Yogyakarta Indonesia – Top-10 Most Thrilling Things to Do

One of the great things about a trip to Yogyakarta is the fact that there is so much to do here, and if you are eager to venture outside the city center then you will be rewarded with amazing beaches and temples as well as some fun activities like rafting on the river.

1. Sunbathing on Indrayanti Beach

If you want to mix your trip to Yogyakarta with a bit of beach time then you may want to visit Indrayanti Beach. The city of Yogyakarta is not known for its coastline although it does actually lie alongside the Indian Ocean and you can come to Indrayanti Beach to check out the seascape and relax on the sand here. This is also a good place to try some of the local specialties as there are a range of food stalls and cafes at Indrayanti Beach so you can also sample some snacks and you sunbathe.

2. Shopping on Jalan Malioboro

The main thoroughfare in Yogyakarta is known as Jalan Malioboro and this is the place to come in town if you want to stock up on souvenirs. This is also close to Beringharjo Market and you can visit both of these at the same time and shop up a storm. Just some of the local handcrafts that you will find on Jalan Malioboro include plenty of batik textiles as well as silver jewelry, clothes and handicrafts like local Javanese puppets which make great gifts. As you would expect in Indonesia, the street is also covered in street food stalls where you can try the toothsome local treats like satay and Nasi Kucing.

3. Walking between the Two Ficus Trees

The Two Ficus Trees are two very famous trees in Yogyakarta which are known for their location in Sultan’s Square. We loved playing the game which requires you to wear a blindfold and then try to walk between the two trees. Local legend says that if you can manage to do this (and it is much harder than it sounds!) then you will get one of your wishes granted. If you don’t want to take part then it is still fun to watch others trying and you can also rent a blindfold here if you forget to bring your own with you!

4. Watching a Wayang Kulit Show

Wayang kulit is the name for Javanese shadow puppets and you can watch a show every evening at Museum Sonobudoyo. The show is accompanied by a gamelan orchestra and this is a great activity if you are interested in the local culture. Many of the stories tell local legends and this is an ideal way to spend an evening in Yogyakarta and soak in some of the artistic heritage for which it is so famous.

5. Rafting on the river

If you want a wild ride in Yogyakarta then you need to head out of town and visit one of the local rivers. Yogyakarta is known for two main rivers called the Elo River and the Progo River and one of the favorite activities here is to go rafting down the rapids. You can rent a raft or a kayak from the Kisik River Camp and then take to the water and enjoy the scenery as you make a splash.

6. Taking a batik class

Yogyakarta is known for one thing above everything else and that is its gorgeous batik textiles and the best thing about this handicraft is that anyone can try their hand at it. There are batik workshops all over the city including classes that you can sign up for at the Kraton or Sultan’s Palace and this means that you can learn the art of dripping wax on a piece of cloth and then dipping it in dye in order to make patterns. Of course you get to keep your creation at the end of the class as a souvenir of your trip to Yogyakarta.

7. Golfing

You may not immediately think of golf when you think of a trip to Indonesia but actually Yogyakarta has one of the best golf courses in the country. Designed by an international golf firm, this 18 hole course is called Merapi Golf and the clue to its celebrity is its name. The golf course looks out over Mount Merapi which is also an active volcano, so this is definitely the place to come if you want to get in a game with a view.

8. Visiting Wediombo Beach

Yogyakarta is not well known for its beaches which is a shame as some of them are spectacular including Wediombo Beach which is also known as Wide Sand Beach. This long strip of sand looks out over the waters of the Indian Ocean and you can come here to just relax on the sand or go swimming. Locals also come here as the area is known for its fish so you can go fishing if you are so inclined and then take your catch to one of the local restaurants to have it cooked to order.

9. Visiting Candi Prambanan

Candi Prambanan is the reason that many people come to Yogyakarta and lies around 20 minutes away from the local airport. If you are using Yogyakarta as a base then Candi Prambanan is not to be missed and was built in the 9th century as a Hindu temple (Borobudur is Buddhist). It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its beauty and you can spend time here visiting all the shrines and courtyards that make up the main complex.

10. Traveling to Borobudur

No trip to Yogyakarta would be complete without a trip to Borobudur temple which is one of the most famous attractions in Indonesia. The temple is a Buddhist structure which is said to date from the 9th century and has become famous for its 72 statues of the Buddha that are dotted around the complex. This is also the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia and you can climb up to a central platform here which then also lets you look out over the countryside. It takes around an hour to travel here from Yogyakarta but one thing we noticed was that there were a lot of school groups who wanted to interview and photograph visitors so it is best to go early if you want to beat the crowds.

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Unlike many other cities in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is a great place to visit if you are looking for sheer variety when it comes to the activities on offer. Even though this is a large city, you can still get outside the main centre and enjoy a huge range of different activities in Yogyakarta and these include thrilling choices such as white water rafting as well as swimming in the sea just off the coast. As if that wasn’t enough you can also enjoy the culture for which Yogyakarta is so famous by attending shows and workshops which will fill you in on all the rich artistic history of this part of the country. Finally you can also spend time browsing in the streets, shopping, and visiting some of the more laid back but fun attractions in Yogyakarta such as the Two Ficus Trees.