Borobudur Temple
Less open context
A place we recommend in a context where some discretion may feel preferable. This does not mean the venue is discriminatory.
The place in a few words
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur is one of the world's largest Buddhist monuments. Built in the eighth and ninth centuries, it was gradually abandoned and covered by vegetation before being rediscovered in the nineteenth century. Its terraces, Buddha statues and bell-shaped stupas are striking. Visits to the upper terraces are guided in small groups.
What we loved
We particularly enjoyed the guide's explanations and the story of this enormous monument, hidden beneath vegetation for so long. On our visit, we spent about 30 minutes with the guide, then another 30 exploring the upper terraces and taking photos. A funny detail: you have to wear woven sandals provided on site to climb the temple, and you get to keep them. Seb found them so comfortable that he wore them for another month, until they finally fell apart!
Our tip
We recommend visiting Borobudur and Prambanan on the same day with a private driver from Yogyakarta. The temples are very different, and it's a manageable day trip. Make sure to book a ticket that includes access to the upper terraces, as standard admission may not allow you to climb the monument. Time slots and accessible areas can change.
Read the article about Borobudur