Solo City Travel Guide

Solo City Travel Guide

Your solo travel guide, Surakarta or more common called as Solo or Sala in Indonesia is a city in Central Java that pretty close from Yogyakarta. Since the two have same roots and history of the former Mataram Islam Kingdom, Solo and Yogyakarta share similar tradition, language, art, and history. Solo might be new to Indonesia tourism and not yet explored so well, but it doesn’t mean that the city has no attraction.

If you are a traveller who likes to see new things and admire traditions, you can go to Solo city for this holiday. But before you pack your things, we will give you some descriptions of Solo and the things to do there.

Brief Description of Solo

As stated before Solo is located in Central Java, adjoins with other regency like Karanganyar, Boyolali, And Sukoharjo. That’s why later if you explore Solo, means you will also explore the three regency that adjoins with it.

Surakarta or Solo is the birthplace of Indonesia’s current President, Joko Widodo. Solo Indonesia climate is tropical monsoon, where it has long wet season from October to June and short dry season from July to September. The average temperature is 30 degrees Celcius.

The city is famous for the Keraton Surakarta, the Solo Palace that is a heritage from Mataram Islam. If we talk about Solo we will also talk about its twin sister, Yogyakarta. The two cities was once included into the kingdom. Mataram Islam was one of the most successful kingdoms in Java Island. Until finally they separated after the Giyanti Treaty. Prince Mangkubumi who later become the first king of Yogyakarta Sultanate didn’t agree that Mataram was interfered with VOC powers, meanwhile, the king of Mataram (Pakubuwono II) at that time agree to work together with the VOC.  Because of that younger brother of Pakubuwono II (Prince Mangkubumi) rebelled and join Raden Mas Said to make own sultanate in yogyakarta area and make Kotagede as its center. Yogyakarta then becomes Yogyakarta Sultanate while Solo becomes Surakarta Sunanate.

Again, after the Treaty of Salatiga, Surakarta Sunanate is divided into Surakarta and Mangkunegaran Princedom. This Mangkunegaran was led by Raden Mas Said and take the title of Mangkunegara I. The territory of Solo were reduced much further after the Java War led by Prince Diponegoro. They fight the Dutch, but finally have to surrender much of its lands to the Dutch.

After the declaration of independence of the Republic Indonesia, Surakarta Sunanate together with the Mangkunegaran Princedom awarfed the status of Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Surakarta) just like Yogyakarta nowadays (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta / Yogyakarta Special Region). But because the political agitation and opposition from Indonesian communists that led to an anti-monarchy movement and rebellion in 1946, the Republic aborted Solo’s special region status.


Solo City Travel Map

Solo Travel Map

Solo Surakarta Travel Map

Google Map Location : https://goo.gl/maps/pZDCsvJ1J5z


Places To Visit In Solo

Talking about Solo Indonesia things to do cannot be separated from seeing Wayang Wong performances, visiting traditional markets, and buying batiks in cheap price. You can also do other thing like visiting Keraton Surakarta, or stop by to nearest regency to see the beauty of nature. Here is the list of Surakarta what to do.

Solo Travel Guide

Tawangmangu Waterfall

Visit Keraton Surakarta 

Going to Keraton Surakarta is a must! This is the Palace of Solo Sunanate, full of history and antique collection. It is a nice Solo Indonesia places of interest and the environment is very relaxing moreover during weekdays.

Visit Pura Mangkunegaran (Mangkunegara Palace)

As there are two kingdoms in Solo area, after visit Keraton Surakarta you need to visit Mangkunegara Palace. Though smaller than Keraton Surakarta, Mangkunegara also has interesting history to follow.

  • Pasar Triwindu
  • Laweyan Batik Village
  • Grand Mosque Keraton Surakarta

Read also : Top 10 Attractions in Solo Surakarta


What To Do & See In Solo

  • See the White Buffaloes

When you are in the area of the palace, you shouldn’t miss to see the white buffaloes. For Javanese this white buffalo is sacred. There is even a local tradition that involves the white buffaloes, where in the first of Suro (Javanese calendar), a parade is held for them at midnight.

  • Taste Solo culinary

Solo has some unique food you must try such as Buntel Satay, Nasi Liwet, and the icon of Solo is Serabi Solo. Many tourists, domestic and foreign, are in line to get the special Serabi of Solo. Try also other street food with cheaper price.

  • Witness the performance of Wayang Wong in Sriwedari Park
  • Visit Night Market Ngarsopuro
  • Join a Workshop
  • Batik Danar Hadi Museum

There are many workshop held in Solo, such as Javanese dagger workshop, batik, leather puppet, and mask workshop. You can join the workshop to see how they made or even know the history behind the making of those things.


Solo Travel Guide

Cetho Temple

Where To Go Nearby Solo

Tawangmangu – Located 40 kms east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. It lies on the slopes of Mt. Lawu, at an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and the 40 m high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.

Cetho Temple – located in western slope of Mt. Lawu, It is located in hill 1400 m from the sea level. Ceto temple site of 13 stages, from the lower places to higher places ar similar to Hinduism temple

Chasing Sunset in Cengklik – Cengklik Reservoir in Boyolali regency is the best place for chasing sunset. The atmosphere is very calm and you can enjoy the sunset while sit on the warm boat. Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu become its backdrop, a perfect panorama to see.

Sukuh Temple – the pyramid “Inca” looklike decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, and erotic symbols. The temple is located only 34 km from Solo.

Sangiran Museum – For those who like history of the world should come to Sangiran Museum. In this museum you can see the fosils of some of the first known human ancestors, Pithecanthropus erectus, the Java Man. There are also the fossils of Megantropus palaeo, Homo erectus, and many more to see.

Jumog Waterfall – is quite famous as one of Solo Indonesia attractions. The heavy waterfall has romantic lush green environment, one of the best to see during the trip in Solo. The water is cold coming from Mount Lawu spring.

Prambanan Temple – the most magnificent and beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia.

Yogyakarta – Yogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java. Must visit place in Java.


How to Go to Solo City Indonesia

You can always go to Solo by air if the distance from where you are is quite far. If you use airlines you will arrive at Solo Indonesia Airport Adisumarmo International Airport. But if you are from the nearest city like Yogyakarta, train is the cheapest option you can use. Another cheaper option is by bus like for example from Jakarta to Solo (10 hours) and Surabaya (5 hours). But yes, going by bus is longer and that can make you tired enough in the trip.

Transportation in Solo is bus, train, and double deck buses for the city tour. You can also try to ride becak (traditional pedicab) and horse cart. You can also have bicycle tour, but it is better you use private transportation. You can rent car or motorcycle. For the best opt you can rent car from Pamitran Tours. You can also always take Solo tour package for the best adventure. Inform us in the email or by phone if you want to have trip to Solo City.

Read : Car Rental in Solo Central Java