Central Java · Indonesia
Semarang travel guide
Semarang is a city in Central Java, Indonesia, home to about 1,621,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- SRG6 km · Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport
- Currency
- IDRrupiah
- Time zone
- Asia/Jakarta
- Language
- Indonesian
About
About Semarang
Semarang (Javanese: ꦏꦸꦛꦯꦼꦩꦫꦁ, Kutha Semarang) is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Dutch colonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today.
The city's name is said to derive from the Javanese words "asem" and "arang", which could be translated as "scarce tamarind." Semarang lies on the province's northern coast. Semarang's topography is marked by a narrow coastal plain, rising sharply inland. The city sprawls up from the coast, and the higher areas see some of the highest rate of residential development, due to the slightly cooler climate. The sea is slowly reclaiming the coastal lowlands during the monthly rob or high tides, causing flooding up to more than a kilometer from the coast.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Semarang
See
- Gua Kreo
- Lawang Sewu
- Sam Poo Kong Temple
- Simpang Lima
- Taman Budaya Raden Saleh
- Port of Tanjung Emas
- Watugong Buddhist Temple
- Taman Tabanas Gombel
- Semarang Zoo
- Grand Mosque of Central Java
- Kampung Pelangi Kalisari
- Layur Old Mosque
Do
- Marina Beach
- Taman Lele
- Taman Puri Maerokoco
- Kampung Anggrek Sodong
- Hutan Wisata Tinjomoyo
- Maron Beach
- Ngrembel Asri
- Burung Kuntul Banteng Raider
- GOR Jatidiri
- GOR Tri Lomba Juang
- Cozy Feet
- Yu Zu Tang
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Semarang to stay in
Go to Jalan Kauman (Near Johar Market - TransSemarang Koridor II or buses to/from Terboyo Terminal) and you'll find a lot of cheap accommodation. They are most likely to be a basic fan room with outside bathroom for the cheapest price level, some naming themselves as losmen (inns) and others as hotel. Several places offering basic fan room are located near the mosque at the northern end (Masjid Kauman) with rooms going for as cheap as Rp 50,000. Many budget places will not have a western-style shower. Another group of budget accommodation, slightly more upmarket but still affordable hotels, can be found along Jl. Imam Bonjol.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Semarang
Semarang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. September is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; January is the wettest, with about 431 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 Semarang: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport (SRG), about 5.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Adisoemarmo International Airport (SOC, 69 km) and Adisutjipto International Airport (JOG, 89 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
There are big and medium-sized buses operated by city government-owned company called TransSemarang buses with designated stops on raised platforms (locally known as shelter). Despite being called a BRT system, the buses do not travel in designated lanes.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
SRG · Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport
SOC · Adisoemarmo International Airport
JOG · Adisutjipto International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Semarang
Eat
Semarang's choice of foods is large as other cities, you can find Japanese, Italian, Thai, Korean, Indian, and more.
Drink
In Semarang, it is not easy to find bars. However, lately a few stylish venues have sprung up, mainly catering to the trendy young population. There are a few bars and cafes around Simpang Lima (right downtown). After sunset, please avoid small tents selling homemade tea (teh poci) as lots of hookers looking for targets, especially rich-looking travelers.
Stay safe
Semarang is moderately safe. People are nice to strangers, helpful and friendly. Never touch anyone's head (especially teenagers and older men) as it is considered as "insult" and might invite troubles. In the crowded buses, trains or small cars used as public transportation, "unintended touch" is tolerated. Never look at someone (especially young men) straight in the eyes more than 3 times as it might be considered as "challenging them to fight" (this applies especially in bigger towns/cities). Villagers are more friendly to strangers. Semarang is neither a small city nor huge city if compared to Jakarta.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Semarang: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Semarang?
Semarang has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. September is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; January is the wettest, with about 431 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Semarang?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport (SRG), about 5.8 km from the city centre in a straight line; Adisoemarmo International Airport (SOC, 69 km) and Adisutjipto International Airport (JOG, 89 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Semarang?
rupiah (IDR).
Nearby
Destinations near Semarang
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.