By air
Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK), ~20 km
Southeast Asia · Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesia's capital of old Batavia and modern towers
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to September — the drier season
Don't miss
The National Monument
Kota Tua
The Istiqlal Mosque
The National Museum
Things to do
Exploring the old town
The National Monument
Museums
Food in the city's markets and malls
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Medelam · CC BY 4.0
What to pack
Light clothes, an umbrella
A quieter corner
Kota Tua, the old Dutch quarter around Fatahillah Square
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Jakarta?
June to September — the drier season. What to pack: Light clothes, an umbrella.
How do I get to Jakarta?
Fly into Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK), ~20 km.
What is there to do in Jakarta?
Exploring the old town, the National Monument, museums, food in the city's markets and malls. A quieter find: Kota Tua, the old Dutch quarter around Fatahillah Square.
What should I eat in Jakarta?
Nasi goreng, soto Betawi and kerak telor.
About Jakarta
- Coastal
Where it is
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, on the north-west coast of the island of Java on the Java Sea.
History
The port of Sunda Kelapa was taken by the Dutch East India Company in the early 17th century and renamed Batavia, the centre of Dutch rule in the East Indies. It became Jakarta, the capital of independent Indonesia, after 1945.
People
Jakartans come from all over Indonesia, and the Betawi, the city's own long-settled people, give it its local dialect, food and festivals.
Known for
- The National Monument
- The old Dutch quarter of Kota Tua
- The Istiqlal Mosque
- Street food
Did you know?
Indonesia is moving its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, a new city being built on the island of Borneo.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.