Indonesia is a mixture of cultural, historical, and natural treasures. With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia offers you a unique adventure. There are diverse, beautiful place to travel in Indonesia; Jakarta combines modern and traditional life, while the Tana Toraja villages provide a glimpse into the nation’s traditional life. Meanwhile, Bali attracts travelers with its serene landscapes, beaches, and spiritual culture. For adventures, you can trek the active volcanoes like the one on Anak Krakatau island and snorkel with the marine life in the water.
We have listed all the good place to visit in Indonesia that will make your trip extraordinary. Make sure to add this to your itinerary on your next vacation.
18 Exciting Place to Travel In Indonesia
1. Uluwatu Beaches of Bali
The Uluwatu beaches of Bali are the most popular vacation spot in Asia. The cultural landmarks, beautiful beaches, and attractions make every visit worthwhile. However, travelers adore Bali, especially for its beaches. Suppose you are looking for a beach vacation. In that case, you should book Bali’s luxury beach resorts and enjoy your trip soaking in the sun by the beautiful beaches during the day and various activities and romantic dinners at night.
The Uluwatu beaches in Bali have warm sand and azure water, perfect for a beautiful and relaxing trip. Kuta is a famous beach, a haven for travelers who enjoy soaking in the sun, surfing, and meeting new people. You can find delicious and diverse food here.
However, if you want a little more peaceful and less crowded, Nusa Dua is a beautiful retreat that attracts fewer tourists. But, if you are interested in a blend of cultures and water sports enthusiasts, Sanur is your ideal destination. Each beach contributes to Bali’s reputation as the perfect tropical paradise.
2. Borobudur
Borobudur is an ancient temple and is one of the most famous and a culturally influential place to travel in Indonesia. It was built in the 8th century as a traditional Buddhist mandala and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is located near Yogyakarta, an old Javanese city known for its rich cultural and historical offerings.
Borobudur is considered one of the greatest Buddhist sites in the world; however, this massive temple was forgotten for centuries when the population moved to eastern Java due to volcanic eruptions. But it was rediscovered in the 1800s and, today is one of the main attractions of Java. Visiting the Borobudur at sunrise for a torchlight climb up the temple would be best.
3. Orangutans of Borneo
No trip to Indonesia would be complete without seeing the orangutans, and Borneo is a great place to see these beautiful and endangered creatures. The orangutans live in the wild, and several sanctuaries rescue and protect orangutans as land development impacts their natural habitat. Borneo is an exciting place to visit in Indonesia, where visitors love to see these human-sized orangutans.
Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan is located in the Indonesian-owned part of Borneo. It is home to one of the largest orangutan populations in the world, as well as other primates, birds, and reptiles. If you don’t make it to Borneo, you can also see orangutans at the Bohorok Orangutan Centre in Bukit Lawang, a tourism village in the Sumatran jungle in Indonesia.
4. Gili Islands
Gili Island is an exciting place to travel in Indonesia, and it has gained tourists’ attention over the last decade. These beautiful islands have beaches like Bali and azure water for diving and snorkeling at a turtle sanctuary. If you like to swim with the turtles, there’s a turtle hatchery where hundreds of baby turtles hatch each year.
Kayaking is also a popular activity in the Gilis. You can also join a yoga class here to reconnect your mind with your body. For those seeking a place to reconnect with their mind and body. The Gili Islands provide a relaxed, exciting, and engaging stay like Bali.
5. Komodo National Park
Everyone has dreamt of seeing real dragons in their life. The Komodo dragons of Indonesia are no mythical creatures; however, they are fierce and deadly animals. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that surrounds three main islands, some smaller ones, and the surrounding marine area. The Komodo dragons are the stars of the performance in the park.
Visitors can also hike, snorkel, go canoeing, or visit small villages on the islands. The best thing about the Komodo island is the Pink Beach. The Pink beach is one of the top beaches in Indonesia. Visitors must arrive by boat to the islands and pay an entrance fee plus additional costs for transportation, guide services, and other activities.
6. Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart and home to the enchanting Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This peaceful sanctuary allows visitors to experience the beauty of the island. The refuge is entertaining with the playful antics of long-tailed macaques.
Within the sanctuary, you’ll find three ancient Balinese Hindu temples dating back to 1350, adding value to the island’s rich cultural heritage. If you trek through the lush forest, don’t carry any food or items like umbrellas and water bottles that could attract the monkeys – they have a reputation for being quite the little thieves!
It is located near the Padangtegal village, which attracts artists from everywhere. The stunning natural beauty, the place’s spiritual significance, and artistic resonance make the Sacred Monkey Forest and Padangtegal village an exciting place to visit in Bali Indonesia.
7. Mount Bromo
Indonesia has some of the most active volcanoes in the world. Many of the country’s volcanoes, such as Mount Merapi, are famous for their fierce eruptions and stunning yet dangerous beauty. Mount Bromo is renowned for its incredible views, especially when sighting over the caldera at sunrise. Bromo’s peak was blown off in an eruption, and you can still see white smoke coming from the mountain.
The volcano is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, including Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java. The park is home to the Tengger people, an isolated ethnic group who trace their ancestry back to the ancient Majapahit empire. This combination of nature and culture makes Mount Bromo a good place to visit in Indonesia.
8. Tana Toraja
A visit to Tana Toraja takes you back in time and gives a peek at the richness and diversity of Indonesia’s long-standing cultures. The architectural style of Tongkonan, which consists of boat-shaped houses, immediately stands out, but the people make paradise unique. They are the friendliest and most welcoming people you can meet while traveling. The people of Toraja approach death in reverence and celebration. Funerals are elaborate ceremonies involving plenty of food and traditional dance, and the dead are buried in graves built into surrounding caves. It can provide new experiences, making it an exciting place to visit in Bali Indonesia.
9. Kalimantan, Borneo
Borneo is one of the most ecologically diverse place to travel in Indonesia. It is home to orangutans, exotic birds, Sumatran rhinos, pygmy elephants, and other creatures. In Kalimantan, you can travel down the Kapuas River, visit villages of the native Dayak people, and observe the foreign influences from China, Malaysia, and even Europe in the ports and cities along the way. You can also trek in the rainforest to see Borneo’s wildlife in person. It is a good place to visit in Indonesia to explore new cultures and sight rare animals.
10. Lake Toba
One of Indonesia’s true natural wonders, Lake Toba, is a serene body of water and a supervolcano. The lake is situated in a crater and is thought to awaken due to a catastrophic eruption. The Toba lake stretches over 1,145 square kilometers and has depths of 450 meters. It is very vast. Regular volcanic activity in this area brings out new islands above the water.
Lake Toba is a breathtaking illustration of the intense but beautiful forces at work on Earth. Here, you can engage in various activities. Take a swim, partake in water skiing, go on a peaceful canoeing journey, or try your luck at fishing. Those who prefer to stay on the land can explore the trek on foot or by bike, engaging in the scenic beauty. Lake Toba is a good place to visit in Indonesia to go camping with family or friends, allowing you to reconnect with nature.
11. Mount Krakatau
The eruption of Indonesia’s most famous volcano, Krakatau, in 1883 was recorded as the most extensive volcanic activity. The eruption severely impacted climate conditions around the world and took a devastating toll on human life in nearby Java and Sumatra. Anak Krakatau, “Child of Krakatau,” is the youngest of the islands formed by the 1883 eruption and came above the surface in 1930. This young volcano continues to rise higher out of the sea and has significant eruptions. Anak Krakatau still spews smoke and fire, and tourists can visit Krakatau’s child as a reminder of the extraordinary, unseen power beneath the surface at every turn in Indonesia.
12. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is a fairyland of lush, cone-shaped islands set against blue and turquoise waters and is one of Indonesia’s most spectacular sights. Hundreds of islands and cays make up this tropical paradise, but the beauty extends beneath the surface. Here, colorful fish and diverse marine life thrive in the warm, clear waters. The coral reefs here are some of the most biodiverse on the planet, making it a fun place to travel in Indonesia.
