Yogyakarta offers myriad choice when it comes to finding a place to sleep, from hostels to fancy five-star establishments. What it does particularly well though is small guesthouse-style accommodation — we found some of the funkiest and friendliest we’ve seen in Indonesia. When tourism first developed in Yogya, foreign visitors were drawn to two primary areas: one centred around Jalan Sosrowijayan off Jalan Malioboro in the city centre, and the other south of the city in the vicinity of Jalan Prawirotaman. Although both areas are still busy, decent choices are now more widespread, with a newer area developed to the north near many of Yogya’s universities, mostly catering to students. We have focused our coverage on an expanded area based around the original (and still popular) spots, using the Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) as a division. Both are easily walkable or a short becak ride to the major inner-city sites. Additionally, we’ve included a couple of special places, one near Borobudur and one near Kota Gede. Be warned that the high season months of July and August may see you forking out a little extra for a bed, and it's wise to book at this time too.
We have 21 places to stay in and around Yogyakarta.
Jalan Malioboro is Yogyakarta’s vibrant and hectic main thoroughfare. The street and its surrounds are chock-a-block with hotels, many targeted at the growing middle-class domestic market. At the northern end of town, Jalan Sosrowijayan, once backpacker central, still offers many options, but most haven’t changed since we first stepped inside them in the early ’90s. However don’t despair, some excellent new (and some long-running) options will have you comfortably rested. Nearby food choices are plentiful, and predominantly of the local variety, providing an excellent opportunity to explore Yogya’s culinary culture.
Jalan Prawirotaman and surrounds has developed significantly in the last few years, increasingly with large multi-storey hotels predominating the skyline. However this area remains one of the city’s most vibrant, and has the best selection of international cafes, restaurants and bars, all within walking distance. Coupled with the growing number of boutique hotels and terrific small guesthouse and hostels, it’s our favoured area to stay.