68 Best Sights in Indonesia

This working farm, set among some of Java's most verdant hills and surrounded by eight volcanoes, dates to the 1920s and still raises Indonesia's characteristic robusta coffee, now grown organically, along with other produce for the plantation's luxurious resort and spa. A one-hour tour explains coffee-growing and processing, and ends with a chance to sample a cup of Java—yes, that slang term for coffee traces to this island—and other plantation-grown delicacies.

More than 150 animals from Southeast Asia are on exhibit at this small zoo. Activities include elephant rides, paddleboat rentals, and a miniature train.

The oldest mosque in Surabaya, constructed in 1421, warrants a stop if only to wander the surrounding streets filled with interesting stalls selling local goods. Women are not permitted to enter the mosque itself, though men are allowed outside of prayer times.

Learn how java got its name at the Munduk Moding Plantation, where you can take a walking tour of the 12-acre coffee plantation. The informative 45-minute trek also features cloves, sugar palms, and tropical fruits. Come early for the views—on a clear day, you can see across the strait to Java's volcanic Mount Merapi. The on-site restaurant serves Balinese and international dishes, as well as hearty breakfasts perfect for the cool mountain air, accompanied by homegrown brew. The boutique resort hotel features horseback riding for longer treks in the extraordinarily countryside and a spectacular infinity pool.

Explore the works of Belgian painter Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merpes, who arrived in Sanur in 1932 at age 52. He shared the remainder of his life on Bali with Ni Nyoman Pollok, the 15 year old dancer that became his primary model and wife The couple's home, on a wide patch of beach, displays 88 of Le Mayeur's works, including early impressionist views of Europe, island watercolors on grass matting, and later rich oils that still influence Balinese artists. Original antique furniture, period photos, and elaborate stone and wood carvings on shutters and walls contextualize the paintings and the Le Mayeurs. Don't miss the canvas of Balinese maidens lounging around a fish pond, then see that same elegant window frame still overlooking the pond.

Learn about the history of Lombok at this lovely museum, which includes such cultural treasures as fossils, prehistoric tools, musical instruments, and pottery. Displays of historical artifacts, geological finds, and decorative arts are helpfully labeled in both Indonesian and English, and the museum includes a pretty garden where you can relax after soaking up some culture. Plan to go early in the day, unless you're there on a Friday—it closes early most days.

Created for the king in 1774, this pretty park is 10 km (6 miles) east of Mataram. Inside the park you'll find a Hindu temple, Pura Kalasa, as well as a swimming pool and food stands. Be on the lookout for the "fountain of youth," said to bring long life to those who wash their face in the water.

Surrounded by a grassy park in bustling Central Jakarta, the towering National Monument (Monument Nasional, or Monas) was begun by founding president Sukarno to celebrate Indonesia's independence in 1961 and remains the capital city's signature landmark. Beat the crowds to visit the observation desk nearly 400 feet high for a close up of the gold flame spiraling into the clouds. The National History Museum at the base of the marble-clad obelisk lays political propaganda on thick in its 51 dioramas. The park, officially Lapangan Merdeka (Independence Square), offers a random sociological study of the capital, especially on Sundays when it's packed with fitness warriors and various wandering "therapists" offering traditional massage.

Ubud is Bali's arts center, and Neka Museum traces the island's painting history. Arranged like a family compound in separate pavilions in a garden, the museum illustrates the evolution of painting in Bali, including the influence of prominent foreign and Indonesian artists who have lived here. One wing showcases Java's Abdul Aziz, who evocatively depicted everyday Balinese. Upstairs, there's a veritable greatest hits gallery dedicated to Bali's resident international masters, including Antonio Blanco and Rudolf Bonnet.

Jamu (herbal medicine) is a major industry in Indonesia, and Nyonya Meneer is one of the country's leading manufacturers. More than 250 varieties of natural drinks and medications are made here and exported to Europe and the United States. The production area is open for tours by request, and there are displays of ingredients and their curative powers.

You may think you've landed in Europe amid the colonial homes and buildings of this picturesque but collapsing slice of old Amsterdam. The broad, tree-trimmed main thoroughfare, Jalan Pemuda, was once known as "Java's Champs-Élysées."

