The 17 most beautiful places to visit in Indonesia

Want to take your eyes? Discover the most beautiful places to see and visit in Indonesia, the archipelago with a thousand faces!

Nearly 17,000 islands spread between South East Asia and Australia in the middle of the Indian Ocean, make up Indonesia. What makes it the largest archipelago in the world! To visit Indonesia is to explore diverse and varied landscapes, to meet a fascinating fauna, and to imbue with a rich culture, influenced by the different religions of the peoples who live there.

With this selection of the 17 most beautiful places to visit in Indonesia, we take you to travel above volcanoes, through the jungle and rice fields, on paradise beaches with exceptional seabeds, but also in majestic temples.

Embark with us never again to ask you what to do in Indonesia!

1. Florès and the Komodo National Park

Florès , one of the small islands of the Sonde, owes its name to the Portuguese who renamed it in the sixteenth century because of the abundance of flowers on the island.

Its volcanoes, including the Kelimutu and its surprisingly coloured lakes, its magnificent bays of Maumere and Labuan Bajo, or its villages with still intact charm, make it a great destination during a trip to Indonesia.

But this is not all, off Florès, is a true natural treasure: the Komodo National Park . This archipelago, on the list of world heritage and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, comprises 29 volcanic islands including Komodo, Rinca and Padar, which are inhabited by thousands of giant lizards called “Komododo dragons”. To explore absolutely if you ask what to do in Indonesia!

2. Borobudur temple (Java)

Visit the heart of the island of Java, a few dozen kilometers from the important city of Yogyakarta to admire a Buddhist monument of rare beauty: The Borobudur temple . This temple was built in the jungle between the end of the 8th century and the beginning of the 9th century, at the time of the dynasty Sailendra , before being abandoned for centuries, then rediscovered in the nineteenth century.

Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year.

Note: At sunrise, the show is simply incredible!

3. The Raja Ampat Islands or “four kings”

The archipelago Raja Ampat , consisting of about 1500 islands, is a true paradise on earth, or rather on the sea. At the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Raja Ampat Islands are renowned for their sublime seabed that will undoubtedly seduce diving enthusiasts or the most curious of you.

Let yourself be charmed by this still preserved and magical place!

4. The Bromo and Kawah Ijen Mountains (Java)

What to do in Indonesia? Watch the first lights of the day appear on the impressive Bromo , still active, smoking away. Bromo, which peaks at over 2,300 metres above sea level in the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park on the island of Java, is sometimes considered the most beautiful volcano in Indonesia.

More to the East, we find the Ijen volcano , he also still active. The Kawah Ijen, which means a green crater in Javanese, is mainly known for its emerald green acid lake and its “blue flames”, a mysterious phenomenon due to sulphur vapours that escape from the crater at temperatures of more than 220°.

Still today, carriers work tirelessly to collect sulphur in this open-air mine.

5. Ubud and its rice fields (Bali)

Unable to envisage a top of the most beautiful places to visit in Indonesia without evokeing the pretty and fascinating Ubud on Bali Island. The cultural and spiritual centre of the one called the island of Gods not only benefits from an extraordinary setting, but also from an atmosphere conducive to well-being and art.

If you are passing by, we advise you to walk through its magnificent rice fields (Tegallalang, Jatiluwih...), to visit its fabulous temples, to make a tour in the Monkey Forest or attending a Balinese dance show, for example.

6. Lake Toba (Sumatra)

Our planet is full of natural wonders and the Lake Toba , on the island of Sumatra, is part of it. This crater lake is considered to be the largest lake in South-East Asia for a long distance of 100 kilometres and 35 kilometres.

You can come and relax there, admiring the mountains that border it. It is the ideal destination to escape tourists and sometimes stifling heat, as Lake Toba is 900 meters above sea level.

7. Lorentz National Park (Papua)

Are you planning to visit Indonesia, especially Papua? Add to your list the Lorentz , which is none other than the largest National Park of Southeast Asia (25,056 km2).

