Indonesia Top–14 Tourist Attractions Not to Miss

Indonesia is made up of some 17,000 islands and stretches from beautiful Sumatra all the way down to the province of Papua. With that in mind, you will never be short of amazing tourists attractions in Indonesia, and you can visit some of the most stunning buildings in the world here. These include gorgeous ancient temples and pagodas, and as Indonesia is made up of six official religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Protestantism, Islam, Confucianism and Catholicism, there are a huge number of religious monuments to choose from. You can also take in engaging museums that will fill you in on all the history of the area as well as other historical monuments that tell the story of this vast and mesmerizing country.

Here are the top Indonesia tourist attractions...

1. Monas Tower

Monas Tower is probably one of the most famous buildings in Indonesia and is located in Jakarta, where it is visible across much of the city. This is the monument which was built to commemorate Indonesia’s struggle for independence from the Dutch colonialists, and it is located in the wider Merdeka (Freedom) Square. Monas Tower is the place to come if you want to know more about this tumultuous period in Indonesia’s history, and you can climb to the top of the tower (which is topped by a victory flame) and check out the observation deck which offers you some of the most stunning views over the city.

2. Istiqlal Mosque

Istiqlal Mosque has the claim to fame of being the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, and to that end some 120,000 worshippers can visit this amazing building at a time. The mosque is one of the best showcases in Indonesia or Islamic art and you can check out the repeated Muslim motifs such as stars and water features that tinkle inside the building. One of the good things about Istiqlal Mosque is that it is close to the Monas monument so it makes sense to visit both of these at the same time. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit outside of prayer times as long as you are dressed modestly.

3. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Indonesia is the home of thousands of islands which means that it is impossible to see everything on a visit here, but you can get a quick snapshot of this diverse country on a trip to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta. This is a theme park which has some 26 different sections which are meant to show the 26 different provinces in the country and you can walk through each one and take in models of traditional homes and other buildings. You can also see replicas and mannequins showing scenes from daily life across the archipelago and this is the best way to explore Indonesia quickly and easily in a single afternoon.

4. Kota Tua

Kota Tua in Jakarta also goes by the name Old Town Batavia, and if you are looking for the historic heart of the city then this is truly it. The area is known for its gorgeous Dutch architecture that would have been built during the colonial period and you will find a number of wonderful museums here that tell the story of the historical and cultural background of Jakarta and wider Indonesia. This part of town is also known for its scenic local cafes, artist’s galleries and scenic vistas that are perfect if you want to take pictures of the period side of the city.

5. Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is probably one of the main tourist attractions in Indonesia and is situated on a scenic rock formation in the middle of the sea just off the coast of Bali. Tanah Lot Temple is a Hindu temple, as the majority of Balinese follow the Hindu faith, and the rock that it sits on would have been part of the mainland before it was carved away by the sea. People now flock to the temple, especially at high tide when it is surrounded by water, but at low tide you can walk across the sand to get a close up view of this ornate religious monument. Many people also plan a visit so that it coincides with the sunset which is spectacular here.

6. Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest is the name for a Hindu temple complex which is located in Ubud in Bali and is now known for its resident simians. There are over 500 cheeky macaques here who guard the three temples on the premises which were built in the 14th century and are part of a wider nature reserve in the region. Many people tend to get distracted by the primates that live here who have a habit of stealing the show (and perhaps your sunglasses!) but make sure that you also spend time checking out the different buildings which are an ode to beautiful Balinese architecture.

7. Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul is the name for the sacred Hindu bathing pools which are around an hour away from Ubud in Bali. You may have seen the bathing pools in films such as Eat, Pray, Love, starring Julia Roberts, and the pools are used by the local Hindu population who bathe in the sacred waters around major religious periods such as the full moon. As well as the pools, you can also walk around the temple complex and check out colourful and intricately carved pagodas and other religious buildings.

8. Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is another of Bali’s famous sea temples and is known for its premium spot atop a stunning cliff. The cliff is located at 70 meters above sea level and the temple was built slightly to the side of it which means that it looks out over the water and you can take in some of the most breathtaking views in all of Indonesia. As with many temples in this part of the world, the complex is known for its monkey population who are said to be guardians of the temple, and there are also traditional dance performances held here throughout the year. If you don’t have time to do everything when you are in Bali then make sure you don’t miss this off the itinerary as this is a must-see attraction in Indonesia.

9. Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace, as the name suggests, is located in delightful Ubud in Bali when it would have been built in the 1800s. The palace is contained within a wider complex with sprawling grounds and pretty tropical gardens, and you can come here and walk around and take in the all the architectural wonders that make this one of the must see attraction in Bali. If you come here in the evening then you can also catch a music and dance show of the traditional kecak dance for which Bali is also famous.

10. Borobudur Temple

Perhaps the most famous or iconic temple in Indonesia is Borobudur Temple which is a Buddhist temple that is located just outside the city of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. The temple was built in the 9th century and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can see an impressive 72 different sculptures of the Buddha on a trip here. It is also famous for being the biggest Buddhist temple of its kind in the world, which is more than reason enough to plan a visit. Visitors can climb up to the central stepped platform here and you will then be greeted with spectacular views which extend over the neighbouring countryside and for many people this is one of the highlights of a trip to Java.

11. Candi Prambanan

Another of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia is Candi Prambanan which is also situated in Central Java and is one of the best things to see in the region along with Borobudur Temple. While Borobudur Temple is Buddhist, Candi Prambanan is Hindu and, like its sister temple, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates from the 9th century. The temple complex here is made up of a series of alleyways and compounds which lead you to colorful shrines and small temples, and this is one of the top tourists attractions in Indonesia if you like religious monuments.

12. Kraton Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat

If you are in the city of Yogyakarta then make sure not to miss one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia which is the Kraton Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat to give it its full title, or simply ‘The Kraton’ for short. This is actually the Royal Palace in the city and the sultan of Yogyakarta still lives on site with his family, although you can access the Kraton Museum where you can learn all about the amazing history of the royal family and of the city of Yogyakarta. There are also cultural performances held here which feature traditional Javanese dancing and singing.

13. The Tsunami Museum

The Tsunami Museum was built in Aceh in Sumatra as a memorial to all those who lost their lives when a tsunami hit the region in 2004. More the 170,000 people died as a result of the deadly wave, and now you can visit the Tsunami Museum in the capital of Aceh, Banda Aceh, to learn more about this horrific period in Indonesia’s history and also find out more about how the experience would have felt. There is a section in the museum which is made up of waterfalls that crash to the floor in a darkened corridor which are mean to mirror the walls of water that would have hammered the coastline and this makes this museum one of the most moving tourist attractions in Indonesia.

14. Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman

Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman is also called Mesjid Raya and is one of the most famous mosques in Indonesia. The mosque was built in the 19th century in Banda Aceh and is known for its gorgeous design aesthetic. The mosque was made with materials during the Dutch colonial period such as intricate tiles and other touches like marble columns, and it also features a large pond which means that the mosque is perfectly reflected back in the water as it glints under the afternoon sun. As well as checking out this beautiful building during the daytime, you can also try to visit in the evening when the building is illuminated in pretty colours, and you can go inside even if you are not Muslim as long as you are dressed modestly and do not visit at prayer times.

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If you visit Indonesia then you will truly be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the Indonesia tourist attractions as there are so many different highlights spread all over the archipelago. These include something for everyone, whether you are interested in religious architecture, riveting museums, or some of the most stunning things to see in this part of Southeast Asia.