Sight guide · Yogyakarta · Indonesia
Visiting Borobudur
Built in the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist monument: nine stacked platforms with more than 2,600 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, crowned by a central stupa.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Heri nugroho, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Borobudur is a religious site in Magelang (40 km northwest), Yogyakarta. Allow half a day including travel; it is mid-priced. Access to the upper terraces is limited by a daily quota with timed tickets; book online well ahead in peak season.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Magelang (40 km northwest)
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- history, architecture, views and photo spot
- Best months
- April–May and October
About Borobudur
Built in the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist monument: nine stacked platforms with more than 2,600 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, crowned by a central stupa. The surrounding park looks out to the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu.
Tip: Arrive as early as possible to see the temple in soft morning light, and combine it with the smaller Mendut and Pawon temples on the same road.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day including travel.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: Access to the upper terraces is limited by a daily quota with timed tickets; book online well ahead in peak season.
- Where: Magelang (40 km northwest).
Best time to visit Borobudur
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 17:27 local time (calculated for Yogyakarta).
When to visit Yogyakarta has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Yogyakarta itinerary visits Borobudur on day 1, together with Prambanan, Kraton (Sultan's Palace) and Malioboro Street.
- No. 1 of the 16 sights in our Yogyakarta things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Yogyakarta.
- A family favourite in Yogyakarta with kids.
If you like Borobudur
- Prambanan — Sleman (17 km east), 2–3 hours
- Kraton (Sultan's Palace) — Kraton and Taman Sari, 1.5–2 hours
- Taman Sari Water Castle — Kraton and Taman Sari, 1–1.5 hours
- Ratu Boko — Sleman (17 km east), 1.5 hours
Staying near Borobudur
Where to stay in Yogyakarta compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Borobudur?
Plan half a day including travel.
+Is Borobudur free?
No, it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Borobudur?
April–May and October, the quietest of the good months. Arrive as early as possible to see the temple in soft morning light, and combine it with the smaller Mendut and Pawon temples on the same road.
+Do I need to book Borobudur in advance?
Access to the upper terraces is limited by a daily quota with timed tickets; book online well ahead in peak season.
+Is Borobudur good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta works well for families who like history and gentle adventure: temple grounds with space to run, a Merapi jeep ride, batik classes and the lit-up pedal cars of Alun-Alun Kidul.