The Orient Jakarta Jl. Jendral Sudirman No.36, Central Jakarta, Indonesia

A string of 130 palm-fringed islands in the Jakarta Bay, the Thousand Islands (or Pulau Seribu) offer white sandy beaches and calm, clear seas. Although they're hardly a match for many of Indonesia's other dream islands, they're certainly a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta.

This restaurant is housed in a formal Dutch mansion, leaving intact all of its antique characteristics and ambience. The cuisine has been inspired by the royal journeys of Hayam Wuruk King, who held reign in the 14th century, and remains true to authentic Indonesian tradition.

This 200-year-old building overlooking Kota's old Dutch quarter draws in crowds — and it certainly looks the part, with its classic bistro style with colonial decor, old parlor floors, marble tabletops, and art deco furnishings. The restaurant, having served many a reputable dignitary in its history, is known for its signature Indonesian dishes and cocktails.

On the 56th floor of BCA Tower, SKYE has established itself as a "lifestyle resort in the sky," thanks to its South American architecture and unparalleled views of the city. Come for a full dinner menu (with options like wagyu skewers and surf & turf porchetta carbonara), or settle in with light appetizers and signature cocktails, like a Yuzu Ramos.

A “house of vibrant gigs and creative culture,” M Bloc is a creative haven for locals and a live music venue. While it acts as a space for creatives to collaborate and gather inspiration, the space also is home to restaurants, a beauty bar, a coffee shop, and a vinyl store.

The National Monument is a 132-meter obelisk in the center of Merdeka Square, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia. The national monument of the Republic of Indonesia, it was built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence.

Though this Chinatown is far from touristy, visitors love to walk through the bustling streets in the middle of the action. Visit one of the temples in Chinatown (like Dharma Bhakti Temple, considered to be the oldest in Jakarta), shop for collectibles, and try a new dish during your visit.

The Fatahillah Museum is located in the old part of the city now known as Jakarta Kota. Originally called the Stadhuis, this building was the administrative headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, and later of the Dutch Government; now, it houses artifacts from Jakarta’s history, even as far back as prehistoric times. It also hosts community events like dance shows from neighboring regions, batik fashion shows, parades, and more.

Istiqlal (Arabic for “independence”) Mosque in Jakarta is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia; it spans 22 acres and can accommodate thousands of worshippers at one time. It was The minaret can be seen from the courtyard, and although non-Muslims cannot view the main prayer hall, visitors can stroll the terraces and upper hallways.

The market, operating since the 1800s, is one of the oldest shopping complexes in Jakarta. At Pasa Baru you’ll find textiles, souvenirs, and clothing from China, Indonesia, and India, and international street foods to try.

Among the malls in Jakarta, Plaza Indonesia may be considered to be small. Yet this long-running luxury shopping mall still offers plenty of high-fashion retailers to browse in, plus dining options galore — from 5-star restaurants to to-go coffee.

You can’t visit Indonesia without coming across batik, an ancient art form. Using dyes and waxes to decorate clothes, artisans have been creating batik patterns for centuries across Southeast Asia. You’ll find them more common in fabric, so batik accessories and home goods are a must.

The Textile Museum in Jakarta provides batik workshops, where you can learn how to make your own batik pattern, practice the technique, and dye your own fabric.

View the full breadth of Indonesian archipelago at Taman Mini — in just one day. The open-air museum is home to 26 replicas of traditional houses of chieftans that span Indonesia’s many provinces, and showcase the culture and traditions of each. There you will also find fauna and flower gardens, parks dedicated to all types of animals, a sports museum, and a theater.

Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, located in Senayan, Central Jakarta, is one of the largest and oldest sports complexes in Jakarta and Indonesia. Dozens of sports are played within the grounds — archery, badminton, tennis, squash, volleyball — but most flock to the main stadium for football games.

Museum hopping is recommended, and encouraged, when visiting Jakarta’s Old Town (also known as Old Batavia). There are three museums located in Fatahillah Square: Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta), the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics (Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik), and the Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang).

Inside the National Library of Indonesia you’ll find thousands of manuscripts from Indonesia and Asia, ancient texts (like the Al-Quran Al-Karim), pre-World War II books and periodicals, newspapers, journals, and maps, including the first of Indonesia.