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!

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.
• 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.
• Café Batavia – relax after a day or sightseeing at this charming café built in the 1830s with a view of Jakarta History Museum.

FIND JAKARTA HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

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.
• 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, 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.
• 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.

FIND JAKARTA HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

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 still tour 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).

FIND JAKARTA HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Where to Stay in Jakarta

Fraser Residence Sudirman, Jakarta

Wonderloft Hostel

Kristal Hotel Jakarta

Explore Agoda’s Homestays & Vacation Rentals

Apartments
107,455 properties

Vacation Rentals
517,703 properties

Private Villas
181,167 properties

Bungalows
8,801 properties