Semarang

Semarang is the capital of Central Java province in Indonesia. It is a bustling, growing mid-sized city with a population of almost 1.7 million in 2020. It is more an administrative and business town than a tourist destination. It nevertheless has its own charm, with contrasting modern mid-rises, a significant set of Dutch colonial architecture, Chinatown, and "kampung" all jutting against each other.

See: 30
Do: 20
Eat: 45
Drink: 13
Buy: 27

30 places match

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Gedung Djakarta Lloyd

Gedung Djakarta Lloyd was once the office of the largest shipping company in the Netherlands named Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland (SMN). This building was designed by Ir. Thomas Karsten in 1930. SMN was later nationalized to become Djakarta Lloyd. Until now this building is still used as the office of state-owned, Djakarta Lloyd.

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Gedung MARBA

Marba (Martak Badjened) is a company owned by a Yemen-Indonesia businessman who is engaged in export and import. This building was built in the mid-19th century.

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Gedung Monod Diephuis & Co

Located in the middle of Hoogendoorpstraat, now Jalan Kepodang. Monod & Co company was founded in 1882 by CLF Monod de Froideville and is one of the oldest companies in Semarang. This company is engaged in brokerage, especially sugar, coffee, copra, and other agricultural products for export to Europe. The building is used for art galleries, public libraries, and wedding halls also social activities.

Mon-Fri 08:00-21:00, Sat 08:00-17:00

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Gedung Oudetrap

The building has a spiral staircase in front of the building, which was built in 1834. It was used as a spice warehouse in the Dutch colonial era.

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Gedung PELNI

This building was used by Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM) in the early 20th century. The building is an Art Deco Indies style building that was first built in Semarang. Designed by F.J.L Ghijsels of the AIA bureau in 1917. Construction took a year and was only completed in 1918. Now, It is owned by the national marine passenger transport company, PT PELNI.

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Gedung PTPN XV

Built in the early 19th century and used for Cultuur-Maatschappij der Vorstenlanden N.V., a Dutch company engaged in plantations and agriculture. The company opened a branch in Semarang in 1888. Now, the building is owned by state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara.

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Gereja Blenduk

GPIB Immanuel

The name means "domed church". A beautiful Protestant church built in 1753, it is the oldest church in Semarang. It has a baroque organ, a rarity in Indonesia.

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Grand Mosque of Central Java

Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah

If you want to see a big mosque, this will probably not disappoint. Presumably non-Muslims can take the lift up to the top of the minaret for a scenic view of the city too.

04:00-22:00 daily

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Gua Kreo

Kreo Cave

A modest cave formation surrounded by a man-made lake with a resident band of long-tailed macaques. Can get crowded on the weekend, but you may have it all to yourself on a weekday. Near the cave, there is Waduk Jatibarang or Jatibarang reservoir with a beautiful sight.

Daily 06:00–18:00Rp3,000

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Johar Market

Pasar Johar

Built in 1936, and famous for its neo-vernacular design by architect Thomas Karsten. Unfortunately damaged by fire in 2016, but renovation started in late 2017. As of 2022, Pasar Johar has been reopened. Near the market, there are some landmarks, including the city square Aloon-Aloon Semarang and Masjid Agung Semarang (Semarang Central Mosque) or known as Masjid Kauman.

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Kampung Pelangi Kalisari

A multi-colored rainbow village focused on sustainable initiatives. Near the village, there is a Kalisari floral market and a promising outlook in the wood construction library that won Architizer A+ Awards 2020 and became the winner of ArchDaily building of the year 2021, named.

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Lawang Sewu

Lawang Sewu means 'a thousand doors' in Javanese. It has a lot of them, but probably not that many. Built as the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies railway company in 1907, over time it served various purposes. The Dutch reputedly used the basement as a jail and torture centre. During World War II it was used as the Japanese army's headquarters in Semarang, and further atrocities were committed by the Japanese. The attic, with its twin water towers, was used by the military as a badminton court. Reputed to be haunted. Tour guides are available at the building's entrance. Flashlight tours of the basement, with its interesting system of small pools of water to help keep it cool, are a fun scare.

