pushing the Kota Tua to be included in UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
Visit Ragunan Zoo
This is Jakarta’s main zoo, and it goes by either Kebun Binatang Ragunan or Taman Margasatwa. It is located right in the Pasar Minggu sub-district, southern Jakarta. The zoo has been around since the Dutch colonial era, and now it houses over 3,000 animals, among them from around the world.
The zoo settings are perfect for pleasant walks; with its range of remarkable green trees, you can see various animals from endangered species to indigenous like Komodo dragons, Sumatran tigers, orang-utans tapirs, and a variety of tropical birds.
Chill your day in Suropati Park and Lembang Park
Although Jakarta is one of the cities with a high concentration of skyscrapers, it has several coop parks.
Two of the main city parks include Suropati Park and Lembang Park. You will encounter friendly locals sitting or jogging around the park.
Do a car-free day on Sunday.
You can try a bit of a workout on a Car-Free day along the street of Sudirman-Thamrin. The event starts at 6 am all the way till noon.
It is a fantastic experience to see the main road without a single automobile. It is also a perfect opportunity to meet up with all Jakarta communities who gather here in the morning.
Counteract Jakarta’s air pollution at Blue Terrace
Breathe fresh air at Blue Terrace as you enjoy health-conscious dishes. The menu is abundant with colorful salads and mains, all skillfully arranged and decorated with edible flowers.
Shop at the malls
There are too many malls in Jakarta you can shop in. Just make sure you are loaded. The best mall is the Grand Indonesia Mall, inside which you can shop for souvenirs.
Other affordable shops include Thamrin City, ITC, and Tanah Abang. You can also shop for groceries in numerous traditional markets around the city.
Enjoy Jakarta nightlife
Jakarta is most often referred to as the “city that never sleeps.” The city has a unique evening charm, with its glittering skyline that looks astounding.
There are numerous nightclubs and bars which are forever busy.
Visit Thousand Islands (officially Kepulauan Seribu)
A few hours of boat ride from inland Jakarta will come across a thousand islands, which are still part of Jakarta. You can escape the busy life of Jakarta by going to these tropical islands.
Just relax on the beaches and enjoy the cool breeze. If you get a chance, visit the Pulau Macan for exotic Indonesian dishes.
Visit the Istiqlal Mosque and the Catholic Cathedral
This will amaze you, the symbol of intolerance and harmony that is rare in the modern world.
The Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, stands directly opposite the Catholic Cathedral. Both buildings feature beautiful and dazzling architecture.
Browse for antiques at Jalan Surabaya
Spare an evening stroll down Surabaya Street. You can find plenty of antique stores lining up the street.
Try as many restaurants and cafes as you can
Jakarta has a lot of cafes, bars, and restaurants. You will be served various foreign dishes such as Indian, Lebanese, Italian, and much more.
Jakarta Travel and Tour Packages
Jakarta Old Batavia Walking Tour
Known as “The Queen of the East, Jakarta’s old district is the gateway to the city’s colonial period.
On this three-hour-old district tour, you will get an informative introduction to the events that have shaped Jakarta’s history.
Check out our complete list of recommended Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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