Planning to take a trip to Yogyakarta? Don’t miss the neighboring region offering tons of charm called Salatiga. Best known as one of the best hiking sites (Mount Merbabu), the small town in the eastern part of Central Java is fresh escape for those who are hunger in adventure. It’s also home to the annual Mata Air festival, where you can enjoy musical and art performance, workshop and social event campaigning the sustainable use of water. Here is a guide to the best things to do in Salatiga, Central Java:
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Go discover Umbul Songo waterfall
Flanked by Mount Telemoyo and Merbabu, Umbul Songo waterfall is where you can breathe easy. The moss and water plants thriving on the cliff highlight the exquisiteness of the 15 meter (49 foot) waterfall. The river stream keeps cascading down to the pool even in dry season. Stay overnight at the nearby villa.
Umbul Songo Waterfall
Address: Desa Kopeng, Kecamatan Getasan, Kabupaten Semarang,
Admission Fee: 5,000 IDR (0.4 USD)
2. Go adventure day out in Kopeng
Getting a thrill is the best idea to make your day of travel in Salatiga more worthwhile. Kopeng Treetop Adventure Park features a number of rides and fun activities, well-suited for family wanderers. Have a go at the flying fox and spider jump to grab a fun challenge. Get your kids to try the trampoline and walk on the rope bridge.
Kopeng Treetop Adventure Park
Address: Jl. Raya Kopeng, Batur, Getasan, Semarang
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Entrance Ticket: 70,000 IDR (5.2 USD) for kid, 120,000 IDR (9 USD) for adult
Website: Kopeng Treetop Adventure Park
3. Discover Lake Rawa Pening
A group of fishermen catching fishes on their traditional dinghies, wild plants covering water surface and a shadow of active volcano are what you can see at Lake Rawa Pening. It’s definitely a good spot to escape from the hectic Yogyakarta. Don’t skip out Kampoeng Wisata Rawa to have some fun. Enjoy your thrilling moment with the ATV adventure and swan boat.
Kampoeng Wisata Rawa
Address: Jl. Lingkar Ambarawa Km.03, Ambarawa, Waduk Rawapening, Semarang
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
4. Hike Mount Merbabu
Go night trekking to capture an outstanding nature view when sunrise comes at Mount Merbabu. Hiking the active volcano is truly an adventurous experience but requires preparation. However, some spots to set a camp like the first and second savanna are the main points of interest making people draw their jaws. Avoid the rainy season for your best hiking moment.
Mount Merbabu
Address: Salatiga, Central Java
5. Ride the steam train
Another exciting way to enjoy Salatiga is none other than riding very old steam train. Start your fascinating journey from Ambarawa station and catch the wide-ranging views from paddy field to a volcano to to smiling farmers. If you’re old locomotive fanatics, be sure to hit the museum collecting steam train-related objects.
Ambarawa Railway Museum
Address: Jl. Stasiun No. 1, Panjang, Ambarawa, Panjang, Ambarawa, Semarang
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6. Swim at Pemandian Air Alam Muncul
Pemandian Air Alam Muncul, Salatiga.
Posted by Pandansari Kebumen on Friday, 18 March 2016
Pemandian Air Alam Muncul is a public swimming pool, good for keeping off the scorching hot sun. It features refreshing cool water streaming down from natural springs. The rocky bottom and colorful tiny fishes are visibly clear. If you have kids, don’t get worried as a swimming pool for them is equipped.
Pemandian Air Alam Muncul
Address: Jalan Raya Muncul, Rowoboni, Banyubiru, Ambarawa
Admission Fee: 7,500 IDR (0.5 USD)
7. Soak up the atmosphere of Bukit Cinta
Close to Lake Rawa Pening, it sits another must-visit attraction called Bukit Cinta whose meaning is “hill of love.” It’s best known as a cool spot to enjoy a scenic verdant view from hilly to lake landscape. It’s no wonder that the visitors mainly local youngsters cram the place for dating and recreational purpose. Lying down under a shady tree and feeling the breeze are unfortunate to be missed.
Bukit Cinta
Address: Kebondowo, Banyubiru, Semarang
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8. Camp at Agrowisata Salib Putih
Agrowisata Salib Putih is totally recommended for those who plan to spend a joyful weekend by setting up a tent. Situated 15 minutes away from the city center, the camping ground features refreshing ambiance matched with the scenic views of Mount Sindoro, Lake Rawa Pening and Salatiga’s downtown. Sip a cup of hot coffee while enjoying the scenery from your tent..
Agrowisata Salib Putih
Address: Jl. Hasan Nudin (Salatiga Kopeng) Km. 4, Kumpulrejo, Argomulyo, Kumpulrejo, Argomulyo, Kota Salatiga
Contact Number: +62 (0298) 325498
9. Capture the Instagrammable view at Pohon Pengantin (the bride tree)
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Although Pohon Pengantin (the bride tree) is simply a big tree growing in the middle of rice field, it always magnetizes people to stop by. The locals believe that looking in the tree will make couples’ love affairs long-lasting. Yet, most of visitors have different purposes such as capturing the Instagrammable view and enjoying the golden sunrise.
Pohon Penganten (Wit Nganten)
Address: Pulutan, Sidorejo, Salatiga City, Central Java
Opening Hours: 24 hours
10. Try Salatiga culinary
Salatiga is not only famous for its stunning nature but also the local foods. There is a wide variety of top recommended specialties you must have. Sego kucing literally means ‘a wrapped rice for cat’ is the highlight. It consists of small amount of steamy rice with spicy side-dishes and is eaten with quail egg and chicken intestine satay. The beef satay, soto esto and bakso tempoe doeloe are also great to try.
Nasi Kucing Senjoyo Pak Sus
Address: Jalan Senjoyo kota Salatiga
Price: 1,000 IDR (0.07 USD)
Leave Yogyakarta for Salatiga
If you want to explore other spots to enjoy your long vacation in the vicinity of Yogyakarta, Salatiga is the right one. It features a number of worthy wonders of nature from the exquisite waterfall to volcano. Besides, the local dishes are subjected to food heaven. Take a trip to Salatiga and have fun.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
