So you are planning to holiday in Indonesia and you are working out the best places to visit. With some 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago it can be a little confusing as where best to spend your time. Well, you’ve come to the right place to get some suggestions as Indonesia is known for its diverse attractions. From hiking up volcanoes, swimming with manta rays, seeing rich rice farming land, visiting exquisite temples, enjoying local cuisine and chilling on one of the many beaches, Indonesia offers visitors plenty to see and do. 

Depending on the length of time you have to spend in Indonesia, whether that be one week in Indonesia, two weeks in Indonesia or one month in Indonesia will determine how best to spend your time. The more time you have, the more places you can visit in Indonesia. Plus, Indonesia is an extremely affordable area to visit making it an ideal destination for backpackers of all ages to families to Indonesia with kids on tight budgets. Without further ado, here are some of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

Indonesia Facts & Figures

Name: Republic of Indonesia known as Indonesia formerly known as the Dutch East Indies (or Netherlands East Indies)
Located Between Indian and Pacific Oceans
Consists of around 17000 islands and is the world’s largest archipelagic state.
Capital city: Jakarta, on the island of Java
Home to some 280 million people with half living on Java
Official Language: Indonesian
Currency: Indonesian rupiah
Indonesia’s national dish – nasi goreng.

Best Places to Visit in Indonesia

Jakarta

A visit to the capital of Indonesia from De Wet @ Museum of Wander

Jakarta Old Town

Most visitors to Indonesia dismiss the capital, thinking there’s not much to see or do. This has to stop. Today. Jakarta is an exciting city to explore, with fantastic sights, incredible food, and friendly people.

Put aside at least two days for Jakarta, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

In Kota Tua, the historical old town of Jakarta, you can see some of the best colonial architecture in Southeast Asia. This area is peppered with stunning Art Deco buildings and museums along a canal, almost like a tropical version of Amsterdam. Make sure to go for a drink or something to eat at the stunning Cafe Batavia in Fatahillah Square in the heart of the old town.

Then there is Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown. Here, you can see many Chinese temples, stroll through the wet market, and, of course, indulge in some excellent Chinese-Indonesian food. Pantjoran Tea House has delicious dim sum, while Petak Enam is popular for street food.

The National Museum of Indonesia is also a must-see in Jakarta. This museum houses a staggering collection of archaeological and ethnological artefacts from across the entire archipelago. It has fascinating pieces from far-flung places such as Papua, Kalimantan, and Timor.

Across the street from the National Museum, the Monas Tower, an obelisk standing 132 meters tall, provides a sweeping view over the city. A short walk away is the Istiqlal Mosque, the ninth largest in the world.

Jakarta is also a modern metropolis, home to over 11 million people. Mega malls like the Grand Indonesia Mall, Central Park Mall and Mall of Indonesia offer exciting shopping and dining options.

Check out accommodation options in Jakarta here.

Suggest tours:
Jakarta Full Day Sightseeing Tour

Sumatra

One of the best islands of Indonesia to visit of De Wet @ Museum of Wander

jungle trek in Sumatra

Indonesia’s third-largest island is all about nature and adventure. Whether you’re looking for jungle treks in virgin rain forests searching for orangutans, climbing smouldering volcanoes, pumping surf, incredible diving or snorkelling, Sumatra has it all.

Due to its size, it’s best to focus on one area in Sumatra unless you have more than a month in Indonesia. North Sumatra is most popular with visitors. As you can see the best of the island in a relatively small area. It’s also easy to reach with cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

A typical North Sumatra itinerary starts in Medan, which has an international airport. Head south to Lake Toba, the world’s largest crater lake. Spend a few days here relaxing at the lakeside, exploring intricate Batak villages, drinking fantastic Lake Toba coffee, and enjoying the mellow nightlife.

A few hours away from the lake, the Karo Highlands offer excellent hiking and trekking. Mount Sibyak (2212m) near Berastagi is an easy hike you can do in one day.

Then there’s Bukit Lawang further north. Famous for jungle trekking and orangutan spotting. It’s easy to arrange a jungle trek, lasting from half a day to a three-day jungle expedition once you’re in Bukit Lawang. Besides seeing orangutans, you’re likely to spot other primates, bugs, and birds and do some fun tube rafting on the river.

