Runner-up in 2015 Family Guide to Jakarta Top Weekend Breaks
YOGYAKARTA OR JOGJAKARTA OR JOGJA
If you want to discover more of the history and culture of Indonesia, head for Yogyakarta, the capital city of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY). The region is located on the south of Central Java and it takes approximately 8 hours by car or 1 hour by plane from Jakarta.
Still governed by its Sultanate who promotes Javanese history and culture, you can while away your days in the relatively quiet, historic centre of the city and enjoy its wealth of Javanese culture.
Top Activities in and around Yogyakarta
1.The Sultan’s Square or Alun-Alun, where you can play the traditional game of mansangin, walking between the two huge banyan trees blindfolded
2.Sultan’s carriage museum
3.Tugu Monument – which celebrates the spirit of togetherness
4.Benteng Vredeburg museum – history of Indonesia and Yogyakarta with games for children
5.Kotabaru (Dutch heritage homes, colonial style church)
6.Taman Sari – also known as the Water Castle. The site of a former royal garden of theSultanate of Yogyakarta.
8.Museum Dirgantara (aircraft museum)
Top Art Galleries
1.French Indonesian Cultural Center – supports the art scene in Yogyakarta, besides promoting the French language and culture
2.Ruang MES56 – run by a group of artists, it holds small exhibitons and has a tiny library
3.Sangkring Art Space – prime modern and contemporary art centre in Jogja, located in the famous artist village of Nitripaya.
4.Bentara– renowned cultural institution, owned and funded by Kompas Gramedia Group, with several sister organisations in different Indonesian cites, including Jakarta and Bali.
5.Cemeti Art House – art exhibitions and projects both by Indonesian and foreign contemporary artists, art management and residency as well as information, documentation and promotion centre for visual arts in Indonesia.
6.Jogja Gallery – occupying a former movie theatre, it offers emerging and well-established contemporary Indonesian artists with a small café
7.Kedai Kebun – great artist hangout spot, managed by a group of artists, with art performances and exhibitions and s in Yogyakarta. Founded in 1996, Kedai Kebun is entirely managed by a group of artists. Great café.
8.Langgeng Art Foundation – opened in 2010, offers a variety of art and photography exhibitions and has exhibited numerous well-known contemporary artists
9.Affandi Museum – built by the artist Affandi as his home and to show his works. His home is truly unique and features a prayer room in a converted horse carriage, painted in all technicolour tones with a roof shaped as a banana leaf.
10.Taman Budaya – offers contemporary visual art, photography and sculpture exhibitions, poetry readings, literary discussions, lectures and presentations and performance arts.
Outdoor and/or sport experiences in Yogyakarta
1.Borobudur Temple: one of the main reasons to come. A stunning budhist temple and a world heritage sight. Worth the effort to see the sunrise at Borobudur. About an hours’ drive from the city.
2.Prambanan Temple: 9th century Hindu temple complex
3.Golf (Hyatt Regency Hotel golf course, Merapi Golf)
4.Rafting (Kisik River Camp)
Shopping
1.Malioboro (popular shopping area in Yogyakarta)
2.Malioboro Mall
3.Galeria Mall
4.Plaza Ambarukmo
5.Saptohoedojo Art Gallery
6.Tjokrosuharto
7.Leksa Ganesha Batik Gallery
Top places to eat
Yogyakarta has an impressive range of quality cafes and restaurants for you to try.
Coffee and breakfast – Kedai Kopi Mataram, offers great coffee, breakfast and lunch
Javanese – Kesuma, fantastic cooking by Chef Lilies in a traditional wooden Javanese house
Mediterranean – Mediterranea Restaurant, fresh, tasty food from around the Mediterranean
Romantic garden – The Sawah, offers an authentic Javanese experience
Organic and vegetarian – Milas, each table is in its own hut. Serves tasty and inventive dishes (no website)
Local dishes and drinks
1.Gudeg (Yogyakarta’s famous local dish).
a.Gudeg Wijilan, Gudeg Juminten, Gudeg Bu Tjitro, Gudeg Tugu, and Gudeg Bu Ahmad.
b.Pawon on Janturan street open until late night.
2.Mbok Berek’s Fried Chicken
3.Ibu Suharti’s Fried Chicken
4.Dapur Solo (famous for “nasi liwet” and “nasi timlo” dishes)
5.Bakpia Patuk (the store sells bakpia which is a sweet snack filled with green bean paste and covered with flaky puff pastry sheets. This is a traditional snack from Yogyakarta).
6.Rujak
7.Es cendol
Top places to stay
1.Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta – swanky with all ameneties
2.Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta – luxury and design
3.Dusun Jogja Village Inn – boutique and romanti
4.Gallery Prawirotaman Hotel (www.galleryprawirotamanhotel.com)
5.Villa Pondok Terra – private villas, each with own garden and swimming pool
6.Hotel Santika Premier Jogja – four star with old-style charm
7.Grand Zuri Malioboro Yogyakarta – downtown and modern
8.Hotel Ibis Malioboro Yogyakarta – 3 star, central
9.Inna Garuda Yogyakarta – large hotel – classic.