Perched on the easternmost tip of Java, Banyuwangi offers an authentic adventure for those looking to venture off the beaten path in East Java. Far from the well-trodden paths of Bali and Yogyakarta, Banyuwangi beckons with dramatic landscapes, mystical legends, and thrilling outdoor escapades. From the wild savannahs of Baluran National Park, the mystical depths of Alas Purwo National Park, witness the stunning electric-blue flames of Ijen Crater, ride the legendary seven rolls of waves at G-Land, to the towering Mount Raung.
Spanning approximately 1,064 kilometres, the overland trip from Jakarta to Banyuwangi is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a journey rich in cultural encounters, culinary discoveries, and natural beauty. The Pantura route (North Coast of Java), with an estimated drive time of 18 to 20 hours, is a popular path for seasoned road trippers, weaving through historical port towns, vibrant batik cities, and coastal countryside.
Your trip: Cirebon – Pekalongan – Semarang – Solo – Karanganyar – Mojokerto – Surabaya – Malang – Mount Bromo – Banyuwangi (Click to jump ahead)
Cirebon
After about three hours of driving east from Jakarta, Cirebon makes the perfect first major stop on your journey. This coastal city, located on the border of West and Central Java, boasts deep historical roots and a rich cultural tapestry. As one of Indonesia’s earliest Islamic states, Cirebon once thrived under its own Sultanate. Begin your visit at the Kasepuhan Palace, the oldest royal palace in Cirebon, where ornate architecture and royal relics bring the city’s regal past to life. The influence of Islamic, Sundanese, Javanese, and Chinese cultures is evident throughout the palace complex.
No stop in Cirebon would be complete without indulging in its legendary culinary scene. Try empal genthong, a savory soup of sliced beef and offal simmered in rich coconut milk, traditionally cooked in clay pots over firewood. Another local favorite is nasi jamblang, rice wrapped in daun jati (teak leaves) and served buffet-style with a range of side dishes like chili potatoes, tempeh, and beef stew. Before hitting the road again, make time to visit Trusmi Village, located just outside the city. It’s a hub for batik production, with countless workshops where you can watch artisans’ handcraft traditional batik or even try making one yourself. The colorful patterns of Batik Cirebon, especially the classic megamendung motif (cloud-inspired design).
Pekalongan
When your next stop is in Pekalongan, it means you have entered the Central Java. Pekalongan is known as the Batik city and home to some of Indonesia’s most sought-after batik. No wonder the safeguarding and further developing batik culture and the surrounding batik craft villages is a priority for this small city.
The Batik Museum and the adjacent workshops for students form an important arts centre and have been recognised as a Best Safeguarding Practice of intangible heritage. It’s a good idea to visit the Batik Museum. Situated midway between Semarang and Surabaya, this small city is an outstation of old Javanese charm mixed with cultures brought by traders in the 17th century. It’s a multicultural city where different ethnic communities live together. You won’t be surprised if in this city Arabs, Chinese Peranakans and some Dutch people live in harmony.
Semarang
As your wheels roll further into Central Java, you’ll arrive in Semarang, the provincial capital and a city that has gracefully evolved from a 17th-century spice port into a modern multicultural metropolis. Semarang’s unique culture combines the influence of its large Chinese population with its Dutch colonial architecture, which still thrives in its core. Places to visit include its old Dutch quarter (Outstadt), a massive Chinese temple (Gedung Batu), and Lawang Sewu – an iconic landmark bearing the nickname “Thousand Doors.” Apart from these structures, Semarang also has another nickname, Kota Kumpia, or Lumpia City. As a fusion between Chinese and Javanese cuisines, the snack is just one of the many treats you can sample at the city’s rapidly growing restaurant and cafe scene.
Solo
Located in the heart of Central Java, Solo—also known as Surakarta—was once the capital of the 18th-century Mataram Kingdom. The city is home to a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks that reflect its royal heritage. Solo’s urban landscape is dotted with ethnic kampongs (villages), originally established to help manage and organize diverse ethnic communities. Like “Arab villages” still exist in three neighborhoods: Pasar Kliwon, Semanggi, and Kedung Lumbu. Meanwhile, Chinese communities are predominantly found in areas such as Balong, Coyudan, and Keprabon which are easily recognised by temples and pagodas, including the notable Tien Kok Sie.
