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Kotagede, Yogyakarta

Itinerary · Yogyakarta · Indonesia

One day in Yogyakarta

A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Yogyakarta, not crossing it.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0

Quick answer

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. Day 1: Borobudur and Prambanan. Base yourself in Malioboro.

Key facts

Days
1
Sights covered
5
Day trips
None
Best base
Malioboro
Book ahead
Borobudur and Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Borobudur and Prambanan

    Borobudur, Prambanan, Kraton (Sultan's Palace) and Malioboro Street, then Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Borobudur

      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. Allow Half a day including travel.

    2. Late morning

      Prambanan

      Visit in the late afternoon for warm light on the towers, then stay for the Ramayana Ballet next door. Allow 2–3 hours.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gudeg

      The gudeg stalls of Jalan Wijilan near the Kraton, and early-morning gudeg sellers across the city.

    4. Afternoon

      Kraton (Sultan's Palace)

      Go in the morning to catch a performance and hire one of the official guides at the entrance to explain the symbolism. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

    5. Late afternoon

      Malioboro Street

      Walk it in the evening, when it is cooler and the street-food stalls set up, and politely ignore anyone offering to take you to a 'batik exhibition'. Allow 1–2 hours.

    6. Evening

      Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan

      Book open-air seats on the side facing the temples, and bring a light layer and insect repellent.

Before you go

  • Borobudur: Access to the upper terraces is limited by a daily quota with timed tickets; book online well ahead in peak season.
  • Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan: Shows can sell out in July and August; reserve seats a few days ahead.

If it rains

  • Swap in Sonobudoyo Museum (Kraton and Taman Sari): Check whether the evening wayang kulit performance is on; a short version is staged for visitors.
  • Swap in Fort Vredeburg Museum (Malioboro): Combine it with Beringharjo Market across the road and the Kraton a short walk south.
  • Swap in Ullen Sentalu Museum (Jalan Kaliurang and north Jogja): Combine it with a Merapi jeep tour in Kaliurang; photography is not allowed inside the galleries.

Where to stay for this itinerary

$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, budget and families

Malioboro

The city's main shopping street, street vendors and central hotels

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–13 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.7 hours in June to 12.6 hours in December.

Getting between stops: Ride-hailing. Grab and Gojek cars and motorbike taxis are inexpensive and the easiest way to get around the city.

More or fewer days

Questions travellers ask

+Is one day enough in Yogyakarta?

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. How many days Yogyakarta needs.

+What should I book before visiting Yogyakarta?

Borobudur and Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan.