Yogyakarta

Bentara Budaya

A cultural institute set up by the Kompas Gramedia publishing and media group. Branches in Jogja, Jakarta, Solo and Bali. Art exhibitions, movies, book discussions.

Benteng Vredeburg

Vredeburg Fort

A Dutch fort in front of Gedung Agung (the President's Palace). A great example of Dutch colonial architecture. A few military items are presented, including a twin cannon. Closed for renovation until May 2024 by Indonesian Heritage Agency.

Carriage Museum

Museum Kereta

Houses the Sultan's horse-drawn carriages, including two beautiful carriages imported from the Netherlands and known as Golden Carriages (kereta kencana).

Foreigners: adult Rp30,000, child Rp25,000; domestic: adult Rp20,000, children Rp15,000

Cemeti Art House

Fine art and modern art exhibitions, book discussions and performances.

French/Indonesian Cultural Center (LIP)

Art exhibitions, movies, book discussions, performances, library.

Kedai Kebun

Kedai Kebun Forum

Art space managed by artists including gallery, performance space, bookstore and restaurant. Art exhibitions, performances, book discussions. Has accommodation for rent.

Wed–Mon 11:00–23:00

Kotabaru

The Dutch officials' residential area has some heritage homes, a colonial style church, monastery (Gereja Kotabaru), and a stadium (Stadion Kridosono).

Kotagede

The capital of the ancient Islamic Mataram kingdom. The tomb of its first king, Panembahan Senopati, is here in the royal graveyard. Before independence, Kotagede was Jogja's economic centre, as it had the largest market and was home to many wealthy batik merchants. Some of the older buildings have been modernised or replaced with newer buildings, but Kotagede remains a prime example of Javanese architecture and city structure. Check out the local silver handicrafts.

Kraton Yogyakarta

A calm and elegant example of Javanese heritage with two separate entrances; the Main Court (Pagilaran and Siti Hinggil) and the Residence. The Main Court showcases the grandeur of the Sultan's monarchy, while the Residence is more homely, showcasing the royal family's luxurious lifestyle. There are regular free performances of music and dance. Check out the times when you arrive in Yogajakarta. (Every Sunday at 11:00 as of Oct 2015). There are three gamelans in the palace, and the pavilion nearest the entrance houses one of them. If it is being played, feel free to take a seat and enjoy it for a while. Residence museum has both Indonesian and English texts, and AC. Temporary exhibition Mar-Aug 2024 on Abhimantra or life rites of passage (part where no photo allowed). Small exhibition on the history of tea in Indonesia too (Indonesian text only). Without guide, no map or sign to help explore the larger grounds.

Sat-Thu 08:00–13:00, Fri 08:00–11:00·The Residence: Rp25,000 (non-Indonesian resident) or Rp10,000 (Indonesian resident), Rp1,000 extra for a photo. You might be offered a trip to the 'sultan's servants' batik workshop'. This is a scam that will only bring you to a regular batik shop with inflated prices

Masjid Gede Kauman

One of the oldest and largest mosques in Yogyakarta. Located on the west of Alun-alun Utara, this mosque was where the Sultan performs his religious rites and ceremonies.

Northern alun-alun

Alun-alun utara

Built for training the Sultan's army, it was opened to the public during the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. Now used for the quarterly Garebeg parade held in the months of Maulud, Besar and Sawal, according to the Javanese calendar. In the parade, the Sultan's servants carry huge cone-shaped offerings to the alun-alun. After the parade, attendees scramble to get a scrap of the offering as it is believed to bring good luck. Prior to the month of Maulud, a popular public fair is held here for 30 days, offers many kinds of goods from traditional handicrafts to Chinese ceramics. A snack associated with the fair is the doughnut-like galundeng. On weekend or holiday nights, pedal cars decorated with lights (gowes) can be hired to make a circuit of the square.

Sonobudoyo Museum

Museum Sonobudoyo

Many Javanese artefacts like wayang puppets, masks, statues, textiles, weapons, and a full set of gamelan instruments. Worth a visit if you have some extra time in Yogya, or you are interested in studying Javanese culture. Wayang kulit performances are given every Tuesday night 20:00-21:30, accompanied by gamelan. Museum has both Indonesian and English texts.

Museum: foreigners Rp20,000, adult Rp10,000, children Rp5,000; performances: foreigners Rp50,000, domestic Rp20,000

Tugu Monument

A downtown landmark. Built by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI, the spire was originally a sphere representing the universe. During the colonial era, the spire was replaced with a golden cylinder.

Water Castle

Taman Sari

This is a partly-ruined complex built as a pleasure garden by the first Sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan's harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could take his pick. Towards the back is the original entrance to the pools, a small dock connected to a long-since-vanished river; a bit of snooping beyond this entrance will get you to a back street, where one can visit a fascinating network of tunnels and rooms, including an Escher-like series of interlacing staircases over what looks like a disused well.

daily 09:00–15:00·Foreigners adult Rp25,000, child 20,000, domestic adult 15,000, children 10,000. Photo session like prewedding Rp150,000-500,000. Entrance fee does not cover the guide, who will expect tips

Dr. Yap Prawirohusodo Museum

A medical museum was built in 1922.

Mon-Sat 09:00-14:00

Jogja Gallery

Modern art gallery exhibiting avant garde artworks.

Tue–Sun 09:00–21:00

Yogyakarta Batik Museum

Museum Batik Yogyakarta

A batik museum was built in 1979.

Mon-Sat 09:00-15:00·Rp30,000