GoTourist
The old Stadhuis (Jakarta History Museum) on Fatahillah Square

No. 90 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Jakarta

Indonesia

Indonesia's sprawling capital: Dutch-era Kota Tua, giant mosques and malls, and food from all over the archipelago.

Open in Maps Apple Maps

Photo: J-lorentz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Jakarta is No. 90 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Indonesia's largest city lies on the north-west coast of Java, at the heart of a metropolitan area of more than 30 million people.

Visitors come for business, shopping and food, for the old port quarter of Kota Tua, and as a gateway to the rest of Java and the islands.

Istiqlal Mosque with the National Monument behind
Istiqlal Mosque with the National Monument behind. Photo: Midori, CC BY 3.0, source

Best time to go

June to September is the drier season. It is hot and humid all year, around 27 to 33 °C.

The rainy season peaks from December to February, when some streets can flood.

Top sights

  • 1

    Kota Tua

    The old Batavia quarter around Fatahillah Square, with the Jakarta History Museum and cafés.

  • 2

    National Monument (Monas)

    A 132 m obelisk in Merdeka Square, with a viewing deck.

  • 3

    Istiqlal Mosque

    One of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, with guided tours for visitors.

  • 4

    Jakarta Cathedral

    A neo-Gothic cathedral opposite Istiqlal Mosque.

  • 5

    National Museum

    Archaeology and ethnography from across Indonesia.

  • 6

    Thousand Islands

    Small islands in the bay, reached by boat from the north of the city.

Getting there

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) is about 25 km west of the centre; the airport train runs to the city in about 50 minutes.

The Whoosh high-speed railway links Jakarta with Bandung in under an hour.

Getting around

The MRT, the LRT, the KRL commuter trains and the TransJakarta busway are the best ways to avoid traffic. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are widely used.

Practical tips

Currency
Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets and small shops.
Language
Indonesian. English is spoken in hotels and malls.
Safety
Jakarta is generally safe; use ride-hailing apps or registered taxis and allow plenty of time for traffic. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and EU countries, can get a visa on arrival or an e-VoA online for stays of up to 30 days. Apply only through Indonesia's official immigration website.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Wonderful Indonesia (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

Open in Maps View larger map Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors