Surakarta

Travel Guide

Aerial view landmark of surakarta, urban city of Surakarta in the morning. Selamet riyadi street : Surakarta Indonesia June 16 2020
Aerial view landmark of surakarta, urban city of Surakarta in the morning. Selamet riyadi street : Surakarta Indonesia June 16 2020
Aerial view of rows of indigo-dyed fabric drying under the sun, creating a vibrant gradient from deep blues to soft whites, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia.
Aerial view of vibrant textiles laid out in neat rows, creating a colorful patchwork against the earth, as workers tend to the drying fabrics, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia.
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis (written batik), is drawn using only the canting. The cloth need to be drawn on both sides and dipped in a dye bath three to four times. The whole process may take up to a year; it yields considerably finer patterns than stamped batik. Source: Wikipedia

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Where to stay in Surakarta

At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Solo City Centre

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and zoo in Solo City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall or Keprabon Park.

Solo City Centre
At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White! I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making. Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently. After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired. The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis

Banjarsari

While visiting Banjarsari, you might make a stop by sights like Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall and Balekambang City Park.

Banjarsari
See our Where To Stay guide
Alila Solo, Java

Alila Solo, Java

5 out of 5
Jl. Slamet Riyadi No. 562 Surakarta Central Java
$75 nightly
The price is $83 total per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
$83 total
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Solo Square and UMS are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (137 reviews)
By far the most beautiful hotel I've ever stayed in. Everything is thoughtfully arranged, spotlessly clean and athletically pleasing. The service is also excellent in every way.

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2025

Alila Solo, Java
The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection

The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection

5 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi No. 06 Surakarta Central Java
$31 nightly
The price is $35 total per night from Mar 14 to Mar 15
$35 total
Mar 14 - Mar 15
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Mesjid Agung and Gede Market are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (168 reviews)
Okay

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026

The Royal Surakarta Heritage - Handwritten Collection
Novotel Solo

Novotel Solo

4 out of 5
Jalan Slamet Riyadi 272 Surakarta Central Java
$30 nightly
The price is $33 total per night from Mar 26 to Mar 27
$33 total
Mar 26 - Mar 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Danar Hadi and Radya Pustaka Museum are located ...
Novotel Solo
See all 319 properties in Surakarta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ZG Home Solo

ZG Home Solo

2 out of 5
No.8-4 Jl. Pajajaran I Surakarta Jawa Tengah
Stay at this villa in Surakarta. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall are located nearby.
ZG Home Solo
ZG Homestay Solo

ZG Homestay Solo

3 out of 5
1 Jl. Pajajaran Surakarta Jawa Tengah
Stay at this villa in Surakarta. Enjoy daily housekeeping, a garden, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Balekambang City Park and Solo Square are ...
ZG Homestay Solo
Spacious 3-BR Family Guest House in Central Solo with Kitchen & Laundry

Spacious 3-BR Family Guest House in Central Solo with Kitchen & Laundry

Surakarta Central Java
Stay at this vacation home in Surakarta. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Solo Square and Balekambang City Park are located ...
Spacious 3-BR Family Guest House in Central Solo with Kitchen & Laundry
See all properties in Surakarta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Universitas Sebelas Maret

4/5(1 review)

Explore the campus of Universitas Sebelas Maret, during your trip to Surakarta. Take in the musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Universitas Sebelas Maret

UMS

Learn about the local history of Kartosuro when you spend time at UMS.

UMS

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

4/5(2 reviews)

During your trip to Surakarta, you can do some window-shopping at Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall

Mangkunegaran Palace

4/5(1 review)

Mangkunegaran Palace is just one of the places to see in Surakarta, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Mangkunegaran Palace

Klewer Market

3/5(1 review)

During your trip to Surakarta, you can enjoy retail therapy at Klewer Market. Experience the museums and musical theater in this culturally rich area.

Klewer Market

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Walk around the campus at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta as part of your travels around Kartosuro.

Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta

Things to do

Solo Vintage Tour with Sukuh and Cetho Temple from Yogyakarta

Solo Vintage Tour with Sukuh and Cetho Temple from Yogyakarta

$128
per adult
Solo Vintage Tour with Sukuh and Cetho Temple from Yogyakarta
Solo Palace Tour with Sukuh and Ceto Temple from Yogyakarta

Solo Palace Tour with Sukuh and Ceto Temple from Yogyakarta

$110
per adult
Solo Palace Tour with Sukuh and Ceto Temple from Yogyakarta
Surakarta Village cycling tour

Surakarta Village cycling tour

$60
per adult
Surakarta Village cycling tour
See all activities in Surakarta

Cities near Surakarta

a vast green rice field landscape spreads over a village in Baki, Sukoharjo, Indonesia, and a blue sky with white clouds drifting

Baki

Sarasvati Temple. The part of Ceto Temple. October 2012.

Grogol

Other places like Surakarta

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