Since I ended up staying in Surakarta for 3 months, I think it’d be a pity if I only write one post on this blog about it.
This Part A of the Surakarta itinerary series is meant for myself, or people similar to me:
Generally like visiting museums and heritage places, don’t chase Instagrammable places, not big on local-food experiences, have decent budget for meals, and eager to walk around thousands of steps a day plus utilizing public transportation.
SATURDAY
12 pm – 2 pm: Arriving at Solo | Lunch
If we can’t check in at the hotel yet, it’s better to have some lunch at this time. Options would be Cari Makan, Kusuma Sari Restaurant, or KFC (yes, K-F-C! Because Solo’s biggest KFC’s building is uniquely beautiful). All of them are close to each other (Pasar Pon – Nonongan area of Slamet Riyadi street).
2 pm – 2.30 pm: Hotel check-in | Dzuhur prayer
Tidy ourselves up, change of clothes, get ready to be out all-day till sundown.
2.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Museum Batik Danar Hadi
A fully guided tour with thousands of premium batik and antique collections, some are even been there for more than a hundred years.
4.30 pm – 5.15 pm: Kauman Batik Village
Stroll and walk around the village. We could even stop for snacks & coffee at some small cafes right there.
5.15 pm – 6 pm: Great Mosque of Keraton Surakarta (Masjid Agung)
We’ll do Ashar prayer and Maghrib prayer here (Maghrib time is around 5:30pm in Solo).
6 pm – 7 pm: Gedoeng Djoeang 45 | Gelato
Walk about 700 m from the Great Mosque to enjoy some gelato in a beautifully lit, properly maintained, historical building.
7 pm – 9 pm: Dinner
Options are as follows: Anggrek Bulan Dine, Makan Daging, Baldy’s Burgers & Fries, or Haustra House of Gourmandizer.
9 pm onwards: Back at hotel | Rest and Sleep
Late night snack option: have martabak telor get delivered by any food delivery services (Gofood/ Grabfood/ Shopeefood).
SUNDAY
5 am – 6 am: Rise and shine
Shubuh prayer in Solo is usually around 4:20 am.
6 am – 8 am: Car Free Day @ Slamet Riyadi Street | Breakfast
We’ll have breakfast here since there’d be so many food and knick-knack stalls here. We could also do fun aerobic together, blood pressure/ cholesterol/ other simple labs check for free, play with some pets (dogs, reptiles, snakes, etc.), or just sit around and do people watching.
8 am – 9:30 am: Mangkunegaran Palace
Another fully guided tour, taking a look around the palace, which still function as primary residence for some of the royal family members.
9:30 am – 10 am: Leeway time
My recommendation is to sit on any bench at the sidewalk and order Serabi Solo Ny. Handayani to taste one of authentic Solo’s most well-known snacks.
10 am – 11 am: Tumurun Museum
Free private museum in Solo, with antique cars and contemporary pieces of art. Please be informed that online reservation is required and the ‘war’ to get the ticket is open every Tuesday at 10AM for all remaining day of that week at the museum’s website.
11 am – 12 pm: Back at hotel | Hotel check-out
12 pm onwards: Lunch
Options are as follows: Soto Triwindu, Selat Solo Tenda Biru, or Zagladi Arabian Food, or anything that wasn’t picked for Saturday’s lunch.
This post is the first of a 4-part-er Surakarta weekend itinerary trip suggestion I would post on this blog. The same recommendation I’d give for all the parts is to seek for hotel located anywhere along the Slamet Riyadi Street.
- Part A: For solo/ local duo trip.
- Part B: For when I’m traveling with my Mom & Dad (people in their late 50s – early 60s).
- Part C: For when I’m traveling to entertain children under the age of 10 like my niece & nephew.
- Part D: For a trip with a foreigner partner who’s eager to learn about the richness of Javanese culture and accustomed to pay more for things because of their skin color privilege in exchange for additional ease, comfort, and politeness in hospitality (yes, this is both stereotyping but also oddly specific; thanks for noticing).
