History · Yogyakarta · Indonesia
8 historic sites to see in Yogyakarta
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fahmi Widayat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Borobudur, Prambanan and Kraton (Sultan's Palace). Together the 8 picks below take roughly 13–18 hours across 4 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 13–18 hours
- Areas
- Magelang (40 km northwest), Sleman (17 km east) and Kraton and Taman Sari
Historic sites in Yogyakarta
Religious site · Magelang (40 km northwest)
1.Borobudur
The surrounding park looks out to the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu.
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Photo spot
Religious site · Sleman (17 km east)
2.Prambanan
The same park includes the Buddhist Sewu temple complex.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
_-_img_02.jpg){kind=link}
Palace · Kraton and Taman Sari
3.Kraton (Sultan's Palace)
Palace retainers in traditional dress still serve here, and short gamelan, dance or puppet performances are held on many mornings.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
Historic site · Kraton and Taman Sari
4.Taman Sari Water Castle
Around it, the Kampung Taman lanes hold batik workshops and murals.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
Historic site · Sleman (17 km east)
5.Ratu Boko
It is a popular sunset spot.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
Religious site · Sleman (17 km east)
6.Plaosan Temple
Fine reliefs of male and female figures decorate the interiors, and the site is usually quiet.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Museum · Kraton and Taman Sari
7.Sonobudoyo Museum
On the north square opposite the Kraton, this museum displays Javanese and Balinese art, masks, krises, gamelan and shadow puppets, and stages wayang kulit shadow puppet performances in the evenings.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Kotagede
8.Kotagede
Jalan Kemasan's silver workshops let you watch filigree work.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Magelang (40 km northwest) | Borobudur | Half a day including travel |
| Sleman (17 km east) | Prambanan, Ratu Boko and Plaosan Temple | 2–3 hours + 1.5 hours + 45 minutes |
| Kraton and Taman Sari | Kraton (Sultan's Palace), Taman Sari Water Castle and Sonobudoyo Museum | 1.5–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Kotagede | Kotagede | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 1 free, 4 low cost, 3 mid-priced. Book ahead for Borobudur. The longest visit is Borobudur; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Borobudur: Access to the upper terraces is limited by a daily quota with timed tickets; book online well ahead in peak season.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Magelang (40 km northwest)): Borobudur, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Sleman (17 km east)): Prambanan → Ratu Boko, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Sleman (17 km east) and Kraton and Taman Sari): Plaosan Temple → Kraton (Sultan's Palace) → Taman Sari Water Castle, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Kraton and Taman Sari and Kotagede): Sonobudoyo Museum → Kotagede, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- November: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 17 rainy days, quiet crowds. Wet season sets in with afternoon storms; plan outdoor sights for the morning.
- March: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 18 rainy days, quiet crowds. Rain begins to ease late in the month; mornings are often clear.
- February: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 19 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still very wet and humid, but lush green rice fields and few visitors.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Kraton and Taman Sari — The walled royal quarter of palaces, lanes and courtyard homes
- Kotagede — Old Mataram capital of silver workshops and walled lanes
More of Yogyakarta
All things to do in Yogyakarta · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Yogyakarta?
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.
+Which of these are free in Yogyakarta?
Kotagede.