Divers and snorkellers will want to include Pulau Weh on their Sumatra trip, while surfers can head to Asu or the Mentawai Islands. All are just a short flight (or a gruelling bus/ferry ride) from Medan.

For accommodation in Sumatra go here:

Suggest tours:
2 day 1 night Orangutan Trek

Bali

A favourite holiday island in Indonesia of Sharyn @ Discover Australia Now

can be touristy in Bali

Bali is most well-known of all the Indonesian island and with good cause. It has plenty to offer all on the one small island for visitors of all ages from solo backpackers, to honeymooners to families visiting Bali with kids. Most include a visit of at least 7 days in Bali. Some even move to live and work in Bali as digital nomads as it has a very good infrastructure set up.

Many first timers to Bali will head to Kuta to discover this most touristy spot on the island. Kuta is known for its beach, great shopping and lively nightlife where many party every night. For those not wanting to party, there is plenty more to do.

Discover culture in Bali by visiting some of the many temples including Uluwatu Temple where each night you can enjoy a fire dance. Or head inland to Ubud to see the rice terraces. If feeling energetic, hike up Mt Agung for a wonderful sunrise or sunset.

For accommodation in Kuta and other Bali options go here.

Suggest tours in Bali:
Uluwatu Temple and Fire Dance Show
1 day entry to Waterbom Waterpark Bali
2 hour Canggu learn to surf

Nusa Penida

Favourite island in Indonesia of Mal & Robin @ WhereToStayBali

Keling King Beach with t-rex

One of the top destinations to explore in Indonesia is Nusa Penida, a stunning island located a 30-minute speed boat ride southeast of Bali. Known for its dramatic cliffs, rich marine life, and pristine beaches, Nusa Penida offers a unique experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Most travellers visit the island on a day trip, but if your itinerary allows you, we recommend  staying on Nusa Penida for a couple of days to truly appreciate its beauty.

Popular attractions on Nusa Penida include the iconic Keling King Beach, renowned for its T-rex-shaped cliff, which has taken social media by storm with its stunning photos. Despite its fame, the beauty of this place remains unmatched, and we believe it’s far from overrated! While visiting, make sure to join a snorkelling tour, as the west coast of Nusa Penida is home to the majestic manta rays.

If you’re more into off-the-beaten-track or cultural activities, make sure to visit Goa Giri Putri – a unique worship place located inside a cave.

Though Nusa Penida is a less-developed, quieter counterpart to Bali, recent years have seen steady growth in infrastructure. Today, the island offers a variety of accommodation and dining options. If you’re looking for a great place to stay, Mahalka Valley is a fantastic midrange option, just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Crystal Bay Beach on the island’s western side.

Suggested tours:
One way express ferry ticket to Nusa Penida from Bali
Nusa Penida 1 day tour
Nusa Penida Private Snorkelling

Nusa Lembongan

Favourite Indonesian island of Liza @ Atlas Rambler Travel Guides

crystal clear waters of Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is an easy 40-minute boat ride from Bali, yet it feels a world away. I have heard people describe Nusa Lembongan as “Bali in the 70s”, and that is exactly the vibe it gives. Imagine crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand beaches perfect for chilling, and a super laid-back vibe. It is considerably less crowded than Bali, but still has awesome restaurants and relaxed beach bars to enjoy. It is the perfect addition to an Indonesia itinerary because not only is it beautiful and very easily accessible from Bali, it still feels untouched and like an adventure.

The island is small so you can rent a scooter and explore the whole island in one day. You can even cross the famous yellow bridge over to Nusa Ceningan by scooter.

One of the major drawcards of a visit to Nusa Lembongan is the diving and snorkelling. Between May and October, you can dive with manta rays. Watching these gentle giants soar through the water above you is an experience like nothing else!

If diving is not for you, spend your days exploring the many beaches such as Dream Beach, Mushroom Bay or Jungut Batu (perfect for sunset!).

Whether you are into surfing, yoga, or just relaxing with a cocktail watching the sun go down, Lembongan has you covered.

