Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Indonesia

An archipelagic country with nearly 2,000 islands, Indonesia is one of the largest countries in the Asian region both in total area and population. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, thanks to its natural, historical, and cultural sites that offer something for everyone.

Indonesia offers an endless amount of holiday possibilities for tourists of all ages, shapes, and sizes, from the metropolitan wonders of Jakarta to the unspoiled charm of its beaches and islands.

Here are some of the best tourist attractions in Indonesia that should definitely be part of your holiday itinerary.

The Raja Ampat Islands

Indonesia is a tropical paradise where beach lovers and water sports enthusiast will definitely have the time of their lives. Situated near the northwestern tip of the Bird Head’s Peninsula, the Raja Ampat Islands (the name translates into “four kings”) includes the large islands of Batanta, Misool, Salawati, and Waigeo, as well as over a thousand smaller islands. This region is extremely popular among scuba divers, with its cornucopia of colorful marine life, breathtaking reefs, and pristine coral beds.

The Candi Borobudur Temple

Built in the ninth century, the Candi Borobudur Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the island of Java. This temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world, with the complex housing over 500 statues of the Buddha, over 2,000 panels of bas relief, and six platforms. During Waisak Day, a sacred day in the country, thousands of pilgrims flock to Candi Borobudur to meditate and perform religious rituals. This temple complex is unique, architecture-wise, among the other Buddhist temples in the continent.

The Candi Prambanan Temple

Found in Yogyakarta, the temple complex of Candi Prambanan is dedicated to the three aspects of God (Creator – Brahma, Preserver – Vishnu, and Destroyer – Shiva) in the Hindu religion. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Candi Prambanan complex is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia, drawing thousands upon thousands of devotees and tourists every year.

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Located in the breathtakingly beautiful island of Bali, the Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a Balinese temple built in the 11th century. Perched on a tall limestone cliff overlooking the blue sea, the Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the nine temples built to protect the island and its dwellers from evil spirits. This temple can be found in the village of Pecatu, in the Kuta South District of Badung Regency. The best spot to experience the majesty of this Balinese sea temple (and the glorious sunsets) is in the higher parts of the surrounding landscape.

The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque

Also known as the Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, the amazing Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is located in the city of Banda Aceh, in the province of Aceh. This beautiful mosque is widely considered as the center of spirit, religion, culture, and nationalism for the people of Aceh. This Sunni mosque is one of the survivors of the devastation brought upon by the tsunami in 2004. Designed and built by Europeans, this amazing religious structure can easily host 30,000 individuals and features five minarets and seven domes.

Mount Bromo

Situated in the eastern part of Java, Mount Bromo is one of Indonesia’s iconic natural landmarks. The country is situated in Asia’s ring of fire, which means that it has a good number of volcanic mountains in its territories. Located right in the heart of the Tengger Caldera, with its crater of fine black sand, Mount Bromo continually spews white smoke laced with sulfur. This volcano is an active one, but the constant threat of explosion does not deter tourists from visiting this site to watch the breathtaking sunrise over the dangerous peak.

Lake Toba

Considered as the largest bolcanic lake in the world with a total area of 1,707 square feet. Known in the local language as Danau Toba, the beautiful lake was the product of a huge volcanic eruption that occurred more than 70,000 years ago; an incident known in scientific circles as the Toba catastrophe, which not only changed the Indonesian landscape, but also killed a majority of the human population in the outlying areas. The area surrounding this caldera lake is home to the Batak people, a friendly tribe that grows some of the world’s best coffee beans.

The Komodo National Park

The Komodo National Park is a paradise-like area found in the Lesser Sunda Islands, very close to the provincial borders of the West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggera. This national park spans 29 islands, including the Komodo, Rinca, and Padar Islands. With a total area of 1,733 square kilometers, this UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site is home to the Komodo dragon, the largest living species of lizard in the world. Ever since the species was discovered in 1912, the Indonesian government has taken active steps to protect the Komodo dragon and create an environment for the animals to be observed without interfering in their lives. At present, the Komodo National Park is a haven for nature lovers, where they can encounter one of the majestic lizards, dive in the pristine waters, and explore the beautiful Indonesian outdoors.

The Baliem Valley

The Grand Valley, or the Baliem Valley, is home to Indonesia’s numerous ethnic tribes. The lush tropical valley is home to the Asmat, Yali, Dani, and Lani tribes, who still live like they did hundreds of years ago. The natural scenery is breathtaking, and the friendly people with their own cultures and rituals are fascinating.

Bukit Lawang

This small North Sumatran village located at the bank of the scenic Bahorok River is home to one of Indonesia’s most popular wildlife species: the Sumatran orang-utan. The village of Bukit Lawang is dedicated to the over 5,000 Sumatran orang-utans, and was founded in 1973 as a rehabilitation center for the animals. During that period, the local population of orang-utans was fast delining because of unregulated hunting, logging, and trading for the animals. Bukit Lawang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and serves as the main access point to the equally beautiful Gunung Leuser National Park.

Tana Toraja

The Land of the Toraja islocated in the South Sulawesi Province, and is the bastion of the ethnic Torajas. Visiting Toraja is like going back in time, with the locals still actively practicing their unique cultural and religious rituals. The region itself is breathtaking with its thick bamboo groves, bountiful rice terraces, and tall limestone cliffs, but the main thing that attracts tourists to Tana Toraja is the unique funeral rites of the Toraja people.