© istock/Sadagus
© istock/Sadagus

Special Region of Yogyakarta


Located on the southern coast of the island of Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta is the second-smallest province in Indonesia. The capital city of the province, surrounded on three sides by Central Java, is Yogyakarta....

If Jakarta is the financial center of Java, Yogyakarta is its cultural capital. This bustling metropolis is one of the most visited destinations in Indonesia, due to its proximity to Indonesia’s two most important archaeological sites – Borobudur and Prambanan (in Central Java). At the same time modern and traditional, this city quickly charms all visitors. Yogyakarta is the guardian of Javanese culture, as it treasures many historical landmarks and preserves centuries-old traditions. An unmissable highlight of Yogyakarta is the kraton, the sultan’s palace, which serves as a hub of traditional life. Yogya, as locals popularly call it, is also a huge urban city with its contemporary cultural attractions such as street art and galleries. For those of you in the quest for active volcanoes, don’t miss Mt. Merapi located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta. Erupting regularly since 1548, Mt. Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia.

Things to do and see in Special Region of Yogyakarta, per interest