Things to do in Surakarta

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Photo by Sharrie Shaw
Photo by Sharrie Shaw
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

What to do in Surakarta

Discover the most popular places to visit in Surakarta

UMS

Learn about the local history of Kartosuro when you spend time at UMS.

UMS

Universitas Sebelas Maret

Explore the campus of Universitas Sebelas Maret, during your trip to Surakarta. Take in the musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Universitas Sebelas Maret

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

During your trip to Surakarta, you can do some window-shopping at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Walk around the campus at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta as part of your travels around Kartosuro.

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Kraton Surakarta

You can learn about the history of Surakarta with a visit to Kraton Surakarta. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Kraton Surakarta

Solo Square

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Solo Square during your trip to Laweyan.

Solo Square

Klewer Market

During your trip to Surakarta, you can enjoy retail therapy at Klewer Market. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Klewer Market

Mangkunegaran Palace

Mangkunegaran Palace is just one of the places to see in Surakarta, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Mangkunegaran Palace

Danar Hadi

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Danar Hadi during your trip to Laweyan. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Danar Hadi

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Surakarta

At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Solo City Centre

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and zoo in Solo City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall or Keprabon Park.

Solo City Centre
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Banjarsari

While visiting Banjarsari, you might make a stop by sights like Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Balekambang City Park.

Banjarsari

Frequently asked questions

Is Surakarta worth visiting?
Famous for its history and culture, discovering cool things to do in Surakarta is easy. Make sure to add Mangkunegaran Palace to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Surakarta?
Mangkunegaran Palace and The Heritage Palace are two great places to kick-start your adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Surakarta while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Surakarta?
The top tourist attraction in Surakarta is Mangkunegaran Palace, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Surakarta?
You can easily tick off top attractions like Mangkunegaran Palace, The Heritage Palace and De' Tjolomadoe with a three-day getaway in Surakarta. On average, many travelers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a while longer and check out Salatiga.
Is Surakarta a walkable city?
With vibrant neighborhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city center, Surakarta is a good destination to explore on foot. Enjoy wandering between Mangkunegaran Palace and Sriwedari Amusement Park. Then take a stroll through Solo City Centre, located 2 kilometers from the center, and Banjarsari, which is about 3 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Surakarta with kids?
Planning what to do in Surakarta with kids has never been so simple. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or toddlers, there's no shortage of family-friendly sights and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Surakarta for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or thrill seeker, there's lots of things to do in Surakarta for adults including Danar Hadi.
Are there free things to do in Surakarta?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighborhoods, it's simple to discover free things to do in Surakarta. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Balekambang City Park is a great spot for anyone looking to save on their sightseeing activities.