Jakarta is one of the most populous cities in the world and is considered to be the largest in Southeast Asia with more than 10 million people living in it.The beauty of the capital city of Indonesia does not lie in its attraction or the chaotic character of the city but in the kindness within the hearts of the locals that made the city so special.

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Explore Kota Tua, Jakarta's Old Town

Kota Tua is an old town area, also known as Old Batavia, where you will find all kinds of Dutch-colonial structures surrounding a huge square where people often congregate in the evening, socializing, and relaxing.This was where the capital of the Dutch East Indies lies and you are sure to find some really interesting things to do here from visiting the beautiful Jakarta History Museum, enjoy a cup of coffee at a colonial-era cafe, Cafe Batavia, or simply going people-watching in the evening.The square was jam-packed when I was there and there were many people selling all kinds of street food as well as street performers break dancing and rocking to alocal Indonesian rock band. It was a great place to start your journey in Jakarta and the best place to get your bearings before we explore Jakarta further.

Explore The Old Harbour (Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa)

I was tipped by one local whom we met randomly at the Old Town's Square about an old port called Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa where one can stroll around and explore all the old traditional Phinisi wooden boats that are neatly lined up and anchored at the port.Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa played a significant role in turning Jakarta into a prominent trade port city and crowned it as the capital city of the spice trade in the region during the Dutch colonial time.You can enter and explore and observe the port however you like but if you really want to dive deep and see how the people work on these colossal wooden boats, you can go on an organized walking tour and you will be able to have access to these boats, interact with the people working there, and see first hand how life is like for them.It was definitely an eye-opening experience and I highly recommend you check the port out while you are in Jakarta. Also, these massive wooden boats are pretty unique and they make for a great photo opportunity.

Stroll Around Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square is considered to be one of the largest squares in the world spanning approximately one square kilometer and it is home to the Eiffel Tower of Jakarta, the National Monument of Jakarta, one of the most important landmarks in the city.The monument is surrounded by a large green space that acts as the lung of the massive city and it is a place where one can escape from the chaotic city of Jakarta and be among the beautiful nature and vast open space.There are also many other points of interest around the park for you to check out as well like the Prince Diponegoro National Statue and if you are interested in the history of the square and why it is so important to the people here, a local guide on a walking tour can dive deeper into the history of the square as well as other tourist attractions listed here.

Marvel At The Istiqlal Mosque

Istiqlal Mosque is probably one of the most modern-looking mosques I have ever seen. Its contemporary design stands out from all the other mosques you see in Indonesia which is a breath of fresh air to see.The mosque is also considered to be the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia consisting of a massive prayer hall that can hold more than 200,000 people at a time it has multiple levels with balconies looking down at the prayer hall.One tip I can give you is that when you enter the mosque, there will be a guy who will try to lead you to another room to put your shoes on and at the end ask you to pay for the tourist/guiding fee.Don't go with him and if he insisted, tell him that you will explore the mosque by yourself. Unfortunately, we did fall for it and even though the gesture seems genuine, it was unnecessary. Plus you will have to wear a robe which no one wears except clueless tourists like us.

Shop Handicrafts At Jalan Surabaya Antique Market

If you are looking for a place to buy some handicrafts as souvenirs for the people back home, the best place to be in Jakarta is Jalan Surabaya Antique Market, a hub of all things antique.You will find all kinds of handicrafts and antiques from beautiful traditional paintings to intricately designed home decors that you can buy.The price varies quite a bit from store to store and you will have to rely on your negotiation skills to drive the price down to what is reasonable but that is just part of the fun of buying things in Southeast Asia.

Learn The History Of Indonesia At The National Museum

The National Museum in Jakarta is one of the best places to be if you are interested in learning about the rich history of Indonesia and its kingdoms before and during the colonial times.With its massive archeological collections that are regarded as one of the best in Southeast Asia, preserving more than 141,000 objects, ranging from prehistoric artifacts all the way to stone statues from the classical Hindu-Buddhist period of ancient Java and Sumatra.If you are a history buff and would like to know how important this part of the world was before the colonial period, there is no better place to be than here. The museum opens from 9 AM to 3 PM every day except Monday.

Experience Modern Art At MACAN Museum

If you are looking for a cool sight to see that will offer you a ton of photo opportunities, Museum MACAN, a newly open contemporary art museum located in West Jakarta is definitely worth a visit.The museum showcases some of the most beautiful contemporary art pieces that were created by the talented young artists of Indonesia as well as work from international artists. The exhibition is always changing and there is always something cool on display for you to explore.The museum holds more than 800 modern Indonesian and contemporary artworks from around the world including the famous 'Infinity Mirrored Room' by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama where you will find these balls of colorful lights in a mirrored room multiplying the colorful lights to infinity. It is quite a sight to behold. You can get a ticket here.

Go On A Day Trip To The Thousand Islands

Did you know that you can go island-hopping straight from Jakarta? Since Jakarta is a port city, there is a small archipelago off the coast of the capital city dubbed the Thousand Islands and you can visit on a day trip or even spend a night on these little islands.Pulau Pramuka and Pulau Tidung are 2 of the most popular islands you can visit in Jakarta. They are pretty small but they have their own resorts and tourist attractions waiting for you to explore.If you have only a few days in Jakarta and are looking to escape the bustling city for a few days and spend your time at the beach or go snorkeling, I highly recommend you go on one of these tours. It is a great way to be among nature without having to travel very far from Jakarta.

soure: https://www.bucketlistly.blog/posts/best-things-to-do-in-jakarta#how-to-travel-around-jakarta