Things to do in Surakarta (Solo): A City Guide

When people decide to visit Indonesia for their vacation, they often plan a trip to the familiar resort island of Bali. But what if you change direction and fly to a less-known town with interesting places for family relaxation, historical museums, or if you live in Bali and want to explore the non-touristy, authentic Indonesia? Then come to us in Surakarta (Solo) for new experiences.

Surakarta is a city in the central part of Java Island, renowned for its rich history and culture. Here, you can visit ancient sultan's palaces, temples of different religions, museums, and galleries. Or simply take a stroll in tranquil parks, observe geese, deer wandering around, or try fishing.

There are also beautiful places for spending time with friends and camping overnight in rented tents. You can embark on a mountain hike, witness a beautiful waterfall, and encounter families of monkeys.

To ignite your desire to visit our city, I will try to vividly narrate its history and share information about its landmarks.

Administratively, Solo is part of Central Java Province, covering an area of 44 km² divided into five districts: Pasar Kliwon, Jebres, Banjarsari, Laweyan, and Serengan. The population is 586,166 people according to the 2023 statistics.

In the past, Solo was called a remote, quiet village just 10 km east of Kartasura, the center of the Mataram Kingdom. The name "Solo" is associated with the founding of Surakarta in a village named Sala, on the banks of the Solo River.

Surakarta has satellite cities - Kartasura, Ngemplak, Solo Baru, Colomadu, Palur, and Baki. Together, they are called Solo Raya, transforming into a large centralized city covering about 150 km².

The city is surrounded by several mountains - Merapi, Merbabu, Lawu, and Sewu. It is intersected by the longest river on Java Island, Bengawan Solo, and several major rivers. As an Old Town and part of Indonesia's history, Solo or Surakarta is one of the centers of Javanese culture alongside Yogyakarta, still preserving Javanese customs, culture, and traditions.

When I first arrived on Java Island in Surakarta, the simplicity, tranquility, and friendly Javanese people of this town immediately caught my eye. It was unusual to receive so much attention. Bold locals expressed their surprise, shouting the usual for foreigners: "bule" or "londo." I was often asked for selfies, bombarded with questions, and people even wanted to touch. Every time, I felt like an actress in a famous movie.

So, for anyone who would like to boost their self-esteem, you can come to Solo just to hear a bunch of compliments not only because you are fair-skinned but also for the beautiful and petite shape of your nose. (Even if someone's nose is not very small, they will still be admired).

In Solo and probably in many cities in Indonesia, locals believe that if you are a white person, you must be smart, beautiful, and rich! Due to this perception, they feel awkward around us, thinking they are less intelligent, so Javanese people keep a distance from foreigners while maintaining friendliness.

However, there are personalities that use this opinion to their advantage. In warungs and shops, they can sharply raise the price of a product just because you are a foreigner, and they don't bother to find out whether you are rich or not. So, you need to be attentive and choose places to shop where there are fixed price lists.

But mostly, if you communicate in a simple and kind manner, they feel relaxed and comfortable. Gradually, Javanese people start to trust, and believe me, you may have quite a few Javanese friends. Tested through personal experience.

I also noticed that Indonesians in Solo live in houses built very close to each other. Neighbors are as friendly as family—kind, polite, and generous. Of course, not all neighborhoods are the same; there are settlements where people are not particularly interested in each other, rarely communicate with neighbors. But when I suddenly meet them on the road, they always smile, wish something good, and will definitely ask where I am going and what I want to buy. Even if you go to the store there and back 20 times, Javanese people may ask about the purpose of your trip 20 times. For them, it's normal. But that doesn't mean you have to answer their questions precisely each time. It's enough to simply say, "I'm going there and want to buy something." They will be extremely happy that you answered and showed attention.

In general, the town is hospitable and joyfully welcomes guests, tourists from any part of the world. There are many shops, shopping centers, supermarkets, and places for recreation in the city where you can enjoy excellent shopping or have fun with friends.

Now, what to visit in Surakarta to be satisfied and not disappointed?

Popular places for shopping include Solo Square Mall and Paragon, as well as Luwes Gentan Park supermarket. You can notice the attendance right in the parking lot – hundreds of motorcycles are parked.

Solo Square Mall and Paragon are among the favorite shopping centers in Solo due to their strategic locations and comprehensive facilities. They are located near the Purwosari train station. Here, you can satisfy all your shopping desires, ranging from culinary delights, fashion items, electronics, and much more.

