A cool-climate highland city known for colonial art-deco streets, factory-outlet shopping and surrounding volcanoes, tea plantations and the Kawah Putih white crater. A popular weekend escape from Jakarta.
6.92°S 107.62°E
The drier months from roughly May to September are the most reliable
2 nights
BDO
$16/night
Bandung sits about 768 meters up in the highlands of West Java, which means cooler air, frequent afternoon drizzle, and a different rhythm from the heat of Jakarta. It is a university city with a strong design and food culture, an Art Deco downtown left from the Dutch era, and a ring of volcanoes and tea plantations just outside town. People come to eat well, browse factory-outlet shopping, and get into the hills.
It suits travelers who want an easygoing few days rather than big sights, especially coming from Jakarta and needing a break. Be honest about the traffic: weekends bring crowds of Jakartans, and the road up to Lembang or the craters can crawl. Come midweek if you can, treat it as a slow weekend escape, and you will enjoy it far more.
This pale turquoise crater lake sits inside Mount Patuha, about two hours south of the city. The water color shifts with the light and the sulphur in the air can be strong, so do not linger too long if it bothers you. Go early to beat both the haze and the tour buses, and bring a layer because it is cool up there.
Bandung has one of the best collections of 1920s and 30s Art Deco architecture in Asia. Start around Jalan Asia-Afrika and the old Savoy Homann and Preanger hotels, then wander Braga street with its cafes and galleries. It is an easy self-guided stroll and a reminder of why the Dutch called this the Paris of Java.
South of the city the hills are carpeted in tea estates around Rancabali and Ciwidey. You can walk the plantation paths, watch pickers working the rows, and stop for strawberries, which grow well in the cool climate. Pair it with Kawah Putih since they are on the same road.
The volcanic ground means natural hot springs, and Ciater (near Tangkuban Perahu) is the best known. After a cold, sulphurous morning at the craters, a soak in the warm mineral pools is genuinely welcome. It gets busy on weekends, so aim for a weekday or late afternoon.
Getting there
Most foreign travelers do not fly in, since Husein Sastranegara airport (BDO) has only a handful of regional flights. The usual route is from Jakarta: the Whoosh high-speed train now covers the trip in about 45 minutes to Tegalluar station on the city edge, which is by far the fastest option. Otherwise the toll road by car or shuttle bus takes roughly three to four hours depending on traffic, and the slower scenic regular train from Gambir runs around three hours.
Best time to visit
The drier months from roughly May to September are the most reliable, with clearer crater views and fewer washed-out afternoons. Avoid long Indonesian holiday weekends, when Jakarta empties into Bandung and the hill roads jam.
Where to stay
Stay around Dago or the Riau/Braga area to be near cafes, walkable streets, and the Art Deco core, with comfortable mid-range hotels often in the 350,000 to 800,000 rupiah range. If you mainly want the volcanoes and cool air, the Lembang and Setiabudi area to the north puts you closer to the hills, with everything from simple guesthouses to pricier resort-style stays.
Yes, especially now that the Whoosh train makes it a quick hop. Treat it as a relaxed eating-and-hills break rather than a sightseeing checklist, and go midweek if the dates are flexible to dodge the crowds.
Effectively yes, since public transport to Kawah Putih and Ciwidey is slow and awkward. Most travelers hire a car with a driver for the day, which is affordable and saves you the stress of the winding mountain roads.
The city is pleasantly mild, but the high craters and tea estates can feel genuinely cold and damp in the morning. Bring a light jacket and expect rain to roll in most afternoons, even in the dry season.
Build a route across Indonesia in minutes. We work out the travel time and cost between every stop, then a local turns it into a trip.
Build your tripBandung takes food seriously. Try Sundanese classics like nasi timbel and karedok (a raw vegetable salad in peanut sauce), street snacks such as batagor and siomay, and the local sweet-spicy seblak. The cafe culture is strong too, so you will not struggle to find good coffee and a quiet table.
This wide volcanic crater north of the city is the easy one to reach, since you can almost drive to the rim. The main Kawah Ratu crater is impressive, though the access and entry fees change with volcanic activity, so check the day before. It can be touristy and pushy with vendors, but the view down into the steaming crater is worth a short stop.
Bandung built a reputation on cheap clothing outlets, clustered along Jalan Riau (Jalan L.L.R.E. Martadinata) and Jalan Setiabudi. Quality varies, so it is more for the fun of rummaging than for serious wardrobe upgrades. Cibaduyut is the spot if you are after locally made leather shoes and bags.
Jakarta
The sights worth building a day around. Open any one for a full guide.
natureRolling green tea estates on the cool highlands south of Bandung around Rancabali.
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marketA lakeside food park where vendors sell snacks from boats, paid for with token coins.
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culturalBandung's 1920s colonial landmark, named for the skewer-like ornament on its spire.
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lakeA pale turquoise crater lake high on Mount Patuha, ringed by bleached white earth.
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viewpointAn active volcano you can drive almost to the rim, with a wide steaming crater.
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