Top 10 Must-See Destinations in Indonesia

Few places can match Indonesia when it comes to diversity.

One day, you might be wandering among the shimmering skyscrapers of a bustling city; the next, you're in a quaint hilltop village savoring steaming gado-gado (tofu, tempeh, and vegetables drizzled with a rich peanut sauce).

From scaling the icy peak of an active volcano to trekking through lush rainforests in search of orangutans or tigers, Indonesia provides unmatched adventure opportunities. Where else can you greet the dawn with yoga and then surf a world-class wave back to a pristine beach at dusk?

While approximately half of all international visitors arrive in Bali, the country has much more to offer beyond this single alluring island. From Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi to the remote islands of West Papua (shared with Papua New Guinea) and Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), here are the top spots to explore during your Indonesian adventure.

1. Jakarta, Java

Top city for art and history

There’s no better way to understand this vast and intricate nation of 273 million than by visiting its capital, Jakarta. With over 10 million inhabitants, it’s a bustling, traffic-heavy metropolis sprawling nearly 700 sq km (270 sq miles). It boasts the country's finest dining, vibrant nightlife, and top-notch museums.

Be sure to explore the exhibits at Museum Nasional (for history), Galeri Nasional (for classical art), and MACAN (for modern and contemporary art). From the Dutch colonial architecture in the Kota Tua district to the sleek skyscrapers of the Golden Triangle, the city represents a fascinating blend of contrasts and a melting pot of cultures, classes, and cuisines.

2. Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan, Borneo

Ideal location for orangutan sightings

For those eager to see orangutans, Borneo is the last stronghold for these magnificent apes (with a few locations in nearby Sumatra). Adventurers seeking guaranteed views of orangutans flock to Tanjung Puting National Park, a coastal tropical swamp forest that resembles much of southern Borneo from decades past.

Most travelers opt for liveaboard boats to navigate the Sekonyer River, visiting feeding stations in the rainforest and Camp Leakey, the renowned rehabilitation center deep in the jungle where these reddish-haired 'men of the forest' enjoy a tranquil, semi-wild lifestyle.

3. Raja Ampat, West Papua

Top destination for snorkeling and diving

Once a hidden gem frequented only by adventurous scuba divers, Raja Ampat has now gained widespread recognition. Located off the coast of West Papua, this archipelago is a stunning slice of paradise, featuring undulating green islands draped in rainforests, tranquil lagoons, and warm turquoise waters at the core of the Coral Triangle—home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet.

The vibrant birds-of-paradise in Raja Ampat, which perform their morning dances among the trees at dawn, contributed to the development of the theory of evolution through natural selection, initially proposed by Charles Darwin's lesser-known contemporary, Alfred Russel Wallace. Visitors often stop by the British naturalist's restored hut on Gam Island. Besides the dive lodges on Waigeo and Misool, many choose to stay in homestays on pristine beaches, providing a unique opportunity to immerse in West Papua's rich culture.

4. Ubud, Bali

Top destination for wellness and culture

In Bali’s enchanting city of Ubud, lush rice terraces cascade down palm-fringed hills, the sounds of gamelan music resonate in the air, and vibrant floral offerings adorn the streets. During the day, you can ride a motorcycle to the Monkey Forest for a playful encounter with the locals, visit the Yoga Barn for an ashtanga class, admire art at the Agung Rai Museum, or shop for exquisite beauty products, wood carvings, and batik textiles in the town center. As night falls, many enjoy captivating performances at local temples, mesmerized by the grace of Legong ballets or the thrilling Kecak fire dance. Beware! Many travelers arrive in Ubud for a short stay but end up lingering for years.

5. Komodo National Park, Nusa Tenggara

Top destination for unexpected wildlife encounters

Komodo National Park spans three dry islands—Komodo, Padar, and Rinca—where the world's largest lizards, the Komodo dragons, roam. These ancient reptiles can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weigh as much as 70 kilograms. Unfortunately, there are fewer than 1,400 of these remarkable creatures left in the wild. Their presence attracts thousands of visitors each year, many of whom embark on boat tours from Lombok to Flores, stopping along the route to snorkel or dive in the waters off Sumbawa.

6. Borobudur and Yogyakarta, Java

Top destination for exploring Indonesian history

Just as Peru boasts Machu Picchu and Cambodia has Angkor Wat, Indonesia features Borobudur, a stunning nine-tiered temple from the 9th century and the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Its walls are adorned with around 2,672 beautifully carved bas-relief panels that depict Buddhist stories and everyday life in Java, alongside 72 unique, perforated stupas and over 500 Buddha statues.

This magnificent World Heritage Site is set amidst lush rice fields near Yogyakarta, a key educational center and the heart of classical Javanese arts such as batik-making, wayang puppetry, and silversmithing. Locally known as Yogya, this city retains a strong sense of independence, governed by a sultan whose impressive palace complex is a must-visit attraction.

7. Tana Toraja, Sulawesi

Top destination for experiencing cultural traditions

The lush, jungle-covered hills and rugged granite cliffs of Tana Toraja would be enough to attract many visitors, but the true allure of this central highlands region in Sulawesi lies in the Torajan people. They uphold unique traditions that set them apart from other Indonesians, residing in villages filled with beautifully adorned homes featuring intricately carved walls and distinctive boat-shaped roofs.

Here, many customs are centered around death and the afterlife. Deceased bodies often remain in the homes of their families for months or even years post-passing; for the Torajans, death is seen as a gradual, communal experience, and locals are generally open to sharing these intriguing practices with visitors.

8. Kerinci Valley, Sumatra

Best destination for hiking enthusiasts

Rising to 3,805 meters (12,484 feet), Southeast Asia’s highest volcano, Gunung Kerinci, towers over this secluded highland valley in Sumatra, establishing itself as a premier location for adventure seekers in Indonesia. Here, you can ascend the summit of this active volcano, take a dip under cascading waterfalls, or explore the dense jungles in search of gibbons and langur monkeys.

A significant portion of this area is designated as Kerinci Seblat National Park, which is twice the size of Bali and harbors more forest than all of Costa Rica’s national parks combined. Spanning 13,791 square kilometers (5,325 square miles), Kerinci Seblat serves as the last substantial habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, with a higher population here than anywhere else in the world.

9. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Java

Best location for breathtaking Indonesian vistas

In Indonesia, you won’t have to search hard to find a volcano; however, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java boasts an impressive five volcanoes situated right next to one another. These conical summits are scattered across a surreal landscape formed by the ancient Tengger caldera.

The most impressive sight here is the smoldering Gunung Bromo, which towers 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) above a crater nearly 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide, encircled by the only erg (dune sea) in the nation. Many visitors plan their hike to the summit for dawn, ensuring they witness the crater and surrounding volcanoes in their most magical light.

10. The Gili Islands, Lombok

Best destination for beach parties

These small gems of coral and sand off the coast of Lombok have gained a reputation far beyond their size, thanks to their stunning turquoise waters, pristine white-sand beaches, health-conscious vegan eateries, acclaimed freediving schools, and legendary beach parties. Initially a haven for bohemian backpackers, the Gilis now welcome all kinds of travelers, offering everything from budget hostels to luxurious beachfront cabanas (beach huts).

Gili Trawangan (commonly known as ‘Gili T’) is the largest and most developed island, featuring a bustling main street filled with shops, massage parlors, and cafes. Gili Meno is the smallest and most traditional, while Gili Air strikes a balance, serving as a vibrant hub for yoga enthusiasts.