Near the park headquarters, this simple wooden building houses limited displays of island flora and fauna, but the collection of bones, skins, fossils, shells, and other specimens make it worth a quick visit. Its workroom is often the base for visiting biologists, botanists, writers, and film crews on the island. The museum is named for Peter Ouwens, the Dutch zoologist who gave the Komodo its scientific name. Staff open the museum by request only.

This lovely white sand beach is only about 5 km (3 miles) or 15 minutes east of town. Snorkeling and diving here are highly recommended due to the clear water and coral. You can also explore Japanese bunkers that remain from the World War II occupation. Though there aren't many standalone places to eat on the beach, you'll find a number of beach hotels offering fine meals to non-guests. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best For: snorkeling; walking.

Take a primer course in the fine arts of Bali at Pasifika Museum. The 350 piece collection, mainly paintings, includes legendary Balinese and foreign artists. Big names Adrien Jean Le Mayeur, Theo Maier, Miguel Covarrubias and Donald Friend—the latter two perhaps better known for their writing about Bali—are well represented. Rather oddly, artworks are arranged by the artists' country of birth, rather than chronologically or by subject or region depicted. Works from Pacific islands and Indochina are also displayed. The museum injects needed local culture into Nusa Dua, a government-developed five-star hotel complex about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from Kuta at the southern tip of Bali that lacks island character.

Bali's so-called "mother temple" exemplifies island Hinduism and, regrettably, tourism-driven greed. Some 3,000 feet (900 meters) up Mount Agung's southwestern slope, Pura Besakih includes 23 temples, interiors usually closed to visitors, about three hours from southern resort areas. Pura Pentaran Agung dominates, with six stages climbing the mountainside. Equally striking are lines of women worshipers in matching sarong and kebaya (form-fitting long blouse), swaying up temple paths, fruit offerings balanced on their heads, and views to the sea if clouds clear. Besakih hawkers and guides – some knowledgeable, most negligible – throng visitors; steer clear and accept no offers without setting a price first. Most visitors daytrip to Besakih; some skip the temple and just cruise nearby mountain roads.

The holiest temple complex in Lombok, built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah, Pura Lingsar includes a temple for Hindus as well as one for Wetu Telu, Lombok's Islamic religion. In the Wetu Telu temple, you'll find a pond filled with holy eels; if you so desire, you can buy hard-boiled eggs from a stall to tempt them, as feeding them is supposed to bring good luck. You'll need to rent a sash and/or sarong to enter if you don't have your own. Pura Lingsar is located on the outskirts of Mataram.

The provincial museum exhibits antiques, arts, crafts, photographs, and artifacts from around the region. It's 2 km (1 mile) southeast of the airport.

Take a boat out to Rubiah Island, about 200 meters (656 feet) from Iboih Beach, for some of the best diving and snorkeling on the island. This nature reserve is known for its coral reefs and hosts a phenomenal number of colorful fish, including angelfish, parrotfish, lionfish, and more. If you're not the diving type, you can view the underwater creatures through a glass-bottomed boat.

Who would imagine there is winemaking in Bali but the the local Sababay Winery uses Bali-grown grapes, part of its commitment to grassroots partnerships. Visitors to its winery, about 20 minutes up the coast northeast of Sanur, can see up to a half-million liters (130,000 gallons) of juice being processed into 10,000 bottles a day of its Black Velvet, White Velvet and Pink Blossom varieties, formulated by Sababay's French winemaker. These so-called New Latitude wines are meant to be poured young, so there's not an oak cask in sight. Sababay aims to revitalize grape growing in North Bali through its Farmer Partnership Agreement, paying higher crop prices to planters that follow its agricultural methods. Visits to vineyards near Lovina can also be arranged.

A haven for shutterbugs and children, Ubud's Monkey Forest is home to dozens of Balinese macaques. These long-tailed grayish primates mug it up and dive spectacularly into their pool when not taking refuge in the tall trees. But there's more to the forest than monkeyshines. Guides posted along the paths gladly expound on the site's history and temples, including Pura Perana, dating to the 14th century. Monkeys here are better behaved than their counterparts in Uluwatu, but still can get nasty. Remove anything they can grab (like hats, glasses and earrings) and all food from your person. Obey the many "Do Not Feed" signs rather than the sales pitches of banana and peanut hawkers.

