Header image courtesy of Shenny Fierdha
Solo, also known as Surakarta, is a tranquil city in Central Java, 63 kilometres away from tourist hotspot Yogyakarta, or roughly an hour and a half away by car. It may not be as popular as Yogyakarta, but Solo, the hometown of the current Indonesia president Joko Widodo, has a lot to offer. It is a harmonious blend of history and culture reflected by its fascinating tourist attractions—from the grand sultanate palace of Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat to the theatrical dance performance of Wayang Orang Sriwedari.
The city’s neighbouring regencies, such as Karanganyar and Sragen, also have their own places of interest. Immerse yourself in the majestic ancient Hindu temples of Candi Cetho, Candi Kethek, and Candi Sukuh in Karanganyar. Meanwhile, Sragen possesses a trove of prehistoric fossils and artefacts that you can see at Museum Purbakala Sangiran. Keep reading our backpacker’s guide to experiencing the best of Solo, a city dubbed as “The Spirit of Java.”