Someone once said to me that Jakarta wasn’t worth visiting, but I beg to differ after my first trip there. It’s certainly an exciting city, rich with history and culture, brimming with vibrant creative spaces, lifestyle hubs, and cool cafes. From exploring its historical roots in Kota Tua to shopping for affordable batik in Central Jakarta, the city has a lot to offer in terms of things to do in Jakarta for first time visitors. For a laid back weekend getaway in Jakarta, check out these eight activities that capture the city’s charm.
#1 Learn about the city at the Jakarta History Museum
One of the most historic places in Jakarta located in Kota Tua, the Jakarta History Museum should definitely be on your list of things to do in Jakarta. The museum is housed in a grand Dutch colonial building built in 1710 that was once the Stadhuis or City Hall of Batavia (Kota Tua) during the Dutch rule. The museum showcases Jakarta history from its prehistoric days leading up to Indonesia’s Independence in 1945. Some of the highlights of the visit were the beautifully crafted antique European-style room divider, furniture and ornaments from the Stadhuis period, and the prison cells where you can go in and explore them yourself. One of the famous captives held here was Prince Diponegoro of Yogyakarta, a national hero who led the Javanese resistance against the Dutch.
#2 People watching at Fatahillah Square
Formerly known as Batavia City Square, Fatahillah Square is a must visit for fans of history and architecture. Located right in front of the Jakarta History Museum in Kota Tua, the piazza is totally an Instagrammable spot as it is surrounded by other beautiful Dutch colonial buildings such as Cafe Batavia, the Wayang Museum, and the Fine Arts and Ceramic Museum. A nice place to take a break after exploring the museums, and ‘people watch’ the locals and tourists alike. You will also find vendors selling local street food and even tarot reading service if you are curious about what your future holds.
#3 Soak in the vibrant city lights at Sarinah
Sarinah, Indonesia’s first modern shopping centre, offers a curated selection of high-quality Indonesian-made goods, ranging from traditional arts and crafts to local designer clothing and jewellery. I find it a bit on the pricey side, but the local brand hantu shirt I bought was rare and totally worth it. Located on Jalan MH Thamrin, this revamped 15-floor retail centre also boasts a variety of cosy cafes and restaurants. Some offer balcony seating areas, where we enjoyed lattes and local snacks while soaking in the vibrant city lights. Or head to the SkyDeck, which opens to the public for free, and take in the panoramic skyline of Jakarta’s skyscrapers. On the sixth floor, Museum Sarinah lets you explore the mall’s history and cultural legacy.
#4 Watch live band music at BART
Sitting atop the ARTOTEL Thamrin Jakarta, a boutique hotel with quirky vibes in the very heart of Central Jakarta, this rooftop bar was once ranked as one of Southeast Asia’s best rooftop bars by Big 7 Travel website pre-Covid. Bar at the Rooftop or popularly known as BART exudes a cosy and intimate atmosphere with its open air setting. It was also less crowded when we were there, making it a nice place to unwind with your travel buddies while enjoying live band music and night view of the city. So if you love karaoke, don’t miss the chance to join in when the band invites anyone from the crowd to sing a song or two.
#5 Snap OOTD pics at M Bloc Space
This former abandoned money-printing factory turned creative hub is a trendy hangout spot among locals and tourists in South Jakarta. It features art installations and plenty of colourful murals that make cool backgrounds for your OOTD pics, which got most of us snapping away non-stop. Additionally, there’s a mini museum displaying antique money-printing machines, a variety of eateries and coffee shops serving local Indonesian food and drinks such as Cap Roti Buaya, an artisanal grocery shop selling local products, and live gigs by homegrown bands.
#6 Chill with iced latte in hand at Lucy Curated Compound Adityarwan
Another trendy hangout spot – also in South Jakarta, Lucy Curated Compound Adityarwan (LCC Adityarwan) is like a huge food court with a range of establishments serving local, Asian and Western dishes, along with coffee drinks. In addition, there’s a barbershop, bike repair shop and jeans store to name a few. Personally, the highlight of this lifestyle hub is its spacious outdoor seating area, shaded by trees, giving that cooling and relaxing ambience. We only had Sejiwa Coffee drinks here, but some of the popular eateries to try include Lucy Steak and Buns, Nasgero, and Kedai Nasi Kandar (they claim to serve authentic Malaysian nasi kandar if you are craving it). There’s also a photo booth, where we had fun squeezing all six of us – of different shapes and sizes, for funny pics.
#7 Shop affordable batik shirts and local perfumes at Plaza Indonesia
Plaza Indonesia is a large shopping centre in Central Jakarta, offering a range of high-end local and international brands, as well as more affordable options. The mall is connected to Grand Indonesia, another massive retail centre, and we actually got lost trying to look for a place to eat. However, that didn’t stop us from scouting for wallet-friendly, quality batik shirts for IDR200,000 per piece (that’s around RM56 or USD13!) from one of the batik shops. Alchemist, an Indonesian fragrance brand popular among Malaysians, is also available here at affordable price tags. Word of mouth has it that the distinctive scents are long lasting, which led most of us buying bottle or two to bring home.
#8 Take an evening stroll at Aloha Pasir Putih PIK 2
Aloha Pasir Putih PIK 2 in Banten, a viral tourist spot inspired by Hawaiian beaches and Bali beach clubs, offers a blend of beachside relaxation, vibrant food joints and live music for visitors. With a diversity of food options ranging from seafood to Asian, Western and local street food, you will be spoilt for choice. We were so full after our late lunch that we only had the yummy Just Coco coconut shakes and snacked on Master Squid’s gigantic fried squid. Although there were barriers preventing access to the white sand beach area when we visited at night, guests could take a leisurely stroll along the beachwalk and enjoy the evening breeze. Be ready to whip your phone out as there are many Instagrammable spots that you will stumble upon during your visit.
These are just some of the numerous fun and exciting things to do in Jakarta but if you only have a weekend or a few days, hit some of these spots or activities and you can’t go wrong.
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