From Yogyakarta, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to Surakarta. Travel time can vary depending on traffic. Weekdays during peak hours can be congested, and weekends may take longer as locals move between Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Driving can feel like a race, with cars moving quickly through traffic, so it’s best to sit back and stay relaxed (YOGYAKARTA THINGS TO DO).
Riding a Bajaj
Once in Surakarta, unless traveling in a hired car or van, one must-try
experience is riding a bajaj. A bajaj is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle
commonly used as a taxi in Indonesia. It usually carries 2–3 passengers, is
smaller and cheaper than a car, and is ideal for short rides and getting
through narrow or busy streets. Bajaj drivers are skilled at manoeuvring
through traffic and can reach sightseeing spots within time.
Top Sites in Surakarta
The number of days spent in Surakarta will determine how many top sites in
Surakarta can be visited. Generally, one day is enough, as most sightseeing
spots can be covered in a single day (JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA BEST THINGS).
Pasar Triwindu (Triwindu Market)
Before visiting Mangkunegaran Palace, stop by Pasar Triwindu Surakarta for
about half an hour to walk from the first floor to the second. Pasar Triwindu
is a vintage and well-known antique market in Surakarta, attracting collectors
and those interested in Javanese heritage.
Each stall offers different or similar kinds of old household items for sale - pots and pans, furniture, typewriters, televisions, records, lamps, and many more. Almost anything old or nostalgic can be found in Pasar Triwindu.
Some items are genuine pieces from the colonial era, while others are carefully remade by skilled local craftsmen who have inherited their techniques from past generations. Bargaining is expected when buying anything of interest. Even for those who don’t buy, walking through Pasar Triwindu is one of the best things to do in Surakarta, bringing a pleasant sense of nostalgia and a reminder of items once part of everyday life.
Mangkunegaran Palace
Entering the compound of Mangkunegaran Palace, also known as Pura
Mangkunegaran, plastic bags are provided to store shoes, a mark of respect and
for cleanliness. Guided tours are available, but going around at one’s own pace
allows time to explore without rushing from one section to another.
Mangkunegaran Palace blends Javanese and
European architectural styles, showing both local traditions and colonial
touches. Well-maintained and clean, it features open halls, pavilions, and
courtyards decorated with carvings, batik designs, and royal heirlooms. The
main hall, Pendopo Agung, stands tall with strong teak pillars and is used for
royal events and cultural performances.
Inside the small museum, antique furniture, traditional clothing, keris (daggers), and old photographs tell stories of the royal family and their way of life. The collection reflects customs and values that remain part of Surakarta’s royal heritage and culture.
Built in 1757, Mangkunegaran Palace became the royal home of the Mangkunegaran princes, a branch of the Javanese royal family. It is one of the most important landmarks in Surakarta and shares ancestral roots with the Yogyakarta Palace (Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat).
Although it is not part of Yogyakarta
Palace, both trace their origins to the Mataram Sultanate, which once ruled
Central Java. The Treaty of Giyanti in 1755 divided Mataram into Kasunanan
Surakarta and Kraton Yogyakarta. Two years later, in 1757, Prince Raden Mas
Said, later known as Mangkunegara I, established Mangkunegaran Palace as a
smaller princely house within Surakarta.
Both palaces reflect the same royal heritage, though each has its own rulers, customs, and traditions. Mangkunegaran Palace is one of the key heritage sites in Surakarta, attracting thousands of people throughout the year. Even from the outside, it is welcoming, and once inside, the Javanese royal culture and heritage unfolds effortlessly.
Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat (Surakarta
Palace)
From Mangkunegaran Palace, Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, also known as
Surakarta Palace, is within a 20–25 minute walk, or a bajaj ride takes around
10 minutes. Built in 1744 by Pakubuwono II, Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat is
the official residence of the Kasunanan Surakarta royal family.
Historically, Keraton Surakarta
Hadiningrat is linked to the Mataram Sultanate, which once ruled Central Java.
The Treaty of Giyanti in 1755 split Mataram into Kasunanan Surakarta and Kraton
Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Palace). Surakarta Palace and Yogyakarta Palace share
the same royal origins but have separate rulers, customs, and traditions.
Inside Surakarta Palace, there are grand
halls, open courtyards, intricate carvings, and royal heirlooms that show
centuries-old Javanese royal culture. The palace also hosts traditional
Javanese music and dance performances, along with royal ceremonies, reflecting
cultural traditions that continue in Surakarta.
It takes about 1.5 hours to cover the entire Surakarta Palace, including all halls, courtyards, pavilions, and royal displays, making it one of the heritage sites in Surakarta.
Mata Mata Museum, Surakarta, Indonesia
Interactive fun and excitement is what Mata Mata Museum, or 3D Trick Art
Museum, is about. Whether as a family activity, a couple, or for photographers,
Mata Mata Museum in Surakarta features a variety of wall paintings and setups
as optical illusions, mainly for creative photography.
3D Trick Art Museum is divided into themed
rooms and zones, featuring 3D murals, interactive displays, and creative photo
setups. Each exhibit is designed for posing along with the painting in
different ways and taking photos.
Mata Mata Museum in Indonesia may not be
of interest for everyone. It is not for those who are not keen on taking
photos, cannot relate to the exhibits, or feel it is a waste of time. Also,
considering the entrance charges, some may prefer other sightseeing spots in
Surakarta.
Street Shopping in Surakarta, Indonesia
Whether for picking up souvenirs as giveaways, for personal use, or just for
the experience, one of the activities in Surakarta is street shopping. By
setting aside some extra time, it’s part of discovering Surakarta. Walk around
or stroll by the street stalls and have a look at the Made-in-Indonesia
products.
The top three spots in Surakarta for
street shopping are Pasar Klewer (Klewer Market) – Jl. Dr. Radjiman, Jayengan, Pasar
Harjodaksino – Jl. Harjodaksino, and Pasar Legi – Jl. Pasar Legi. These markets
are known for batik fabrics and clothing, both traditional and modern, lurik,
songket, kebaya, Muslim attire, accessories, textiles, and fashion souvenirs.
Bargaining and checking items thoroughly
is part of shopping in Surakarta.
