Sight guide · Yogyakarta · Indonesia
Visiting Plaosan Temple
A pair of 9th-century Buddhist temples a short drive from Prambanan, surrounded by rows of small shrines and rice fields.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Plaosan Temple is a religious site in Sleman (17 km east), Yogyakarta. Allow 45 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Sleman (17 km east)
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- off the beaten path, history, photo spot and architecture
- Best months
- April–May and October
About Plaosan Temple
A pair of 9th-century Buddhist temples a short drive from Prambanan, surrounded by rows of small shrines and rice fields. Fine reliefs of male and female figures decorate the interiors, and the site is usually quiet.
Tip: Visit at sunrise for mist over the fields and the temples to yourself.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Sleman (17 km east).
Best time to visit Plaosan Temple
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.
When to visit Yogyakarta has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Yogyakarta itinerary visits Plaosan Temple on day 3, together with Ratu Boko and Kotagede.
- No. 8 of the 16 sights in our Yogyakarta things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Yogyakarta.
Near Plaosan Temple
Also in Sleman (17 km east), so you can walk between them:
- Ratu Boko — 1.5 hours, mid-priced
- Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan — 2 hours, mid-priced
- Prambanan — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like Plaosan Temple
- Borobudur — Magelang (40 km northwest), Half a day including travel
- Kraton (Sultan's Palace) — Kraton and Taman Sari, 1.5–2 hours
- Taman Sari Water Castle — Kraton and Taman Sari, 1–1.5 hours
- Kotagede — Kotagede, 2–3 hours
Staying near Plaosan Temple
Where to stay in Yogyakarta compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Plaosan Temple?
Plan 45 minutes. With Ratu Boko nearby, it fits a half-day in Sleman (17 km east).
+Is Plaosan Temple free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Plaosan Temple?
April–May and October, the quietest of the good months. Visit at sunrise for mist over the fields and the temples to yourself.
+Do I need to book Plaosan Temple in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.