Why Visit Yogyakarta?
Experience Travel Group
ABTA, ATOL, and B Cert Logos
Experience Travel Group Start Planning
Call Explore
Experience Travel Group
Explore 020 7924 7133 Start Planning
Why Visit Yogyakarta?
ABTA, ATOL, and B Cert Logos

Why Visit Yogyakarta?

Best known as a base for exploring the magnificent archaeological site of Borobudur, Yogyakarta (affectionately known as ‘Jogja’) has a lot to offer in its own right. Bursting at the seams with history, art and tradition, it is the colourful, soulful centre of Java and the cultural heart of Indonesia. The city is presided over by its sultan, who has been at the helm since Yogyakarta was the revolutionary capital during the Dutch occupation. Today, locals are fiercely protective of their traditional ways of life, with the Javanese court Kraton at the centre. There is plenty of exquisite architecture throughout the city, and the narrow winding lanes are great for ambling on foot or by bike. Wherever it takes you, you will never be too far from a fascinating display of local art, dance, poetry or theatre that seems to shape the daily lives of Yogyakartans - even public transport takes traditional form in the twee andong, or horse-drawn carts.

Speak to an expert 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

Uncover the Javanese culture at Ullen Sentalu, an interesting museum providing an understanding of the culture, royal history and art as told through the accounts of ancient Javanese Princesses (and the odd king). For those excited by the local cuisine, Yogyakarta is the place to be, as it is home to some of the most delicious food Indonesia has on offer. Don’t leave without trying Gudeg Jodja, a jackfruit based dish with rice, chicken and sambal.

Just out of the city, at a towering 2,911m, lies Mount Merapi (or ‘Fire Mountain’), Indonesia’s most active volcano that, despite its destructive nature, is still home to many small villages. If conditions permit in the dry season (between April and September), it makes for a great but strenuous hiking adventure, particularly if you make it up the top for sunrise to admire the spectacular view and blistering golden rays.

Aside from the famous Borobudur complex, closer to the city, you’ll find the largest Hindu temple site dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia, Prambanan, with some 244 temples. While it doesn’t have the same level of fame as Borobudur and still hasn’t been restored to its former glory, it is undoubtedly a magnificent piece of architecture. Set on a lush green plateau amongst volcanic peaks, with the sculptures and reliefs on the main Shiva temple being some of the best examples of Hindu art around, it most definitely warrants a day trip from Yogyakarta.

 

Java Holiday Ideas:

The Spirit of Indonesia

The Spirit of Indonesia

Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour has been designed to capture the wonder and variety of Indonesia.

Essential Java with Beach

Essential Java with Beach

Experience the scenery, culture and history of Java before relaxing at your chosen tropical beach paradise.

Journey East Across Java & Bali

Journey East Across Java & Bali

Travel overland through Java to Bali taking in the contrasting cultures and scenery of the exotic neighbouring islands.


~
Not sure what you’re looking for?
Let us inspire you
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Your next adventure starts with a conversation...

Start Planning

Call us 020 7924 7133

Call us 1-888-577-8452



Experience Travel Group
More Indonesia
Holiday Inspiration
  • By Island
    • Bali Holidays
    • Holidays in Java
    • Holidays in Komodo
    • Holidays In Sulawesi
    • Indonesian Borneo
  • By Theme
    • Classic Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Wildlife Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Multi-Country Holidays
Guide to
Indonesia
  • Indonesia Guide
  • Weather & When to go
  • Hotel inspiration
  • Experiences inspiration
  • Indonesia Travel Blog
Places in
Indonesia
  • Bali
    • Overview
    • South Bali
    • East Bali
    • Central Bali & Volcanoes
    • North Bali
    • West Bali
    • Ubud
    • Kuta & Southwest Beaches
    • Bali's Islands
  • Java
    • Overview
    • West Java
    • Central Java
    • East Java
    • Jakarta
    • Yogyakarta
    • Borobudur
    • Java Volcanoes
    • Java National Parks
  • Kalimantan
    • Overview
    • North & East Kalimantan
    • Central Kalimantan
    • West Kalimantan
  • Komodo & Flores
    • Overview
    • Komodo & Rinca
    • Labuan Bajo
    • Manggarai Country
    • Bajawa
    • Ende
    • Kelimutu & Around
    • Maumere
  • Lombok
    • Overview
    • West Lombok
    • South Lombok
    • Rinjani & Around
    • Sekotong & The Islands
    • Gili Islands
  • Maluku Islands
    • Overview
    • Morotai
    • Halmahera
    • Ternate & Tidore
    • Ambon
    • Seram & Buru
  • Raja Ampat
  • Sulawesi
    • Overview
    • South Sulawesi
    • Southeast Sulawesi
    • West Sulawesi & Togean Islands
    • Central Sulawesi
    • North Sulawesi & Offshore
    • Tana Toraja
    • Minahasa Highlands
    • Tangkoko National Park
    • Gorontalo & Bogani Nani Wartabone
  • Sumatra
    • Overview
    • North Sumatra
    • West Sumatra
    • Sumatra National Parks
    • Banda Aceh
  • Sumba
    • Overview
    • East Sumba
    • West Sumba
    • Sumba Beaches
  • Sumbawa
    • Overview
    • West Sumbawa & Moyo Island
    • East Sumbawa
  • Timor
  • Timor-Leste
  • West Papua
ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.
Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration...

