7 Iconic Tourist Destinations That is “Oh, so Jakarta”

Behind the daily hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital, Jakarta is undoubtedly one of the cities in Indonesia that offer many sides to itself; among them are places where people can sit down and unwind while relaxing. As an old city, Jakarta has many historical tourist destinations co-existing with ever-so-busy skyscrapers all across the city.

This year, Jakarta is turning 495 years old. So, while unrolling the red carpet for Jakarta, why don’t we get to know them better by exploring the “other” of the city. Hop on your ride and visit these 7 tourist attractions that Jakarta has to offer.

Seven “Oh, so Jakarta” tourist destinations

1. Monas, more than just an icon

The national monument, which was built in 1975, has not only become a tourism icon but a Jakarta icon entirely. Feel free to explore this monument all the way to the top floor and enjoy an unobstructed 360 degrees view of the nation’s capital from 132 meters high. 

When visiting Monas, stop by the Indonesian History Museum, situated on the cawan or ‘cup’ floor. To avoid confusion, the Monas entrance is located near the iconic Horseback-Riding Prince Diponegoro statue. Besides the monument itself, you can also indulge in the many street foods and beverages as well as attractions around the monument.

2. Tracing the steps of Batavia Old Town

The old town area actually refers to the 139 hectares of the central area of Batavia, but now, the “Old Town” area often refers only to the buildings around Fatahillah Square, which used to be the city hall with the Jakarta History Museum (formerly the VOC Governor General’s office) as the center. On the side of the square, there stands the Wayang Puppet Museum and the Art & Ceramics Museum.

Feeling tired? Stop by and unwind at the Batavia Cafe to have a meal a la the colonial ladies and gentlemen.

Around 100 meters to the south, you will wind the bemusing Bank Indonesia Museum and Bank Mandiri Museum. The Toko Merah and the iconic Kota Intan Bridge are also not to be missed, perfect as photo backdrops.

3. Get acquainted with Jakarta’s Chinatown in Petak Sembilan

Petak Sembilan or the Pancoran Glodok area is another name often used in reference to Jakarta’s old Chinatown area. You can start your Chinatown adventure from the Candra Naya Building, Maria de Fatima Church, and the Vihara Dharma Bhakti. Stroll down the narrow mazy alleys and corridors of the nine-story market and find unique Peranakan snacks. Take some time to stop by the legendary Tak Kie Coffee Shop or the Petak Enam market located in the Chandra building that provides a wide variety of culinary options.

4. Sunda Kelapa Port

Among the rows of phinisi ships lined up properly amidst the daily port hubbub lies a beautiful yet historical port that has stood through the test of times. Besides being an active port, Sunda Kelapa itself is enjoyable both from land and water, where you can explore the area by floating on a wooden canoe. You should be extra careful if you choose to hop on a canoe, for they do not provide floats. The best time to visit is during the early morning or from the late afternoon until dusk. Around the port, there are other destinations to visit, such as the Luar Batang Mosque, the Maritime Museum, and the Syahbandar Tower.

5. Jakarta International Stadium (JIS)

Jakarta International Stadium is the latest icon of Jakarta. Inaugurated in 2022, this stadium of grandeur can accommodate up to 82,000 spectators after the construction that started in 2019. JIS is said to be the first stadium in Indonesia with a retractable roof, so events can still be held even though it’s raining. This stadium is yet to be open to the public, but visitors can still capture glimpses of the stadium from the outside. The boat spot would be on the west flyover side. But, if you want to catch an amalgamation between traditional and modern, enter the rice fields on the stadium’s south side. It’s also possible to take a picture from Cincin Lakeshore east of JIS.

6. Setu Babakan

Move slightly to the south lies the Setu Babakan. Setu Babakan is said to be the most proper place to learn about Jakarta’s Betawi culture. Lakes and artificial islands decorated with traditional houses will draw you deeper into the life of the Betawi people in the past. Setu Babakan is an all-day family-friendly destination because there are also children's playground areas, culinary stalls, and water games. Every Sunday morning until noon, you can see groups of artists practicing or showcasing their dance, lenong, tanjidor, hadroh, and silat performances at the amphitheater.

7. Kepulauan Seribu

Trust us, this group of beautiful islands north of Jakarta is still part of the nation’s capital. Nearest islands like Bidadari Island and Onrust Island can be reached in 20 minutes by motorboat, while Sebira Island is 118 km from mainland Jakarta. You can do many things like sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, camping, playing banana boat, planting mangroves, watching turtles breeding, fishing, to island hopping.

If you’re looking for comfort, resort islands such as Putri Island, Bidadari, Sepa, or Pantara can be an option. Tidung Island, Pramuka, Kelapa, Pari, and Untung Jawa suits you who want to interact with the locals. Onrust, Cipir, and Kelor Islands are often visited as historical tourist destinations, while Kotok and Rambut islands are known for their conservation. You can reach the Thousand Islands by speedboat from Marina, Ancol, or a fast boat and by motorboat from Kaliadem Harbor, Angke.

Besides the seven destinations above, there are other destinations that are “so very Jakarta”. Such as the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, the Planetarium, the Ragunan Zoo, or the Ancol Dreamland. Home to the lively Dufan theme park, contemporary museums, and other attractions.

As these places are scattered all over the city, it will be more effective if you do the tour using the TRAC car rental service. At the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, TRAC still maintains the application of the SMART Protocol as the health and safety protocol. TRAC also provides an easier booking experience using the TRACtoGo application, which you can download from the Google Playstore or the Apple App Store.

For more information about TRAC’s car rental service, contact our Customer Assistance Center at 1500009 or email rco.nasional@trac.astra.co.id. Besides that, you can visit TRAC’s branch offices in your city to find out more about the TRAC services.