Prambanan 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
Located near Yogyakarta on the island of Java, Prambanan is Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex. Built mainly in the 9th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, it is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Its towering carved stone structures and numerous shrines spread across a vast archaeological park make it an impressive place to explore.
What we loved
We were really impressed by Prambanan's scale and architecture, so different from the temples we'd visited before. The towers are enormous, and the details of the carvings are incredible! We also loved wandering freely through the huge park, taking our time to admire the different temples and explore at our own pace. We didn't hire a guide and honestly felt that the visit worked perfectly well without one.
Our tip
We recommend visiting Prambanan and Borobudur on the same day with a private driver from Yogyakarta. It's definitely doable if you leave early enough, and private drivers are still relatively affordable. Just set aside a full day so you can enjoy both sites without rushing too much.
Read the article about Prambanan