13. Gunung Rinjani
Gunung Rinjani is a top attraction in Lombok. Rinjani is not as active as the other volcanoes. Still, its caldera-forming eruption in the late 13th century is believed to have been one of the most powerful in human history. A lake covers the Rinjani’s caldera, and within the lake sits Mt. Baru, another active volcano.
In Rinjani National Park, you can see wildlife such as the rare black ebony leaf monkey, long-tailed macaques, the sulfur-crested cockatoo, and other exotic species. You can also trek with a guide camp overnight in the park. The park does caution that treks are challenging, so if you plan to hike the mountain, you should be physically healthy and prepared with the appropriate equipment.
14. Pura Tanah Lot
Pura Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most famous temples and a romantic place to travel in Indonesia, perched atop a rock formation in the sea. The original formation began to deteriorate at one point, so a portion of the rock is now artificially reinforced. Yet, despite this, Pura Tanah Lot attracts visitors, many of them especially for the beautiful sunset, making Pura Tanah Lot a beautiful place to visit at Bali. The temple compound is located on the southern coast of Beraban village and is accessible for walks at low tide. Once the sun goes down, visitors can wander around Tanah Lot market stalls to purchase souvenirs.
15. Banda Islands
It is no secret that Bali and Lombok are the actual vacation spots for an exciting place to travel in Indonesia. Still, the secluded Banda Islands have their unique appeal for a relaxing getaway. It is a group of 10 small islands at the edge of the Banda Sea, whose depths reach more than 6,500 meters. The Banda Islands are on the radar of merchants interested in the spice trade due to their rich source of nutmeg.
The Banda Islands give divers and sailors a sense of adventure and thrills. The pristine dive sites provide a chance to spot sharks, sea turtles, whales, the endemic Ambon scorpionfish, lobsters, and many other marine creatures. Visitors can book accommodations and tours or opt for a live-aboard boat, which includes stops at many excellent dive sites around the islands.
16. Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Bali
The beaches may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Bali, but the rice fields are also mesmerizing. The lush Jatiluwih Rice Fields were designated a UNESCO Cultural Landscape as part of Bali’s Subak System. The beautifully cultivated and irrigated fields are a testament to the wealth of natural resources in Bali, as well as the skills of the local farmers.
No visit to Bali is complete without seeing these prosperous lands. From a distance, they resemble a vast green tapestry, and up close, the complexity of the irrigation system and the farmers’ dedication to the land become evident. Whether you visit the fields by foot or bicycle, the Jatiluwih Rice Fields are a beautiful part of Bali’s breathtaking landscape. To connect with the beauty of nature, the Jutilivah rice field is a scenic place to visit in Bali Indonesia.
17. Jakarta
Jakarta is a modern place to travel in Indonesia. Tourists can discover Indonesia’s cosmopolitan side, unlike Indonesia’s beaches, rice fields, and volcanoes. Jakarta has over 170 shopping malls packed with stores, high-end restaurants, and cinemas, offering an exciting shopping spree. Another highlight of Jakarta is the list of various museums.
The new MACAN museum flaunts over 800 contemporary art pieces, offering a glimpse into the modern artistic panorama. There’s also the Museum Nasional, an archeological and ethnological institution housing over 70,000 artifacts that provide a deep insight into Indonesia’s rich history. The Layang-Layang Museum is dedicated to the intricate art of kite-making. Also, visit Kota, Jakarta’s Old Town, for a glimpse of what Jakarta looked like in the 17th century.
18. Flores
Flores is located between Komodo and Lembata islands and is one of Indonesia’s most scenic locales. This island is a wonderland of lush, tropical landscapes waiting to be explored. The crown jewel of Flores is the Kelimutu volcano. This natural wonder is famous for its many lakes, each showcasing a unique color. Intriguingly, the colors of these lakes are not constant but change according to the water’s acidity levels. This geological phenomenon attracts many awestruck visitors yearly, all eager to witness the lakes’ ever-changing hues.
