3-Day Jakarta Itinerary | Activities in Old Town, Ancol & Thousand Islands

Jakarta is a city full of wonders, but with the careful planning, travelers can squeeze a variety of activities into a short trip to Indonesia. Even a 3-day Jakarta itinerary can provide enough time to see the top attractions, plus a few bonus landmarks on the side. To maximize sightseeing satisfaction, travelers should explore as many attractions in one area as possible before moving on to a different neighborhood in the city. Tourists should make sure to spend a day in Kota Tua, or Jakarta Old Town, and a trip to Ancol Beach City is a must!

Getting Around Jakarta

The traffic is crazy in Jakarta, yes, but getting around as a tourist can be quite fun and an experience of its own. Taxis are a reliable and easy (but more expensive way) to get around Jakarta. The KRL Commuter Line, or metro train, makes stops at or near several of the city’s best attractions. Plus, the train is affordable for sightseers on a budget. A bajaj (two-seater vehicle on three wheels) or motocycle taxi is a cheap transportation option for short trips. Finally, public buses are available and super affordable, but travelers new to the city may have trouble navigating the lines. Also, while bus rides are cheap, they tend to take up a ton of travel time. For travelers seeking an excellent cultural experience, however, a single-trip bus ride is highly recommended!

Jakarta Local Cuisine

Indonesia is known for its exceptional local cuisine, and Jakarta is no exception. From world-class establishments to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, to street foods, there’s so much to eat and enjoy in this wonderful city. Because Indonesia is such a multicultural country, the food traditions vary greatly, depending on the region travelers happen to visit. For Jakarta, traditional food is at the center of it all, with offerings like gado-gado, which is a mixture of steamed vegetables and tofu or tempeh and rice, served in a peanut sauce.

Because of colonial influences, it’s not rare to find Dutch-inspired dishes, like sop buntut, which is a flavorful oxtail soup. The Dutch also introduced bread and cheese to the area, adding to an already rich array of foods. When visiting Jakarta, travelers should also do their best to try street food options, like Martabak, which is a sweet and savory dish that’s kind of like a deep-fried omelet with chicken or duck inside.

Street food vendors can be found around the city, and at night markets, so visitors should keep their eyes, and stomachs, open, and stop whenever they see a line of people waiting or if they smell something delicious – city exploration is a must. When it comes to Jakarta, more is better, so travelers should fill up on fantastic food and carry the memories back home.

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3-Day Jakarta Itinerary | Day 1 – Explore Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua)

The charming neighborhood of Kota Tua, or Jakarta Old Town, is oozing with history and Dutch influence. Many of the buildings in the neighborhood have been preserved, and several museums outline how the region came to be way back when. The area also is lined with local restaurants, boutiques and historic monuments, so visitors won’t want to rush a trip to Kota Tua.

Things to see in Kota Tua

• Fatahillah Square – the historic center of Batavia (Old Jakarta) is lined with historic Dutch buildings that now house local cafés, museums and art galleries. The area comes to life on weekends when street food vendors and entertainers set up in the square.
• Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Museum) – guests can follow Jakarta from its founding in 1527 to its independence in 1945 with a tour inside Batavia’s former city hall. The museum is also home to items from the prehistoric era and offers a great overview of Jakarta’s history.
• Wayang Museum – sometimes called the “Puppet Museum” due to its vast collection of Javanese puppets, dolls, sculptures and paintings, Wayang Museum features puppet exhibits and hands-on puppetry workshops.
• Museum Bank Indonesia – trace Indonesia’s currency back to the early 1800s. This heritage building and museum showcase the bank’s role in Indonesia’s history and gives an audio-visual experience that details the history of currency and trade in the area.
• Café Batavia – relax after a day or sightseeing at this charming café built in the 1830s with a view of Jakarta History Museum.

3-Day Jakarta Itinerary | Day 2 – Shopping & Sightseeing

What’s a day in Jakarta without a little shopping and sightseeing? Treat yourself to a DIY morning tour of some of Jakarta’s most cherished landmarks followed by an afternoon of shopping for souvenirs at the city’s top malls and markets.

• Merdeka Square – situated in the city center, Merdeka Square marks the city’s independence with a soaring obelisk known as Monas, or the National Monument. The site is surrounded by a park area that often hosts ceremonies, parades and local demonstrations.
• Istiqlal Mosque – sitting next to Merdeka Square, Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. The religious site serves as the national mosque of Indonesia, and was built to commemorate Indonesian independence – even its name, “Istiqlal,” means independence in Arabic.
• Jakarta Cathedral – just behind Istiqlal Mosque, tourists will find Jakarta’s renowned and restored Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral that was built in 1901.
• Glodok (Chinatown) – start an afternoon shopping spree at Glodok Chinatown Market, which is famous for food, fashion, and electronic goods. Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
• Grand Indonesia – cool off indoors while browsing through more than 100 upscale department stores, shops and chains. This popular mall also contains a supermarket, international restaurants and health and wellness centers, along with a cinema and a fountain show.
• Ancol Art Market (Pasar Seni) – this beachfront art gallery features works from local artists. Tourists can find everything from paintings and wooden sculptures to workshops and live exhibits.

3-Day Jakarta Itinerary | Day 3 – Ancol Dreamland or Thousand Islands

While some families might want to get wet and wild at a water park, more adventurous travelers may want to get wet and wild on a snorkeling or diving trip. Both adventures provide a day in the water learning more about Jakarta’s port district and abundant marine life.

• Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol) – this resort area in Jakarta Bay contains multiple attractions, and families can pick and choose between activities or buy tickets to enjoy them all! Guests have the choice of spending a day at Dunia Fantasi, an amusement park; Ocean Dream Samudra – Ancol; a theme park; Sea World Ancol, an aquarium; or Atlantis Water Adventures Ancol, a water park. Ancol Dreamland activities are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Entry fees vary according to park.
• Thousand Islands – this diving and snorkeling tour doesn’t really consist of visiting 1,000 islands, but that is the name of the group of more than 300 islands just outside Jakarta. Visitors who aren’t interested in diving or snorkeling can take a Thousand Islands tour to a turtle sanctuary and soak up some incredible scenery during a boat tour of the islands, which can be booked at Ancol Marina (Dermaga Marina Ancol). Additionally, fishing trips are a possibility, along with birdwatching, so pack some sunscreen and get ready to enjoy a trip to these miraculous islands.

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Cultural attractions and experiences in Jakarta

Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to cultural attractions in Jakarta. These handy site suggestions and travel tips will help ensure travelers pick the best locations for their vacations:

National Museum of Indonesia

Learn all there is to know about Indonesia, courtesy of the stellar National Museum, which is also known as the “Elephant Museum” thanks to the large elephant statue in its courtyard. This expansive museum showcases archeological, ethnological, historical, and geographical details of the area, and has preserved around 141,000 objects from prehistoric items to ceramics, to historical objects, and more. This museum is also home to the biggest Hindu-Buddhist art collection – an absolute must-see when spending any time in this museum.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII)

Step into the unique world of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. This museum is home to 26 replicas of traditional houses from around Indonesia, giving visitors an idea of just how vast the cultural landscape of Indonesia is. This park is perfect for travelers with kids, as there are lots of things to do, see, and appreciate, including outdoor parks, museums, performing theaters, and more.

National Gallery of Indonesia

Get immersed in the culture of Indonesia with a visit to the National Gallery of Indonesia. This impressive art gallery is home to an expansive collection of Indonesian art and aims to expand cultural awareness by honoring the visual arts of the area. Inside the museum, visitors can feast their eyes on the huge collection, which showcases many art styles, periods, and famous artists, like Raden Saleh, Affandi, and even some international artists, like Zao Wou Ki.

Museum MACAN (Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara)

For modern and contemporary art in Jakarta, nothing beats Museum MACAN. This museum is world famous, and home to an epic collection of art, with around 800 pieces total. While much of the art belongs to the collector, Haryanto Adikoesoemo, a prominent businessman and local collector, it’s all on display for the world to enjoy. The museum also does lots of community outreach programs and tries to help teachers engage with their students through art. Exhibitions will vary depending on when travelers happen to be in the city, so it is a good idea to check ahead and see what will be featured, so visitors can better plan their trip to this gallery.

Sunda Kelapa Harbour

Sunda Kelapa Harbour is the old port of Jakarta and is now mostly home to pinisi, which are traditional, two-masted wooden sailing ships. This epic port might not be the best for beach activities, but visitors are certain to come away from a visit with a renewed appreciation for the maritime history of the area, though it can be busy as it is still a working port.

Day trips from Jakarta

While Jakarta offers plenty for visitors to do, some may wish to step outside of the massive city and see what the surrounding area has to offer for food, culture, and fun. Here are some of the exciting day trips that travelers to Jakarta can consider:

Bogor

Bogor is famous for Kebun Raya Bogor, its botanical gardens, and is a bit of a retreat from many other areas, since the climate is cooler. The city’s nickname is “Rainy City,” so visitors should plan for colder temperatures and the chance of rain. Bogor is known for its brined fruits and veggies, called asinan, so visitors to the area should be certain to try the local dishes as well.

Along with its botanical gardens, Bogor is also famous for its presidential palace, Bogor Palace, which is one of seven presidential palaces in Indonesia. Visitors who enjoy being outdoors should take some time to enjoy some of the city’s offerings, like golf. Novotel Bogor Golf Resort and Convention Center is particularly lovely and features a resort, along with an 18 hole golf course.

Bandung

Step into Bandung, a city that’s steeped in history. This city is set amongst a stunning backdrop of volcanos and tea plantations, making it a gorgeous stop for nature, history, and tea lovers. The architecture of this city is also unique as it still possesses remnants of its colonial past, and these historical sites offer visitors a peek into the area’s past.

When in the area, visitors should make certain to stop at Tangkuban Perahu Volcano. This volcano is located 19 miles north of Bandung, and travelers can get up close and personal, and take in views of the volcano from the edge of its rim. When in Bandung, travelers should also stop by one of the many tea plantations in the area, like Sukawana Tea Plantation or Tea Plantation RIUNG GUNUNG. These vast plantations are beautiful and will give guests a better appreciation of the tea growing and crafting processes, and many offer tours and have on-site facilities, like cafes.

Puncak

Puncak is located about an hour and a half south of Jakarta, and thanks to its cooler weather it’s a popular vacation spot for tourists and locals alike. Puncak is famous for its natural beauty, and travelers to the area will find plenty of gorgeous hikes to enjoy, like the trek around Mount Gede in Mount Gede Pangrango National Park.

Puncak is also famous for its sprawling tea plantations, including Gunung Mas Tea Plantation. This agro-tourism attraction is owned by the Indonesian government, and the site offers private tours. During these tours, travelers can pick through a variety of activities to engage in, like guided hikes or horseback riding excursions, along with tours of the fields and tea factories. There will also be a chance to sample and buy tea products, and no visitor should leave without picking up a gift or two for loved ones back home.

Where to Stay in Jakarta

Fraser Residence Sudirman, Jakarta

Wonderloft Hostel

Kristal Hotel Jakarta