Inscribed to Unesco’s heritage, Lorentz is also an extremely rich natural reserve since it allows the development of all Asia-Pacific ecosystems (tropical forests, glaciers, mangroves...). The beauty of this exceptional decor should not disappoint you!

8. Gunung Leuser National Park (Sumatra)

North of Sumatra Island, we find the Gunung Leuser National Park , which holds its name from Mont Leuser culminating at more than 3380 meters. This park, with an area of 9500 km2, houses a lush fauna and flora, and remains one of the only places on earth where it is still possible to observe orangutans and tigers of Sumatra in the wild.

With the Bukit Barisan and Kerinci Seblat National Parks, it is recognized as a biosphere reserve by Unesco.

9. Lombok and the Gili Islands

Among the things to do in Indonesia, you can not miss Lombok and pretty Gili Islands (Air, Meno and Trawangan). The volcanic island of Lombok attracts as much for its activities in the water, such as surfing and diving, as well as out of the water, such as a hike on Mont Rinjani, for example.

On the Gili Islands, you will not hear the sound of a single engine as they are forbidden. Ideal to relax, observe sea turtles and enjoy the idyllic setting.

10. Prambanan (Java)

Prambanan , or Candi Rara Jonggrang, is a set of 240 shivaït temples (hinduism) erected in the 8th century. Its greatness and history make it an important cultural and spiritual site.

Just like Borobudur, the nearby Buddhist temple (50 km), Prambanan is also listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its proximity to the Borobudur temple attests to a peaceful cohabitation of religions at that time on the island of Java.

11. The island of Nusa Lembongan

Are you wondering what to do in Indonesia? Enjoy a trip to Bali to escape a few days on the island of Nusa Lembongan . Just a few kilometers from Bali, this island is the perfect destination to explore the seabed.

Perhaps you will have the chance to see mantas rays, lunatic fish or dolphins on the horizon!

12. Kalimantan and Tanjung Puting National Park (Bornéo)

Kalimantan , which extends over almost two thirds of the island of Borneo, deserves amply that one stops there on a journey to Borneo so much it has things to offer.

The orang-outans cleave the gibbons in its vast primary forests where all lovers of nature will enjoy reviving. A stay in the canopy is an immanquable if you plan to visit Indonesia.

13. The temple Tanah Lot (Bali)

Photographer of millions of times, Hindu temple Tanah Lot , perched on its islet in the midst of the waves, keeps attracting foreigners who come to visit Indonesia, and especially Bali.

But it is, above all, a place of pilgrimage for all Hindus of the country. The famous temple was built in the 16th century by a great Hindu sage named Nirartha.

14. Tana Toraja (Sulawesi or Celebration)

The kabupaten de Tana Toraja , in the middle of the mountains and rice fields of the South Sulawesi province, is the “country of the Toraja people”, which gradually opens to the world. But some of their old beliefs and traditions are still well present and fascinate more and more worlds, like their impressive rituals during funeral ceremonies.

If you are planning to visit Indonesia and the island of Sulawesi, take advantage of it to go to the traditional houses Tongkonans villages around.

15. The Baliem Valley (Papua)

Change of island, change of scenery! Located in the province of Papua at more than 1000 meters above sea level, Baliem valley extends over 80 kilometers.

This valley nestled in the heart of the Maoke Mountains is crossed by the Sungai Baliem River, which comes to throw itself into the Arafura Sea. The Baliem valley is only accessible by plane.

16. The National Park D’ujung Kulon (Java)

The National Park Ujung Kulon , on the island of Java, is also one of the things to do in Indonesia!

This park, which includes, among other things, the group of Krakatau volcanic islands, is the territory of Java rhinoceros and other unfortunately threatened species. Ujung Kulon also houses the largest tropical forest in Kava and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

17. La vallée d’Harau (Sumatra)

Rice fields of a bright green extend to a loss of sight between the cliffs of the Harau valley , thus plunging its visitors into an ednic setting.

If you’re at ease, don’t hesitate to rent a scooter to go looking for waterfalls, which hide in the valley, and gibbons monkeys who watch you, surely, from afar!