Whenever the holiday season comes around, you can expect that Solo will be jam-packed with tourists. It’s no wonder the city is a popular destination, what with the various activities and destinations that await you there. And all within a rather affordable price range, too!
From exploring various culinary delights, learning how to make batik by hand, to watching traditional plays, Solo is sure to give you an experience like no other.
Now that we’ve piqued your interest, let’s find out more about all the best things you can do during your stay. This way, you can plan your trip strategically to make the most of your time there!
About Solo
Photo: surakarta.go.id
The city of Surakarta, better known as Solo, is a town located in Central Java. The name Surakarta itself is derived from the local Javanese language, “sura” meaning bravery and “karta” meaning prosperity.
Solo is mostly popular for its cultural aspect, hence its nickname the City of Culture. This is where batik—a type of patterned fabric with various motifs and vibrant colors that has been considered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—was first originally from.
Aside from batik, there are other Javanese cultural heritage sites you can marvel at here, such as historic palaces, ancient temples, arts, and even mouth-watering traditional cuisines. Not to mention that the city is surrounded by stunning landscapes pleasing to the eyes.
7 Awesome Things to Do in Solo
Now that you’ve got the gist of what Solo has to offer, here is the complete guide of all the activities you shouldn’t miss while you are in Solo:
1. Visit the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace
Photo: solocity.travel
If you’re looking for the landmark of Solo’s vibrant culture and history, Surakarta Kasunanan is the answer. This is a palace building complex where the Surakarta Hadiningrat kingdom once reigned.
The palace has been standing for 279 years and was built in 1744 to replace the Kartasura Palace which was destroyed in a riot. It’s built on a unique combination of Javanese and European architecture.
The palace displays various historical objects such as statues, a type of traditional blade called keris, and many others. So, if you’re a historical geek, then this place is the perfect destination for you!
Read Also: The Meaning of Batik, How Indonesian Batik Preserves Stories Centuries Old
2. Stop by the Heritage Palace
Photo: nagantour.com
Located not too far from the city center, The Heritage Palace offers a fabulous exterior. What lies inside is as appealing as what lies outside—you’ll get to discover numerous sections with their own distinct appeal!
The areas include the 3D Trick Art Museum, the Transportation Museum, the Industrial Museum, the Garden Retro Paradise, Kids Town, and the Food Street. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled through different places, and yet without ever leaving Solo.
3. Try out Local Cuisines at Ngarsopuro Night Market
Photo: visitjawatengah.jatengprov.go.id
A paradise for foodies, Ngarsopuro Night Market is the perfect place to find authentic local foods at an affordable price. From snacks like sosis solo to main courses like nasi liwet, your tummy will be left satisfied here.
Everything also tastes better as you enjoy your food with various live performances by great street artists.
4. Taste the Perfect Dessert that is Serabi
Photo: suryomulyo6 via Instagram
A trip to Solo isn’t complete if you haven’t tried Solo’s very own serabi. This delicious dessert is a type of pancake stuffed with coconut or chocolate fillings.
Be sure to visit the legendary Serabi Notosuman, where you can get a combination of five pancakes in a pack of ten. Be sure to eat them while they’re warm to fully enjoy the perfect gooey filling.
5. Learn How to Make Batik at Laweyan Batik Village
Photo: tiket.com
It takes a certain technique and attentive skills to craft batik, as there are a lot of details going on on the whole cloth. Now, imagine an entire village of skillful batik makers, and say hi to Laweyan Batik Village—the home of thousands of batik makers with a total of 250 patented motifs to its name!
You can go sightseeing, purchase bright-colored batiks to take home, and even join batik-making courses to learn it yourself.
Read Also: Now You Can Craft Your Own Batik in These 5 Authentic Batik Village, Indonesia
6. Watch the Wayang Show
Photo: surakarta.go.id
If you’re an artsy person, you’ll definitely enjoy a Wayang Orang show. It literally translates as Human Puppet, but the show is actually a group of actors playing characters based on various puppet dramas.
The dramas are usually the Javanese version of Hindu epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. You only need to pay a ticket fee of Rp10,000 at Gedung Wayang Wong to enjoy this festive show.
7. Go Souvenir-hunting at Klewer Traditional Market
Photo: Wahyu Adityo Prodjo via kompas.com
Want to bring a piece of Solo home with you? There are various trinkets and souvenirs to choose from at Klewer Traditional Market.
From batik, various fabrics, jewelry, to puppet leather, you can get everything at an affordable price here. Just be sure to sharpen your haggling skills to get the best price there is.
Solo Travel Guide
Once you’ve planned all the things you can do in Solo, it’s only natural that you start booking flights and arrange for transportation to get around the city. Here are some things to note:
Best Time to Visit Solo
To get the best experience without having to worry about the rain, it’s recommended that you visit during the dry season, which lasts from June to September.
This period also happens to be the time when most of Solo’s grand festivals are held, such as the Solo Batik Carnival and Solo International Performing Art.
However, it doesn’t mean that any other month is a bad time to visit Solo. Due to cultural aspects being the tourism highlight of the city, you can still enjoy it at any time of the year.
How to Get to Solo
There are two ways for you to get to Solo:
- By air, where you can take a flight from other major Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali to the city’s airport Adisumarmo International Airport (SOC).
- By ground, where there are more varieties of transport you can choose. You can comfortably ride the train to Solo Balapan Station, drive a rented car, or ride a bus if you prefer a cheaper mode of transport. All of them are available to book from a number of major cities such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya.
Read Also: Before You Visit: Do’s and Don’ts of Basic Indonesian Etiquette
Planning a Trip to Solo? Book Your Stay at Bobopod Slamet Riyadi!
Traveling on a budget? Consider staying at Bobopod Slamet Riyadi, the best solution for those who want to travel affordably while still prioritizing safety.
Bobopod’s QR system guarantees a quick and safe check-in process. You’ll be able to get in and out quickly while ensuring that you’re the only one who can access your pod. On top of that, you can also personalize the lighting for better sleep.
The best part of it? You’ll be able to reach various legendary destinations and culinary delights within a short walk.
Download the Bobobox app on Play Store or App Store and book your stay today!
Writer: Sheila Lalita
Header image by: solocity.travel
