Jakarta, Indonesia: Things To Do In 48 hours

Every city has its own charm and Jakarta offers a unique experience to its travelers.  From buzzing nightlife to shoppers’ paradise, from its lofty modern edifices to its old colonial style buildings, monuments and mosques as well as experiencing cuisine and culture, Jakarta has endless things to offer for adventurous travelers who are tired of exploring all the conventional touristy stuff!

The capital of Indonesia is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the country as most of the tourists are fascinated by the splendid beaches of the Bali to the ancient temple of the Borobudur and the orangutans of the Borneo to the breathtaking Gili Islands that they totally overlook Jakarta. Also, Jakarta is known for scamster, stratagem, pollution, muggers and terrorism but it doesn’t come under the world’s most dangerous cities. So if you’re thinking to skip this destination, it will be your loss as Jakarta is growing as a tourist destination in its own unique way.

Here’s the list of 5 amazing things you can do on your trip to Jakarta in 48 hours!

1) Visit the National Monument (Monas)

No trip to Jakarta would be complete without visiting National Monument (Monas ) which  is one of the iconic landmarks and the main attraction of the Jakarta. This giant monument has 132-meter column with a flame sculpture covered with 110.23 pounds of solid gold foil at the top. It was the brainchild of Indonesia’s first president Soekarno.

You can also explore the National History Museum located in the vicinity of the National Monument to learn more about the history of Indonesia and its struggle for Independence.

2) Stop by TMII – Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

This wonderful miniature park offers a chance to learn the Indonesian culture. The scenery is breathtaking with a relaxing, beautiful atmosphere. The park encompasses separate pavilions that capture the Indonesian versatile culture. If you’re traveling with family, your kids are going to love this park!

3) Visit the Old Town – Kota Tua

Jakarta’s Old Town, also known as ‘Kota Tua’ is a fascinating glimpse into history. It is north of the National Monument and is full of heritage buildings from the Dutch colonial years. There are several interesting museums to visit around the Old Town. The Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Museum), Museum of Fine Art and Ceramic as well as the Puppet Museum are all around Batavia. You can visit any museum depending upon your interest and click some beautiful pictures in this area if you’re fascinated by the old town vibes of big colonial style building and cobblestones in this historic district.

4) Shop till you drop at the Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia 

Jakarta is the shopper’s paradise and offers the best shopping options in South East Asia. Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia are two epic malls you shouldn’t miss. 

If you’re a shopaholic, Jakarta would be an ultimate dream destination with 150 + gigantic shopping malls scattered throughout the city. Many people travel here just for a shopping expedition. From local Indonesian brands to international labels, you can literally find anything you want.

5) Delight your taste buds with amazing food

You can’t overlook the food in Jakarta, where dishes have come together from across the archipelago over the centuries and have now been joined by cuisines from the whole world. If you’re fond of luxurious fine dining restaurants or budget treats, Jakarta offers endless authentic restaurants to delight your taste buds.

6) Explore Jakarta’s nightlife

If you’re a party animal, you’re going to love Jakarta with its buzzing nightlife and high energy. Whether you’re looking for a quiet conversation over a glass, wine or an evening on the dance floor, you will certainly find a number of venues that suit your taste.

If you’ve more time on your trip, you can explore other amazing places in Jakarta.

Where to stay?

Jakarta has many luxurious and budget hotels depending upon your pocket and preferences.  But if you prefer to stay  in a luxe hotel exploring the downtown vibes and experiencing unparalleled luxury, J. W. Marriott Jakarta would be a nice place to stay. This hotel is only around 19 miles away from the airport as well as in the close proximity to the other local attractions.

Traveling Tips:

• Jakarta has a tropical monsoon climate, with just two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The dry season months from July to October are the best time to travel to Jakarta.
• Humidity ranges from an extremely sticky 85% in December, January and February, to a slightly more tolerable 75% in August and September.
• Traveling could be little messy in the wet season, so follow healthy traveling tips and protect your skin from pollution.

Do share your experiences if you’ve been to Jakarta in the comments below?