Luwes Gentan Park is a supermarket where you can find all the necessary groceries, home goods, and quality clothing at affordable prices. There are regular discounts and promotions. Personally, I like it here the most.

You also have the opportunity to have lunch, enjoy ice cream, and relax. Fun events, contests, and children's competitions are often held.

There are similar shopping centers as well: Hartono Mall, Solo Grand Mall.

The Javanese Cultural and Ecological Park, after a recent reconstruction, is open to the public and is considered a center of arts and culture, functioning both as a botanical garden. It features attractions, cozy relaxation spots, a playground, a pond, a reptile park, and artistic buildings. The revival of the park in Solo is said to have cost 198 billion Indonesian rupiahs.

The park has become a popular tourist destination, attracting locals and visitors with its tranquility, beauty, and cool ambiance. During strolls, visitors encounter very friendly deer that happily nibble on tree leaves provided by the visitors.

What's even more delightful is that the park entrance is free. After the reconstruction, this park has the potential to become one of the most luxurious in Southeast Asia.

The name Balikambang comes from "balai," which means "kambang" or "floating" in the water. Perhaps that's why the pond is a special feature, where visitors can ride wooden boats shaped like ducks or dragons.

The boat ride prices start from 10,000 Indonesian rupiahs per person, with a choice of boats accommodating 4 to 6 people. In this pond, visitors can also try fishing. To get an idea of this park, watch a short video about it.

Visiting hours are from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Parking fee is two thousand rupiahs.

Tawangmangu is a sub-district located on the western slope of Mount Lawu, specifically in the Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. Tawangmangu is known for its cool and refreshing air. In the dense and beautiful forest, you'll find Grojogan Sewu Waterfall, one of the favorite tourist attractions here, with a height of about 80 meters. There are several videos about it, here is one of them.

In addition to Grojogan Sewu Waterfall, Tawangmangu also boasts Jumog Waterfall. The panoramic view of the beautiful nature and the cool mountain air will surely provide you with many pleasant experiences. Personally, my husband and I enjoyed our time in Tawangmangu; it was interesting, refreshing, not overly hot, and surrounded by many trees, creating a therapeutic atmosphere.

The ticket price is 20 thousand rupiahs per person (1.5 dollars). Opening hours: 08:00 - 16:00.

In this area, there are also tea plantations with a beautiful panorama, and you can purchase fresh tea leaves. Tawangmangu offers various recreational areas for personal preferences. Check the list; there might be something else that catches your interest.

Bukit Sekipan is a natural tourist destination with beautiful landscapes located in the Tegal district, Tawangmangu. Here, you can enjoy stunning views from an elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. The area features attractions for children, comfortable flower gardens near pavilions, miniature buildings, houses with ghosts, swinging bridges like Goang Seru, and cool photo studios.

You'll encounter models of dinosaurs and various animals that make lifelike sounds. There's an opportunity to visit a children's racetrack and have fun with mini cars or take a ride with children on a train around the park, enjoying the beauty of the forest and mountain peaks.

Bukit Sekipan has romantic spots where couples can enjoy walks, especially in the late evening when everything is illuminated by the night lanterns.

The area boasts rich flora and fauna, including pines, edelweiss flowers, monkeys, birds, and deer. However, it's better to come and witness the beauty of this picturesque place in person than just reading about it or watching videos.

Ticket prices range from 30 thousand to 80 thousand rupiahs (2 to 5 dollars). Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00.

Official website: bukitsekipan.com. Phone number: +6285222251213.

Water World in Surakarta is an amusement park with water attractions located in the city center on the premises of The Sunan Hotel Solo. Here, you can enjoy water slides, pools, fountains, and play areas for both children and adults. The park also features restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and relaxation areas. Water World is the perfect place for a family vacation or a fun evening with friends. Watch a short video about this unique water park with huge statues, and you might want to visit it in person.

The price on weekdays is 80 thousand rupiahs (5 dollars), and on weekends, it's 100 thousand (6.5 dollars).

Operating hours from Monday to Friday: 12:00 - 18:00. On Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00.

Closed on Tuesdays and public holidays. Ticket sales close at 16:30.

Official website: pandawa-lima.

Phone number: (0271)-626955 or +62271626955.

Summerland Tirtamas Waterpark is a new water park in our city, opened on November 17, 2023. The grand opening was officiated by the Mayor of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of the current president, who hails from Surakarta.