Gili T

Best places to visit in Indonesia of James Fahey

crystal clear waters on Gili T

Welcome to Gili Trawangan (or “Gili T” as the locals call it) – the biggest of the three Gili Islands just off Lombok’s northwest coast.

Getting here is super easy with quick boat rides from Bali or Lombok, and the best part? No cars! It’s the perfect spot to unwind or find some adventure, whatever floats your boat.

The beaches here are something else. I mean picture-perfect white sand that’ll make your Instagram followers very jealous.

But the real magic happens underwater! When I visited I went snorkeling with with massive sea turtles and explored amazing coral reefs teeming with colourful fish.

If you love the ocean Gili T is for you! The whole island has this cool, laid-back vibe with a fun reggae twist.

Come sunset, head to the west side where you’ll find awesome beach bars and restaurants serving up the catch of the day. And don’t worry about where to stay – Gili T has everything from budget-friendly hostels to fancy resorts.

If you’re about to visit Indonesia for the first time, you really can’t go wrong with Gili T.

It’s got that perfect mix of being easy to get to, naturally gorgeous, and authentically Indonesian.

I loved my time on the island and I hope you get to visit on your trip!

Suggested Tours
Gili Islands Snorkelling

Flores

Incredible place to visit in Indonesia of De Wet @ Museum of Wander

Crater Lakes

Flores is a long, mountainous island in eastern Indonesia with some of the country’s most epic sights and travel experiences. 

On Flores, you can see the Komodo dragons, experience some world-class snorkelling and diving, explore tribal villages, swim in natural hot springs and even climb a volcano. While you could easily spend an entire month here without getting bored, a typical Flores itinerary lasts about two weeks. 

Most visitors fly into Labuan Bajo in the west and then travel overland on public transportation to Maumere in the east on the Trans Flores Highway, a journey of roughly 500 km.

Spend a few days in Labuan Bajo, going island hopping in Komodo National Park. Besides seeing the dragons, you can snorkel or dive on excellent reefs and climb Padar Mountain for that iconic view of Komodo.

Moving on, spend a day or two in Ruteng to bask in its untouristy vibes, see the spiderweb rice fields and the Liang Bua where the Flores Hobbit, an early ancient human species, was found.

The next stop is the magical town of Bajawa, located at the foot of the Inerie Volcano. Here, you can explore many incredible Ngada villages where you can see women weaving the island’s famous ikat. When villages don’t excite you anymore, take a dip in one of the many natural hot springs in the area. Malanage Hot Spring is gorgeous. Or summit Mount Inerie (2 245m) for an active adventure.

And then there’s Kelimutu, almost at the end of the Trans Flores Highway. Here, you’ll see three crater lakes on the summit, each with a different colour. Locals believe there’s a lake for young, old, and evil souls in the afterlife. 

Flores is an incredible destination; you really shouldn’t miss it.

Tetebatu, Lombok

Favourite holiday spot in Indonesia of Tania @ Slower Travels

hiking through the ride paddies in Tetebatu

One of the most common images of Indonesia is that of lush, green rice paddies. One of the best places to see them is the small village of Tetebatu, nestled on the island of Lombok.

Visiting this small village is the perfect way to see traditional Indonesian life. Here, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, local warungs (restaurants) and every food imaginable being grown. You also have incredible views across the rice paddies extending towards the horizon before being interrupted by the magnificent Mount Rinjani (the second-highest peak across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands).

The best way to experience Tetebatu life is to book a guided tour. You can do this directly through your hotel or homestay. Your guide will walk you through the rice paddies, explain all the plants and crops growing, show you the Monkey Forest, and take you swimming in one of the many local waterfalls.

To see the impressive waterfalls, head across to Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu. About an hour west of Tetebatu, this national park hosts four impressive falls. The national park has an entry fee, and you must take a guide with you. The loop track takes about two hours, and your guide will let you know where you can swim and help you get great photos of each spot.

Cooking Class, Bali

Favourite thing to do in Bali of Sharyn

Nasi Goreng

Not actually a place to visit in Indonesia, but a wonderful experience is to learn how to cook traditional Balinese foods. And being a travelling foodie I jumped at the chance to learn how to make one of my favourite Indonesian foods – Nasi Goreng.

