Yogyakarta by Bike
We’re still on the Indonesian island of Java ❤️ After reminiscing about the Tumpak Sewu waterfall, it’s time for Yogyakarta. Let’s explore the second-largest city on Java from a slightly unusual perspective: by bike. Come along for a ride around the area with views of the monumental Mount Merapi!
The Cultural Capital of Java
Yogyakarta is a vibrant cultural capital of Java. You feel it most after sunset on Malioboro, the main street wrapping around the large Beringharjo market. Music plays late into the night, and the wild street traffic – noticeable the moment you step out of the train station – can make your head spin. Near the central square there’s a curious restaurant with even more hypnotic performances by local artists. Yogyakarta is the cradle of many traditional Javanese performing arts. This is where wayang kulit was born (the classic shadow puppet theatre), as well as traditional folk performances, often steeped in mysticism, built around dance and drama. It’s worth snagging a ticket to one of these shows at the Sobobudoyo Museum. The city’s artistic soul also shows in its beautiful, slightly “drilling” murals and street art in general. And, of course, great and inexpensive food is yet another reason travelers flock to Yogyakarta.
Exploring Around Yogya by Bike
Even though cycling through a city as chaotic and lively as Yogyakarta with two kids might sound like a strange joke, it really isn’t 😁 I’ll admit, it’s an unusual idea, but a spot-on one. The organization was incredibly professional: well-maintained bikes, helmets, a child seat for the little one, excellent logistics, and a brilliantly planned route. We were also treated to local snacks, both savory and sweet, as well as water. There was time for stops, rest, and a genuinely slow pace, so we could feel the atmosphere and really sink into the here and now. We spent an active morning cycling with the kids alongside an amazing guide who was born and raised in Yogyakarta, and who knows local life and the surrounding areas inside out. Even in the heat, she rose to the challenge, guiding us by bike through the city and then out into a truly idyllic, rural landscape of rice fields, with a majestic volcano in the background ❤️
Everyday Life in Yogyakarta
The four-hour bike ride through the surrounding areas gave us a glimpse into everyday life, small local industries, and village customs. The kids could not only see everything with their own eyes, but also get hands-on and try making things themselves. A huge adventure for both a three- and a nine-year-old was shaping bricks the traditional way or preparing Indonesian treats like tempeh (a protein-rich soy snack) and krupuk (deep-fried shrimp crackers). On a more spiritual level, it’s in the countryside that you most clearly see how deeply religion influences daily life. Our guide shared plenty of surprising facts and stories about rituals and prayers, places where people keep all-night watch over the safety of the village, and the customs connected to it all. A bike tour with kids, led by someone so deeply grounded in local realities, is an incredibly fascinating way to discover real life from the inside – local values (sometimes unexpected, like keeping a bird in a cage at home as a symbol of wealth) and Javanese culture as a whole, along with its impact on everyday living.
Exploring Yogyakarta and its surroundings actively, from a bike saddle, is an idea for a perfect morning with kids on the island of Java. It’s a beautiful lesson in Javanese culture, told from behind the scenes by people who truly know these places. Despite the exit from the city – which honestly gave me a headache – it’s an unforgettable, authentic experience, surrounded by beautiful views and close to real people, their customs, and their everyday lives.
So, shall we hop on our bikes and RIDE THROUGH JAVA?