A Local's Guide to Kota Tua, Jakarta: Museums, Restaurants & More

Kota Tua is easily one of the most unique neighbourhoods in Jakarta, and it's a must-visit on any trip to Indonesia's capital city. 

Formerly known as Batavia, Kota Tua was once the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Take a stroll around today, and you'll still find impeccable remnants of the colonial era, from the Amsterdam-style canals to the distinctly Dutch 19th and 20th-century buildings that line Fatahillah Square (the former Batavia city square).

Kota Tua is a popular destination for tourists, who come here to visit the many museums and colonial-era buildings that once played such a vital role in the Dutch East India Company. 

On the weekends, local Jakartans flock to Fatahillah Square in droves, creating a festive atmosphere of costumed street performers, street food vendors, and family-friendly fun.

Unlike so much of Jakarta, Kota Tua is very pedestrian-friendly. It's also a relatively small area, meaning you can easily walk to all of the top Old Town Jakarta attractions in just a couple of hours. If you're not sure where to start, this handy guide will lead you to all of the must-visit Kota Tua museums, historic buildings, restaurants, and more.

You’ll find four museums clustered around Fatahillah Square, all of which are just steps from one another. 

Built in 1710, what is now the Jakarta History Museum (aka Fatahillah Museum) once housed the Stadhuis (city hall) of Batavia. Set right on Fatahillah Square, you simply can’t miss this imposing white building, which was modelled after the grand Royal Palace in Amsterdam. Step inside, and you’ll find all sorts of interesting artefacts, from old maps and 17th-century Betawi-style furniture to relics from the Dutch East India Company and prehistoric archaeological objects.  

Housed in a whitewashed Neo-Renaissance-style building, the Wayang Museum highlights all things wayang (Javanese puppetry). The museum displays an impressive collection of traditional wayang, including wayang golek (wood-carved puppets) from Sunda and wayang kulit (shadow puppets) from Java. There is also a collection of puppets and dolls from countries around Asia.

The Bank of Indonesia Museum is set in yet another sparkling white heritage building overlooking Fatahillah Square. This was originally the headquarters of De Javasche Bank, the central bank during the Dutch colonial era. Pay the museum a visit, and you'll get a crash course on Indonesia’s monetary history-from early trade and colonial currencies to the birth of the rupiah.

With its columned facade, this beautiful 1870s building was once used as the Court of Justice. Today, its halls and rooms are used to house an impressive collection of traditional Indonesian fine art and ceramics. Each room is dedicated to a different era in Indonesia, from the 1880s to the present day. The museum also offers pottery classes if you want to try your hand at creating your own work of art. 

Museums aside, there are plenty of interesting Art Deco buildings and historic attractions scattered around Kota Tua.

As you museum hop around Fatahillah Square, keep an eye out for the building with the "Pos Indonesia" sign. This is the Kota Post Office (or Kantor Pos Kota). Built in the late 1920s, the building reflects the clean lines and functional elegance of Dutch modernist architecture. Step inside, and you'll find an unexpected food court with a KFC and a few local vendors.

Located just off of Fatahillah Square, Gedung Cipta Niaga was built in 1911 and is yet another relic of the Dutch colonial era. Like many colonial buildings in Kota Tua, Gedung Cipta Niaga is in disrepair. The bottom floor is typically populated by vendors selling trinkets and clothes. But visit the abandoned upstairs area and you can check out the original architectural details of this beautiful building. This is also a popular spot for local teenagers to do photo shoots. 

Walk north along Kali Besar ("Big Canal") and you'll come across the Kota Intan Bridge. This historic bridge is the oldest in Indonesia and was built by the Dutch East India Company in 1628. The bridge used to swing upward to allow boats to cruise along the canal.

If you've got the time, keep walking north along the canal for 15 more minutes until you reach the historic Sunda Kelapa Harbour. While the harbour isn't exactly touristy – it's dusty and rough around the edges – it is an interesting place to visit to see the traditional two-masted pinisi ships docked in the harbour. You'll likely have a local fisherman offer to take you on a boat ride for a modest fee, which is a unique way of getting a glimpse of local life in the area. 

From a hip bar and restaurant housed in an early 19th-century building to an excellent Padang restaurant, you'll want to dine at one of Kota Tua's restaurants. 

Yet another gem on Fatahillah Square, Café Batavia is the perfect place to take a break from your Kota Tua walking tour. Set in an 1805 heritage building, this beautifully decorated restaurant is like stepping back in time to the colonial era. In addition to elevated Indonesian fare, the mixologists at the bar sling out delicious cocktails and mocktails.

The nearby Kedai Seni Djakarte is housed in yet another charming colonial building that once served as the headquarters of the Sea and Fire Insurance Company. Today, it's a popular little cafe known for its poffertjes (small Dutch pancakes). They also have a large selection of Indonesian dishes.

For a taste of Minang cuisine (from western Sumatra), go to the stylish Padang Merdeka restaurant on Fatahillah Square. In traditional fashion, you'll have over a dozen plastic-covered dishes brought to your table. You can pick and choose what you want to try and pay only for what you eat. It's kind of like a personal buffet consisting of delicious dishes like ayam pop, rendang, and dendeng balado.

Visit on a Sunday, especially at night, and Fatahillah Square will be packed with local families, street performers, and people dressed in all manner of costumes. It's easily one of the most unique things to experience in Jakarta. There will also be loads of street food vendors set up in the streets surrounding the square, so come hungry.

The easiest way to reach Kota Tua is by taxi. In Jakarta, you can easily use the Grab, Gojek, or Blue Bird apps to order an affordable taxi. 

Unlike the majority of Jakarta, Kota Tua is blissfully pedestrian-friendly. The area is small and it's possible to walk to each and every one of the attractions in this guide. There are also colourful bikes for rent in Fatahillah Square if you'd prefer to cruise around on two wheels.

Mercure Jakarta Batavia is located just one block from Fatahillah Square and all of Kota Tua's top attractions.

You'll have amenities galore here, including a huge outdoor pool lined by loungers, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a spa and sauna, and an onsite bar and restaurant. The contemporary rooms feature plush beds, hardwood floors, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble baths. If you need more room, the Privilege Rooms offer options such as private terraces, extra beds, and additional space.

Located just 2 kilometres down the road from Fatahillah Square, Mercure Jakarta Kota is another popular 4-star hotel.

With an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and reflexology centre, bar, and two onsite restaurants, you'll have everything you need for a hassle-free trip to Jakarta. Whether you're in town for work or play, the guest rooms have got you covered with everything from workstations and Wi-Fi to flat-screen TVs and comfy beds. 

With this guide to the top Old Town Jakarta museums, attractions, and restaurants, you're bound to have a blast getting to know this unique colonial neighbourhood in Jakarta.