South Sumatra · Indonesia
Palembang travel guide
Palembang is a city in South Sumatra, Indonesia, home to about 1,536,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- PLM12 km · Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport
- Currency
- IDRrupiah
- Time zone
- Asia/Jakarta
- Language
- Indonesian
About
About Palembang
Palembang is the capital city of the Indonesian province of South Sumatra. The city proper covers 348.34 square kilometres (134.49 square miles) on both banks of the Musi River in the eastern lowlands of southern Sumatra.
Palembang is one of the oldest continuously inhabitied cities in Indonesia and even Southeast Asia (perhaps second only to Hanoi). The foundation of Palembang can be dated at the latest to 683 CE, when it emerged as the imperial thalassocratic city-state of Srivijaya, one of the largest and most important Buddhist polities in ancient Indonesia. The city played a vital role in the regional cultural and economic landscape.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Palembang
See
- Ampera Bridge
- Grand Mosque of Palembang
- Kuto Besak
- Palembang Mayoral Office
- Kemaro Island
- Bukit Seguntang
- People's Struggle Monument
- Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum
- Balaputradewa Museum
- Ki Gede ing Suro Cemetery Complex
- Sriwijaya Kingdom Archaeological Park
- Ong Boen Tjiet's House
Do
- Musi River
- Jakabaring Sport City
- Kambang Iwak Besak
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Palembang
Palembang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 317 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Palembang: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (PLM), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Pendopo Airport (PDO, 104 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
It is quite easy to get around in Palembang since there are a lot of public buses, modified vans (Angkots or Angkutan Kota) and for short distances there is always becak. Don't be surprised if they keep packing the buses and angkots with people even though they are full. Short trips should be no more than Rp5,000. Taxis are scarce, far between, and often refuse to use meters and insists on fixed price for certain distance. Just like other Indonesian cities, the most reliable and safe taxi in Palembang is Blue Bird. On land, motorcycle taxis, ojeks, are cheap, quick, and everywhere.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
PLM · Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport
PDO · Pendopo Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Palembang
Eat
Palembang cuisine is the second most well known from Sumatra after Padang. They primarily use freshwater fish and prawn as ingredients due to the paramount role of the Musi River for the area. Spices are also generally included although not as liberal as its same-island counterpart. Malay, Indian, and Chinese culture has also influenced Palembang's culinary scene.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Palembang: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Palembang?
Palembang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; March is the wettest, with about 317 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Palembang?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (PLM), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Pendopo Airport (PDO, 104 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Palembang?
rupiah (IDR).
Nearby
Destinations near Palembang
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.