Indonesia has been blessed with so many beautiful natural panoramas and cultures who had made its people very grateful. These blessings will always be given to travelers from all over the world who want to come to Indonesia. Even though the world is filled with uncertainties including geopolitical issues and environmental damage, this doesn’t stop us from always being able to enjoy the beauty of this natural gift. Hopefully the global situation will continued improve and travelers will be free to visit each other especially when coming to Indonesia. At this moment we will share Our Precious 2025 List of 9 Best Destinations in Indonesia.
Here it’s we convey, 9 Best Destinations of Indonesia in 2025 that can be referenced for travelers who want to explore Indonesia the tropical paradise on earth. These destinations are the results of recommendations from our several local guides and contributors in several regions of Indonesia to share directly with you, our dear traveler.
1. UBUD, GIANYAR – BALI
The Ubud area in Bali has been long known by travelers from all over the world for the beautiful panorama of rural nature, serenity, and spirituality of Balinese culture. Many people visit this area to be alone and get inspiration. For a moment to relieve fatigue from the problems of life and then rise and dare to face life again. Balinese rice field terraces (“subak“), villas on the edge of the forest with the sound of flowing river water, traditional food with spices, and yoga classes, are the hallmarks of this area. The serene stretch of hills with green rice fields and beautiful beaches nearby will be the main attractions for Ubud. In addition to the immense hill of rice fields, you can also explore the famous beautiful beaches such as Nusa Penida and Nusa Dua. (by Demi Indriyanti)
2. MANDALIKA, LOMBOK – WEST OF NUSA TENGGARA
If you like to hunt for something new or about the natural places, Mandalika in Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara) is gonna be the one of best recommendations. This area has become the venue for the final series of the World Superbike Championship 2021 and the year-event of World MotoGP. The Mandalika International Circuit was inaugurated in November 2021 by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Apart from being the newest world-class sports venue that was located on the stunning side of Kuta Mandalika beach. The area has also become one of the famous tourist attractions throughout the world at before in Lombok. Call it such as Senggigi beaches, Gili Trawangan, Bangko-Bangko, “Pink Beach” and Komodo Island. Bangko-Bangko Beach is one of 10 surf locations with the fiercest waves according to the International Surfing Association. Another specialty is that there are also many hidden gems for tourism not many people knows about and that can be shown by our best local guide there; such as hidden waterfall tours, sunset and sunrise stunning packages, or trekking in the countryside of Sasak tribe. (by Omjay)
3. LAKE TOBA, NORTH SUMATERA
Lake Toba is located on the island of Sumatra in the western part of Indonesia. Precisely in the province of North Sumatra. This lake is the largest caldera volcanic lake in the world and become the site of the Unesco Global Geopark (UGG). The big lake has a beautiful island in the middle called Samosir Island which is dubbed as the “piece of heaven”.
The indigenous people who inhabit the area are called “Batak” tribe. Consists of 5 ethnicities: Batak Toba, Batak Karo, Batak Pakpak, Batak Mandailing, and Batak Angkola. The wealth of very unique cultural customs along with its amazing natural panorama is gonna be the last attraction of this area. Many star-rating hotels have been built in the Parapat area as the port city as the gateway to Samosir island. Likewise on Samosir Island that has already many beautiful bungalows or hotels have been built there.
Transportation access is also very easy with the presence of Silangit International Airport which is only 1,5 hours drive to Parapat or you can use toll road from the capital city of Medan. You can start your adventure on Lake Toba from the Silangit International Airport as a good example itinerary by visiting “Salib Kasih” the Cross of Love in Tarutung. Then overnight in Parapat (grab some Sidikalang coffee and try to eat grilled fish) before crossing via ferry ship to Samosir Island.
Visit the ancient village of Huta Siallagan with “Tor-Tor” performance dance of “Sigale-gale”, explore Raja Sidabutar’s old village in Tomok, and daily tours to Sibea-Bea Hills (Jesus Statue) in Boho-Samosir. Then take your homestay at the Batak ancient traditional house in Lumban Suhi-Suhi while watching the process of making traditional “Ulos” woven cloth over there.
At last, you can do road trips to Tele-Turpuk Limbong Samosir viewing the panorama of Lake Toba through the tower. Visiting Sipiso-Piso waterfall at Tongging-Merek, Karo regencies then at last staying at Bukit Simalem Resort nearby. (by Rido S.)
4. YOGYAKARTA
Yogyakarta is one of the provinces in Indonesia stated as a Special Region due to the extraordinary role of the Sultanate in supporting the independence of the country. Until now the government is still in form of a Sultanate and the head of government held by a Sultan. There are only 2 provinces in Indonesia having statues of Special Regions. (The other is Special Region Province of Aceh which is located on tip of Sumatra).
There are interesting and famous places you can visit in Yogyakarta and nearby such as; Yogya Sultanate Palace, Malioboro Street, Ungaran, Borobudur Temple, Ngadihardjo Tourism Villages, Parangtritis Beach, and Mount Kidul Beach Rows. All of them can be visited in one to two full days while in the city of Yogya.
