3D2N in Semarang: A Captivating Blend of History and Nature

Semarang, a city full of charm,  can be the perfect destination for your short 3D2N getaway. With its rich history, culture, and stunning nature, Semarang has so much to offer. If it’s your first time traveling, this 3D2N in Semarang itinerary might be just right for you. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and uncover the charm of this city!

3D2N in Semarang: Day One

Kota Lama Semarang

As one of Semarang’s iconic tourist attractions, Kota Lama should be on your top list of places to visit. Built during the 17th century, this area has around 50 Dutch-era buildings that still stand strong to date.

You are free to explore this wealth of history all day long as there is no entry fee. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to take pictures in front of those colonial buildings!

Gereja Blenduk (Blenduk Church) is one of the most renowned landmarks to see here. It is a magnificent white building with a red dome on top resembling that of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Across the building, you will find grilled fish and satay restaurants which you can visit in case you are hungry.

Not far from the church, there is another building called Gedung Marba with its iconic red color. This is also one of the most popular selfie locations in Kota Lama. You can rent a bike to add more vintage vibes to the scene. Pack your best outfit for the best results. 

Need a break? Taman Srigunting (Srigunting Park) is the perfect place to stop by. Located right at the heart of Kota Lama, this park is perfect for simply relaxing while enjoying the grandeur of ‘the old city’.

From there, you can continue your journey to Semarang Art Gallery. Not only provides more Instagrammable spots, it also houses many modern works of art.

Just a 4-minute walk from the museum, you will find Rumah Akar–also another favorite ‘set’ for visitors taking photos. True to its name, it is covered with banyan tree roots that stick to the wall. So aesthetic!

Other than those mentioned above, Kota Lama still has many other interesting spots to visit. Those include Museum Kota Lama, Spiegel All Day Bar & Dining, and Gedung Marabunta. 

Also read: Semarang Trip on a Budget: Affordable Destinations to Discover

Culinary Tour at Pasar Semawis

Following your Old City exploration, you can hop over to Pasar Semawis. It’s just a quick 5-minute ride or 15-minute walk from that iconic tourist attraction.

Pasar Semawis is a Chinatown market with old city vibes and filled with many old-style shops. It’s like having a beautiful walk through the past.

Here, you can find many local vendors selling various kinds of drinks, snacks, and heavy meals. With so many options, from halal to nonhalal, savory and sweet, just indulge in these delicious dishes to your heart’s content. Prices start from Rp5,000-Rp50,000.

Pasar Semawis also has a good number of t-shirts and Chinese knick-knack stalls. Not only that, live music with a DJ is always ready to delight visitors adding entertainment to their meals.

Those combined together will be the perfect way to end your first day. Just make sure to come by on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. It only opens on the weekend from 6-10PM.  

Also read: 10 Things to Do in Semarang for Your Next Trip

3D2N in Semarang: Day Two

Kelenteng Sam Poo Kong

Considered the oldest temple in Semarang, Klenteng Sam Poo Kong is a must-visit for those seeking historical, cultural, and spiritual experience. It is a vast complex with some temples inside.   

All are Chinese architecture buildings styled in traditional red dolor. These buildings feature various ornaments, symbolic elements, and stunning decorations providing a great backdrop for taking pictures. You will find statues of gods and goddesses and fine carvings telling the story of Zheng He, The Chinese’s Admiral of the Sea. 

The temple complex also provides a park with tall trees to keep it shady, Chinese knick-knack stalls, and other basic facilities. Those include toilets, musala, wudu sink for muslim tourists, and food and beverage stalls. It is the perfect spot to energize your morning before moving on to the next destination.

Sam Poo Kong Semarang is open from 9 AM to 6 PM on Monday-Friday and 8 AM to 8 PM on the weekend. To enter the temple complex, you need to pay an admission fee of Rp15,000-20,000. There will be an additional charge of Rp20,000 for those wanting access inside the temples.  

Also read: Culinary Delights: 15 Best Restaurants in Semarang

Taman Bunga Celosia

From Sam Poo Kong, you can take a 1-hour ride to visit Taman Bunga Celosia. Situated at the foothills of Mount Ungaran, Taman Bunga Celosia is the perfect place to enjoy cool air and breathtaking scenery. 

This place features photogenic neatly arranged flower beds, including celosia, lavender, dianthus, gerbera, and chrysanthemum. Together, the flowers provide the perfect backdrop for Instagram photos. 

Taman Celosia also has other Instagram-worthy spots that are sure to dazzle your feed. You will find Hobbit houses, mini replicas of world-famous landmarks, and many more.  

Make the visit more exciting by trying different thrilling rides and games available for kids and adults alike. They have a swimming pool, carousel, trampoline, bouncy castle, ATV, and mini cross, among others. 

The entry fee is Rp25,000 on weekdays and Rp30,000 on weekend. However, this does not include access to the games and rides.

Also read: 7 Exciting Things to Do in Semarang at Night

Night Tour at Simpang Lima

Spend the rest of your day enjoying the night at Simpang Lima. The place is open to the public, 24 hours a day, without any entrance fee. 

Featuring a large field, Simpang Lima is a favorite destination for jogging, walking, cycling, and night tours. Here, you will find many plants and trees surrounding the field, creating a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. 

The night usually comes alive with lots of excitement–from family picnics to lively music. Here, you can simply stroll around and soak up the atmosphere. Or, you can take a ride on colorful and brightly decorated vehicles available for rent, like odong-odong and bicycles.

When your stomach starts rumbling, make sure to stop by at the food stalls lining along the roadside. You can indulge in various choices of Semarang cuisine. 

Dinner at Toko Oen

If you are not into the festive ambience, Toko Oen serves as a good alternative. Located in the city center, this restaurant is only 2-3 kilometers away (a 10-minute ride) from Simpang Lima.   

Toko Oen is a legendary old-building restaurant most known for its traditional ice cream. It is just like Ragusa in Jakarta. However, Toko Oen is cozier and homey. They provide many tables and chairs so you don’t have to be worried about being rushed through your meal. 

With its vintage-style interiors, you will also feel like you are traveling through time. You will surely love it! 

In addition to the sweet dish, Toko Oen also serves a variety of other dishes. You can treat yourself to cookies, salads, soups, pasta, steak, fried rice, noodles, and many more. The price starts from Rp9,000-Rp175,000.

3D2N in Semarang: Day Three

Pantai Marina

For your last day in Semarang, you can move a bit to the north part of the city. There, just a 20-minute ride away from the city center, the stunning Marina Beach awaits you. 

Despite being famous for its breathtaking sunset, Pantai Marina offers many reasons why you can visit early in the morning. The beach is mostly empty, quieter, and less crowded–making it feel like a private beach. It is the perfect time for a peaceful and quiet beach experience.  

The view is no less beautiful–the clear blue sky meeting the blue ocean as if they become one. While soaking up the beauty of the beach, you can watch the ships passing by in the distance. Surely, you don’t want to miss out on this chance.

This beach is even better because there are lots of things to do besides being there. You can fish, rent a boat or jet-sky, and meet some animals–including deer, goats, geese, and turkeys.   

Pantai Marina Semarang is also perfect for foodies as it is overflowing with an abundance of food stalls and restaurants. It truly provides something for everyone. To get access to the beach, you will be charged Rp5,000 (weekdays) and Rp10,000 (weekend).

Lawang Sewu 

Once you’re done exploring Marina Beach, it’s time to travel back to the city. Provided that you still have enough time, let’s immerse yourself in another historic landmark of Semarang–Lawang Sewu. It’s just a quick 15-minute ride from the beach.

Lawang Sewu was originally considered one of Semarang’s most haunted locations. Many said that ruang bawah tanah Lawang Sewu aka the basement was once a torture chamber for the mass execution of prisoners by the Japanese armies.

However, after a series of restoration and maintenance, Lawang Sewu was transformed into an Instagrammable and educational site. What was once a railway administration office is now home to a museum showcasing collections of historic railway equipment. 

You will find train driver uniforms, railway communication equipment, old train tickets, and old ticket machines, among others. The entry is quite affordable–only Rp20,000 for adults, Rp10,000 for children, and Rp30,000 for through tickets.

Shopping for Souvenirs

Finally, use your remaining time with a visit to souvenir shops. It’s not hard at all to find them as there are numerous souvenir shops scattered throughout the city. The ones on Jalan Pandanaran are the closest to Lawang Sewu–you can get there in just 1-5 minutes. 

Head over to Bandeng Juwana Elrina–one of the most popular stores in the area. It offers a range of local dishes, including bandeng, lunpia, wingko, roti ganjel rel, mochi, keripik, and many more. Find out the perfect souvenirs to bring home then bid farewell to this remarkable city!

Bobopod Kota Lama, a Modern Capsule Hotel in the Middle of Semarang’s Historic Past

Complete your Semarang exploration with a stay at Bobopod Kota Lama, where modern comfort meets history. Bobopod is a modern capsule hotel equipped with basic facilities for maximum comfort. Each pod has one king-sized bed, an air-conditioner, a compact working area, a hanger, and a mirror.

Inside the pod, you can adjust the lamp light color based on your choice or mood by making use of the mood lamps facility. There is also a Bluetooth speaker to play music and a screen to enjoy the sounds of nature–from forest to flowing water.  

Additionally, the hotel has an app that allows you to open your pod with just a single touch on your phone. Just be careful not to touch the check-out button if you are not leaving yet. One accidental touch and you will not be able to access your room again.    

You will also have access to shared bathrooms and locker rooms for storing your footwear. The bathroom is clean and there will be towels, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, and a hairdryer provided inside. In addition to that, Bobopod has musalla, free Wi-Fi, a mini kitchen, paid breakfast, kitchen utensils, a communal area, and a water dispenser.    

With its compact and simple design, Bobopod is simply perfect for your short trips. The location is so strategic it is within walking distance from Semarang Tawang Station. On top of that, the hotel is located at Kota Lama complex which allows you to soak up the beauty of this old city a little longer–even at night. 

Come and enjoy a comfortable and convenient stay at Bobopod Kota Lama. Book your pod here and let’s create an unforgettable moment! Happy holiday!

 

Writer: Aidah Musyaropah 

Featured photo: pariwisata.semarangkota.go.id