A history lesson
Begin your Jakarta journey by venturing into the Old Town are, locally known as Kota Tua. As you wander through this neighbourood, it almost feels like you’ve slipped back into the 17th century – with old Dutch colonial buildings lining the streets (many now converted into museums), cosy cafés, and art galleries. At the heart of it all is Fatahillah Square, the ideal spot to slow down, watch bicycles roll by, listen to street musicians, or simply sit back with a refreshing drink.
If you are a history buff, then the Jakarta History Museum (also known as Fatahillah Museum) is just a short walk away. It is a great place to learn about the city's colonial legacy – try to catch one of the local cultural shows that take place regularly here. Key collections include 17th-19th century Dutch furniture, historical cartographic documents, exquisite paintings and ceramics.
Another must visit is the Wayang Museum, with displays of shadow puppets that are extremely entertaining - a lovely spot if you enjoy old storytelling traditions
End your day at Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor, where the iconic, large, brightly painted wooden sailing vessels called Pinisi boats (two-masted Indonesian sailing vessel) line the waterfront. Still in active use, this historic port continues to serve vessels carrying goods between Indonesia’s islands, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich maritime heritage.
Tip: Plan your visit to the museums in the early part of the day, as they close at 3 pm and are shut on Mondays. Colourful bikes are available for rent in the main square of the Old Town.
Tickle your tastebuds
For a taste of the city’s evolving food scene, head to Pasar Santa — a traditional indoor market that has now turned trendy with its array of creative food (and craft) stalls. In contrast, Pasar Baru, Jakarta’s oldest market dating back to 1820, offers up a pedestrian-friendly shopping street lined with vendors selling fabrics, flowers, vintage knickknacks, and street food influenced by local Javanese, Indian, and Chinese communities. No matter where you eat, definitely try gado-gado, a comforting mix of steamed vegetables in a rich peanut sauce, and soto betawi, a creamy beef soup that pairs beautifully with soft plain rice.
To end the day, visit Skye Bar, perched on the 56th floor, where comfortable seating and sweeping city views make for a relaxed introduction to Jakarta’s nightlife.
Tip: Guided food tours let you taste a range of dishes, hear the stories behind them, chat with local cooks about ingredients and click great photos along the way. Jakarta Walking Tour and With Locals are great options.
Monument hopping
Jakarta has many mosques, but if there is one to definitely visit, it is the Istiqlal Mosque, which stands out as the largest in Southeast Asia. This key landmark is impressive in scale and spirit and was opened in 1978 to mark Indonesia’s independence - hence the name ‘istiqlal’ meaning “independence.
From the mosque, cross the street to reach Jakarta Cathedral, a striking neo-Gothic building dating back to 1901. Their close proximity beautifully reflects Indonesia’s tradition of religious harmony (after all, both Bali’s Hindu culture and Borobudur’s Buddhist history are remarkable in this Islamic country). Both are just a short walk from Merdeka Square and the National Monument, a 137-metre obelisk topped with a gold-foil flame, built to celebrate independence.
Tip: Take the elevator to the top for sweeping views of the city.
Another interesting place to visit is the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a vast, culture-themed park that brings Indonesia’s diversity together in one place. Spread across 100 hectares, it features provincial pavilions with striking traditional houses, along with museums, a bird park, and a row of religious buildings. Cable cars, a monorail, and a small train make getting around easy on foot.
Retail Therapy
Jakarta boasts of over 150 markets and malls – shopping is a national pastime here - so choose the ones you actually want to visit.
If there is one thing you have to pick up, it is batik fabric. Visit Tanah Abang Market for the widest variety and wholesale prices, Pasar Mayestik for high-quality fabrics and tailoring services, and Thamrin City for cheerful modern designs.
For souvenir shopping, and for electronic items or quirky gadgets, the smaller malls around Chinatown are your best bet. In fact, plan a trip to Chinatown just to do some window-shopping – it’s right in between the National Monument and the Old Town saving precious travel time in Jakarta’s notorious traffic.