Javanese culture remains deeply rooted in this region and serves as the foundation for the city’s rich cultural life, even the residents commonly use the Javanese Mataram dialect, which is also spoken in nearby regions like Yogyakarta, Magelang, and Semarang. The most interesting thing about this region is we commonly see residents dressed in traditional attire, kebaya for women and beskap for men. Cultural life in Solo is vibrant, with traditional art performances playing a central role in public events. Many of these cultural expressions are inspired by the legacies of the city’s two royal courts: the Kasunanan and the Mangkunegaran Palaces.
Karanganyar
Another ride into a historical journey, just 14 kilometers on the east of Solo, Karanganyar rests on the misty highlands along the slopes of Mount Lawu. It offers not only breathtaking panoramic views but also a deep sense of spiritual wonder. This regency cradles the echoes of the Majapahit Kingdom, with its legacy carved into the sacred stones of Sukuh and Cetho Temples. Sukuh Temple stands out with its distinctive reliefs unlike any other in Java—exploring themes of life before birth, fertility, and ancient sexual education, reflecting a blend of Hindu and indigenous beliefs. Meanwhile, Cetho Temple rises even higher on the mountain, revealing a more serene, tiered structure that continues to be a place of worship and meditation. Its tranquil atmosphere and symbolic carvings speak of purification, enlightenment, and a journey toward the divine.
Not just rich in history, Karanganyar is also a haven for nature lovers. The Kemuning Hills Tea Plantation is a gem with its fresh cool air and vast green hills that offers an experience that’s both calming and visually captivating. Whether you’re walking through the plantation trails or riding along the mountain paths, take your time to enjoy a warm cup of tea at a hilltop cafe.
Mojokerto
Entering East Java, Mojokerto can’t be skipped from the stopover. Its identity is strongly tied to the legacy of Majapahit, the greatest and most powerful kingdom in Asia’s history, whose remains are spread across the Trowulan area (Mojokerto Regency) and its surroundings with its sophisticated urban layout, fascinating artefacts, including terracotta architectures, and spiritual reflections.
As it’s believed to have been the capital city of the kingdom in the 14th century, the Trowulan Temple Complex features some notable highlights within or near the complex, include Bajang Ratu Temple, Wringin Lawang, Tikus Temple, and Majapahit Museum (Museum Trowulan) which houses artifacts, inscriptions, and reconstructions that give insight into the kingdom’s grandeur. In addition to Trowulan, Mojokerto is also fascinating with the natural scenery of Dlundung waterfalls in Trawas district and Coban Canggu waterfall in Padusan village, Pacet district, which is well-known as a place of many kinds of teak trees.
Surabaya
The capital of East Java was naturally suited to become a center of commerce and a bustling port. During the 14th century, Surabaya emerged as a vital gateway for the Majapahit Kingdom due to its strategic location on the north coast of Java Island that enabled it to develop into an important hub for regional and international trade. Following the decline of the kingdom, Surabaya remained a key port city through the periods of Islamic sultanates and Dutch colonial rule. The port, known today as Tanjung Perak was developed further into a modern port and became one of Indonesia’s largest and busiest ports, serving as a major gateway for goods that makes Surabaya a home to a range of industries, including shipbuilding, electronics, automotive, and agriculture-related processing.
Surabaya’s streets beat with the ancient history that led any travellers to explore the most interesting areas of the old Arab, Chinese, and colonial neighbourhoods in the north of the city. The richly atmospheric Arab quarter, known as Ampel, is centred on the mosque and tomb of Sunan Ampel, one of the legendary saints said to have spread Islam in Java. Further south, amidst crumbling colonial-era shop-houses, the vast Pasar Pabean market is a warren of stalls and alleys. From late afternoon until early morning the western part of the market turns into an emporium for freshly caught fish. Beyond the market, the original Chinese quarter begins, home to old temples such as Hong Tik Hian and Surabaya’s oldest Chinese shrine, the 18th-century Hok An Kiong. From the Chinese quarter, walk west and cross the famous Red Bridge over the Kali Mas River. Nearby is the House of Sampoerna, a small museum attached to a factory that makes traditional hand-rolled clove kretek (cigarettes).
