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Jakarta Old Town
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Jakarta Old Town

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See all things to do
Jakarta Old Town
4
2,013
#22 of 306 things to do in Jakarta
Historic Sites
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
This is the old city of Batavia. Rundown, picturesque and a great night market.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,321 within 3 miles
Cafe Batavia
2,849
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • American • Dutch
Historia Food & Bar
64
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Asian • Indonesian
Padang Merdeka
52
0.2 mi$ • Indonesian • Halal
Kedai Seni Djakarté
47
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Indonesian • Vegetarian Friendly
Kantin Mega Rasa
25
0.2 mi$ • Asian • Indonesian • Vegetarian Friendly
Batavia Market
25
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Chinese • American
Acaraki
12
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Indonesian
Bangi Kopitiam Taman Fatahillah
46
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Asian • Indonesian
Acaraki Cafe
5
0.2 mi$ • Asian • Indonesian
Kopi Kota Tua
6
0.2 mi$
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Attractions
148 within 6 miles
Fatahillah Square
584
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fine Arts & Ceramics Museum (Balai Seni Rupa)
83
357 ftArt Museums
Dasaad Musin Concern Building
3
448 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Museum)
468
0.1 miHistory Museums
Wayang Museum
545
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Museum Bank Indonesia
1,082
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Magic Art Museum Jakarta
6
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Mandiri Museum
392
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Kota Intan Bridge
65
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Sunda Kelapa Harbour
437
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Javiz A
    Hong Kong, China147 contributions
    Busy Jakarta trip
    I was in Jakarta for a very short trip which is 4 days 3 nights and it was not a leisure trip. This trip was September 2015 to attend training run by Hilton (MDP3) Pro-Active Leadership program, this training was very effective and we all participants was busy almost 8am to mid-night focusing on the training program and our activities for next day. Once the training program end just before the flight was able to have half day and I was lucky that the FOM took me around the Old city for a quick tour by car, since it was almost getting in to the rush hour we have to get back to hotel therefore did not see much of the old city. I would like to go back one day to see the old city and enjoy the experience.
    Written December 21, 2022
  • Neil G
    Singaraja, Indonesia1,477 contributions
    Extremely enjoyable few hours
    We had a wonderful time just walking for hour showing our son the old area of Jakarta (Batarvia) we walked around the old museum and the fantastic railway station. Unique architecture for its time. The d Chinatown province was good to see plus, we went on a horse and cart ride right around the area, that we pounded with our feet for 3 hours earlier
    Traveled with family
    Written May 29, 2022
  • Amanda Kitamura
    Jakarta, Indonesia16 contributions
    Historic Place
    This place hold lots of beautiful corners. There are many new modern restaurants around the area, but you could also found traditional food vendors there too. Every weekend the piazza will be filled with lots of people who waited for free music performances. You can also found many museums around the area. This place could need a little fix whilst still keeping its original shapes, and it'll be the new go to place.
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 8, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,013 reviews
Excellent
485
Very good
860
Average
524
Poor
110
Terrible
34
Evi Selvia
Jakarta, Indonesia2 contributions
Better Jakarta Old Town
Sep 2022 • Solo
The revitalization makes Jakarta Old Town better and better. More pedestrian friendly. I still love to visit Fatahillah Museum even for the third time. My most favorite time to visit Jakarta Old Town is in the late afternoon. One thing you need to consider is when you visit Jakarta Old Town during weekend, please be ready of the crowd.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
feltroneu
George Town, Malaysia2,337 contributions
Beautiful historical architectures
Sep 2019
This is an old small square in the old town of Jakarta. It is surrounded by beautiful historical architectures. There were many tourists and local. It was too hot to hang around I didn't stay long. The traditional puppet museum is at one of the old buildings.
Written April 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eddie P
Elgin, UK565 contributions
Just about worth a visit
Jul 2022
Arrived by taxi and dropped off some distance from old town, there was a lot of road works going on, finally managed to find the old bridge however difficult to get close and cannot walk across. Back to square and lunch at Batavia café also visited the Bank Museum. Difficult walking avoiding traffic, however worth a visit
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matthew William Iskandar
Jakarta, Indonesia1 contribution
Between classic and modern
Jul 2022 • Friends
Kota Tua or the old town of Jakarta is a good place to visit. There are many old Dutch Buildings, museums and a comfortable and historic cafe. Old Town is a very recommended place to travel for all. Especially, this area has now been reconditioned. Jalan Lada which is a bottlenecked road has now transformed into a pedestrian. The Old Town is very accessible. There are plenty of Transjakarta Buses and Commuter Trains
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DyahTri
Jakarta, Indonesia10 contributions
Visit Old Batavia Heritage
Jan 2020 • Friends
A good place to see old batavia heritage. A lot of museum there, museum Fatahilah, museum BI, museum Bank Mandiri, museum Wayang. In the corner, we can see a famous Cafe Batavia.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teja
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia167 contributions
Good to see the uplift works
Oct 2022
The Kota Tua area had always seemed kind of dead to me before, but when I came again last year, it felt much livelier. There was a music festival at Fatahillah square, and the canalside areas have undergone upgrades so that the area is looking nice now. At the time the works weren't fully done yet, but when it is, the area should become quite a nice heritage zone for Jakarta.
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Georgio Valentino Rayala
Hyderabad, India17,215 contributions
Heritage Site Area that Needs to be Preserved
Aug 2018 • Friends
My first impressions about this area are really bad as the traffic was terrible and we did not know how to cross the road to the other side where our hostel wonderloft was located. It took us 10 minutes before we realized that the traffic will never stop and we have to just cross it anyhow. Luckily we made it.

