11+ Muslim-friendly Things To Do Alone in Jakarta (+ Safety & Navigation Tips for Muslimah Solo Travelers!)

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Before the capital of Indonesia moves to Nusantara in the Bornean region, it’s time for you to explore what this capital has to offer!

From being known as the home to the second-highest amount of Unicorns in Southeast Asia, heavy traffic (lovingly revered as “macet“ in the local language) to the getaway of multicultural Indonesia, Jakarta is a metropolis that is filled with adventure, excitement, and, of course… lots of Muslim-friendly experiences!

Without further a do, here are some Muslim-friendly Things To Do in Alone in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Experience Traditional Indonesian Halal Cuisines

Top of the Things To Do in Jakarta list for the Muslimah Solo Traveler is to experience the Halal Traditional Indonesian Cuisines!

MST Reads: Be sure to familiarize yourself with Halal, and non-Halal words in Indonesia so you can make the most of your Solo Trip in Jakarta!

While there are plenty of them in the city, you can never go wrong with a warm bowl of Bakso or Mie Ayam Pangsit Goreng. Be sure to have Es Teler on the side to quench that thirst after a hot sunny day.

But if you’d like to taste the heritage cuisines of Jakarta, then stop over to Kafe Betawi for a taste of Betawi cuisine.

The Betawi tribes are the original inhabitants of Jakarta so you can never go wrong with any Betawi dishes like Lontong Betawi or Asinan Betawi!

Where to eat Halal Traditional cuisines in Jakarta:

• Es Teler 77 (locations) for Bakso or Mie Ayam Pangsit Goreng, as Rasya from Pergi Halal recommended.
• Kafe Betawi (locations) for Soto Betawi or Lontong Betawi
• Sari Sari (Jakarta location; Bandung location) for an assortment of local cakes and desserts like Singkong Thailand, Pisang Keju, and much more.

An alternative to modern Indonesian cuisines (fusion, etc) can be discovered at dining establishments in the shopping malls, or around Blok M (location).

Visit the Old City of Jakarta

Wondering how to spend a day in Jakarta, especially if you love history?

Then pay a visit to Batavia, the Old City of Jakarta located on the Northern and Western parts of Jakarta.

Formerly the capital of Dutch East Indies, Batavia was known as the Jewel of Asia as it used to be a port and the VOC Dutch East India Company administration.

Now preserved as a tourist attraction, you’ll find that the Dutch buildings, canals, and old Dutch ships are still intact along the cobblestoned streets.

You can learn about Jakarta’s history from the days it was called Batavia to Jayakarta until what it’s known today as Jakarta in Jakarta History Museum, which once served as the Staadhuis.

While you’re there, don’t forget to relax in Cafe Batavia, which serves authentic Dutch pastries and cuisines!

MST Tip: Bring a portable fan as it can get quite HOT in The Old City.

• Location: Old Town Jakarta, West Jakarta City (directions)

Experience The Rush of Southeast Asia’s Largest Wholesale Market in Tanah Abang

One of the Unique Things To Do in Jakarta for the Muslimah Solo Traveler who are a fashionista, or not, is to experience the rush and buzz in Tanah Abang!

This is Southeast Asia’s largest textile market, so there are lots of blocks around and you can get lost along the way. If you have been to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, you can expect the experience to be almost similar!

During Ramadhan, the rush in Tanah Abang skyrockets as everyone (from sellers to buyers) buys Eid clothes and necessities. While it can be super hectic, that is the best time to experience Tanah Abang at its peak.

MST Tip: Go to Block A, as that’s where most of the textiles, clothes, hijab, shoes, and prayer garments are. You can practically ditch visiting other blocks, as it would take up to a day to discover one block!

• Location: Blok A, Jl. K.H. Mas Mansyur No.29, Kp. Bali, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10240, Indonesia (directions)
• Opening hours: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm daily. (hours differ on Eid celebration)

Check out The National Monument (MONAS)

You’ve probably seen this monument somewhere in the social mediasphere before!

Lovingly called Monas (or Monumen Nasional in Bahasa), the National Monument is a 132m tall obelisk located right in the center of Merdeka Square. It is the symbol of the “fight for Indonesia’s independence”.

You can see a grand view of Jakarta from the platform above within the obelisk or enjoy the musical fountain show on Sundays.

MST Tip: Be sure to come early if you want to see the view of Jakarta from above in MONAS, as tickets can be sold out quite fast! If you’re coming during public holidays, you must come EXTRA EARLY!

• Location: RT.5/RW.2, Gambir, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia (directions)
• Opening hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm daily (differ on public holidays such as Eid. Check their website for latest info)

Worship at Jakarta’s Unique Mosques

There is no shortage to mosques and prayer rooms (mushola in Bahasa) in Jakarta. You’ll find them in every train station, retail mall and buildings in the city!

