Visit Jakarta
Experience Jakarta Beyond Business
In 2026, Jakarta celebrates its 499th year — a city of five centuries in the making, weaving heritage, creativity and modern ambition into every street corner.
What to see & do
Heritage
Wander Kota Tua's colonial streets and museums.
- Kota Tua (Old Batavia) — 1.3 km² of Dutch-era forts, canals and government buildings across West and North Jakarta.
- Monumen Nasional (Monas) — 132m independence obelisk topped with a gold-leafed flame; elevator to the observation deck. Rp 4,000–15,000, open 07:00–24:00.
- Tugu Proklamasi — Site of Sukarno and Hatta's 1945 independence declaration. Free entry, 06:00–21:00.
- Masjid Istiqlal — Southeast Asia's largest mosque, seating 120,000; praised by President Obama as a symbol of religious tolerance.
- Sunda Kelapa Harbour — Working port since the 12th century, still loaded by traditional wooden schooners.
Culinary
From street food warungs to Michelin-starred dining.
- Betawi classics — Soto Betawi, Kerak Telor, Gabus Pucung and Soto Tangkar, shaped by Arab, Chinese, Dutch and Portuguese influence.
- Jalan Sabang — Dense strip of restaurants and stalls near Menteng, from 1960s-era sate to Acehnese coffee and noodles.
- Pecenongan — Central Jakarta's late-night food street, 18:00–03:00, some stalls open 24 hours.
- Pasar Santa — Market-turned-hangout popular with Jakarta's younger crowd — coffee, fusion snacks, budget-friendly.
- Gulai Tikungan (Gultik) — Street-side gulai stalls at Mahakam–Bulungan, serving since the 1980s from ~Rp 10,000 a plate.
Shopping
World-class malls and traditional markets side by side.
- Traditional markets — Pasar Baru (early 1800s), Pasar Glodok (17th century), Pasar Tanah Abang (major textile hub).
- Malls — Sarinah (1967, Indonesia's first department store), Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia — one of Southeast Asia's largest malls.
- Specialty markets — Rawa Belong flower market, Jakarta Gems Centre, Jalan Surabaya antiques market in Menteng.
Museums
Discover Indonesia's history at the National Museum.
- Galeri Indonesia Kaya — Free digital edutainment space inside Grand Indonesia mall, 150-seat auditorium for music, dance, theatre and film.
- Galeri Seni Hadiprana — Indonesia's first commercial art gallery, founded 1961, now in an art complex in Kemang.
- Cemara 6 Galeri-Museum — 300+ paintings from Toeti Heraty's private collection, old masters to contemporary Indonesian artists.
- Hauwke's Auto Gallery — Curated, restored collection of 50+ vehicles dating from 1908 to the 1960s, in Cipete.
- Bartele Gallery — Antique maps, photographs and books of the Indonesian archipelago, some over a century old.
Entertainment
Live music, theatres, and Jakarta's vibrant nightlife.
- Taman Impian Jaya Ancol — 80-hectare beachfront resort with Dufan theme park, Atlantis water park and Seaworld aquarium.
- Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) — Cultural park with full-scale traditional houses from all 33 Indonesian provinces, plus regular performances.
- Ragunan Zoo — Indonesia's oldest zoo (140 ha), 295 species including orangutans, komodo dragons, and the Schmutzer Primate Centre.
- Planetarium Jakarta — ~60-minute Star Theatre show on the solar system and Milky Way, at Taman Ismail Marzuki.
Culture
Ondel-ondel, wayang, and the fusion of Betawi traditions.
- Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village — Lakeside kampung in South Jakarta dedicated to Betawi heritage: traditional houses, performances, food.
- Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ) — 1821 Neo-Renaissance theatre still hosting drama, music and dance, traditional and contemporary.
- Anjungan DKI Jakarta, TMII — Betawi pavilion with a library, exhibition hall, and regular Betawi music, dance and theatre performances.