How to spend 48 hours in Jakarta

Wherever you’re staying in Jakarta, the iconic Bundaran HI is easy to access by bus, MRT, or taxi. Snap a few photos at the Selamat Datang Monument, built to welcome the 1962 Asian Games. Across the street lies Plaza Indonesia, where luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci beckon, and Grand Indonesia, featuring the world’s first Coach Restaurant and Galeri Indonesia Kaya, an interactive cultural gallery. Squeezed between these malls is a bustling, nameless night market where humble stalls offer everything from local bites like seblak (spicy noodle soup) and basreng (crispy meatballs) to international favourites like tacos and tteokbokki.

Start your first evening on a high with sweeping views at Jakarta’s top rooftop bars, just steps from Bundaran HI. SKYE boasts 360° skyline views and an infinity pool, while KITA Bar serves izakaya-inspired dishes. For a luxe experience, Cloud Lounge features Indonesian favourites like oxtail soup, and The Awan (“awan” means “cloud” in Indonesian) is a lush spot for Asian tapas. Prefer a down-to-earth setting? Jaya Pub transports you to an old Texas-style dive, smoky and bustling with live music, where seasoned staff over 50 have kept the retro charm alive since 1975.

Discover Jakarta’s intriguing history in the Old Town, once walled to keep non-Europeans out. Here, you’ll find various museums like the Jakarta History Museum, the Wayang Museum, and the Bank Indonesia Museum, which features a rare numismatic collection, including 14th-century Majapahit coins. The area is dotted with charming cafes housed in colonial buildings, perfect for a coffee break. Visit Café Batavia, which has been serving guests since 1805, or immerse yourself in the art of Javanese herbal tonic, jamu, at Acaraki, where this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage is given a modern twist.

For lunch, head to Pos Bloc, a 113-year-old post office transformed into a vibrant hub for small, local businesses. Sample local fare like soto Pekalongan (fermented soybean soup), Japanese teppanyaki, or Indian cheese naan. Beyond the restaurants, you can explore unique accessory shops, browse an indie bookstore, or catch a creative event. Nearby, in the Little India area, you’ll find Pasar Baru, home to Tamil Hindu temples and a gurdwara. Interestingly, the most famous dishes in this shopping district are Chinese Indonesian favourites like Bakmi Aboen’s pork noodles and Ko Atek’s Chinese crullers—local staples that have drawn crowds for generations.

Continue your adventure at the National Monument, a striking 137-meter obelisk crowned with a gold-leafed bronze flame. Take the lift to the observation deck for breathtaking panoramic views of Jakarta. Just a short stroll away, visit Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, which offers tours for non-Muslim visitors. Right across the street, you’ll find Jakarta Cathedral, featuring a small museum that details its history dating back to 1807. Don’t miss the National Museum, home to one of the finest collections of Hindu-Buddhist statuary worldwide, and if you visit after 6 PM, you’ll catch a captivating video mapping show!

After a day steeped in history, treat yourself to dinner at one of the charming restaurants housed in beautifully restored colonial buildings, such as Plataran Menteng, Bunga Rampai, or Tugu Kuntskring Paleis—a former immigration office built in 1914. Each venue offers its unique take on rijsttafel, presenting a delightful array of dishes from across Indonesia. If street food is more your style, head to Jalan Sabang, where a mouthwatering selection awaits. This is your chance to indulge in various Indonesian satays, including sate kambing with soy sauce, sate taichan with lime, and sate Padang with a light curry gravy.

Kick things off at Pacific Place Mall, home to Southeast Asia’s only Galeries Lafayette, before sashaying into the nightlife of the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD). Fuel up with pork belly pintxos at BASQUE Bar de Tapas, then, pump up the volume with DJs at The H Club, featuring a futuristic stage. For a smooth nightcap, unwind at J. Sparrow’s Bar, set in an art deco ambience, or sip whiskey at ARTOZ Bar. Not ready to call it a night? Go to Lucy in the Sky, where you can revel under the glass roof until the wee hours.

Exploring all 17,000 islands of Indonesia in a lifetime might be impossible, but Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is the next best thing. This sprawling 150-hectare park brims with wonders, from Komodo dragons in its reptile park to the “world’s most dangerous bird”—the cassowary—alongside birds-of-paradise in the aviary, showcasing Indonesia’s diverse wildlife. TMII’s highlight, however, is its life-sized traditional houses of Indonesia—featuring everything from the gabled abode of the world’s largest matrilineal society to the towering treehouse of a formerly cannibalistic tribe. With cars banned, TMII’s lush grounds are perfect for picnics and draw running and biking enthusiasts alike.

Pantjoran PIK is a Chinese-inspired food district in the coastal township of Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), complete with a five-story pagoda and some of Jakarta’s most beloved flavours all in one spot. Savour seafood noodles from Wong Fu Kie, claypot curry from Kari Lam, torch ginger fried rice from Kembang Bawang, or the sour and spicy beef soup from Pindang Iga Ny. Bong. PIK also includes a white sand beach with a lighthouse, a gondola-lined canal, and a replica of Japan’s Our Lady of Akita shrine. By 2025, it’ll feature Lau Pa Sat-inspired shophouses, adding Singaporean flair to Jakarta.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Blok M neighbourhood was where young locals flaunted their breakdancing moves and rolled through the streets on skates. Today, it’s making a comeback as a new generation reimagines its worn buildings into stylish hangouts. Discover everything from retro diners, artisan gelato, handmade chocolates to vintage vinyl, indie fashion, traditional snacks, palm wine, single-origin coffee, wellness finds, and home decor. Check it all out at compound spaces like Row 9 and M Bloc—a former banknote-printing facility from 1955, now a lifestyle hub buzzing with creativity and fresh vibes.