When talking about vacationing in Indonesia, many travelers will think about Bali right away. That makes sense because Bali is endowed with stunning rice paddies and temples, among others. But do not make the same mistake as those travelers. Having a vacation in Indonesia is not complete without visiting its capital city—Jakarta. Even though Jakarta does not have gorgeous natural vistas, the city features landmarks such as National Monument, Istiqlal Mosque, and Jakarta Cathedral, not to mention the abundant shopping malls that will make you forget about time. There are also plenty of places to stay, including hotels with smoking rooms in Jakarta. And let’s not forget about museums. Some of the most sought-after art museums in Indonesia are located in this metropolitan city. Check out this guide to the best art museums in Jakarta.
1. Museum MACAN (Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The first museum on this list is Museum MACAN, which is located in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. Although relatively new, the museum appeals to visitors for its stunning collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Enjoy some artsy time while admiring both Indonesian as well as international art. It is also interesting to know that the museum is the first museum in the country to house modern and contemporary art. The exhibition changes from time to time, so it is recommended that you visit as many times as you want—to see different collections. What’s more, the museum encourages support and appreciation for modern and contemporary art through a variety of programs that can be accessed by a wide audience.
Museum MACAN (Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara)
Address: AKR Tower Level M, Jl. Perjuangan No. 5, RT.11/RW.10, Kb. Jeruk, Kec. Kb. Jeruk, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11530
Website: Museum MACAN
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 50,000 IDR (4 USD)
2. Museum of Fine Art and Ceramics
The next museum, still in West Jakarta, is Museum of Fine Art and Ceramics. Opened for the first time to the public in 1976, the museum lets you gain more insight into the traditional art creations of Indonesia. Both fine art and ceramic works—such as statues, jugs, and calligraphy—from various regions and different periods can be viewed here. Another reason to visit is the cheap admission price. Then after wandering through the museum and seeing all the collections, you can take a stroll in Fatahillah Square located nearby.
Museum of Fine Art and Ceramics
Address: Jl. Pos Kota, RT.9/RW.7, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 8am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5,000 IDR (0.4 USD)
3. Haluu
In Central Jakarta, there is a popular posh mall named Plaza Indonesia that features numerous upscale dining options and branded clothing stores. But you should know that there is also a fun spot there where you can take a lot of selfies. Find your way to Haluu, one of the best Instagrammable locations in Jakarta. Haluu is better known as a selfie museum rather than an art museum, but the place is loaded with plenty of art installations. From balloons and flowers to photographs and cooking equipment, all these can be the background of your selfies.
Haluu
Address: The Warehouse Plaza Indonesia, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.28-30 9 5, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350
Opening hours: 10am - 9:30pm (daily)
Price: From 90,000 IDR (7 USD)
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4. Basoeki Abdullah Museum
Basoeki Abdullah is one of Indonesia’s most renowned artists, and if you are interested in getting to know his works, you should come to South Jakarta and visit Basoeki Abdullah Museum. There are over 100 paintings by Abdullah here. You can also enjoy his personal collections that include masks, puppets, statues, and guns, which in total reach more than 700 items.
Basoeki Abdullah Museum
Address: Jl. Keuangan Raya No. 19, RT.7/RW.5, Cilandak Bar., Kec. Cilandak, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12430
Website: Basoeki Abdullah Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 8am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 3pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 2,000 IDR (0.15 USD)
Jakarta Tour Guide
Emir Yamin
When it comes to travel, the journey isn't just about reaching a destination; it's about the experiences you gather along the way. While big group tours might be the conventional choice, opting for a local guide can elevate your travel adventure to new heights. That's why I've decided to become a tour guide.During my tenure as the Chief of Media Relations, I had the opportunity to travel extens... Read more
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Jakarta Tour Guide
Dori Januhari
I am a legal and licensed tourist guide from Indonesia. I have been guiding for 20 years. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia, but I have traveled to many places in the country. My guiding areas are Java, Bali, and Lombok Island. I obtained my license from the Indonesia Tourism Ministry. On days when there is no tour, I work as an English and German private teacher, teaching mathematics and science ph... Read more
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Jakarta Tour Guide
Toni Kenpachi
Hello my name is Toni and I live in Jakarta- Indonesia, I've been working as a Tour Guide since 2008, I have licensed from Jakarta City Government Tourism Office, I choose to be a Tourist guide due to my background education because I graduated from Tourism Academy, I'll be glad to assist your trip in Indonesia especially in Jakarta and surrounding areas also if you would like to do overland t... Read more
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5. Magic Art 3D Museum Jakarta
Your trip to Jakarta will surely be incomplete if you don’t visit the Old Town area, also known as Kota Tua. Like National Museum (Monas), Kota Tua is one of Jakarta’s icons. When exploring the old buildings of Kota Tua, be sure to make a visit to Magic Art 3D Museum Jakarta to experience another level of fun with your loved ones, be it your family or friends. Established by a Korean company and opened only in December 2018, the 3D museum has been attracting more and more visitors. No wonder, because once you get inside, you will be presented with tons of unique images that look real because they are all 3D. The museum comprises several zones, with the most popular being Horror Zone, Adventure Zone, and Dinosaur Zone. Be amazed by the 3D illusions—and make sure to bring a camera.
Magic Art 3D Museum Jakarta
Address: Jl. Kali Besar Tim., RT.3/RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110
Website: Magic Art 3D Museum Jakarta
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: From 60,000 IDR (4 USD)
6. Wayang Museum
Kota Tua is filled with several museums, and one that is worth your time is Wayang Museum—or Puppet Museum. Facing Fatahillah Square, the museum houses a large collection of puppets, coming from various regions across the archipelago and overseas. It may take a while for you to see all the puppets as there are over 4,000 of them. From leather puppets and carton puppets to wooden puppets and grass puppets, all can be found here. In addition to puppets, you can also find traditional musical instruments, dolls, and masks of Indonesia on display. Visiting this museum will surely help you understand Indonesian culture more.
Wayang Museum
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
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5,000 IDR (0.4 USD)
Tip from tour guide
Located in the Kota Tua area, the Wayang Museum (the Puppetry Museum) is one of the museums that directly faces Fatahillah Square. Wayang itself is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originating from the Indonesian island of Java. It refers to the entire dramatic show, and sometimes, the leather puppet itself is referred to as Wayang. Performances of Wayang puppet theatre are accompanied by a gamelan orchestra in Java, and by gender wayang in Bali.
This museum exhibits a variety of puppets from various regions in Indonesia and other countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Suriname, China, Vietnam, France, India, and Cambodia. It has more than 6,800 puppets and several gamelan set collections. It's open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09.00 to 16.00.
Visit the best art museums in Jakarta
Now that you have reached the end of the article, you can see that the art museums in Jakarta should be on top of your itinerary, not only malls and shopping centers. Get to know more about Jakarta and the other cities in Indonesia through visits to these art museums—though some of them are designed for fun and entertainment only.
Tip from tour guide
The KunstKring art gallery is housed in a heritage building located in Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Constructed in 1914 by Dutch architect P.A.J. Moojen, the gallery originally exhibited the works of European artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Currently, the space has been transformed into a fine dining restaurant, adorned with numerous art collections and antiques, reflecting the art, soul, and romance of Indonesia.
History
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