Indonesia is most famous for the island of Bali, but there are many other wonderful places in this Asian country. I’ll introduce 16 of the most beautiful attractions!
Indonesia consists of numerous groups with different cultures, ethnicities, and languages across its many islands. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, the country still has vast untouched areas, ensuring great biodiversity for wildlife.
Table of Contents
Best places in Indonesia
Bali
One of the world’s most famous islands, attracting many tourists every year.
It’s known for its beaches in the southern part, such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. The sand on these beaches is generally white, while those in the north and west are covered with black sand. On the northeastern Padangbai beaches, both can be found: the larger beach is white, while the southern one is much darker.
The island is not only a beach paradise but also excels in culture. This is especially true in the Ubud area, where traditional Balinese dances, crafts, and arts are preserved.
Ubud is an excellent starting point for exploring natural attractions. There are numerous waterfalls: Tegenungan, Kanto Lampo, Goa Raja. Additionally, the Tegallalang rice terrace is a must-see: a lush green environment with slides and jungle swings.
Bali attractions – beaches, temples, waterfalls
Yogyakarta
The cultural and historical center of Indonesia’s central Java region. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is famous for Javanese arts, traditional dances, puppet shows, and batik art.
The Sultanate of Yogyakarta is also special, as it has been an autonomous region since Indonesian independence, where the sultan plays both political and cultural leadership roles. The Kraton, the sultan’s palace, can be visited and provides insight into Javanese royal life.
Malioboro Street is a famous shopping street where we can buy traditional batik and handcrafted products. The city’s most important museum is the Sonobudoyo Museum, where we can see Javanese art and cultural objects, such as batik clothes, puppets, and weapons.
Borobudur
Located 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta, it’s the world’s largest Buddhist structure.
This stone fortress of Buddhist teaching was built around 800 AD by the Sailendra dynasty of Java. Its builders aimed to construct Mount Meru known from Indian mythology. Thus, they managed to create the largest structure in the entire southern hemisphere.
It was built in the form of a monumental stepped pyramid, which has nine levels and consists of three main parts, symbolizing the three levels of Buddhist cosmology: the world dominated by sensual desires (Kamadhatu), the world of forms (Rupadhatu), and the formless world (Arupadhatu). The lower level is decorated with reliefs depicting the world of earthly desires, while the stupas and statues on the higher levels symbolize the path to enlightenment.
Borobudur’s design is a special engineering feat, as the temple built from volcanic stone was designed to withstand earthquakes and monsoon rains. The natural beauty of the area, the lush jungle, and the backdrop of volcanoes further enhance the sacred and spiritual character of the site.
Raja Ampat
A stunning archipelago in eastern Indonesia, in West Papua province. Its name means „four kings”, referring to the four main islands.
The archipelago consists of more than 1,500 smaller islands, reefs, and sandbars. The iconic limestone rocks of the Wayag Islands and the emerald lagoons are especially popular among photographers.
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, which is home to the world’s richest marine ecosystems. More than 600 coral species live in the waters, and over 75% of the world’s coral reefs are found here. The area’s fish population is also extraordinary: more than 1400 fish species can be found here, including rays, sharks, and rare species such as dugongs and sea turtles.
Jakarta
Indonesia’s capital and largest city is located on the northwestern coast of Java Island. As it attracts a large number of foreign and domestic immigrants, it has become a particularly cosmopolitan metropolis with a very diverse culture.
One of its most famous landmarks is Monas, the symbol of Indonesian independence, which is 132 meters high and its observation tower offers a stunning panorama of the city. Kota Tua (Old Town) in the city center evokes Jakarta’s Dutch colonial past.
In the center stands one of the most visited institutions, the Jakarta Museum. Its exhibition includes weapons, furniture, old maps, and other colonial-era relics. The other is the National Museum, also known as the Elephant Building. This is one of the museums with the largest collection in Southeast Asia.
Jakarta attractions, museums, weather
Lombok
Located right next to Bali. There is no mass tourism on the island, but many eco-tourists are attracted by the accompanying tranquility and wildlife waiting to be discovered.
The island’s skyline is dominated by the 3726-meter-high Mount Rinjani. This is the second highest volcano in Indonesia and also the third highest mountain. It’s an active volcano, with its most recent eruption in May 2010.
Komodo National Park
The park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragons. The world’s largest lizards only live in the wild in this area.
The enormous lizard, which can grow up to three meters long, is one of the park’s most fearsome predators, possessing a venomous bite. Visitors can explore these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat accompanied by expert guides.
