Free things to do · Jakarta · Indonesia
8 free things to do in Jakarta
Jakarta without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Jakarta without paying an entry fee: Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, Glodok and Petak Sembilan and Sunday Car Free Day on Sudirman–Thamrin are all free. Istiqlal, the Cathedral, Merdeka Square, the National Gallery and Car Free Day cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–April and November
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Merdeka Square
1.Istiqlal Mosque
Wear long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders; robes are lent at the entrance, and shoes are left at the door.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Religious site · Merdeka Square
2.Jakarta Cathedral
Visit it straight after Istiqlal; the two are a two-minute walk apart.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
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Neighbourhood · Kota Tua and Glodok
3.Glodok and Petak Sembilan
Go around Chinese New Year for red lanterns and temple crowds, or any morning for the busiest market scenes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
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Experience · Thamrin and Bundaran HI
4.Sunday Car Free Day on Sudirman–Thamrin
Arrive by about 7am, before the heat, and walk from Bundaran HI towards Sudirman.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Neighbourhood · South Jakarta
5.Setu Babakan Betawi village
Go on a weekend afternoon for performances, and combine it with a meal of soto Betawi.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · Merdeka Square
6.National Gallery of Indonesia
Combine it with Istiqlal and the Cathedral, both a short walk north.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Market · Menteng and Cikini
7.Jalan Surabaya antiques market
Bargain firmly, and treat 'antique' labels with scepticism.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Blok M
8.M Bloc Space
Come after dark, when the courtyard fills with young Jakartans and music venues open.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Free
- Shopping
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Merdeka Square | Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral and National Gallery of Indonesia | 1 hour + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Kota Tua and Glodok | Glodok and Petak Sembilan | 1.5–2 hours |
| Thamrin and Bundaran HI | Sunday Car Free Day on Sudirman–Thamrin | 2 hours |
| South Jakarta | Setu Babakan Betawi village | 2 hours |
| Menteng and Cikini | Jalan Surabaya antiques market | 1 hour |
| Blok M | M Bloc Space | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Landmark · Merdeka Square
National Monument (Monas)
Arrive early for the lift, which has limited capacity and long queues by late morning, and avoid the midday heat on the open square.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
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Historic site · Kota Tua and Glodok
Fatahillah Square and Jakarta History Museum
Come in the late afternoon when the heat eases and locals arrive, then eat at the colonial-era Café Batavia on the square.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Museum · Kota Tua and Glodok
Wayang Museum
Ask at the entrance whether a performance is scheduled during your visit.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
- History
Waterfront · Kota Tua and Glodok
Sunda Kelapa harbour
Visit early in the morning, when loading is underway and the light is soft; local boatmen offer short rowing trips between the hulls.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
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Museum · Merdeka Square
National Museum of Indonesia
Start with the stone statuary in the courtyard of the original building, then the treasure room of gold regalia.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
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Theme park · East Jakarta
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Rent a bicycle or use the shuttle buses; the park is far too big to walk in the heat.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- History
Zoo · South Jakarta
Ragunan Zoo
Go on a weekday morning; at weekends the zoo is very crowded with local families.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Museum · West Jakarta
Textile Museum
Book a batik workshop to try the wax-resist technique and take your piece home.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Istiqlal, the Cathedral, Merdeka Square, the National Gallery and Car Free Day cost nothing.
- Public transport is very cheap; the MRT and TransJakarta save both money and time compared with taxis in rush hour.
- Street food and warung meals cost a fraction of mall restaurants.
- Five-star hotels in Jakarta are inexpensive by international standards; weekend rates in business areas often drop.
- Withdraw cash from bank ATMs inside malls or banks, and carry small notes for street food and markets.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jakarta expensive to visit?
Jakarta is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Jakarta?
Istiqlal Mosque: Wear long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders; robes are lent at the entrance, and shoes are left at the door.