Where to stay in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, usually called Jogja, is the cultural heart of Java. It's still home to a reigning sultan, whose palace, the Kraton, sits at the centre of the old city, surrounded by batik workshops, markets, museums and streets full of food stalls.

Most visitors also come for two of South-East Asia's greatest monuments: Borobudur, the huge Buddhist temple to the north-west, and Prambanan, a complex of soaring Hindu temples to the north-east. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The places we list are in the centre, around Malioboro Street and the Kraton, which makes getting to both easy.

Airport
Yogyakarta International (YIA), about an hour west of the city, linked by train
Railway
Tugu station, next to Malioboro, with trains to Jakarta and Surabaya
Day trips
Borobudur, Prambanan, Mount Merapi
Getting around
Becak (cycle rickshaws), ride-hailing apps and taxis

Places to stay in Yogyakarta

6 hotels

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Yogyakarta, area by area

Central Yogyakarta runs north to south along a line from the Tugu monument down Malioboro Street to the Kraton. Most hotels are within walking distance of that axis.

Malioboro and Tugu

Best for shopping, street food and trains

Malioboro Street is Jogja's busiest street, lined with shops, batik stalls and the Beringharjo market. In the evening, food stalls called lesehan set up on mats along the pavement, serving gudeg (young jackfruit stew), satay and fried chicken.

At its northern end, Tugu station has trains to Jakarta and the airport, and the white Tugu monument marks the city's symbolic axis. Staying here is convenient and lively, with budget hotels in the lanes nearby.

The Kraton and Prawirotaman

Best for culture and quieter streets

South of Malioboro, the Kraton is the sultan's palace complex, with pavilions, gamelan performances and a museum. Nearby are the ruined water palace of Taman Sari, the Sonobudoyo Museum and Fort Vredeburg.

Further south, Prawirotaman is a relaxed area of guesthouses, cafes and art shops popular with independent travellers.

Questions about staying in Yogyakarta

Where is the best area to stay in Yogyakarta?

Around Malioboro Street for convenience, shopping and trains, or near the Kraton and Prawirotaman for a quieter, more cultural feel.

How do I visit Borobudur and Prambanan?

Both are easy day trips by car or tour. Borobudur is about an hour to 1.5 hours north-west, and Prambanan around 40 minutes north-east. Many people visit Borobudur at sunrise and Prambanan in the late afternoon.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

A train runs from Yogyakarta International Airport to Tugu station, taking around 40 minutes to an hour. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are also available.

What should I eat in Yogyakarta?

Try gudeg, a sweet jackfruit stew served with rice and chicken, as well as bakpia pastries, satay klathak and the evening lesehan food stalls along Malioboro.

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