It is the largest water park in Central Java, covering an area of 39,015 square meters. The park features various slides for both adults and children, as well as a wave pool and a lazy river. A visit to the water park is always exciting, ensuring that vacation time is spent in a fun and interesting way.

Additionally, there is a cozy café where visitors can feel at home. The park's daily capacity is designed for 300-500 people, but on weekends and holidays, it attracts approximately 1000-2000 visitors.

Mayor Gibran suggested planting trees around the tourist attractions for an even more pleasant experience for visitors. Watch a video about this new water park on YouTube; I think you will enjoy what you see.

Ticket prices depend on the day of the week and the visitor's age. From Monday to Friday, the cost is 40,000 Rupiah for adults and 20,000 Rupiah for children. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the price is the same for both adults and children, at 50,000 Rupiah per person. The water park operates from 7:00 to 18:00 every day.

Phone number: (0271) 2937889.

Madirda Lake is a natural tourism destination located on the slopes of Mount Lawu, specifically in the hamlet of Tlogo, Berjo Village. This beautiful place offers a refreshing and cool atmosphere, featuring cozy pavilions, pools with entire fish families, a park, ample parking, and a café.

Recently, my friends and I organized a one-day and one-night camping trip at Madirda. Despite the light rain that day, the experience was unforgettable. During the day, they provide thick mats to sit on and enjoy conversations and lunch together, as well as a tent to take shelter from the rain.

Inside the tents, it's cool but not too cold. As night falls, the staff distributes sleeping bags and battery-powered lamps. The only thing that puzzled us a bit was the road leading to this paradise. Although it's short, it's steep and winding, with no guardrails on the sides. One needs to be even more attentive and cautious on the way.

Telaga Madirda has a large area and is often used for the recreational activities of a large number of people. The entrance fee to Telaga Madirda is only 15,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person (children below 110 cm tall - FREE).

Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00. Official website: telagamadirda.

Phone number: +6282211120211.

This art and technology museum, opened in 2018 in Solo, was founded by entrepreneur and art collector Hartono. It features around 100 pieces of contemporary art by Indonesian and international artists, alongside a collection of classic and antique cars. The museum also houses educational facilities, a library, a café, and a gallery.

The name signifies the transmission of something from one generation to another and the preservation of heritage. The museum provides convenient parking, public restrooms, a mosque for prayers, guided tours, and interesting photo spots. Twice a year, special exhibitions showcase works by artists from around the world.

The museum aims to inspire visitors by integrating art and technology in an interactive and creative space. The ticket price is 25,000 per person, but the website displays a calendar indicating days when the museum can be visited for free.

Opening hours: Monday closed, Tuesday to Thursday 13:00 - 15:00, Friday to Sunday 10:00 - 15:00. Official website: tumurunmuseum.

Phone number: (0271)7463320.

The Javanese kingdom that ruled several centuries ago has become a symbol of Solo City, known as Keraton Kasunanan. It was established by Susuhan Pakubuwono II in 1744 as a replacement for the damaged Kartasura Palace, destroyed by the Geger Pecinan incident in 1743.

Covering an area of about 54 acres, it houses an extensive collection of statues, weapons, and royal relics. One notable structure is the Sanggabuwana Tower, considered the meeting place for the Queen of the Southern Seas and the king. Built by Sri Susuhan Pakubuwono III in 1782, this 30-meter tower also served as a watchtower during the colonial period to monitor the Dutch.

The Keraton Museum preserves numerous valuable items from the palace, with palace servants and actors performing shows for visitors. You can explore historical and artistic buildings, learn about Pendopo and Dalem, visit the mosque, and access the library. The palace remains the residence and cultural center of the royal family and court, hosting traditional ceremonies.

While entrance to the residence of King Pakubuwono is prohibited, visitors are allowed to stroll through the large pavilion inside Sasana Sewaka, where traditional dances and gamelan musical performances take place. Upon entering Sasana Sewaka, visitors must remove their shoes and walk barefoot on sand taken from Parangkusumo Beach and Mount Merapi.

Various ancient carriages, palanquins, statues, weapons, and other collections are displayed here. The palace is an intriguing destination for cultural tourism in Solo.

The entrance ticket to Keraton costs 15,000 rupiahs per person. Guided tours are available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, and Dutch, at a cost of 70,000 rupiahs. In specific months, the palace serves as a practice venue for school students learning English and other foreign languages.