The park’s waters are crystal clear, full of coral reefs, sea turtles, rays, sharks, and hundreds of fish species. As a result, diving and snorkeling are extremely popular activities, and it’s considered one of the world’s best diving paradises.
Its special beach is Pink Beach. The mixing of tiny coral particles creates this uniquely colored sand on the pink beach.
Gili Islands
The group of three small islands is located off the northwestern coast of Lombok Island.
These are popular destinations among tourists, especially for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and calm, tropical atmosphere. The islands are car-free zones, which means there’s no traffic: transportation here is by bicycle, on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage (cidomo).
The largest and most visited island is Gili Trawangan, which is famous for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment options. Gili Air is a quieter, more peaceful island, ideal for those seeking a more tranquil environment and closeness to nature. Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest.
Tanjung Puting National Park
Located in southern Borneo, it’s one of the country’s most famous nature reserves.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the park plays an important role in the conservation and rehabilitation of orangutans. Here, orphaned or captive-released orangutans are helped to return to the wild. Visitors can observe these fascinating primates up close as they move freely in the forest.
The park area can mostly be explored with traditional wooden boats called klotoks. During the boat trip, visitors can admire the pristine rainforests while sailing on the river, observing monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Mount Bromo
An active volcano in East Java, part of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.
The volcano is 2329 meters high, and although not the highest in the region, it’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic volcanoes in the country, famous for its picturesque beauty and stunning natural environment.
It’s located in the Tengger caldera, which is a huge volcanic crater 10 kilometers in diameter. The caldera’s landscape resembles the moon, covered with fine volcanic ash and dust. Besides the volcano, other mountains also rise, including the 3676-meter-high Semeru, Java’s highest volcano, which is also active.
The viewpoint of Mount Penanjakan is one of the most popular locations. From here, you can admire the famous sunrise, during which the rising sun’s rays illuminate the volcanoes and sea fog, providing a magical sight.
Lake Toba
Southeast Asia’s largest volcanic lake is located in the northern part of Sumatra Island.
The huge caldera lake was created by a giant volcanic eruption. The lake is about 100 kilometers long, 30 kilometers wide, and on average 450 meters deep, making it one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world.
In the middle of the lake, there’s a large island, Samosir. This is home to the Batak people, known for their houses with a special architectural style and rich cultural heritage. The traditional Batak villages on the island are popular attractions.
Kawah Ijen
This is an active volcano and volcanic crater in East Java, one of Indonesia’s iconic sights.
Its most famous natural phenomenon is the blue flame, visible at night, thanks to the ignition of released sulfur gases. The gases seep out from the volcano’s cracks and produce blue-colored flames due to the high temperature.
The volcano’s crater is a huge, turquoise sulfuric acid lake, which is highly acidic, one of the largest lakes of its kind in the world. Dense sulfuric smoke billows above the lake, making the landscape even more mystical and unique.
It’s popular among hikers. Most people start out at night to see the blue flames. Then at sunrise, they reach the crater rim, from where there’s a breathtaking view of the crater lake and the surrounding mountains.
Wakatobi National Park
Located in Southeast Sulawesi province, it’s home to one of the world’s richest marine biodiversities.
The park got its name from the initials of the four main islands – Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. It was founded in 1996 and has since become one of the key areas for marine ecosystem conservation in Indonesia.
The park’s main attraction is the diversity of coral reefs and marine life. More than 900 fish species and 750 coral species can be found here. It’s a perfect place for snorkelers and divers.
Belitung Island
The island on the eastern side of Sumatra has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years, especially for its beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and unique rock formations.
Its most famous attractions are the special granite rocks scattered along the coasts, offering a wonderful sight. There are numerous small islands around the island. Among these, one of the most popular is Lengkuas Island, famous for its old lighthouse and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Sumbawa
The island is famous for its natural features, including scenic highlands, volcanoes, lush forests, as well as white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
The central part of Sumbawa is mountainous and volcanic, its most significant volcano being Mount Tambora, which produced the largest volcanic eruption in modern history with its 1815 eruption. The huge caldera of the Tambora volcano can still be visited today, and the hike to the crater offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The island is a favorite spot for surfers. The waves are particularly ideal during the dry season from April to October.
Derawan Islands
The archipelago off the eastern coast of Borneo consists of 31 islands.
It’s popular among diving and nature enthusiasts. The islands are considered a true tropical paradise due to their crystal clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and rich marine life.
Its main island is Derawan Island, where small fishing villages and sandy beaches can be found. Its coastal waters are famous for green sea turtles, which are often seen going to the beaches to lay eggs.
Additionally, Sangalaki Island should be highlighted, where rare manta rays live. Maratua Island is a larger atoll surrounded by spectacular coral reefs.