Nasi goreng is a popular Indonesian dish. It is made of fried rice with vegetables, meat, and spices traditionally served with a fried egg. What distinguishes it from other fried rice dishes is the sauce Kecap Manis. This sauce is a sweet soy sauce that stains the rice dark brown and caramelises it when it cooks. 

I didn’t know how easy it was to make until I undertook this cooking class and now it is one of my favourite foods to make while travelling and at home. Nasi goreng was just one of the dishes I learnt to make during my cooking lesson so if you are visiting Bali, or any of the other Indonesian islands, one of the best things to do while visiting Indonesia is to undertake a cooking class.

Suggested Cooking Classes in Bali
Bali cooking class with 5 dishes
Ubud cooking class

Organise Your Indonesian Odyssey

Now you know some of the best places to visit and see in Indonesia, it is time to organise your Indonesian holiday.

When To Go To Indonesia?

Anytime, is a good time to visit Indonesia however, if wanting the best weather, the best time to visit Indonesia is from May to September as this falls during the dry season. During this period, the weather is generally more predictable, and you can expect clear blue skies, making it ideal for exploring mountains and sitting on the beaches. If you’re interested in diving in Indonesia, it is also recommended to visit during this time, as the sea tends to be calmer compared to the off-season.

How To Get To Indonesia

How you get to Indonesia will depend on where you are coming from. If you are already in the region, there are plenty of ferries linking the islands. However, many do fly into Indonesia. Either the capital of Jakarta on the island of Java or on to other islands.

To find a flight check out Skyscanner.

How To Get Around Indonesia

Traveling within Indonesia is considerably easy. Various transportation options are available. For short distances you can rent a motorbike to travel or hire a taxi for the day. For longer distances some islands have trains, such as in Java. There are also bus tours to get you around and ferries to help you island hop. You could take short flights between the islands.

Accommodation in Indonesia

Indonesia has a variety of accommodation available for every style of travel and budget. There is plenty of budget accommodation to five star luxury resorts.

Check out accommodation options at Booking.com.

How Long to Spend in Indonesia

How long have you got to spend in Indonesia. The longer the better.

How to spend 1 week in Indonesia

If you only have 1 week to spend in Indonesia you may want to enjoy just one of the islands such as Bali.

How to spend 2 weeks in Indonesia

If you have 2 weeks to spend in Indonesia you could visit the capital Jakarta and then do some island hopping.

How to spend 1 month in Indonesia

Lucky you, one month in Indonesia will give you plenty of time to discover a lot of Indonesia. Visit the capital of Jakarta in Java, then island hop visiting Sumatra, Bali and other islands.

What To Pack For Indonesia?

Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Indonesia. As the weather will mostly be warm, you will be taking mostly summery clothes.

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travels in Indonesia, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. Check these mens and womens shoes out.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures. T-shirts are OK.
• Shorts/Jeans/Leggings: Wear breathable shorts during the day and a pair of jeans for when the weather cools or going out at night. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold weather in Indonesia.
• Scarf or Sarong: Be respectful to religious beliefs in Indonesia and cover up with a scarf or sarong when visiting temples.
• Outer Shell Jacket or Raincoat: An outer shell jacket or raincoat is great for windy or rainy conditions.
• Microfiber Towel: A microfiber towel is the ideal to travel to Indonesia with as it i lightweight, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swimwear: Swimwear is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Indonesia as there is plenty of water to cool off in.
• Camera: Take a camera to get great holiday photos or use your phone’s camera.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a Power Bank. Read my post how to choose a power bank for travel.
• Water Bottle: Keeping hydrated in the heat is a must so having a refillable water bottle for those days sightseeing is a must. How about a collapsable water bottle.
• Universal Adapter: You’ll need a universal adapter to plug in your electronics..
• Packing Cubes: These are great to save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organised. Read my post on how packing cubes can revolutionise your packing.
• Daypack or Messenger Back: Read why I like messenger bags to take sightseeing for the day.

Are You Ready to Discover Indonesia?