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Places to discover

Best places to visit in Indonesia

A volcanic archipelago consisting of 13,466 islands, 6,000 of which are inhabited, the most populous Muslim country in the world offers the visitor a safe environment and a range of attractions and activities to suit all tastes. What can you expect from a trip to Indonesia? Temples inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage on the island of Java; vibrant, lively festivals and a Hindu ambiance and atmosphere on Bali; pristine beaches on Lombok; impressively majestic lakes on Sumatra; Komodo dragons on the island that shares their name; the deep, dense forests of Kalimantan on the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi, and, located at the very edge of the archipelago, Papua New Guinea.

Religion is much in evidence across the whole archipelago and plays an important role in everyday life. Be respectful towards local customs and take pleasure in accepting Muslim and Hindu hospitality and this will enable to get a better sense of the different religious strands that underpin life in this country. Visiting Indonesia therefore demands deliberate choices and proper organisation. There is no need to panic however: the reviews provided by Evaneos' travellers will guide you in this.

Let's head first to Java. Jakarta is basically nothing more than a sprawling capital city; so head instead to Yogyakarta, where you will have the opportunity to see a Wayang Kulit show, a form of Indonesian shadow puppetry, contemplate the Mount Merapi volcano or the magical Mount Bromo, or descend into the crater of Ijen in search of the damned of the earth, who are obliged to carry many pounds of sulphur on their backs. Visit the Buddhist temples of Borobudur and the Hindu temples of Prambanan, and, if you happen to find the equatorial temperatures suffocating, head to Malang, which is famous for its cool climate.

Or perhaps you would prefer a stay on the Island of the Gods, Bali, for the opportunity to visit Ubud, a primary centre of Hindu culture and the island's culinary capital. Or how about a trip to Sidemen, a village that sits surrounded by rice fields, or even a spot of scuba diving at Pemuteran?

Hop across by boat to Lombok, which is a new destination not yet affected by mass tourism. Climb up to the summit of Rinjani, the secret volcano, spend some time enjoying yourself on Gili Meno, or do a spot of surfing at Kuta Lombok, which is still just a fishing village.

To get even further off the beaten track, head off to Flores and explore the crater lakes of the Kelimutu volcano, or spend some time visiting the islands of Komodo and Rinca. And if you have the time, don't miss the opportunity to tour North Sumatra with an English-speaking guide, or take a flight tour over Kalimantan and its primeval forests.

A small Indonesian town, Cianjur is near Jakarta and off the beaten track. It is a good introduction to the rural side of the country.
A small village located in the west of the Balinese peninsula, Jatiluwih is a must-see stop for nature lovers !
Archipelago of three little islands located to the west of Lombok.
The Buddhist temple of Borobudur is a must see on Java - it's the biggest of its kind. We really loved it.
Ubud's monkey temple

Ubud

4.7
Ubud is a really lovely town in the centre of Bali island of which it is said to be the cultural and artistic hub.
Mount Bromo, an active volcano situated on Java island, is part of the Tengger massif that culminates at about 7600 ft.
Sanur, the charming and relaxing seaside resort.
Lombok is a volcanic island to the east of Bali.
Munduk, a nature lover's paradise!
Mount Agung is the highest summit on Bali island, the top of this volcano that is sacred to the inhabitants culminates at a little over 9900 ft.
Jimbaran is a seaside town south of Kuta, with a very big beach. There are lots of restaurants there that specialise in sea food.
Situated off the coast of Lombok and Bali, Trawangan is the most developed of the Gili isles. Its ambience is lively, family-orientated and it offers something for everyone.
Rice paddies and volcanic mountain range in Bali

Bali

4.5
Bali, the island of the Gods, plunges you into a culture and an environment that is totally detached from the rest of Indonesia, making it one of the country's leading destinations.
Teggallalang is a peaceful village which has become a noisy jam-packed tourist centre because of its rice paddy terraces. But it has to be said they are one of the most beautiful in the country. 
Tirta Gangga is a small village in the east of Bali in which the Water Palace is found, a collection of ponds surrounded by gardens, built in the 50s by the inheritor of the kingdom of Karangasem.
City located in the centre of Java island in Indonesia.
Padang Bai, a port village which hides some treasures.
A stop known to divers, Amed is a small pleasant town in which to spend a few days and relax to the sound of the guitar.
A little village by Bratan Lake, to the north of Bali, Bedugal is home to a temple as well as a resort and aquatic park.
Bukit peninsula , its heavenly beaches and lovely encounters with the locals.
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