Things to do in Central Jakarta

Central Jakarta · 854m from downtown

244 reviews

The museum is located on Independence West Street, west of Independence Square in the city center. It was built in 1868 and is the largest and richest museum in Indonesia. The museum is a European-style white building. There is a bronze elephant standing on the stone pier on the lawn in front of the museum, which was donated by King Rama V of Siam when he visited in 1871, so the museum is also called "Elephant Museum" or "Elephant House". The museum has gold and silver ornaments room, bronze ware room, currency room, antiquities exhibition room, prehistoric exhibition room, wood ware exhibition room, folk customs exhibition room, East India Company exhibition room, etc. Ding and Li from the Bronze Age in China 4,000 years ago, ancient Chinese ceramics and coins, the elephant-headed Buddha statue on Java Island, the unique house model in Sumatra, shadow play, puppet show props, etc.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Jakarta

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption

5.8

Central Jakarta · 1.4 km from downtown

117 reviews

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is located right next to Merdeka Square, Jakarta and the Merdeka Palace, and serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jakarta. The church features the Neo-Gothic style that was popular at the time, with an all-white exterior. Its two prominent spires, each approx. 60 m high, are striking, and the south tower houses an old clock and bronze bell that are still in operation. The interior of the church is cruciform in plan, with high, vaulted wooden ceilings and a rose window above the main entrance. The Altar of the Virgin Mary and the Altar of St. Joseph are located on either side, while the central main altar was imported from the Netherlands. The south wing features a Pietà statue, the walls are adorned with scenes of the Stations of the Cross, and a pipe organ from Belgium stands to one side. Climbing the stairs to the second-floor gallery, you will find a small museum displaying vestments of past bishops, sacred vessels, and materials on the history of Catholicism in Indonesia. Inside the church, a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child dressed in traditional local Jakarta attire reflects the fusion of European church architecture and local culture. As a church that is still in daily use, it regularly hosts masses and other rituals. The church is located across the street from the Istiqlal Mosque, making it easy to visit both on foot. Taking photos of the twin spires from across the street is a popular angle.

No. 5 of Family-friendly Attractions in Indonesia

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

6.9

East Jakarta · 15.1 km from Central Jakarta

563 reviews

Welcome to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah – a magical journey to explore the "Land of Ten Thousand Islands" in just one day! Want to experience Indonesia's diverse charm in just one day? Just outside Jakarta lies a "magical" cultural park! It's like a 3D map of the country, showcasing the unique features of all 27 provinces from west to east – from Bali's temples and Java's traditional courtyards to Sumatra's longhouses... Paired with regional flora, it creates an instant island-hopping experience. Recommended experiences: Embark on a boat tour through the "Indonesian Archipelago" and immerse yourself in the island vibes. Board the cable car for a breathtaking aerial view of Mini Indonesia. Hop aboard a vintage train or horse-drawn carriage to effortlessly explore every corner. Cultural Experience Upgrade: On weekends and holidays, the park transforms into a cultural stage! Traditional dances, musical performances, and specialty markets come alive, offering a one-stop experience to savor representative cuisines from various regions. Bringing kids along? Explore the museum, children's play area, and cultural workshops where they can immerse in Indonesian traditions while having fun. Must-visit landmarks: Don't miss the uniquely designed "Golden Snail" panoramic cinema! It screens immersive films like Beautiful Indonesia daily, taking you on a breathtaking journey over volcanoes, rainforests, and coastlines for an unforgettable visual experience! Whether you want to quickly explore Indonesian culture or plan a relaxing 1-day tour, this is a great choice~ Capture photos, experience, taste, and learn—fulfill all your travel desires in one go!

No. 8 of Family-friendly Attractions in Indonesia

Sea World Ancol

5.6

North Jakarta · 6.3 km from Central Jakarta

123 reviews

Indonesia Sea World is mainly to display marine life. Here, you can enjoy all kinds of beautiful marine life and enjoy the moving scenery of the underwater world. Hundreds of marine creatures are stocked in the museum, ranging from large and ferocious sharks to small and colorful coral fishes, as well as a variety of precious freshwater fish and more distinctive crocodiles. In addition, you can also see many animal performances, such as dolphins. The underwater world aims to show the mystery of the underwater world, so that tourists can relax and enjoy themselves when they are tired.

