The Indonesian capital of Jakarta is one of the most vibrant cities in South East Asia. It’s also one of the cities with the densest traffic, but that doesn’t take away from its beauty at all. It’s absolutely worth taking a few days to explore everything it has to offer. These are our favorite things.
Sunda Kelapa
The old port of Jakarta offers a unique look into the past of the city that dates back to the 13th century. Jakarta was once the capital of the Dutch East Indies and visiting the 500-year-old port of Sunda Kelapa will help you imagine how it once looked.
Kota Tua
The oldest part of the city is known as Kota Tua or Old Batavia. It’s perfect for exploring Jakarta’s colonial history but there aren’t many authentic buildings today—a walking tour is enough to see everything here.
Street Food
Jakarta is an amazing place to try local food from many street carts and restaurants all over the city. Delicious meals are available everywhere and some of the favorites are ikan bakar, sop kaki kambing, and gulai tikungan. The food prices at the street carts are affordable and sometimes unexpectedly low!