Is Jakarta worth visiting?

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. With a population of 11 million, it’s the biggest city in Southeast Asia by far. Before I went, I read that it’s an ‘unwalkable shithole’ where there’s ‘nothing whatsoever to see’ and ‘men are creepy.’ People advised potential visitors to just go to Kuala Lumpur. I agree that Jakarta can feel ‘unwalkable,’ but I personally found that there was a lot to see, the people were lovely, it was genuinely cheap, and I felt safe as a solo female traveller (no creepy men). I also loved that unlike KL, it didn’t feel touristy at all.

However, I do tend to like weird things (I take photos of boring suburban streets), so others won’t necessarily like Jakarta because I did. Instead of saying it is or isn’t worth visiting, I’m going to list some reasons you might or might not like Jakarta, then go through some things to see and do.

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You might like Jakarta if…

You like urban environments

I love city lights, big buildings and busy streets. You will definitely find all of those in Jakarta. If you prefer quieter, more relaxed places, you probably won’t like it.

You love trying new foods

Jakarta is the place to try Indonesian street food. Not only is it everywhere – and cheap – but it’s safe to eat. There are also some great restaurants like Café Batavia and Kedai Seni Djakarté which are cheap by western standards.

You want to make friends

Jakarta is a great place to make friends. Locals will approach you and ask to take photos with you. Other foreigners will often be looking for people to explore with.

You’re travelling on a budget

Nothing is expensive in Jakarta unless you seek out the fanciest options.

You like places that are off the tourist trail

Although you’ll be able to find a tacky fridge magnet – or several for the price of one elsewhere – Jakarta really isn’t a touristy city. For £27, I chartered a taxi for a day to take me to PIK, Monas, Istiqlal Mosque and some spots to take night shots, and I saw no more than six or seven foreign tourists. In contrast, I was shocked by the number of tourists in Kuala Lumpur. Jakarta felt more authentic.

You might not like Jakarta if…

You want to walk or cycle everywhere

Jakarta is not a walkable city. You can comfortably cycle around Kota Tua – there are even bikes to rent – but in many places, the pavements just… don’t exist, or they’re clogged with stalls and parked motorbikes. If you’ve crossed a lot of roads in, say, Morocco or Egypt, the streets of Jakarta won’t scare you, but it’s still not a great place for walking. You’ll probably find yourself taking a lot of taxis if you don’t rent your own motorbike or car.

You hate heavy traffic

Traffic is always heavy in Jakarta.

You like peace and quiet

There are places where you can find peace and quiet, but it’s certainly not a place you’d visit just to seek peace and quiet. It’s a frantic city that never sleeps.

You value cleanliness

Public transport, hotels, hostels and eateries tend to be clean, but a lot of streets in Jakarta are neglected and filthy.

You prefer to be around other tourists

There’s nothing wrong with feeling safer around other tourists. You will see some foreigners in Jakarta, but far less than you’ll see elsewhere in Indonesia or in Malaysia. It isn’t geared up to tourists like Bali.

So what is there to see and do in Jakarta?

Kota Tua (the Old Town)

Kota Tua is a relic of the Dutch colonisation of Indonesia. There are colourful bikes to rent and musical performances to watch in the bustling Fatahillah Square. Dutch-style buildings are reflected in the still water of canals. The Café Batavia is a beautiful old place that serves both western and Indonesian dishes. Highly recommend the crispy mushrooms.

I’m not usually a fan of visiting European-inspired places outside of Europe because I can do that at home. I wouldn’t have visited Kota Tua if my hostel hadn’t been there. However, I found that I still felt very much like I was in Jakarta and I loved walking around. I would’ve sat and read a book by the canal if I’d had more time there.

Glodok (Chinatown)

Glodok is a small, walkable area that’s not far from Kota Tua. There are some colourful temples (Vihara Dharma Jaya Toasebio, Vihara Dharma Bhakti and Fat Cu Kung Bio to name a few), a church that looks like a temple (Gereja Santa Maria de Fatima), authentic markets, and a shopping street. It’s a good place to try Chinese street food and tea.

Monas (the National Monument)

The tall, thin Monas (National Monument) in Jakarta. There are tall buildings in the background and the sky is cloudy.

Monas is one of the most famous symbols of Jakarta. It’s a 132m tall monument that celebrates Indonesia’s struggle for independence. Aesthetically, the monument isn’t the most impressive thing you’ll ever see, but the view from the top is incredible. You’ll spot the Istiqlal Mosque, the cathedral, many skyscrapers, trains passing by, and Kota Tua in the distance.

Istiqlal Mosque

The Istiqlal Mosque can accommodate 200,000 people, making it the biggest in Southeast Asia and ninth-biggest in the world. It’s another symbol of Indonesian independence – its name literally means ‘Independence Mosque.’ Even the diameter of the prayer hall (45 metres) is a reference to the year Indonesia gained independence, 1945. Tourists can go inside regardless of their religion, but not on Fridays.

Pantjoran PIK

Pantjoran (Chinatown) PIK in Jakarta. Trees with pink blossom and zodiac sculptures surround a fountain in front of a pagoda.

Pantjoran (Chinatown) PIK is a small place in the affluent Pantai Indah Kapuk area. There’s a pagoda, moat, arched bridge, dramatic gate, wishing wall, and many Chinese restaurants. Despite the elite nature of PIK, people from all walks of life flock here at night, when it comes alive. Some might say it’s not as authentic as Glodok – it does have a bit of a theme park vibe – but it’s very pretty.

The beaches at PIK 2

These aren’t the most authentic places in Jakarta – and it’s very sad to see the slums on the other side of the river – but if you’re craving the beach, you can find it without heading to the Thousand Islands at places like Aloha and Land’s End. There are parking fees but entrance is free otherwise.

Admire the city lights and urban vibes

The view of a round fountain and illuminated skyscrapers from Bundaran HI in Jakarta.

There are many places to admire the lights of Jakarta. My favourite was the café Tanjakan 13, which is a bit complicated to find, but worth it if you like city lights as much as I do. Other easily accessible places are Bundarin HI, which is found at the train station of the same name, and the viewing platform at the Sarinah mall.

Go to a concert

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day has an Indonesian flag draped over his shoulder on stage in Jakarta.

Music is a massive deal in Indonesia. There are some amazing Indonesian bands, but many western musicians go to Jakarta, too. The crowd is sure to be the loudest you’ve ever heard. Concerts are usually safe for women travelling alone because venues don’t sell booze.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

I didn’t visit, but I’ve only heard good things about this park that features gardens and miniatures of Indonesia’s most important and famous landmarks.

Old Shanghai Sedayu City

This is another vibrant China-inspired area that comes alive at night.

Conclusion

I hope this post has helped you decide whether or not you’d enjoy visiting Jakarta. I personally preferred it to Kuala Lumpur and I’ll probably spend a few more days there if I go back to Indonesia. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask below!