Country guide
Indonesia is between 13,000 and 17,000 islands spread across 1,904,569 km2, the largest archipelagic state in the world, so the question is never what to see bu...
Photograph · Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Indonesia is between 13,000 and 17,000 islands spread across 1,904,569 km2, the largest archipelagic state in the world, so the question is never what to see but which island to fly to. Over 280 million people live in its 38 provinces and more than half of them on Java alone, the most heavily populated island anywhere and the one carrying Jakarta, the world's most populous city. Sumatra, Sulawesi and the Indonesian portions of Borneo and New Guinea are each a separate trip, across wilderness supporting some of the highest biodiversity on earth. The gaps between them are measured in flights, not in drives.
Checked 2026-08-25
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Gunawan Kartapranata · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photograph · trezy humanoiz from Denpasar, indonesia · CC BY 2.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
12 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is one of Bali's oldest and most sacred Hindu temples, occupying a significant position among the island's religious sites. It belongs to the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, the six sanctuaries of the world that form Bali's spiritual pillars.
Pura Gunung Kawi is a significant archaeological temple complex located in the Tampaksiring area near Denpasar, Bali. The site features ancient rock-cut shrines carved into cliff faces, dating from the 11th century during the Udayana dynasty.
Pura Goa Lawah
Pura Goa Lawah is a Balinese Hindu sea temple of significant religious importance, located near the village of Pesinggahan in Klungkung Regency, east of Denpasar.
Masjid Istiqlal
Istiqlal Mosque, known locally as Masjid Istiqlal, stands as Indonesia's national mosque and one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia. Located in central Jakarta near Merdeka Square, it was constructed to commemorate Indonesian independence.
Katedral Jakarta
Jakarta Cathedral, locally known as Gereja Katedral Jakarta, stands as a prominent Catholic church in Indonesia's capital. The neo-Gothic structure serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta.
Dharma Bhakti Temple, known locally as Vihara Dharma Bhakti, is an active Buddhist temple in Jakarta's historic Glodok district. It serves the city's Chinese-Indonesian Buddhist community and forms part of the cultural character of the Chinatown area.
Ten to fourteen days is enough for Bali plus one nearby island or for a focused Java route, not for the whole archipelago. Every added island introduces an airport or harbour transfer, so choose regions first and count transfer days before assigning sightseeing.
Indonesia Immigration’s official eVisa service is the source for passport eligibility, visa class and stay conditions. Complete any required arrival formalities through government channels and verify the authorised entry point; a Bali-focused commercial site is not evidence of national admission rules.
Flights bridge distant islands, Java has useful rail corridors, and ferries, buses or local boats complete many regional legs. Check the licensed operator and weather before sea travel, and leave recovery time when an island connection precedes an international departure.
Dry-season timing varies across Indonesia, although much of Java and Bali is commonly easier from roughly May to September. Sumatra, Sulawesi and eastern islands can follow different rainfall patterns, so select dates for the chosen islands rather than the country name.
Indonesia uses the rupiah, and large IDR figures make digit checking important. Keep cash for markets, drivers and smaller islands, use bank-linked machines where available, and confirm whether an accommodation or boat quote includes taxes and local charges.
The recorded emergency contacts are 112 where available and 110 for police; electricity is Type C and F at 230 V. Tap-water safety is Not recorded, so rely on local official or accommodation guidance and verify emergency coverage on remote islands.
