More commonly known as Solo, Surakarta Hadiningrat is a city in the province of Central Java. It sits approximately 100 km south of Semarang and 60 km east of Yogyakarta. Its stunning landscapes and historical monuments make this city a vitally important cultural hub on the island of Java. If you love places steeped in history and culture, Surakarta is genuinely worth exploring. Larger than Yogyakarta, it nonetheless offers a more serene atmosphere and less hectic pace.

History

Once the capital of the Mataram kingdom, Surakarta separated from Yogyakarta in 1755. This division marked the creation of the independent Surakarta kingdom, distinct from that of Yogya. Solo is one of the rare Indonesian royal cities that endures to this day on Java.

Visiting Surakarta

Solo covers an area of approximately 44 km² and is home to nearly 600,000 residents. The city hosts numerous universities, hospitals, and natural parks. It is divided into five districts known as kecamatan.

As an economic center of the country, the local economy relies heavily on the production of traditional Indonesian textile: batik. A veritable masterpiece of Javanese craftsmanship, it is highly prized in both national and international markets.

The soil of the Solo region is exceptionally fertile, yet the economy depends primarily on tourism. Indeed, Surakarta holds considerable tourism potential, notably through its preservation of traditions, the beauty of its local craftsmanship, and its cultural and architectural characteristics.

During your stay in Solo, do not miss the Keraton Kasunanan, the royal palace of the city. Be sure to visit the Laweyan village, the Ngarsopuro night market, the Radya Pustaka museum, and the Puro Mangkunegaran. Head to the wayang orang theatre to witness beautiful artistic performances.

Surakarta's gastronomy is characterized by fried dishes, the use of coconut milk, and a blend of sweet and savory flavors. We invite you to explore the many traditional markets called pasar. The pasar Klewer, Gedhe, and Legi are among the most renowned markets. The first is notably the largest textile market in the Indonesian archipelago.

Fun fact: the current President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, hails from Solo and served as mayor of the city from 2005 to 2012.

Airplane

Surakarta's international airport is located 14 km north of the city. Several airlines operate daily flights to other major Indonesian cities like Jakarta.

Bus

Bus travel remains a practical option for reaching Solo. Buses depart daily from nearby cities to the city center. Note that departure times fall between 06:00 and 18:00.

Taxi

Taxis remain an affordable way to get from one point to another. Drivers tend to raise fares when dealing with tourists, so don't hesitate to negotiate the fare.

What to do in Surakarta?

• explore the pasar and immerse yourself in the daily life of village inhabitants,
• visit the Danar Hadi and Radya Pustaka museums
• attend batik courses
• visit the Puro Mangkunegaran and Keraton Kasunanan
• discover the Cetho and Sukuh temples