If you already explored this city then continue your visit to Bali by road trip which is only taking more or less a half-day away. You will see many beautiful villages and rice field panorama along the way. On the other hand, if you are currently exploring Bali then instead continue your journey to Yogyakarta. Then absolutely during the trips you will be more memorable with many beautiful places again to visit such as Mount Bromo in Malang or the historic city of Surabaya in East Java. (by Agus Rohmat)
5. NGADIHARJO TOURISM VILLAGE, MAGELANG
One of the main destinations for those of you who plans visit Yogyakarta is Borobudur Temple ( UNESCO World Heritage Site). But we need to remind you not to forget visit the tourism villages. Especially the Ngadiharjo Tourism Village and other unique villages around the temple. This will be a hidden gem that you can definately enjoy. We recommend this area because you will experience up close to the culture, uniqueness, and hospitality of the Javanese that you may never meet again in your lifetime.
Try to stay in a homestay community and get world-class tourism facilities you may never have thought of before. Such as a cool swimming pool in the middle of rice fields, western & chinese food in addition to traditional Javanese cuisine, and the sunrise emerging from the top of stupa Borobudur Temple.
Grab the experience of the “Safar jeep tour” around villages while seeing people living such as farming or making “Batik”. In addition, you can continue the journey enjoying sunset and sunrise on the rows of Mount Kidul beaches. It’s gonna be an unforgettable memory for absolutely. (by Rido Ivanus)
6. SENTUL, BOGOR
Sentul is a new name for world tourism in Indonesia. Sentul growing rapidly in line with Covid-19 global pandemic. The necessity to stay at home and closed activity traveling has developed staycation method and nature tourism as a way out for traveling.
Sentul located nearby of Jakarta (approximately 45 minutes drive). During the pandemic Jakarta became the epicenter of covid outbreak in Indonesia from June 2020 to July 2021. However, the beautiful natural panorama and contours of Sentul located under Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango (Bogor, West Java) have made this place to be getting a lot of improvement. It is fast becoming a place to escape for residents around the greater of “Jabodetabek” (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi) to unwind and release.
We can enjoy at Sentul such as hill trekking, camping around the mountain, enjoying waterfalls, rafting at Kalibaru’s Sentul, cafe’s culinary (traditional, western, oriental cooked), lake fishing, motocross or mountain bike tracks, taking Instagram-able photo spots, and explore to AEON malls or IKEA furniture. So many activities. (by Lawrence T.)
7. RAJA AMPAT, WEST PAPUA
Raja Ampat is one of the worlds of paradise in Indonesia which has the most complete marine wealth on earth. The Raja Ampat archipelago covers an area of 4.6 million hectares consisting of land and sea. There are about 540 types of coral, 1,511 species of fish, and 700 types of mollusks.
According to a report by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, there are about 75% of the world’s marine species live in this beautiful archipelago. The name Raja Ampat itself is taken from the 4 beautiful main islands (Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool) which are the producers of ancient rock paintings. Its natural charm has unquestionable; such as visiting Batu Pencil, Start Lagoon, Arborek Village, Pasir Timbul, Piaynemo, Wayag, and many more.
Feel the atmosphere of a challenging natural adventure in Raja Ampat by going on an adventure at Batanta waterfall, Bird Watching in Saprokren, Diving in Batu Lima, Island hopping, feeding sharks in Piaynemo, Snorkelling in Sawandarek Village, Trekking in Wasai and Kabui. (by Nathan)
8. MOUNT BROMO, MALANG – EAST JAVA
Indonesia has many active mountains with fantastic and spectacular natural scenery. One of them is Mount Bromo in Malang, East Java. You can visit this area during in dry season (clear weather) from May to October. You can plan hiking or jeep riding to explore the unique charm of the vast desert beneath the foot of this mountain.
While doing these activities you can enjoy sunset-sunrise and you will be fascinated. By the way, there are many local guides, homestays, and hotels in the area. True adventurers will need many of information from them about history, myth and culture to get better experiences. So don’t hesitate to come, explore, and see what experience happens next. 😊 (by Slamet Jerman)
9. LABUAN BAJO, EAST OF NUSA TENGGARA
Labuan Bajo has a typical tropical beach with beautiful Indonesian fantastic nature and enchanting. The expanse of the blue seas was inhabited by a group of amazing long exotic islands. The hilly contours of land which is overgrown by a wide expanse of green savanna are going to be the main attractions during the rainy season. Instead, it will be a yellow savanna during in dry season.
Labuan Bajo at West Manggarai Regency, East of Nusa Tenggara close to the Komodo Island area which is famous as a habitat for the only endangered Komodo dragon in the world. You can directly see the komodo and experience the beauty of under water world by snorkeling. Sail aboard through traditional of “phinisi”, and trekking on Padar Island while enjoying stunning sunset and sunrise. Be witnessing up close the traditional cultural life of its unique and friendly people. Labuan Bajo is one of the Super Priority Destinations being developed in Indonesia. (by Omjay)