Closed on Fridays. Opening hours: 09:00–14:00, on weekends until 15:00.

Phone number: 0271641243.

Visiting Solo would not be complete without buying Javanese batik. If you're interested in witnessing the batik fabric-making process, head to Kampung Batik Kauman, Solo. In this tourist trade center near Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta, visitors can purchase various batiks with different motifs and patterns.

When you visit the Batik Kauman Village, you'll be invited to explore a "time machine." Almost every corner of the building transports guests to ancient times. The houses in the Batik Kauman Village are unique and reflect Javanese and Dutch architectural styles.

Typically, the fabric produced by the masters is handmade batik, stamped, or a combination of both with modern motifs in dark tones. The quality of these products is renowned internationally. The price of batik here ranges from 100,000 rupiahs, and there are more expensive pieces worth millions of rupiahs.

Opening hours: Weekdays and Saturdays – 08:00 to 18:00, Sundays – 07:30 to 18:00.

Official website: Kampung Batik Kauman.

Phone number: +6281226438401.

For those who love historical tourism, there's the De Tjolomadoe Sugar Factory Museum in Karanganyar, near Surakarta. Once an abandoned factory, De Tjolomadoe has been transformed into a tourist attraction.

This architectural heritage serves as a venue for cultural events and meetings, available for public rent, with an open-air café and an entertainment center. There's a special hall for exhibitions, cultural events, weddings, and concerts.

Occupying an area of 6.5 hectares, the museum offers Instagrammable spots in every corner of the former factory, constructed by Mangkunegara IV on December 8, 1861.

Inside De Tjolomadoe, you'll see giant machines used for processing sugarcane, learn about the factory's history, watch videos on its restoration process, and discover many unique and picturesque photo spots.

Visiting this historical museum, especially for history enthusiasts, is a worthwhile experience. The entrance fee ranges from 30,000 to 40,000 rupiahs. Opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Mondays.

Official website: detjolomadoe.com (https://detjolomadoe.com).

Phone numbers: +62 271 7851761 (office); +628112631861 (WhatsApp).

After exploring the museum, you can relax and have a snack at the nearby Tjolo Koffie or Besali Café. The atmosphere reminiscent of the Dutch colonial era will delight your senses.

In addition to cultural and nature tourism, Solo is a culinary center. Nearly every corner of the city has numerous snack vendors and traditional food stalls. Solo boasts a variety of street food and long-established restaurants known for their Javanese, Korean, Chinese, and Italian cuisines. Many establishments have become favorite culinary spots for both tourists and locals.

Among the notable restaurants in Surakarta, Goela Klapa stands out, offering a variety of dishes such as campfire-fried rice, grilled fish, vegetable soup, tea, and more. Prices are relatively affordable, ranging from 18,000 to 50,000 and above. Operating hours: 09:00 – 22:00. Phone number: +62-271-718913.

If you crave pork schnitzel, chicken steaks, various pizzas, meatballs with pasta, and a satisfying drink of beer, visit Par Four Cafe. Prices on GoFood website. Operating hours: 16:30 – 00:00. Phone number: 081325985929.

For an even wider selection of alcoholic beverages and snacks, we found an interesting place with live music and songs at Grey Area café. Prices for different wines and vodkas range from 80,000 to 200,000 and more. Operating hours: 18:00 – 03:00. Phone number: 081393489966.

Selat Mbak Lies offers a traditional menu with soups and drinks. Kusuma Sari is a cozy and delicious restaurant with a vast selection of dishes, including fried potatoes, meat steaks, various soups, and fruit juices or ice cream for dessert with various flavors.

Ono Solo restaurant presents an appetizing menu: fried duck, vegetables, beef, various snacks, lemon tea, and more. In the beautiful Saudagar Laweyan café, you can enjoy a vegetarian soup with asparagus, vegetables, and egg, beef soup, as well as familiar fried rice and noodles with chicken. Drinks include coffee of various flavors, lemon tea, honey tea, or mint tea.

For a pleasant family outing with children, the child-friendly Ice Cream Tentrem café has been open for a long time, offering an incredibly large selection of ice cream with various exotic fruits, waffle cookies, and jam. It is all beautifully presented.

It's impossible to cover all the interesting places in Surakarta in one article, but I've tried to describe the most attractive landmarks in the city above, and I believe they are worth your attention. Come to Surakarta to refresh your impressions, fill yourself with new emotions, and add kind memories to your life album.