Malang
Just 96 kilometres from Surabaya via toll road (1 hour 48 minutes), you’ll arrive in Malang, a highland city that blends adventure, heritage, and creativity. Best known as a prime base for exploring two of Indonesia’s most iconic volcanoes: Bromo and Semeru. Before chasing sunrise or tackling mountain trails, take time to enjoy the city’s in-town attractions.
Kajoetangan Heritage Village, this preserved colonial neighbourhood transports you to another era with its narrow lanes, Dutch-style houses, and vibrant street murals. Join a guided heritage walk to uncover the stories behind the architecture and the city’s colonial past. While Kampung Warna-Warni (colourful village) and Kampung Tridi offer visual delights which entire neighbourhoods transform into murals, 3D paintings, and community art projects. Alun-Alun Kota Malang (City Square) offers a bold local vibe, the best place for the social and culinary heart of the city. Highlights include bakso Malang, cwie mie, and rawon.
Mount Bromo
Part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, the magnificent Mount Bromo offers spectacular views and picturesque landscapes that never fail to impress. Standing at 2,392 meters, Mount Bromo may not be one of Indonesia’s tallest peaks, but its breathtaking beauty lies in its dramatic setting. From the nearby Mount Penanjakan, which rises to 2,770 meters above sea level, travelers from around the globe gather to witness the sunrise over this iconic volcano.
At dawn, the scene is magical—Mount Bromo smoulders in the foreground while Mount Semeru puffs smoke in the distance, all illuminated by the golden morning light. The only sound breaking the silence is the soft click of cameras as visitors try to capture the awe-inspiring panorama. Mount Bromo holds deep spiritual significance for the Tengger people, who believe it is the site where a courageous prince once sacrificed his life for his family. Each year, they honor the mountain during the Kasada festival by offering vegetables, chickens, and money, which are thrown into the crater to appease the gods.
Final Stop: Banyuwangi
Meaning “fragrant water,” Banyuwangi is the easternmost regency of Java, where the sunrise first touches the island. Facing Bali across the strait, this region is a final stop worth lingering at — offering a rich mix of nature, adventure, and cultural charm. Among its crown jewels is Ijen Crater, a vast 2,560-hectare caldera known for its acidic turquoise lake and the rare phenomenon of blue fire that emerges from sulfur vents — best witnessed in the early hours after a three-hour trek from Paltuding. At dawn, the lake reflects vivid colours, surrounded by panoramic views of peaks like Mount Merapi and Mount Raung. Speaking of which, Mount Raung itself is one of Java’s most formidable volcanoes, rising 3,332 metres with a deep, wide caldera. Climbers usually commit to a three-day, two-night journey via Sumberwringin or Kalibaru Jember routes.
Nature lovers will also find plenty to admire in the national parks of the region. Alas Purwo National Park spans over 43,000 hectares and preserves some of Indonesia’s most pristine tropical rainforests, supporting ecosystems from mangroves to savannahs, and sheltering wild oxen, leopards, and over 700 plant species. Meru Betiri National Park, covering 580 square kilometres, is the historic habitat of the now-elusive Javan tiger and the home of rare species like the Rafflesia zollingeriana and Javanese flying squirrel, along with a hidden marine sanctuary. Then there’s Baluran National Park, nicknamed “Africa van Java” for its wide, dry savannahs and iconic wildlife like banteng, deer, and peacocks beneath the gaze of Mount Baluran. Finally, G-Land, or Plengkung Beach, is a legendary surfing destination famous for its six-metre waves, embraced by untouched tropical forest — a fittingly wild edge to this remarkable journey.