How it works
  • Get in touch
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Online Account
  • Come and see us
  • Request a Brochure
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Sustainability
  • Travel Better
  • Give Back Experiences
  • Partnerships
  • Carbon Roadmap
  • B Corp Certified
  • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Oman
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Indonesia
  • Borneo
  • Multi-country

Explore
  • Use our Smart Search
Get in Touch
Indonesia Holidays
  • Classic Indonesia
  • Luxury Holidays
  • Wildlife Holidays
  • Family Holidays
  • Multi-country Indonesia
Indonesia by Region
  • Holidays in Bali
  • Holidays in Java
  • Holidays in Komodo & Flores
  • Holidays in Sulawesi
  • Holidays in Indonesian Borneo
Guide to Indonesia
Curious Traveller's
Guide to Indonesia
Get Your Copy
Inspiration
  • Guide to Indonesia
  • Weather & when to go
  • ETG NEWSLETTER: INBOX INSPIRATION
  • UNIQUE HOTELS IN Indonesia
  • UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN Indonesia
  • Travel gems in the ETG blog
Jungle River Safari in South Asia
"The possible's slow fuse is
lit by the imagination"
Inspire Me
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Why Choose ETG?
  • The Important Bits
  • Meet the Team
  • Sustainability
  • Come and see us
  • Make an Enquiry
Get the Newsletter
  • Destinations
    • Bhutan
    • Borneo
    • Cambodia
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • The Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Oman
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
    • Multi-country
  • Holidays in Indonesia
    • By Island
      • Bali Holidays
      • Holidays in Java
      • Holidays in Komodo
      • Holidays In Sulawesi
      • Indonesian Borneo
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Luxury Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Family Holidays
      • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Guide to Indonesia
    • Indonesia Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Indonesia Travel Blog
  • Places in Indonesia
    • Bali
      • South Bali
      • East Bali
      • Central Bali & Volcanoes
      • North Bali
      • West Bali
      • Ubud
      • Kuta & Southwest Beaches
      • Bali's Islands
    • Java
      • West Java
      • Central Java
      • East Java
      • Jakarta
      • Yogyakarta
      • Borobudur
      • Java Volcanoes
      • Java National Parks
    • Kalimantan
      • North & East Kalimantan
      • Central Kalimantan
      • West Kalimantan
    • Komodo & Flores
      • Komodo & Rinca
      • Labuan Bajo
      • Manggarai Country
      • Bajawa
      • Ende
      • Kelimutu & Around
      • Maumere
    • Lombok
      • West Lombok
      • South Lombok
      • Rinjani & Around
      • Sekotong & The Islands
      • Gili Islands
    • Maluku Islands
      • Morotai
      • Halmahera
      • Ternate & Tidore
      • Ambon
      • Seram & Buru
    • Raja Ampat
    • Sulawesi
      • South Sulawesi
      • Southeast Sulawesi
      • West Sulawesi & Togean Islands
      • Central Sulawesi
      • North Sulawesi & Offshore
      • Tana Toraja
      • Minahasa Highlands
      • Tangkoko National Park
      • Gorontalo & Bogani Nani Wartabone
    • Sumatra
      • North Sumatra
      • West Sumatra
      • Sumatra National Parks
      • Banda Aceh
    • Sumba
      • East Sumba
      • West Sumba
      • Sumba Beaches
    • Sumbawa
      • West Sumbawa & Moyo Island
      • East Sumbawa
    • Timor
    • Timor-Leste
    • West Papua
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
    • Newsletter Signup
  • How it works
    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Come and see us
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Give Back Experiences
    • Partnerships
    • B Corp Certified
  • Come and see us
  • My Online Account
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog