Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Jakarta?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Jakarta?
Many visitors spend one to three days in Jakarta during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to discover the big city activities, spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops.
Jakarta is the huge capital city of Indonesia. Most visitors pass through quickly, or avoid the city completely, but if you spend some time here, it actually has a lot to offer. Visitors are often split on their opinion of Jakarta. Some people love it and some, well, they don't. The city is large and diverse, with incredibly friendly people and an authenticity that is missing from many of the more touristy parts of Indonesia.
Do you have one or two days to visit Jakarta? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Jakarta?
Jakarta is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Jakarta such as the big city activities, the famous sights and museums, the food, and shopping. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to three days to fully experience the diverse city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend a day in Jakarta
With its diverse attractions, Jakarta awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. It's the largest city in Indonesia. Most visitors pass through enroute to somewhere else, or they avoid it altogether, but those who spend some time here will find a fantastically authentic city with great food, friendly people, and a rich diversity of cultures.
It's worth around 4 hours for Kota Tua (Old Town). Entry is free. It's known for its colonial architecture and historical significance.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Jakarta Half Day Visit The Monument with Highlight City Tour ($45)
- Jakarta City Tour : Shopping and Food Culinary Tour ($78)
- Jakarta Heritage of Old Batavia Private City Tour (Historical) ($65)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Jakarta City Tour : Shopping and Food Culinary Tour ($78)
- Mangga Besar Food Tour ($49)
- Kota Tua Food Tour ($64)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Jakarta?
Many weekend travelers visit Jakarta, as 2 days is a good amount of time to see the major attractions such as the big city activities, the famous sights and museums, and the food. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Jakarta, Indonesia
How to spend 2 days in Jakarta
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Jakarta, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Jakarta a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for The Fatahillah Museum, which is $0.30. It's great for everyone and is known for its comprehensive exhibits on Jakarta's history.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Istiqlal Mosque, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its massive size and architectural beauty.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Jakarta Landmarks and Shopping Tour ($70)
- Jakarta City Tour: Historical Landmarks Private Tour All Inclusive ($90)
- Jakarta Landmark with Batik Workshop ($95)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Jakarta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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