Imagine this. You have the choice to pack your bags right now and fly far, far away. So here’s a clear choice: Indonesia! This country is always a good idea, isn’t it? Particularly between April and September, but honestly? We Dutch are not easily impressed by a rain shower or two, so as far as we are concerned, Indonesia can be on your travel bucket list all year round. After a flight of about 15 hours, you step into the capital city of the country: Jakarta. Although most travelers hop straight on to the next destination, we recommend that you don’t do that and spend a little time in Jakarta. This metropolis with its 10 million residents has much to offer for a proper city trip. The chaos embraces the charm, and the delicious Indonesian food beckons from every street corner. A well-known Bali belly, but in a good way, awaits you. Curious about what to do in Jakarta? Here’s a list of the coolest sights and activities in the Indonesian capital. From accommodations to things to do and wonderful restaurants: all the hotspots you need to visit are listed below. Off to Indonesia, off to Jakarta!
Jakarta | Indonesia
→ Handy: Vliegtickets deals naar Jakarta
→ Hotel Tip: DoubleTree Jakarta, Mövenpick Jakarta City Centre, and Shangri-La Jakarta
Hotel Tips: 3 Places You Want to Stay in Jakarta
If we could give one tip: Pamper yourself after a long intercontinental flight, where you’ve probably barely slept and the food is mediocre at best. You tackle that jet lag a bit better when you’re treated like royalty. Give yourself time to acclimate, quite literally: with an average annual temperature of 33 degrees, it’s somewhat of an adjustment for us Dutch in Indonesia. Especially in the busy, chaotic, and densely populated city of Jakarta, where it always feels a bit warmer. Already convinced to opt for a good, comfortable, and slightly more luxurious accommodation in Jakarta at the start of your round trip through Indonesia? You can always cut back later during your trip by choosing budget options. Here’s a look at three of the best, most beautiful, and most comfortable accommodations in Jakarta.
1. Double Tree Hotel in Jakarta
DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta: The Hilton has done it again, creating a gem of an accommodation downtown Jakarta. The five stars are well-deserved and – we think – fit perfectly in this hotel. How about a pool surrounded by lush greenery, where it’s always cocktail o’clock at the pool bar? The hotel has everything you’d expect from a hotel of this caliber, from a gym to a lavish breakfast buffet. Many travelers are overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle in Jakarta, and the Hilton is just what you need: your own oasis of calm. Rooms start from about 95 euros per night. What a fantastic price for a 5-star hotel.
→ Book now: DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta
2. Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta
Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta City Centre: another 5 stars hit the blog. This brand-new hotel – at the time of writing this article, in 2025 – deserves a spot on this list. Just for the free late-night snacks that help you through your jet lag. Double rooms start from 90 euros per night.
→ Book now: Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta City Centre
3. Shangri-La Jakarta Hotel
Shangri-La Jakarta: it’s no surprise that this hotel boasts a strong 5-star rating. What do you get back for the price of around 150 euros per room? A pool that will amaze you, beds you won’t want to get out of, and an Italian restaurant called Rosso. The spa is also worth a visit; a massage to ease the neck pain from your flight is a true gift to yourself.
→ Book now: Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta City Centre
Attractions and Things to Do in Jakarta
Although many travelers skip Jakarta, we recommend staying for at least two nights in the capital. There is plenty to see, do, and experience. And… the already mentioned jet lag will thank you for this choice! Jakarta has that unique combination of a busy, chaotic Southeast Asian city – including cities like Bangkok – but with a dollop of charm added. If you at least know where to go. Make sure not to miss the following attractions and things to do in Jakarta. Oh, and a general tip: travel by taxi (download Grab, the Asian equivalent of Uber) because the traffic is chaotic, and Jakarta is sprawling.
Kota
Our favorite neighborhood in the city. The Kota district is known for its Dutch history, and a hint of that past can be found in the old, colonial buildings that line this neighborhood. Here you will find museums, cafes, and art galleries, and with one glance at the central square, you’ll be thrown back to the well-known 17th century. Wander through this small yet well-organized district and be sure to visit the Jakarta History Museum and the city post office & art gallery. At the latter, you can even send a postcard home, so you can check that off your to-do list.
Shopping in the Famous Shopping Malls
If you have ever traveled to a Southeast Asian country, the term “shopping mall” will be familiar to you. They are nothing like the shopping centers we know. They are big, bigger, the biggest, and shiny all the way. And extremely cold, as the air conditioning is turned to ‘on’. This is also true in Jakarta. Here you’ll find malls with – of course – shops, but also playgrounds, cinemas, and restaurants. If the heat gets too overwhelming, it’s perfectly fine to spend an afternoon here. Favorites? Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia Mall.
Dive into Jakarta’s Nightlife
Jakarta comes to life in the evening. The heat and humidity during the day often keep people indoors, but in the evening – when it’s a bit more pleasant outside – the city buzzes. Jakarta is known for having some of the best clubs in all of Asia. The hot and happening Jakarta heads out to the best clubs in the city. Start your evening in a karaoke bar (you can’t miss it: there are dozens to choose from in the city) and finish up at Centro 360, which has five floors including a disco, live music section, and a restaurant. In short: dance the night away in Jakarta and then flop into bed at your fantastic accommodation. The best combination, if we say so ourselves.
City Walking Tour Through the Slums with Hidden Tours
As a tourist, you primarily see the beautiful picture of Jakarta, but the raw side is often overlooked. Poverty and enormous slums, where – in the part of the city you’ll visit on the tour – as many as fifteen thousand people live. It’s bizarre to realize what daily life is like for these people. We were impressed by the stories but also the hospitality of the people. They happily invite you in. You crawl and sneak over train tracks and tiny alleyways with your guide, who tells you about the lives of the locals. The tour lasts about 4 hours, and you pay around 40 euros per person, half of which goes to the local community to support them. Well worth it!
Hop to Thousand Islands
We prepare you in Jakarta for heat, hustle, and chaos. If this unexpectedly overwhelms you? Then take the boat to Pulau Seribu – also known as the Thousand Islands – to spend a day relaxing. Boats regularly depart from Marina Ancol harbor in the northern part of Jakarta for this group of islands located in the Java Sea. In about two hours by boat, you’ll arrive in another world called Pulau Sepa: a world of sun, sea, and stretching white sandy beaches. Here you will find coral reefs and can enjoy excellent snorkeling.
Must-Try Restaurants in Jakarta
Everything that comes from Indonesia is popular, including the food. Let’s be honest: your mouth waters just hearing dishes like rendang, soto ayam, and gado gado, right? You’re in luck in Jakarta as it is packed with restaurants. You can enjoy amazing food on every street corner, and we can barely remember how many delicious satays we devoured during the 6 weeks we were in Indonesia. Here are three great restaurants in Jakarta:
- Cafe Batavia: located in the Kota neighborhood, and while it’s a bit – or more than a bit – touristy, it’s worth it in our opinion. The restaurant is housed in a stunning building. Favorite here? Nasi goreng. Definitely worth trying.
- Lara Djonggrang: not rated as a top choice on Google Review for nothing (and we love using reviews to base our dining choices). Authentic Indonesian food in a matching setting awaits you here.
- Skye Bar: located on the 56th floor of the BGA tower, the sky bar offers a fantastic view over the city. Worth it just for that. Jump in a Grab taxi for an aperitif in your most chic outfit and dance the night away.
Want to Read More About Java and Indonesia?
Here are some useful links:
Yogyakarta: immerse yourself in local culture & admire the most beautiful temples
Want to know what to do in Bandung? Check out these 7 tips!
Everything about Semarang: Kampung Pelangi, street markets, and more!
All about Malang on Java: From colorful neighborhoods to impressive nature
Ready to plan a trip right away? Handy links:
Flight deals to Jakarta
Travel to Java and Bali with Tui
Arrange your trip with the building blocks of Riksja
The coolest hotels in Jakarta
→ Check out all articles about Indonesia.
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