No. 16 of Night Attractions in Indonesia

Jakarta Old Town

5.6

West Jakarta · 5.3 km from Central Jakarta

144 reviews

Jakarta Old Town is the birthplace of the city. It was formerly Batavia, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, and served for a long time as the capital during the Dutch East Indies period and the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company in Asia. The old town retains clusters of Dutch-style red brick buildings, and the layout of cobblestone squares, old canal streets, and old warehouses continues to this day. You can also visit the adjacent Glodok Chinatown along the way. The heart of the old town is Taman Fatahillah, surrounded by colonial-era buildings: the former Batavia City Hall is now the Jakarta History Museum. Beside the square, there is also the Wayang Museum, which displays traditional Indonesian shadow puppets and marionettes, as well as the Museum Mandiri and Museum Bank Indonesia, which were converted from old bank buildings and are all within walking distance. You can often encounter folk performances on the square. Ondel-Ondel, giant puppets wearing painted masks, are a common form of performance. You can also rent a vintage bicycle to ride around the square. Heading north from the square along the old canal street, you will pass the Kota Intan Drawbridge, which dates back to the 17th century. Further north is the Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor area, where the Maritime Museum is housed in a former Dutch warehouse. The old town is not large, and the main attractions can be connected on foot.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Jakarta

UP at Thamrin Nine

5.5

4.8/5

65 reviews

UP at Thamrin Nine is located at 9 M.H. Thamrin Avenue in Central Jakarta, perched atop the 385-meter Autograph Tower - Indonesia's tallest and the Southern Hemisphere's highest skyscraper. Its observation deck spans floors 56-58, featuring 360° floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the Java Sea and the entire city. The experience is enhanced by immersive high-altitude attractions including the outdoor Sky Park, glass-floored UP High, suspended swing UP Swing, and mirrored infinity space UPfinity.

Central Jakarta · 2.2 km from downtown

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Jakarta

Dunia Fantasi

North Jakarta · 6.2 km from Central Jakarta

36 reviews

Dunia Fantasi is located in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is the country's premier large-scale integrated entertainment venue. The park features multiple themed areas, such as Fantasyland,Adventure IslandFuture City and other zones each feature unique rides and performances. Visitors can experience thrilling roller coasters that perfectly combine speed and excitement, or enjoy refreshing splashes at the water park to beat the summer heat. Additionally, Dunia Fantasi regularly hosts cultural events like traditional Indonesian dance performances and international music festivals, allowing visitors to appreciate Indonesia's diverse culture while having fun. Whether for family trips or friend gatherings, Dunia Fantasi is an exceptional destination.

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Jakarta

Ancol Dreamland

North Jakarta · 6.2 km from Central Jakarta

112 reviews

A large entertainment park in Jakarta, located at the northern end of downtown Jakarta, close to the bay of Jakarta. The park is equipped with a newly designed hotel, an open-air cinema, an aquarium, a dolphin show pool, a large swimming pool with artificial waves, a tennis court, a Haibin hut, an art exhibition and sales booth, a jubilee court, a golf course, a bowling alley, a sports car course, Racecourses, beaches, steam baths, massage parlors, children's playgrounds, etc. There are also villa areas in the Dream Park, which have typical Indonesian national characteristics. Indonesian folk handicrafts are displayed in the art market, and artists also make paintings and sculptures for tourists on site. At dusk, folk dances from Bali, Kalimantan and other places will be performed on the open-air stage.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Jakarta

National Monument

Central Jakarta · 595m from downtown

285 reviews

Jakarta's most popular landmark is certainly a large one: the Monas obelisk stands at 132 meters and is capped with 35 kilograms of gold. It was finished in 1975 and houses a number of museums, including Freedom Hall and the Hall of Contemplation. Admission is free of charge.

No. 13 of Family-friendly Attractions in Indonesia

Jakarta Aquarium & Safari

West Jakarta · 4.3 km from Central Jakarta

76 reviews

Jakarta Aquarium & Safari is a significant indoor aquarium in Indonesia, jointly developed by Taman Safari Indonesia and Aquaria KLCC from Malaysia. Spanning approximately 1 hectare across two floors and twelve zones, it houses over 3,500 species, showcasing a diverse collection of aquatic and terrestrial animals. The aquarium features multiple themed zones where visitors can observe various aquatic animals like sharks, rays, and sea turtles on the lower level, while encountering non-aquatic "safari" animals on the upper level. It offers opportunities for close-up observations of diverse creatures and interactive experiences. For example, at the touch pool, visitors can handle small marine life such as starfish and sea cucumbers. Walking through the underwater tunnel provides a 360-degree view of marine animals swimming around, creating an immersive undersea experience. The animal shows and feeding demonstrations are major highlights of the aquarium. Playful and intelligent sea lions perform amusing tricks during feeding sessions; adorable otters showcase their cleverness; and raccoon dogs that emit a popcorn-like scent allow visitors to interact and feed them up close. Other attractions include penguin feedings, piranha feedings, and interactive main tank feedings that offer deeper insights into animal behaviors. The mermaid performances are particularly unmissable—"Pearl of the South Sea" adapts a legend from the southern Javanese kingdom, blending stage performance, magic, and underwater dance, while "Guardians of the River" delivers an environmental message through dramatic storytelling. In addition to viewing and interactive experiences, the facility also features premium lounges, buffet restaurants, souvenir shops, and other amenities. Visitors can not only enjoy recreational activities here but also participate in educational programs to learn about marine life conservation and marine biology.

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Free things to do in Central Jakarta

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5.8

Central Jakarta · 1.4 km from downtown

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5.6

West Jakarta · 5.3 km from Central Jakarta

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