Explore the Hidden Corners of Prambanan, Indonesia's Largest Hindu Temple

Traveling through Central Java? Explore the depths of the largest and most evocative Hindu temple in Java and Indonesia: Candi Prambanan.

The Temples of Prambanan

Over the years, Prambanan has been hit by several earthquakes (one in the 16th century and another in 2006), as well as neglect and looting, which have destroyed and damaged most of the 244 temples (Candi, in Indonesian) that originally made up the complex. That’s why, when you walk through the complex, it’s impossible to overlook the ruins, scaffolding, or areas closed off for restoration.

The Hindu Temples of Prambanan in Indonesia

However, despite this damage, it’s still worth a visit. Just take a look at the photos to see for yourself—though it’s a thousand times more beautiful in person. 😉

It consists of three main temples dedicatedto the Trimurti:

Shiva Temple: The Destroyer (the largest one).
Vishnu Temple: The Protector.
Brahma Temple: the creator.

In late September 2012, we were only able to visit the Vishnu temple, but that didn't take away from the magic of the experience.

The Candi Sewu Buddhist Temple

The second-largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia, after Borobudur, is located just 800 meters north of Prambanan.

From inside Candi Sewu, a Buddhist temple next to Prambanan

And if you thought you liked the last one, get ready to be blown away by Candi Sewu. Although it was (partially) rebuilt after the 2006 earthquake, it's STUNNING, and you can tour the interior.

So overcome any reluctance you might feel about the trip from Prambanan and make your way to Candi Sewu. You won't regret it.

The best part of all?

Because it's so far from Prambanan,fewer tourists come here. In fact, we were the only ones there for most of our visit.
Thanks to that distance, the views of Prambananare not to be missed.

The Sewu Buddhist temple near Prambanan, Java.

How to Get to Prambanan

Although it is possible to get to Prambanan from downtown Yogyakarta by public bus (Trans Jogja bus line 1A) or by booking organized tours in the city itself, we opted for a different option.

Private taxi

Our plane was landing at the Yogyakarta airport, but we didn't plan on visiting that city (it was too crowded for us). Actually, we wanted to go straight to Borobudur, where we would spend the next two nights at the Lotus II homestay.

Detail of carved stone at the Prambanan temples in Java.

Jack, the owner of this lodgingwho is committed to sustainable tourism, offered to arrange a taxi for us that would pick us up at the airport, take us to Prambanan, wait for us to finish there, and then drive us to Borobudur for only 300,000 rupiah (€24 at the exchange rate at the time).

The truth is this:

It made transportation much easier for us.
It made the most of the time we had to see Prambanan.
It saved me from having to haggle with a taxi driver I didn't know at the airport (something that's very common in Indonesia and that I'm really bad at).

And so, for less than 25€, not only did we get to Prambanan in comfort, but we also got away from the hustle and bustle of Yogyakarta to enjoy two days of life in a much more rural part of Indonesia.

Panoramic view of the Hindu temples of Prambanan

Budget

Here's what we spent on the day we visited the Hindu temples of Prambanan in late September 2012 (prices have almost certainly changed):

Prambanan Admission: 336,000 rupees for 2 people, 27€.
Prambanan Parking: 5,000 rupiah, 0.4€.
One-way flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta: €92.30 for 2 people.
Airport fees: 80,000 rupees, 6.5€.
Taxi (from the airport to Borobudur, included): 300,000 rupiah, 24 euros
The night before our layover in Jakarta: 650,000 rupiah, about 54€.

Tips and Fun Facts

When to go

If you want to enjoy Prambanan all to yourself, try visiting first thing in the morning or at sunset, when there are fewer tourists.

Clothing

Since this is a place of worship, it’s advisable to dress modestly. At the entrance, they’ll likely lend you a “sarong” or scarf at the entrance—as they did for us—which you should wrap around yourself from the waist down as a sign of respect for the site.

Photography

In Prambanan, we discovered that many Indonesians are always eager to take pictures with fair-skinned tourists. They treat you as if you were a celebrity or a Hollywood actor.

The first time, we found it so funny that after he asked us for a photo, we asked him for one. I think he was totally taken aback—he wasn't expecting that twist. 🙂

And since we were lucky and Prambanan was very quiet that day—with hardly any visitors—this was more of a funny little story than anything else. The same wouldn’t happen the next day at Borobudur…

Sun

You'll be outdoors most of the time, so remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from sunstroke.

Travel insurance

Don't risk it. Nowadays, traveling insured with IATI, one of the best insurance companies for travelers, is super cheap.

3 weeks of hassle-free, relaxed travel around Indonesia for €110? Knowing that we wouldn't even have to pay upfront if something went wrong? Delayed baggage, personal liability, and massive medical coverage if needed... I never travel without them anymore.

And if you want to save even more, book through this link to get a 5% discount on the final price.