If Jakarta is Java’s financial and industrial powerhouse, Yogyakarta is its soul, keeping the spirit in perfect balance and harmony. Located around 7hours train ride from Jakarta, Jogja happens to be called most livable and loveable city in Indonesia. Here, you’ll find most important archeological sites, Prambanan and Borobudur. But there is so much to see in the city that it’s worth planning a few extra days to explore.

The best way to see Yogyakarta would be on a motorbike. You can bargain to rent one for 50,000rp/day ($4/£3) if you keep it for a few days, and fuel is dirt cheap here- just 6500rp/L ($0.50/£0.35)

We have been couchsurfing the whole time in Yogja, which saved a decent amount of money, or lets say this budget went on entrance fees and scooter. Here is what we did on our 4 day stay.

All of these places are based on do it yourself method. No tour companies been used.

Day 1

The first thing to visit was Timang beach where you can ride a wooden ‘cable card’ crossing onto Watu Panjang Island, that is basically a massive rock. This attraction costs 200,000rp and will definitely pump your adrenaline levels up. The entrance is free but if you want to take a picture on one of the ‘observation decks’ you will have to pay 5,000rp. Timang beach is located 65km south of Yogyakarta, not hard to find if using maps.me, however, last 5km of road is unpaved and stony, so be super careful driving.

Whole nearby coast is home to beautiful beaches, so if you have energy, drive to Parangtritis beach on the same day. It’s absolutely breath taking for sunsets. Tandem paragliding can be arranged there if you’re a fan of heights and incredible bird eye panorama.

If you visit these two places in a day, high five, you’ve just done over 200km!

Day 2

If weather permits, and I’m talking about ‘outside is steaming, sun is shining’ kind of weather, then head to Umbul Pangkkok, which is 35km east of Yogja. What at first looks like an oversized swimming pool, in fact has personal touch to it. Masses of freshwater fishes swim around plus, there is a TV, chairs, motorbikes and much more underwater.

Entrance fee is 5000rp. You can also rent a snorkel and a camera for a little extra.

After refreshing morning, go back to the city and visit Prambanan Temple at sunset. Combined ticket Borobudur+ Prambanan cost 416,000rp but if you’re a student it will be half price. In my experience, Prambanan is a bit overrated and is not worth 208,000rp. This opinion might also be affected by many other and more beautiful temples we’ve seem around the world recently, so don’t make decisions solely based on my experience.

Head to bed early, as in order to see a sunrise in Borobudur, you’ll have to cut tonight’s sleep dramatically.

Day 3

In order to be on time for sunrise in Borobudur, you’ll have to leave Yogja around 4am as it takes hour and a half to drive in the dark with your scooter. Traffic was ok when we went, however I should warn you that no matter how hot it is during the day, 4am on a scooter requires a few layers. At the time we went (July), sun was rising at 5:56am.

Unless you’ve booked a sunrise tour (which indeed cost $35), you will be allowed to enter the site when main gate is open, exactly at 6:00am. The sun is already up, but it’s still foggy, which gives great opportunity to catch perfect pictures.

On arrival head to ticket office but bear in mind there will be ques. What you want to do is to get combo ticket night before, so when gates open, you can go straight in for complimentary tea and coffee and then on to the Temple.

Borobudur was nothing compared to Prambanan, in other words breath taking! Even tho there are people around, you can still take beautiful pictures with sun rising behind the mountains.

After exploring temples, hop back on your scooter and drive to Kalibiru National Park. You will immediately notice the decrease in temperature and vanishing buzz of motorcycles, you’re heading the right way. It is around 27km away from Borobudur and it is important to get there as early as possible, as domestic tourist will start coming after 9am. Entrance fee is 10,000rp plus 2000rp parking.

Seen picture perfect images of people sitting in a deck on top of a tree with a view overlooking Lake Sermo? This is it! Apart from the fact, that you need to pay to sit there:) As soon as you arrive, choose on of 4 platforms, buy a ticket and get on a waiting list, as some of them might have 4 hour waiting time! We didn’t get on a most famous one, as queue was ridiculous, so went on a similar platform for 10,000rp where waiting time was 30min and gave us opportunity to have Nasi Goreng for breakfast.

The only thing I don’t really understand in the purpose of entrance fee. You have to pay for each platform anyway, so what’s the 10,000rp for?

After an early rise and a long drive we called it a day. What an incredible tight schedule it has been.

If you have more time in Yogyakarta, you can also visit Jomblang Cave and Taman Sari, which is in the city.

Have you been to Yogyakarta and what are your favorite places there?