The city of Bandung in Java may not be as well known as Yogyakarta or Bali, but those who visit this city will be rewarded with green hills, colonial charm, trendy coffee bars and impressive nature. You’ll find vast tea plantations, lush forests and unique landscapes like the White Crater. The fact that you will be one of the few Western tourists makes for some very special encounters. In this travel guide you will read about the best things to do in Bandung on Jav a, Indonesia!
Where is Bandung located in Java
The city of Bandung is located in the west of the Indonesian island of Java. From capital Jakarta you will be in Bandung in about 3 hours by train. As you approach Bandung you will also notice that the landscapes change: the surroundings become greener and the air cooler because Bandung and especially the nature around it is higher up. We found Bandung to be one of the most surprising stops during our tour in Java! After Bandung you can also easily travel further to Yogyakarta, which is about 7 hours away by train.
Bandung is not yet as popular as Yogyakarta or Bali and therefore much less touristy. This often makes you the only Western tourist, so it is not surprising to be regularly asked to join you for a photo!
8 best things to do in Bandung, Java
Bandung is a large area in West Java and can actually be divided into two parts. In the south you have Ciwidey where you will find many tea plantations. In the north you have Lembang and this area is characterized by vast forests. You can easily explore the highlights of Bandung in two days. In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Bandung on Java, divided into southern Bandung (day 1) and northern Bandung (day 2) to help you plan your trip.
Day 1: South Bandung
We ourselves went exploring this day with local guide Robbie. Not only could we see so much of the area, he told us a lot of interesting information and also arranged our transportation. We had a fantastic time with Robbie and can only recommend him! You can book this tour in Bandung with Robbie here!
1) White Crater (Kawah Putih)
The White Crater, or Kawah Putih in Indonesian, is a gigantic sulfur crater lake at an altitude of 2194 meters. Depending on the sulfur concentration, the water turns intensely blue, green or milky white. All around you see a volcanic mountain landscape where smoke still rises from the ground here and there. However, it is recommended to stay at the lake for a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes because of the sulfur fumes. The most famous sulfur crater lake in Java is Kawah Ijen (Mount Ijen), but we found Kawah Putih equally impressive and much less touristy.
Entrance fee Kawah Putih: IDR 15000 or included if you take a guided tour .
2) Rengganis Suspension Bridge
You might not expect it, but near Bandung you will find the longest suspension bridge in Southeast Asia. This suspension bridge is about a 40-minute drive from the White Crater. The suspension bridge is a whopping 370 meters long, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of Bandung’s forests. At the beginning of the bridge, you have a cozy warung where you can eat good food.
3) Kawah Rengganis Hot Springs
When you cross the suspension bridge, you’ll reach several hot springs. South of Bandung there are quite a few of them, thanks to the geothermal activity in this part of Java. Don’t expect a luxury spa, most are simple pools of warm water that you can step into. Because of the local Islamic culture, women are expected to enter the water covered. We personally didn’t find the pools clean enough to fully bathe in, but they’re nice for dipping your feet for a moment. Afterwards, you can return via the “Sultan Baskets”, hanging basket zip lines that take you over the hot springs back to the suspension bridge.
4) Picnicking at Patenggang Lake (Situ Patenggang).
The next stop on day one in Bandung is the nearby Patenggang Lake. This is a popular place among locals to come for a picnic or a boat ride. Understandably so, as around the lake you overlook the surrounding tea plantations and rolling countryside. At the lake, you’ll find plenty of stalls where you can buy food, clothes and, oddly enough, even camping chairs. After all, Indonesians love camping. If you want to stay a bit more in nature around Bandung, then Forest Hills Hotel is a must!
5) Tea plantations of Ciwidey
We found the tea plantations of Ciwidey to be one of the best things to do in Bandung. Because you are at a higher altitude, the tea can grow well here, resulting in beautiful views. Tea is even picked here to be processed by Lipton. The best photo stop for the tea plantations is the Teletubbies Hill. Optionally, you can also visit a tea factory to learn more about the process of tea picking and processing.
Day 2: North Bandung
On our second day in Bandung, we explored the area on our own. However, if you prefer, you can also join a guided tour with Robbie to discover the highlights of the region. Getting around Bandung is easy using taxi apps like Grab or Gojek, or you can rent a scooter for the day. Just keep in mind that traffic on Java can be quite chaotic, and the roads are often winding and not always in the best condition.
6) Floating Market of Lembang
The Floating Market in Lembang is a unique experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting Bandung. It’s a recreational park built around a lake, where you can take a boat ride, explore various attractions, or wander through the floating market itself. We especially enjoyed the market, where vendors sell all kinds of delicious local food from boats and floating stalls. The Floating Market Lembang is very popular with Indonesian visitors. We even became a bit of an attraction ourselves, as many locals wanted to take photos with us!
Opening hours Floating Market Lembang: daily from 09:00 to 18:00 | Admission fee: IDR 40,000 (including drink)
7) Orchid Forest
The Orchid Forest, just outside Bandung, feels like a fairy-tale forest. Wooden walkways wind through the trees, dotted with lights and hidden coffee bars. You’ll also find a greenhouse bursting with beautiful orchids and a wooden bridge that lets you walk high among the treetops. Soft music plays in the background, creating a magical, typically Indonesian experience.
Opening hours Orchid Forest: weekdays 09:00 to 18:00 and weekends from 08:00 to 19:00 | Admission fee: IDR 110,000
8) Jalan Braga
Bandung is nicknamed the Paris of Java. It owes this nickname mainly to the street Braga or Jalan Braga. This is because it is the only street with cobblestones and you will find a lot of art deco buildings from Indonesia’s colonial past. It is a lively street with lots of restaurants and stores, very nice to walk through!
Where to stay in Bandung, Java
Bandung is one of the larger cities on the island of Java. You will find plenty of accommodations, from local guesthouses and hostels to more luxurious hotels. From the train station in Bandung, you can use a Grab to easily reach your accommodation. Furthermore, glamping is also very popular in this area and you have beautiful accommodations in nature outside of Bandung.
- Budget ($): Dago Teuku Angkasa 14
- Comfort ($$): The Papanyadan
- Nature around Bandung: Forest Hills Hotel
Best time to visit Java, Indonesia
The best time to visit Java in Indonesia is during the dry season, from May through September. Indonesia has a hot and humid climate, with daytime temperatures around 30°C. Because Bandung is a bit higher up, however, it is often cooler here, and more pleasant, with temperatures between 20°C and 25°C. The rainy season in Java runs from April to November.
Still have questions about what to do in Bandung in Indonesia? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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