Old Jakarta

Jakarta

Old Jakarta
Old Jakarta
Old Jakarta showing a bridge and a river or creek
Old Jakarta
Old Jakarta

While wandering the atmospheric streets of the city’s historic center visit eclectic museums and uncover the colonial origins of Jakarta.

Old Jakarta (Kota) is where Jakarta’s Dutch colonial years began in the 1600s. Formerly known as Batavia, this neighborhood features Dutch- and Chinese-influenced architecture, markets, museums and lively squares. The Dutch East India Company established Old Jakarta in 1619. It grew into one of the most resplendent Dutch colonial towns. Today, visit the area to glimpse life in Jakarta prior to the onset of modern skyscrapers.

The neighborhood’s heart is Fatahillah Square, a paved plaza framed by grandiose colonial palaces. This was once the administrative center of Batavia. From here the Dutch East India Company controlled much of its trading activity. Enjoy a relaxed drink or hearty lunch in Café Batavia in an exquisite 19th-century building. Its art deco and teakwood furnishings recreate the ambiance of Dutch colonial years.

Explore the museums surrounding Fatahillah Square. Housed in the former town hall is the Jakarta History Museum, which covers everything from prehistoric to colonial and independence history. Learn about the art of Javanese puppetry at the Wayang Museum. Browse superb exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics.

Follow the square’s adjoining tree-lined streets, many home to handicraft stalls and colorful food carts. Sample local snacks such as siomay bandung (fish dumplings and peanut sauce) and gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce). About a 10-minute walk north of the square is Kota Intan Bridge. Built in the 17th century, it is one of Indonesia’s last surviving Dutch-built wooden drawbridges.

South of the main square is the Museum Bank Indonesia. Find interactive exhibits that retrace Indonesia’s financial and trading past. Nearby is the impressive Jakarta Kota Station. Continue south to Jakarta Chinatown, a lively district of confectionary stores, electronics retailers, teahouses, temples and restaurants.

Reach Old Jakarta easily via public buses, trains and taxis. Consider renting a bike at Fatahillah Square and cycling to the city’s old port, Sunda Kelapa. Admire the array of brightly painted fishing boats and see a slice of seafaring history at the Museum Bahari Maritime Museum.


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Old Jakarta Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo by IHG
3.5 out of 5
Jalan Pekan Raya Jakarta Pintu 6, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥3,756 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
¥3,756
¥4,546 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (273 reviews)
"Situed just minutes from the Expo the hotel is very clean and the staff are all extremely helpful and genuinely welcoming. I can’t recommend this hotel enough if you’re heading to an event at the Expo!"

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Jakarta International Expo by IHG
Mercure Convention Center Ancol
Mercure Convention Center Ancol
4 out of 5
Jl. Pantai Indah - Ancol Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥5,769 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥5,769
¥6,981 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Central Park Mall and Grand Indonesia ...
How can laundry cost that much ?
"Very nice , breakfast . The price to get your clothes laundered was outrageous. The best breakfast buffet for $5 usd and to get a couple pairs of underwear/ undershirts and socks was going to cost $20 usd !!!! Wow I could get my undies dry cleaned for less than that in the states!! But overall good ..."

Reviewed on Nov 21, 2024

Mercure Convention Center Ancol
Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada by IHG
Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada by IHG
4 out of 5
Jl. Gajah Mada No. 211, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥6,068 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
¥6,068
¥8,216 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (392 reviews)
"Everything regarding the hotel itself is great...the only exception is the condition surrounding the building which is chaotic because of the MRT project."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Gajah Mada by IHG
Putri Duyung Ancol
Putri Duyung Ancol
3 out of 5
Jl. Lodan Timur No 7, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥4,628 per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
¥4,628
¥5,758 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Popular attractions Central Park Mall and Grand ...
"need renovation"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Putri Duyung Ancol
DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran
DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran
5 out of 5
Jalan Griya Utama, Blok B No 1, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥8,346 per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
¥8,346
¥10,099 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Grand Indonesia and Thamrin ...
9/10 Wonderful! (44 reviews)
"The property is undergoing renovation, the room was very nice, the location not that great, all of the staff very nice, some very helpful"

Reviewed on May 15, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran
Novotel Jakarta Gajah Mada
Novotel Jakarta Gajah Mada
4 out of 5
Jl Gajah Mada No 188, Jakarta, Jakarta
The price is ¥5,342 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
¥5,342
¥6,463 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Jakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Central Park Mall and Thamrin City Shopping ...
8/10 Very Good! (369 reviews)
Happy with my stay
"Staff was very friendly and helpful. Location was great for what we wanted to see."

Reviewed on Apr 8, 2025

Novotel Jakarta Gajah Mada
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Old Jakarta

Old Jakarta

Ancol

Discover the main beach resort of Jakarta and Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, South East Asia's largest integrated tourism area. Enjoy hotels, beaches, a theme park, oceanarium, golf field, and marina at Jakarta Bay City.

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Taman Sari

Shopping, historic sites, and spas are some highlights of Taman Sari. Make a stop by Mangga Dua Square or Pasar Baru while you're exploring.

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Jakarta Utara

While you're in Jakarta Utara, take in top sights like Dunia Fantasi or Mangga Dua, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Boulevard Utara LRT Station or Boulevard Selatan LRT Station.

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Istiqlal Mosque showing modern architecture and a square or plaza

Gambir

Monuments, museums, and shopping are just a few things travelers enjoy about Gambir. Check out Merdeka Palace or Istiqlal Mosque while you're exploring the area.

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Grogol

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Shopping, art galleries, and spas are just a few things travelers enjoy about Grogol. Check out Central Park Mall or Taman Anggrek Mall while you're exploring the area.

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Kebon Sirih

You'll enjoy the coffeehouses and monuments in Kebon Sirih. You might want to make time for a stop at Jaksa Street or Farmer Statue.

Kebon Sirih


Old Jakarta