Summary
The Candi Prambanan temple, located in Yogyakarta city, is Indonesia’s very own 9th century twin to the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. If you’ve been to Angkor before, this is a little bit like a continuation of that adventure.
Like the Angkor Wat, the temple of Prambanan is impressive in scale and completely enchanting in its features. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time! Together with the Borobudur temple, which is also in Java, Prambanan is one of the most famous temples of Indonesia.
This travel guide will explain what to expect when visiting Prambanan, how you can do it on your own (with or without a tour), and which temples in the complex are best to see!
History Of Candi Prambanan
Prambanan was a group of temples (‘candi’) built by the Hindu dynasties of Java in the 8th and 9th centuries. It was one of the biggest Hindu temple complexes in the world, with more than 500 individual temples and shrines, and sported a group of pointy towers that rose as high as 50 meters (165 feet).
The temple was severely damaged over the centuries by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, leading to its eventual abandonment to the jungle and the emergence of many legends and myths surrounding it.
The ruins were rediscovered in the 1800s by a British explorer, but proper restoration work didn’t start until the 1930s under the Dutch. In recent years, Prambanan has undergone more restoration compared to Angkor, which admittedly affects its authenticity; however, you can still expect to see amazing architectural styles and bizarre Hindu carvings.
Today, Candi Prambanan is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting many tourists each year. Together with Borobudur, it’s one of the highlights of a trip to central Java.
Prambanan + Borobudur Tours
One of the most popular ways to visit Prambanan is with a side trip to Borobudur, another 9th century temple that is famous as the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Moreover, there are numerous smaller temples in the Prambanan area, so if you want to visit most (or all) of them, hiring a driver or arranging a tour for the day is the most convenient way to see everything you wish.
Klook offers a full-day join-in tour that combines Prambanan and Borobudur temples for 900k IDR ($65 USD), along with free hotel pickup and a sunrise tour at the same temples for a bit more.
If you’d prefer to arrange your Prambanan trip yourself, here’s how to do that!
How To Get To Prambanan Temple
Candi Prambanan is located right on the outskirts of Yogyakarta city in central Java, Indonesia. The closest airport is Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), which is well-served by budget airlines with good ratings.
AirAsia often offers flights from Singapore (SIN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Yogya for 1 million Rupiah ($70 USD), or flights from Bali (DPS) costing only 600k Rupiah ($40). You can shop for flights to Yogyakarta on Skyscanner.
You can also easily reach Yogya by train, bus, or car from Semarang, Surabaya, Malang, and other cities in Java.
Once in Yogya, getting to Prambanan is straightforward with a taxi or tour. Additionally, you can use the Grab or GoJek ride-hailing apps to request a driver by car or motorbike to take you directly to Prambanan.
It’s important to note that the Borobudur temple is located further away from Prambanan and the Yogyakarta town center, so if you plan to visit both temples, the best option is to book a tour or hire a driver for the full day.
How To Get Around
The Prambanan Archaeological Park is small enough to be easily explored on foot, including major sites like Sewu Temple.
If you plan to visit separate temples in Jogja, like the Plaosan Temple, you can utilize the GoJek ride-hailing app. Drivers are readily available in the Yogya area, and fares are quite affordable.
With GoJek (aka GoCar), a one-way transfer from Prambanan to the Plaosan temple is approximately 20k Rupiah, or you can easily walk if you maintain an active lifestyle.
Map Of Prambanan
Here’s a basic map illustrating all the temples, both small and large, in the Prambanan plain.
Prambanan is situated about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the center of Yogyakarta city, or a quick 30-minute drive.
Not all of these temples are must-see; however, it’s theoretically possible to see all of them in a day if desired.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
- Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM
- Guide Hire (optional): 150k IDR ($10)
- Entry Tickets
- Adults: 350k IDR ($25 USD)
- Children: 210k IDR ($15)
- Student: 210k IDR ($15)
- Locals: 50k IDR (~$3)
*Students receive a discount, but a physical student ID must be presented for this benefit.
Although these fees are relatively high by Indonesian standards (notably, the foreigner price is 9 times the local fee), witnessing these magnificent temples is still worthwhile.
You can pay by cash (Indonesian Rupiah) or credit card. The ticket includes a complimentary soft drink – cold mineral water, which is often essential!
Sunrise At The Temples
Sunrise at Prambanan is not a major attraction like at Angkor Wat. There is potential for stunning photography at sunrise/sunset; however, the park opens after sunrise and closes before sunset. This scheduling is unfortunate, and many hope for a change in the future.
Currently, the best spot for sunrise photos is at Plaosan temple, which is located just outside the Prambanan park, allowing for photographs at any time of the day.
Best Temples To See
The Prambanan plain actually holds dozens of Hindu temples and ruins. Below is not an exhaustive list; however, the following temples are the most stunning and well-preserved.
These highlighted temples stood out during multiple visits to this area!
• Candi Prambanan
This is the main temple and the focal point of the Prambanan Archaeological Park. The sheer scale is impressive, allowing visitors to explore the massive towers, along with numerous intricate carvings on the exterior stone walls.
• Candi Bubrah
This smaller temple can be visited while strolling from Prambanan to Candi Sewu. Although it may not be the most striking, it remains in excellent condition, and visitors can explore its interiors.
• Candi Sewu
This second favorite temple at Prambanan is actually a Buddhist temple, predating the other structures at Prambanan. Its iconic bell-shaped rooftops resemble those of Borobudur, with significant guardian statues standing at the entrance.
• Candi Plaosan
This temple is unique, as it is located just outside of the Prambanan Archaeological Park. From the park entrance, visitors can reach Plaosan with a 30-minute walk or a 5-minute drive via GoJek. This temple is an excellent location for sunrise photography!
Hotels Near Prambanan
Prambanan is conveniently located adjacent to Yogyakarta city, making it ideal for your accommodation choices during your stay.
There are numerous restaurants, hotels, and malls in Yogya that offer very competitive prices.
Where We Stayed
We chose to stay at stepHouse Homestay in Yogyakarta. The cost was $17 USD per night for a clean twin room, complete with A/C, private bathroom, and fast WiFi.
One of the major advantages of this homestay is its location, within walking distance to the Malioboro mall and train station. This proximity is perfect for those intending to take the train to Malang to visit Tumpak Sewu and Mount Bromo!
Remember, prices may fluctuate, so be vigilant for a good deal.
Is Java Safe?
I would confidently say definitely yes, Java is safe, as I have visited the island numerous times over the years.
Indonesia boasts one of the lowest murder rates in the world. We wandered around Yogyakarta at all hours and always felt secure.
Although no location in the world is perfectly safe, Indonesia welcomes millions of tourists annually, many of whom explore Java.
Best Time To Visit
There’s truly no ‘bad’ time to visit Prambanan or the city of Yogya.
The climate in Indonesia is tropical, resulting in hot and humid conditions year-round. The rainy season spans from November to April, while the sunny/dry season occurs from April to November.
Visiting Indonesia during the rainy season remains feasible; however, it’s advisable to allocate extra time in case of adverse weather.
Happy travels!