This old town area is called Kota tua and as I went out and started seeing the buildings in that area, I was amazed at their architecture. The whole area looked straight out of an European city. It is constructed by the Dutch and earlier called "Batavia".

The main tourist areas here are the Fatahillah square and the various museums. My favorite thing that I did in this area will definitely be my dinner at "Cafe Batavia". It is a memorable experience for me. Also this area is filled with many street vendors which might be disturbing.
Written April 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dromomaniac
Greater Sydney, Australia604 contributions
Great photo opportunites.
Sep 2010
This was one of our favourite parts of Jakarta as there was so much going on. It's crowded and busy with so many businesses, and has loads of character. If you stand back and look up at the buildings it's fabulous - there are businesses going on at ground level and historic buildings, hovels and all sorts of life going on above.

It's a great place to get loads of pictures of Kaki Limas (hand pushed carts) - often laden with fresh fruit and vegetables or hot food.

We saw a man sitting near an ancient looking piece of machinery, waiting for business. As we approached and I held up my camera to ask his approval for a photo, he broke out into a massive smile, placed an old hat on his head and posed with his machinery. I have no idea what he was doing with that machine, but he was a real character and our short interaction was a fabulous human moment in a sprawling, heavily populated metropolis.

I also got some great photos of a man on a raft making his way down the canal that runs through the old town. It's very heavily polluted and not a picturesque scene, but the photos I took from a bridge (risking life and limb!) turned out beautifully.

If you're interested in historical buildings and busy people going about their business in very different ways than in the west, head to the old town.
Written June 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RonnC
Tangerang, Indonesia732 contributions
Poorly valued historical place
The ideal of Jakarta Old Town is that it should be romantic, colonial historical area. With tourist pouring over taking pictures, feeding the pidgeons or just chilling in the cafes nearby. With professional touch, the place could be "a must see" attractions such the Trafalgar Square or something like that. Sadly, what really happens is quite the opposite.

While the traffic is definitely NOT pedestrian-friendly, the places around are decaying from poor maintenance. It's not covenient to walk about, and on midday the heat is exhausting. No cafes nearby only local food stall with questionable hygiene. The only hotel nearby is also a downfall as you can read yourselves in many reviews. If you've been there you'll know how it sounds. And it's not really safe to go around without proper knowledge or trustworthy guide or friends. Not recommended especially if you bring children.

Many things must be done to restore the area into a proper tourist attractions. And its really up to the local government if they want to conserve the historical value of the old town.

Written February 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
timothyseanfang
Phnom Penh, Cambodia61 contributions
Largely dilapidated place, but with lots of potential
Jun 2013 • Solo
I agree with many of the reviewers below - this place is truly in need of some sort of rejuvenation. I went to Kota on a Sunday and it was extremely packed, with many Jakartans crowded in the square to watch some street performances and the like. Many street vendors selling all sorts of knick-knacks were also there. Cafe Batavia is not bad - the 2nd storey has a good view of the square below, and of the history museum; the restored Dutch building it's housed in is also very nice.

But what is more depressing is the general state of neglect that seems to have befallen this area. Just right next to the restored Cafe Batavia is a neglected old building that has half its roof caved in - in fact, all around the square buildings that could have looked very nice ages ago have all decayed and fallen to bits. Interested to see if there were any other notable sights, I even crossed the canal (which is also not the most aromatic nor most pleasant one around) to have a look, but the general condition of the buildings together with their seeming abandoned condition made me do a double-take.

Having said that, there are some very nice sights to see - the history museum, Cafe Batavia, Pos Indonesia, Bank Indonesia and Kota train station are all very nicely restored, but other than that the general neglect is quite depressing. I hear there's a plan to refurbish many of the colonial-era structures - if so, that would be a great shot in the arm for this place.
Written June 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Jakarta Old Town - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Jakarta Old Town
Jakarta Old Town is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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