Honoring Admiral Cheng Ho (alternatively Zhang He and Sam Po Kong), the famed Ming dynasty Chinese-Muslim leader and adventurer, this temple complex was refurbished for the 600th anniversary celebration of his landing here in 1405. Although a eunuch, Cheng Ho is considered the patriarch of the Indonesian and other Southeast Asian Chinese communities. Amid shrines and festival platforms, the brightly painted main structure, called Gedung Batu (Stone Building), is a cave containing a statue of the hero, guarded by dragons.

The beach is the thing in Sanur, which has perfect views of Mount Agung when clouds part. An offshore reef breaks the waves into gentle ripples lapping the white sand. But the reef also means there's often barely enough water to cover your ankles at low tide—ask your hotel staff about the tides. The surfing here is strictly for experts, as the coral can produce nasty gashes and worse. Perfect for strolling or biking, a brick beach walkway runs for 5 km (3 miles). It's lined with shops, cafes, and water-sports operators. Amenities: food and drink, toilets, showers. Best for: walking, sunrise. surfing.

In a city bursting with new malls, the first is still worth a look. The brainchild of Indonesian founding father President Sukarno, Sarinah began doing business in 1962 and was Jakarta's first department store with escalators. But don't visit this state-owned retailer for nostalgia. Centrally located Sarinah specializes in Indonesian products and is the best place in town to shop for souvenirs. Find three floors devoted to the archipelago's handicrafts and textiles, including its famed batik and woven ikat in dark, rich colors. Variety here is second to none and at a range of reasonable prices. Throughout the store, bargains abound on men's and women's fashions, cosmetics, CDs, and perfume, plus anything you forgot you to pack.

The first settlement for ethnic Chinese immigrants who arrived in Bintan sometime in the 1700s, this rustic village is home to some of Bintan's oldest temples: the complex of Lau Ya Keng and the unusual Banyan Tree Temple, a 200-year-old structure that's become intertwined with the trunk of an ancient banyan tree. The village is best reached via a 15-minute water taxi ride from Tanjung Pinang and can be combined with a visit to Penyengat Island.

Puppetry is serious stuff across Southeast Asia, an important part of traditional and religious ceremonies. Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets celebrates the tradition. More than 1,000 items, predominantly from Bali and Java, are shown in four joglo, Javanese wooden houses. Intricate wayang kulit, leather characters for shadow puppetry, headline the collection that also features wayang golek (wooden puppets), masks for topeng dances, and pieces from Africa and Europe. There are first-rate captions in English. Located in a small village surrounded by rice fields, the museum's grounds include lotus ponds, brooding banyan trees, and performance areas. If you take a taxi from Ubud, the museum staff can arrange transportation back.

The soft white beach arching around the Loh Liang jetty frames a clear aqua bay, with a spread of coral reefs just below the surface. Bring a swimsuit and snorkeling gear, and you’re set to explore on your own. Park officers can also point you toward other good reefs around the island, such as Red Beach, but you’ll need a guide to get there. Many tourists visit Komodo on scuba diving excursions. Divers may be able to negotiate a quick trip to dive sites near Rinca or Flores; you can rent scuba gear in Loh Liang. After years of reef destruction by fishing with dynamite and poison, efforts are succeeding to preserve and restore reefs in the marine reserve.

The longest bridge in Indonesia, which opened in 2009, connects Surabaya with Bangkalan on Madura Island. It's worth driving across at night when the bridge is fully lit. On the Madura side, you'll find plenty of souvenir stands to buy T-shirts and the like.

The park, often shortened to TBRS, is a favorite local strolling venue by day and a setting for wayang orang, wayang kulit, and ketoprak puppet performances several nights a week.

Cultural theme park Taman Mini Indonesia brings lifestyles from the nation's far-flung provinces to the southeastern outskirts of Jakarta, where attractions are arranged around a lake. Traditional houses, clothing, handicrafts, and cultural performance are the big draws, along with the IMAX tour of Indonesia (Rp30,000) inside a theater shaped like a giant golden snail. Other attractions, many separately ticketed, include orchid, herb, and 10 other gardens; 14 museums; kiddy and water parks; and indigenous birds and animals, including the Komodo dragon. Officially Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Mini Indonesia Park), everyone calls it Taman Mini. Bring sun (and, as needed, rain) protection, plan to spend the day here, and use the minibus (Rp3,000) to negotiate the vast grounds. It's about an hour by taxi from central Jakarta.