10 Inspiring Places You Need to Visit This Summer in Indonesia

When it comes to summer holiday, Indonesia is definitely a great place for you to spend a week or two. It’s a perfect blueprint for a tropical paradise; an archipelago with thousands of exotic wonders waiting to be explored. If you are wondering which places to visit this summer, we have some good recommendations for you!

1. Lake Toba

Lake Toba is one of the international tourists’ favorite destinations in North Sumatra, especially for summer holiday. No wonder because with over 1,145 square kilometers of area and a depth of 450 meters, Lake Toba is considered as one of the largest lakes in the world. It offers a second-to-none spectacle from many vantage points. There are many things to do at Lake Toba. You can go hiking to some of the green hills around the lake or rent a boat and paddling on the designated course for a more immersive sightseeing experience. Samosir Island in the middle of Lake Toba is also worth visiting. You can mingle with Batak Toba people and learn about their philosophy and traditions. It’s a one-stop destination that will never cease to amaze you!

2. Tanjung Kelayang Beach

Situated northwest on the Belitung Island, Tanjung Kelayang Beach provides a distinctive natural spectacle in the form of granite rock towering high above the sea. Since 2019, this beach has been designated as a Special Economic Zone by the Indonesian government due to its huge tourism potential. If you are visiting Tanjung Kelayang, you can also visit some beautiful islands around the area of the beach, such as Babi Island and Lengkuas Island. Tourists can rent a fishing boat to visit those islands while savoring the atmosphere of the sea around them. Such a midsummer’s dream, right?

3. Borobudur Temple

Being famous as the world's biggest Buddhist monument, Borobudur Temple in Magelang - Central Java is a magnificent remnant of history you must visit once in a lifetime; especially during summer since there are so many things you can do around here from admiring the reliefs and statues within the temple itself to visiting some tourist villages like Wanurejo or Tanjung Sari. Here’s an effective guide to Borobudur vacation for you: stay in the nearest accommodation to the temple and enjoy a lovely night of leisure before waking up early in the next morning to catch the beautiful sunrise sky around the temple area.

4. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Most people who have visited this place agreed that the view offered by Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java is straight up out of this world. If you are looking for a different kind of summer holiday other than beaches or waterfalls, this might be the one that suits you. Experience the adventure on a highland desert where the “whispering sea of sands” exists. As the name suggests, the whispering sea of sands is a large expanse of sand stretches, where the roar of the wind carries the grains of sand as if it is whispering something to your ears. The “whispers” are going to sound even clearer in the dry season, so come here for your summer vacation and feel the thrilling adventure!

5. Mandalika

Mandalika was once only known to worldwide surfers around the world for having so many beaches with all kinds of waves available not only for advanced surfing but also for beginners. Now, it has emerged as the capital of leisure in Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara for having world-class amenities and accommodations. There are many things you can do around here aside from surfing, diving, and enjoying the blissful tropical vibes. You can also explore other nearby beaches such as Tanjung Aan Beach, Seger Beach, or Selong Belanak Beach, which offer equally stunning sensations to Mandalika Beach. Your tropical holiday will become so much meaningful here!

6. Labuan Bajo

Located on the westernmost tip of the Island of Flores, Labuan Bajo was once only a small fishing site, but then flourished to become the gateway to many exotic destinations in East Nusa Tenggara, especially to Komodo National Park. After savoring the famously acclaimed sunset view in Labuan Bajo, you can head straight to many other exotic wonders such as Padar Island, Komodo Island, and Rinca Island. Labuan Bajo is where the good things start, so pack your bags and make your summer adventure in Indonesia worthwhile!

7. Likupang

Likupang is an exotic gem of marvelous and vast white sandy beach with beautiful clear sea water and hypnotizing underwater beauty; which fits the image that comes to everyone’s imagination when hearing the word “summer”. You can roam around the beach area, dive to see the underwater scenery, or hop to the small islands surrounding the area like Lihaga Island and Gangga Island. There are several beaches around Likupang such as Pal Beach and Pulisan Beach that offer quietness for those who fancy a calming summertime. It is always a good idea to spend your vacation in Likupang, so what are you waiting for?

8. Wakatobi

The small archipelago of Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi is popularly known for being one of the divers’ most beautiful paradises in the world. Apart from that, it also has an abundance of natural spectacles from pristine beaches, underwater wonders, to the scenic landscapes. It is indeed a perfect destination for those who seek tranquil and exotic tropical settings far from crowds and hustles. Furthermore, you can also experience an adventurous sensation by visiting Onemobaa Island as this place provides a quiet nature that will allow visitors to observe birds and wildlife peacefully. Besides, Onemobaa Island has also been set aside as habitat for monitor lizards, so you might as well see them passing by. Sounds amazing, right?

9. Morotai

Step into the quietness of Morotai Island: a tropical hidden gem of the eastern part of Indonesia! During the event of World War II, the island of Morotai was used as the military base for the aggression of the Allied Force to the Philippines in early 1945. Now it has become a small haven for tropical escapades, where every edge of the island faces the open Pacific Ocean. Here, you can enjoy the view of tranquil blue sea meets the white sandy beaches with a large green hinterland. There are 33 smaller islands surrounding Morotai, seven of which are inhabited. Explore those gorgeous places in Morotai and indulge yourself within the summer paradise!

10. Raja Ampat

Last but not least, we got Raja Ampat: a dreamland in West Papua whose undisputable beauty speaks for itself. This area, which covers 40,000 square kilometers of marine territory and pristine reefs, dwells a myriad of tropical wonders that fulfill everyone’s summer fantasies. Comprising 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals, Raja Ampat is also a home to many underwater species that cannot be found elsewhere. Hop between the islands from Waigeo, Misool, Batanta, and Salawati and you will find plenty of jaw-dropping things to make your summer worth remembering.

Summer is always exciting in Indonesia. You can hop from one place to another and you’ll still find many other things that are worth coming back for next year’s summer. As always, we want to kindly remind you to comply with all the health protocols, and be a responsible traveler. Keep practicing healthy habits such as wearing a mask in public places, washing hands frequently, and implementing social distancing. Learn about the latest international travel regulations and follow our social media channels in Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok for updated information regarding travel and creative economy in Indonesia.