But out of all the mosques, some important and unique mosques that every Muslim should pay a visit to while in Jakarta are:

• Masjid Agung Sunda Kelapa – This mosque’s building resembles a boat shape, as a symbol of Sundanese Muslim merchants spreading Islam in the past. You’ll also see food traders selling fresh coconut (kelapa in the Indonesian language) drinks around the mosque.
  • Operating hours & location here
• Masjid Istiqlal – The largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Location here.
  • Operating hours & location here

Watch our Eid Travelog at Istiqlal Mosque here:

MST Tip: Be sure to carry your own plastic bag to secure your shoes when you go to these mosques!

Shop for Locally-made Goods or Specialty Souvenirs!

One of the most unique Things To Do in Jakarta for the Muslimah Solo Traveler is to buy locally-made Indonesian souvenirs as a way to commemorate that memorable solo trip to Jakarta!

Instead of the usual souvenirs like fridge magnets, it’s time to buy Batik dresses, textiles, or placemats for your home; maps of islands in Indonesia or Old Batavia, or perhaps wooden products!

Jakarta is a huge city that can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to buy the best specialty-made goods.

Here are just some of them:

• Sarinah (location and opening hours here), as recommended by Gia, our Journeys LIVE guest
• Alun Alun Indonesia at Grand Indonesia (location and opening hours here)
• Pop-up tents (you can find them at Lenggang Jakarta, located next to entrance grounds towards Monas)

Go to Specialty museums!

Travel is also about learning, so what better way to have a crash course about a country if not by entering its museums?

There are a lot of museums in Jakarta. But depending on your preferences, these are the ones that will make your solo travel in Indonesia much more enriching.

Wayang Museum – Experience Javanese Puppetry Show

Housed inside a Dutch building in Old Town, you learn about the ancient art of Javanese wooden puppetry alongside other paintings, dolls and sculptures.

Click here for the location and opening hours

National Museum (or Museum Nasional)

One of the best places to learn about Indonesian culture, with a collection of the country’s heritage that spans over two hundred years old.

Click here for the location and opening hours

Museum Bank Indonesia – for Banking History!

If you love finance and banking, this museum in Old Town will give you a crash course on how the Indonesian banking system works.

Click here for the location and opening hours

Jakarta History Museum (inside Taman Fatahillah)

This museum is right in front of a huge plaza once known as Batavia City Square.

Inside this museum is a collection of the country’s colonial past, from when it was under Dutch rule to what Jakarta is known today.

Click here for the location and opening hours

Take an iconic photo at Bundaran HI’s Welcome Monument

One of the most Things To Do in Jakarta for the Muslimah Solo Traveler is to take an iconic photo at Bundaran HI’s Welcome Monument.

This is the symbol that welcomes everyone to Jakarta, and you can’t help but to smile and feel a sense of Indonesian hospitality the moment you see this monument.

There are a couple of spots where you can take a photo here. But the best has to be during sunset or at night when the city lights are reflected throughout from Bundaran HI’s Transjakarta bus stop’s deck on the second floor (location)

MST Tip: Go during the weekends so you won’t have to bear the queue!

Shop for Muslim fashion!

Your Muslim-friendly Jakarta Solo Trip is incomplete without shopping for local Modest fashion!

The modest fashion scene in Indonesia… what more Jakarta is THRIVING!

Some places that have Indonesian modest fashion of all price ranges are at:

• FX Sudirman (Click here for the location and opening hours), as per recommended by Gia.
• Tanah Abang Blok A (Click here for the location and opening hours)

MST Travelog: Check out our travelog in Tanah Abang to get an idea of how navigating this area is!

But if you want the latest Modest Fashion collection, Bandung is where you should go next.

Known as the capital of modest fashion in Indonesia, or in other words known as “Paris of Java” (coined from the term Paris van Java, of the same meaning in Dutch)

Explore The Diversity of Indonesia at Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah)

First, let us say that this is a HUGE park that showcases all 33 provinces in the country. So be prepared with a couple of attractions in mind before coming!

This park houses various pavilions with distinct local architecture. Each showcases traditional clothing, food, and traditions unique to each tribe.

You can also enjoy the flora and fauna, plus replicas of famed sights available here, while exploring the different multicultural population of Indonesia.

MST Tip: try the gondola, rent a bike, or join a tour if you want to save time and make the most of your visit!

Location and operating hours here

Check out Jakarta’s Colorful Chinatown, Glodok

While in Jakarta, either towards Old Town or afterward, be sure to check out the city’s Chinatown.

In Chinatown, you’ll see how the Tionghua Chinese community has settled in Jakarta through its architecture, local business, and so much more.

