Local Guide

Immerse Yourself in Jakarta’s History Through These Top 11 Museums

Hello FlokqJanuary 7, 2021

Museums are a great way for people to learn more about a country’s culture and history. It promotes understanding of our collective heritage and ensures appreciation to preserve one’s culture. One of the best things about Jakarta is that it is so rich in history and culture. That is why there are so many national monuments and museums scattered all over the city; each having its own unique story to tell.

For those of you looking to understand more about Jakarta’s vast history or are just trying to find something enjoyable to do on a Saturday afternoon, here is a list of 11 great museums for you to check out: 

Read also: When in North Jakarta: Things to Do
When in West Jakarta: Things to Do
Best Free Things to Do in Jakarta

1. National Museum

Centrally located in the heart of Jakarta, you cannot miss out on this amazing museum. Many locals and tourists consider this museum as the best museum in Jakarta. Here you can find a vast collection of statues and artifacts from all over the archipelago. This is a great place for you to introduce yourself to Indonesia’s culture and history. You need to at least spend 3-4 hours to fully appreciate and absorb all this museum has to offer. 

Address: Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.12, Central Jakarta 10110, Indonesia

Phone Number: (+62) 21-3447778

Opening Hours: 
Tuesday to Thursday: 8.00 – 16.00
Friday: 8.00am – 11.30 & 13.00 – 16.00
Weekends (Saturday, Sunday): 8.00 – 17.00
Closed on Public Holidays and Mondays

Entrance Fee: 
Indonesians: Rp5.000,00
Foreigners: Rp10.000,00 (~$1) 

2. Museum Bank Indonesia

Even though the name has the word “Bank” on it, this museum isn’t about how banknotes were first used in Jakarta or how banks in Indonesia came to be. This museum shows you more about the history of trade and economic development in Indonesia; starting all the way from the early spice merchants during the Dutch colonization era.

The building itself is a historical site. It was designed by the famous Dutch architect Eduard Cuypers just over 100 years ago. With that being said, this museum will also give you an introduction to the start of the Dutch’s 100+ year rule over Indonesia.

Address: 6, Jalan Lada 3, RT.3/RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110(The Museum is located in the Old Town/Kota Tua, near Taman Fatahillah and opposite the Kota train station.)

Phone Number: (+62) 21 2600 158 

Opening Hours: 
Tuesday to Thursday: 8.00 – 15.30
Friday: 8.00 – 11.30am & 13.00 pm – 15.30
Weekends (Saturday, Sunday): 8.00 – 16.00
Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays

Entrance Fee: Rp5.000,00

3. National Monument (MONAS)

It’s that white pointy tower with the gold statue on top that’s on every Jakarta Starbucks Tumblr or T-shirt souvenir; Monas is known as the icon of Jakarta. They divide this monument plus museum into 3 main parts. There’s an observation tower on the top, a mezzanine containing a large podium overlooking Monas Square, and a basement where you can see 30 dioramas showing Indonesia’s history. Inside the mezzanine, you will also find a replica of the national flag and hear a recording of the proclamation text being read by Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. 

Located only 100-meter-walk from National Monument, the National Library of Republic Indonesia is worth a visit. Read more on Best Libraries in Jakarta.

Address: Gambir, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta

Phone Number: +62 21 3822255

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8.00 – 22.00

Entrance Fee: Rp15.000,00

4. Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Museum) 

Located in Jakarta’s Old Town/Kota Tua, Museum Fatahillah displays objects and replicas that date back to Jakarta’s prehistoric days, through the Dutch colonial era, up to Indonesia’s independence. You can find things like historic maps, paintings, ceramics, furniture, and unique archaeological artifacts. The building itself was built in 1710 as a city hall during the Dutch colonial era. So also please take some time to admire the architecture as you can really feel what it was like back then in the 1900s Batavia. 

Address: Jalan Taman Fatahillah No.1, Tamansari, 11110, Indonesia

Phone Number: (+62) 21 692 9101

Opening Hours: 
Tues to Sunday: 8.00 – 17.00
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays 

Entrance Fee: Rp5.000,00

5. Museum Textile Indonesia

Textile is a very important aspect of Indonesia’s culture. Here you can find many types of Batiks from all over Indonesia, along with an informative description of the origin and history behind each design. This museum also serves as an educational institution where you can really learn the significance and development from an artistic and technological point of view of Indonesian textiles throughout history.

Before you leave, you can also learn how to make Batik. Starting from using a pencil to draw the design, outlining your design with wax using a canting, and finally giving your design some color by soaking the cloth in dye. Overall, a visit to this museum will be a wholesome experience, Flokqers! 

