10 TOP Things to Do in Central Java (2026 Activity Guide)

Central Java showing a sandy beach, tropical scenes and boating

Prambanan Temple showing heritage architecture and building ruins

Central Java which includes a beach and landscape views

Central Java featuring general coastal views as well as an individual femail

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Most popular experiences in Central Java

Tours & day trips

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Jomblang Pindul Cave and River Tubing Tour from Yogyakarta

Free cancellation available

Private & custom tours

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Borobudur, Merapi Volcano and Prambanan Temple Private Tour

Free cancellation available

Food, drink & nightlife

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Yogyakarta: Nighttime Walk and Food Tour

Free cancellation available

Shows & concerts

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Ramayana Ballet Prambanan

Classes & workshops

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Yogyakarta Basic Eco Printing Course

What to do in Central Java

Popular places to visit

Borobudur Temple

Join the other pilgrims visiting one of the world’s largest Buddhist temples for its profound meaning and spectacular architecture.

Central Java showing general coastal views

Simpang Lima Park

Explore the great outdoors at Simpang Lima Park, a lovely green space in Semarang. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.

Two coloured lake

Not far from Dieng Theatre, there is a path to the top that you can reach this spot.

From here, you can see the two coloured lake from above. Local call this lake as Telaga Warna, which is real two different colour.

The place is quite touristy so you may need to take turn to take a shot.

#outdoor #lake #sky #landscape #mountain #green

Dieng Plateau

Learn about the local history of Dieng when you take a trip to Dieng Plateau. Discover the area's sunrises and hot springs.

Punthuk Setumbu Hill

You can learn about the history of Borobudur when you stop by Punthuk Setumbu Hill. While you're in the area, find time to visit its temples.

Gunung Merbabu National Park featuring tranquil scenes, mist or fog and landscape views

Mount Merbabu National Park

Hike to the summit of a volcanic peak, spot myriad birdlife and enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Central Java’s lush countryside.

Paragon City Mall Semarang

During your visit to Semarang, you can enjoy retail therapy at Paragon City Mall Semarang. Amble around the area's marina or visit its temples.

Diponegoro University

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of Diponegoro University, during your travels in Tembalang. While you're in the area, wander around Chinatown.

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

During your trip to Surakarta, you can do some window-shopping at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Walk around the campus at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta as part of your travels around Kartosuro.

Areas of Central Java

At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White!

I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik.

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making.

Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently.

After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired.

The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Solo City Centre

You'll enjoy the museums and zoo in Solo City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall or Keprabon Park.

West Semarang

When in West Semarang, you can plan a visit to Lawang Sewu and DP Mall Semarang, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Banjarsari

While visiting Banjarsari, you might make a stop by sights like Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Balekambang City Park.

Candisari

While Candisari might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Simpang Lima Park and Ciputra Mall Semarang.

Semarang Old Town

Semarang Old Town is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Kota Lama Semarang and Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery.