The island archipelago of Indonesia, which is full of beautiful sandy beaches, tropical jungles and home to numerous animal species, is also home to some charming cities. Besides all the paradisiacal scenery, many people are also drawn to the cities for the pleasant climate, culinary delights and various tourist attractions.
1. ubud, bali
Bali, the island of the gods, has its own charm and is one of the most famous islands in Indonesia. On this small island is located Ubud, one of the most beautiful cities in Indonesia. Ubud is a town with a rural flair and offers beautiful views of the country's typical rice fields. The city is also the center of culture and art in Bali. Here you will find artworks by contemporary artists and enjoy a variety of exotic festivals, as well as practice the beneficial sport of yoga. In addition, Ubud is a sanctuary of Balinese Hindu art and culture.
2. yogyakarta, central java
With its dense palace atmosphere and the nuances of Java, Yogyakarta is a city worth seeing, densely populated with tourists. If you are on the island of Java, besides beach vacation, you should definitely take a temple tour in and around Yogyakarta. As a city with charming cultural and historical sites, Yogyakarta offers culinary delights, street art, exceptional hospitality and pretty handcrafted souvenirs. The city's perfect location means it's not far from the nearest historic temples. Be sure to visit the iconic Borobudur Temple in Magelang and admire the largest Hindu relics in the city, the Prambanan Temple.
3. bandung, west java
The capital of West Java, often called the Paris of Java, is the best place for those who like fashion and fashion. The cool weather combined with the hustle and bustle of fashion stores in the middle of the city and many other tourist attractions make Bandung a city not to be missed. Many residents of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi also spend their weekends in Bandung. Since 2015, Bandung has held the title of "UNESCO Creative City" and has become a "home" for creative entrepreneurs.
4. Manado, North Sulawesi
Manado, famous for its world-renowned Bunaken dive site, is also considered one of the most beautiful cities in Indonesia. Once used as a fortress town by the Dutch during colonial times, the city, which borders the Philippines, is now home to the traditions and culture of the Minahasa tribes. Unfortunately, most of Manado's old buildings collapsed due to the rebellion in the 1950s. However, Manado still retains the beauty of its coastline, Lake Tondano and its exotic anti-mainstream market in Tomohon. Since the majority of Manado's residents are Christians, don't be surprised if local restaurants offer menus with pork or dog meat.
5. batu, East Java
Batu City was once a hilly area often used as a vacation destination for Dutch visitors during colonial times. This laid-back town, filled with apple orchards and orchid nurseries, has been increasingly visited by tourists in recent years. This is due to the emergence of several interesting and new tourist attractions, such as the Angkut Museum, Eco Green Park, East Java Park and the Batu Night Spectacular. Batu City is also known for paragliding competitions both nationally and internationally.
6th Solo, Central Java
The 'home' of Surakarta Palace, commonly called Solo, has much in common with Yogyakata. It is just that Solo has a smaller area and it is less touristy. Since Solo was a residence for the kingdom of Mangkunegaraan and Kasunanan, it still retains its local traditions and customs. One of the famous crafts of Solo is batik. The batik centers in Solo are one of the driving forces for tourism and economy in the city. The way Solo residents speak seems to be even gentler compared to other Javanese-majority cities.
7. bogor, west java
Located near Jakarta, Bogor is the easiest and most popular destination for the residents of the capital. There are various interesting activities you can do in this tourist city with a cool climate. Starting from a visit to the safari park, a walk in the botanical garden to culinary explorations. Also, there are some tea gardens that you can visit and there is a possibility to do paragliding sports activities.
You want to see the most beautiful cities of Indonesia live?
Are you fascinated by Indonesia and would you like to experience a bit of culture as well as a beach vacation? Then take a look at our impressive 15-day Indonesia trip an. Besides breathtaking nature experiences and insights into their traditions, you will also get to know some of the most beautiful cities of the country. Our local expert and guide will give you a unique and unfiltered insight into the island landscape in and around Bali.
For additional travel inspiration follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.