Magelang Sights and Temples

November 7, 2026

Borobudur

The world’s largest Buddhist monument stands about 15 to 17 km south of Kota Magelang. It was built in the 9th century under the Sailendra dynasty as six square terraces and three round ones under a great central stupa, carrying 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. It was restored with UNESCO between 1975 and 1982 and has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. It remains a working place of Buddhist worship.

There are two tickets. The climb ticket takes you onto the monument with an official guide, upanat sandals and a loan sarong: IDR 455,000 for a foreign adult, IDR 305,000 for a foreign child, IDR 150,000 for an Indonesian adult and IDR 100,000 for an Indonesian child. The grounds ticket covers the park only, from IDR 50,000 for Indonesian adults on weekdays. Climbs run every day from 08:30 in timed groups and a daily quota applies, so book on the official portal . Cover shoulders and knees, never sit on or touch the stupas, and leave the reliefs alone.

Candi Pawon and Candi Mendut

East of Borobudur along the old procession line, small Candi Pawon sits about 1.75 km away and Candi Mendut about 3 km away. Mendut, from the early 9th century, holds a large seated Buddha with two bodhisattvas. It is under restoration, so visitors stay off the building, and tickets are half price until the work ends: a foreign visitor pays IDR 15,500 for Mendut or IDR 20,500 for Mendut and Pawon together. The Buddhist monastery beside Mendut is an active place of worship; visit quietly.

OHD Museum

Dr Oei Hong Djien’s collection of modern and contemporary Indonesian art fills the museum at Jl. Jenggolo 14 in the city. It opens 10:00 to 17:00 with last admission at 16:00, and closes on Tuesdays and public holidays. Visitors without Indonesian ID pay about IDR 100,000, or IDR 50,000 as students; children under 6 enter free. Hours are on the museum’s site .

Museum Diponegoro

In the Bakorwil building at Jl. Diponegoro 1 is the room where the Dutch arrested Prince Diponegoro on 28 March 1830, ending the Java War. A chair said to be the prince’s is on display. Entry is free during office hours, roughly mornings to mid-afternoon on weekdays.

Alun-Alun and the Water Toren

The city square is anchored by the Dutch colonial water tower designed by Herman Thomas Karsten, begun in 1916 and still supplying water to the town. The square is a free public space, and the tower is viewed from outside.

Gunung Tidar and Candi Selogriyo

Gunung Tidar is the forested hill in the middle of the city, called the “nail of Java” in local lore, with paths to pilgrimage graves and a small entry fee. Out on the slopes of Mount Sumbing in Windusari, Candi Selogriyo is a small 9th-century Hindu temple reached by a footpath through rice terraces, open about 08:00 to 16:00 for a small fee.

Guided temple visits can be compared on GetYourGuide .