Closed · opens 7 am

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Layur Old Mosque

Masjid Layur

Masjid Layur, or commonly called the Masjid Menara, is an old mosque building in the city of Semarang which was founded around 1802. Precisely located on Jalan Layur, Kampung Melayu area. This mosque was built by Arab traders. There is a minaret that is an icon of the mosque.

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Museum Kota Lama

The history of Semarang City since 1547. It is free but you have to make a reservation on Lunpia App, the application can be downloaded on Apple Store or Google Play.

Daily 10:00-15:30 Exc. Mon

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Old Town

Kota Lama, Oudstadt

Northern Semarang has many old Dutch colonial buildings. This was where the old walled city was located. The wall is no longer there, but many of the buildings remain. While there are a number specific points of interest, the whole area is atmospheric and interesting for a wander. Early morning or late afternoon offers the coolest parts of the day and the best light for photography. The rundown nature is part of its charm, but the City Council is making concerted efforts to bring it back to life. The numbers of cafes and restaurants is slowly growing. This helps to give life to the area at night also, and there is a semi-permanent bric-a-brac market that is most active during these cooler hours. During certain high tides, the area is flooded. Tackling it is also part of the government's plan, and the flooding is slowly dropping in terms of number and intensity of incidents.

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Port of Tanjung Emas

Pelabuhan Tanjung Mas

A busy, important port during Dutch occupation (from 17th century to 1945). Of special interest is the lighthouse built in 1884.

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Rumah Akar

The Groot

An alley with some buildings with tree roots growing on its walls. Many people make it as a photo background even for pre or post-wedding photos.

24 hours

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Sam Poo Kong Temple

Kelenteng Sam Poo Kong, Gedung Batu

The beautiful Sam Poo Kong temple (Gedung Batu) was built to honour the Muslim Chinese admiral Cheng Ho of the Ming Dynasty, who visited Semarang in the early 15th century. It was extensively renovated in 2006 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of Cheng Ho's visit. In the entry area, there are a couple of stores that sell Chinese art and objects, including giant candles and, of course, there's a place to eat. This complex is one of the major temples for certain Chinese religions, notably Kong Hu Chu (Confucianism), and is replete with a long stone mural depicting major events of Cheng Ho's time here, as well as several different temples, each with its own specific style and architecture. You can burn an envelope in a special prayer oven, or ask a soothsayer to read fortune-telling sticks for you. The temple area is open to visitors if you pay an additional fee, otherwise, you can see much of it from behind a chain - but the mural is behind the temples - but only those seeking to pray may actually enter the temples.

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Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery

Modern gallery offering a selection of contemporary art in revolving exhibitions. Strong focus on Asian artists in general and Indonesian artists in particular.

Tue-Sun 10:00–16:30

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Semarang Zoo

Kebun binatang Mangkang, Bonbin

After several periods of removal and renewal, Semarang Zoo reopened in 2020 with a variety of new animals, a new playground and many other facilities.

Closed · opens 8 amRp20,000-30,000

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Simpang Lima

A large square and shopping district at the heart of Semarang. At night, you can eat, drink, or just wander around. Enjoy a ride on the decorated bicycles ("gowes"). On Sunday mornings, this is the venue for Semarang's Car Free Day (actually a couple of hours only), where families gather and enjoy activities such as cycling, roller-blading, playing basketball or simply enjoying the atmosphere while eating in their favorite food stall.

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Taman Budaya Raden Saleh

Raden Saleh Cultural park

A park and cultural centre, with theater and dance performances and the occasional art exhibition in the four buildings in the complex. It used to be the site of Semarang's zoo. Suitable for family recreation or just watching artists practice for their performances.

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Taman Srigunting

A small, shady square nestled by the Gereja Blenduk. Good for a quick sit-down after the exertions of walking around the Old Town, and great for indulging in a bit of the Indonesian national pastime of taking selfies. Expect to be invited to join in photos with other visitors.

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Tugu Muda

The Monument to Youth

One of Semarang's landmarks - an obelisk set in the middle of a roundabout. It commemorates the five days of fierce battle (14-19 October 1945) between Indonesian freedom fighters and Japanese soldiers who refused to surrender.

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Watugong Buddhist Temple

Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong

Popular Buddhist site, featuring the 45m Pagoda Avalokitesvara with seven tiers, the tallest in Indonesia. Various shrines are relevant to the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions. Development started in the 1950s.

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