If you have to visit a place in Chinatown, it has to be Pantjoran Tea House, as it is a historic building that

• Serves local Tionghua dishes and dim sum (vegetarian options available!);
• Authentic Chinese Tea ceremony experience, where you can find a moment of peace from a sip of top-quality tea inside a historic, old-fashion ambiance.

MST Tip: Be sure to stop by Masjid Jami Kebun Jeruk in Chinatown, as this mosque has a special mix of Tionghua and Arab cultural influences in the architecture. The local Tionghua Chinese community also believed to have built this mosque in the 1700s.

• Location: Pantjoran Chinatown PIK (directions).
• Open 24 hours

Can you walk around in Jakarta?

Of course! Especially in touristy areas like Monas, Bundaran HI, and Tanah Abang area.

But since Jakarta is such a huge and sunny city, it can be tiring if you walk around without taking public transport.

How to go around Jakarta as a Muslimah Solo Traveler?

There are a couple of ways to go around Jakarta as a Muslimah Solo Traveler.

Taxi

Bluebird is the country’s official taxi and they go by meter, so you have no worries about that.

MST Take: The app was laggy when we were there, so if you want to call a ride via app, we suggest ride-sharing alternatives instead.

Jakarta is known for its crazy traffic, “macet in Indonesian,” so if you choose a taxi or a car during rush hour, be prepared to spend time (it can go up to one hour or more) in the car. Otherwise, you can take the bus or motorbike (more below)

Bus (Transjakarta or Mikro Trans)

The best thing about Transjakarta buses is that they have their lanes, so they’re excluded from the traffic lanes!

You would need to buy a card to ride the bus. Available at the bus stops (halte in Indonesian).

Train (LRT or MRT)

LRT and MRT in Jakarta serve different routes depending on where you’re going. You can get the card tickets at MRT or LRT stations in Jakarta.

Ride-sharing platform (Grab / Gojek)

• Car
• Motorbike – for the adventurous Muslimah Solo Travelers!

According to Gia and our past travels in Indonesia, it is common and safe for Muslim ladies to ride the motorbike, and there are ways on how you can ensure you’ll have the Halal gap; check out this travelog to know more.

Bajaj (for Central Jakarta areas only)

According to Gia, be sure to negotiate first before riding. Watch the entire Journeys LIVE with her in this session.

MST Tip: You’ll find Bajaj pretty much everywhere. If you can’t seem to find a taxi or ride, try walking a bit further down the road and you’ll be surprised to see Bajaj waiting at the corner of the street!

Is Jakarta Safe for the Muslimah Solo Traveler?

Jakarta is safe for Muslimah Solo Travelers (join our Community here 💜) who are vigilant in their travels and exploration.

Be sure to stay in well-traveled areas and avoid wandering into unfamiliar and poorly lit areas, especially at night, or in nightlife areas such as Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) or Jalan Pelatehan in Blok M.

These areas are generally safe and considered busy shopping districts during the day, but at night, it turns into nightlife districts in some areas.

If you’re an adventurous Muslimah Solo Traveler, you can also ride the motorbike with a male driver without any issue, as it is common for Muslim women here to ride the motorbikes operated by Gojek / Grab ride-sharing platform.

If you have any safety tips and experiences in Jakarta as a Muslimah Solo Traveler, share them with us in the Community!

Where to Stay in Jakarta?

Depending on what your preferences are and what experiences you’re looking for in Jakarta, there are several areas you can stay in Jakarta

Central areas:

1. Thamrin City – easy access to Tanah Abang area and Grand Indonesia. Some top hotels here are Mandarin Oriental, Kempinski, and more.
2. Wahid Hasyim area – easy access to Sarinah and most touristy spots in Jakarta.

Old Jakarta feels:

1. Old Town – We recommend Mercure Jakarta Batavia, located right in front of the canals for easy access to Old Town’s attractions like the Jakarta History Museum.

MST Tip: Look for CHSE Certified for the most comfortable stay experience without worries in Indonesia!

Book hotels in Jakarta at:

Beyond Jakarta – Where to Explore Indonesia Solo?

Do not stop your solo travels in Jakarta only. As the hub and getaway to the rest of Java Island and Greater Indonesia, if you have more time to explore, do go beyond Jakarta so you can genuinely understand what Indonesia is.

Our recommendations are:

• Take a Solo Day Trip to Bogor (stay tuned for this and be notified in our #MuslimSoloTravel newsletter)
• Experience Solo Surfing in Bali
• Go for a Foodie Solo Trip to Pontianak, Indonesia.

Wrap Up: 11+ Muslim-friendly Things To Do Alone in Jakarta.

There you have it, some of the best Muslim-friendly things to do alone in Jakarta, Indonesia!

If you’re solo traveling to Jakarta soon, or have traveled alone in Indonesia, share your tales and experiences (the good, the bad and the reality) with us in the Muslimah Solo Travelers Community FB Group!