Best Theatres in Jakarta: 6 Beautiful Concert Halls and Performance Venues
Jakarta is not on the global map for arts and culture events, but it should be. With its mix of historical and modern venues, its immensely talented people, and a rich history of performing arts, music, dance and cultural expression, it could easily rival its Asian competitors. But where do you go to witness it

Best Art Galleries in Jakarta: Art Spaces, Museums and Galleries
Jakarta’s art scene, contrary to popular belief, is thriving. Over the last decade or so, galleries in Jakarta have been democratised, with art spaces and art fairs encouraging a wider audience to enjoy, appreciate and engage with a diverse array of artists and their works. Annual art events like Art Moments and ART Jakarta have

Best Animal Parks in Jakarta: Wildlife Adventures in the Concrete Jungle
Jakarta may be a concrete jungle, but the city has no lack of opportunities for its residents to engage with the wonders of nature, especially children and families. NOW! Jakarta has come up with a list of immersive attractions that connect visitors with a range of flora and fauna. From exploring five distinct ecosystems to

Monumental Places of Worship: Religious Diversity in Jakarta
A trio of unique but equally astounding places of worship stand on the borders surrounding Merdeka Square, their shared presence symbolic of Indonesia’s mission to uphold religious diversity. The Immanuel Church, Jakarta Cathedral and the Istiqlal Mosque are destinations in their own rights; even for non-worshipping guests, the architecture and history of each of these

Books and Beyond: A Reader’s Guide to Jakarta’s Independent Bookstores
Jakarta is home to a diverse range of independent bookstores catering to readers with differing tastes and preferences — from foreign language titles and best sellers to second-hand books and niche genres. The result is a contrasting literary scene where legendary bookstores have stood against the test of time to thrive alongside their emerging peers

Exploring Jakarta’s Own “Rumah Batik”
Unlike Solo, Pekalongan, Yogyakarta, Cirebon or Lasem, Jakarta is not on the radar when we think of batik-producing regions. At least, it’s no longer on the radar, as Jakarta was once one of the main hubs for batik-making, complete with its own motifs and styles. / Photos by Begies Imanda. Having almost gone completely extinct within

Best Serviced Apartments in Jakarta: 11 Luxurious City Residences (2024)
Searching for your new home can be challenging, as there are hundreds of options for serviced apartments in Jakarta. Finding the perfect location, number of bedrooms, services and facilities, contract lengths and more, finding your “Goldilocks home” can be a tiresome task! To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled a list of 11

Barbershops in Jakarta: Where to Get Your Next Cut
“Finding a good barbershop is like finding a good lawyer – you gotta go to the same guy.” In Jakarta, this is especially true when there are hundreds of options in just your local area alone. To help you on your journey to find “the one” (barber, not soulmate), we’ve curated a list of nine

Things to do in Jakarta (2024): Experiences & Activities
Discover the vibrant heart of Indonesia with our guide on the top things to do in Jakarta. As the bustling capital city continues to evolve, so do the myriad of experiences and activities it offers to locals and visitors alike. From cultural gems and historical landmarks to modern attractions and culinary delights, Jakarta promises a

A Visitor’s Guide to Kota Tua Jakarta, The ‘Old Town’ of the Capital
Jakarta Old Town, also known as Kota Tua Jakarta, is a historic area located in the heart of Jakarta city. It is a must-visit destination for those who are interested in the rich history and culture of Jakarta. The area is home to a number of historical buildings and monuments that date back to the

Jakarta’s Library of Humor Studies: A Serious Place to Research Humour
At The Library of Humour Studies anyone can research humour and comedy, for free. This place is not only the first humour library in Indonesia, but also a center for humour studies for various disciplines and professions. Have you ever tried going through the day without chuckle? You’ll probably find that it’s downright impossible. Realized

Instaworthy Exhibitions in Jakarta
Social media, especially Instagram, have taken over the world of photography by storm, with people sharing their moments in scope of travelling, lifestyle, culinary as well as fashion. In the last four years, this cultural phenomenon have given birth to a new idea that led to the development of a concept of museum dedicated for those wanting a

Jakarta Car Free Day: Exercise and Socialise
Jakartans have one day to exercise safely along the city’s high profile protocol roads—the weekly Car Free Day on Sunday. Since it was started in 2007 by the Fauzi Bowo administration, Car Free Day in Jakarta has become a favourite event among kids, youth and families to exercise and start building a healthier lifestyle. Photos by Raditya