Address: Jl. Ks. Tubun No.2-4, RT.4/RW.2, Kota Bambu Sel., Kec. Palmerah, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11420

Phone Number: (+62) 21 560 6613

Opening Hours: 
Tues to Sunday: 9.00 – 15.00
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays 

Entrance Fee: Rp5.000,00

6. Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics

This museum houses the largest art collection in the country, ranging from traditional paintings to sculptures and other art installations, all created by famous Indonesian artists. Like some museums in Jakarta, the architecture is something you should also keep an eye on. The building was a former court of justice, and there is a beautiful garden right in the center.

This museum would be really enjoyable for those who love art and are interested to see the development of art in Indonesia, as they organize the paintings based on important periods in Indonesian art history. Furthermore, this museum offers a ceramics class for visitors who would like to get their hands dirty and try pottery. 

Address: Jl. Pos Kota No.2, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110

Phone Number: (+62) 216 929 560

Opening Hours: 
Tues to Sunday: 8.00 – 17.00
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays 

Entrance Fee: Rp2.000,00

7. Wayang Museum 

Wayang is a big part of Javanese culture. They are a traditional form of shadow puppetry that originated in Java. Each Wayang show holds its own significance and conveys different valuable moral lessons. Therefore, they are deemed not only as entertainment but also as an educational form of media for kids and adults alike. In this museum, you will find many types and designs of puppets not only from Java but also all over Indonesia.

Address: Jalan Pintu Besar Utara No.27 Pinangsia, RT.3/RW.6, Kota Tua, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110

Phone Number: (+62) 216 929 560

Opening Hours: 
Tues to Sunday: 9.00 – 16.30
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays 

Entrance Fee: Rp2.000,00 

8. Joang ’45 Museum

Located in Menteng Raya Street number 31, Joang ’45 Museum is one must-visit if you are a history buff. In this museum, you will find historical records and paintings about events leading up to the proclamation of Indonesian independence. You can also see the three presidential vehicles used by the first President and Vice President of Indonesia. Those cars were produced in 1938-1939 and have been in the museum for about 70 years.

Address: Jl. Menteng Raya No.31, RW.10, Kb. Sirih, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10340.

Phone Number: (021) 3909148

Opening Hours: 
Tuesday to Sunday: 9.00 – 16.00
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays 

Entrance Fee: Rp5.000,00 for adult, Rp2.000,00 for child.

9. Indonesia Stamp Museum

Stamps have their own remarkable history in Indonesia, relating to the colonial period before Indonesia’s independence. In this museum, there 6 exhibition rooms you can explore, each divided chronologically as stamps made their way in Indonesia. You can see a lot of designs with various colors and sizes with information regarding their history, also how the stamps were distributed during the colonial era.

Address: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jalan Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Cipayung, RW.2, Ceger, Kec. Cipayung, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13820

Phone Number: (021) 8409286

Opening Hours: 
Monday to Sunday: 8.00 – 16.00

Entrance Fee: Rp5.000,00

10. Kite Museum of Indonesia

Started as a home industry producing kites for export, Endang W. Puspoyo officially turned it into a Kite Museum in March 2003. With her unconditional love towards kites, this private museum exhibits over 600 kites to preserve the unique traditional kite culture from each region of Indonesia. You can see kites of various sizes and designs, starting with one measuring 2 centimeters to another measuring 26 meters!

Not only seeing kites, but you can also make your own kites and try to fly them up high in the sky! There is also a room that exhibits Batik and you can draw your own Batik as well! Or if you’re more into something crafty with not so many colors, this museum also provides earthenware making activity too.

Address: Jl. H. Kamang No.38, RT.8/RW.10, Pd. Labu, Kec. Cilandak, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12450

Phone Number: (021) 7658075

Opening Hours: 
Monday to Sunday: 9.00 – 16.00, closed on public holidays

Entrance Fee: Rp15.000,00

11. Museum MACAN

Museum MACAN is an art museum at Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. It is the first museum in Indonesia to have a collection of modern and contemporary Indonesian and international art. In fact, they include the museum in a list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places 2018 released by Time magazine.

The museum displays around 90 works from a collection totaling 800 modern Indonesian and contemporary artworks from around the world, including ‘Infinity Mirrored Room’ by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Contemporary and modern arts that you can find in this museum are not only paintings but also the ones in various media, techniques, and art installations. 

Address: AKR Tower, Level M, Jl. Panjang No. 5, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta Barat – 11530

Phone Number: +62-21-2212-1888

Opening Hours: 
Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00 – 18.00, last entry at 17.00.

Entrance Fee:

Also read: 13 Must-Visit Art Galleries and Art Spaces in Jakarta

So, those are the 11 museums you can visit in Jakarta. Not only you get to see and connect with Jakarta’s traditional culture and history, but also you get to know Jakarta better in this modern era. Some places might apply pandemic-related policies, you can call them for more info. See you in Jakarta, Flokqers!