Jakarta's historic colonial Dutch quarter with museums and cafes

About Kota Tua (Old Town)

Kota Tua, meaning \'Old City,\' preserves the heart of colonial Batavia—the Dutch East Indies capital from the 17th to early 20th century. Fatahillah Square is surrounded by the Jakarta History Museum (in the former City Hall, built 1710), the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, and the Wayang (Puppet) Museum. The square comes alive on weekends with street performers, colorful bicycle rentals, and local food stalls.

Nearby, the Kota Intan drawbridge is the last remaining Dutch drawbridge in Southeast Asia, and Sunda Kelapa harbor still operates as a traditional Buginese schooner port—wooden sailing ships called pinisi dock here carrying goods between islands, an astonishing sight in a modern megacity. Café Batavia, housed in a 1837 building on the square, is a beloved spot for colonial-era atmosphere and Indonesian-Western fusion cuisine.

Nearby Landmarks

Fatahillah Square Jakarta History Museum Sunda Kelapa Harbor Café Batavia Bank Indonesia Museum

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost IDR 120,000-200,000 (~$8-13)
Time 30-60 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost IDR 80,000-150,000 (~$5-10)
Time 30-60 minutes

Level 1 arrivals

Step-by-Step Directions

Take DAMRI bus to Gambir station, then TransJakarta or taxi to Kota Tua

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi IDR 120,000-200,000 (~$8-13) 30-60 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare IDR 80,000-150,000 (~$5-10) 30-60 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Kota Tua's museums and attractions close by 6:00 PM, but the area around Fatahillah Square has some evening activity. Return transport relies on taxis and ride-hailing (Grab/GoJek) available nearby on Jalan Kali Besar. TransJakarta buses from the Kota station run until about 10:00 PM. Late-night taxis to the airport cost Rp 150,000–250,000.

Luggage Tips

The Kota Tua area has cobblestone streets and uneven pavement—wheeled luggage is cumbersome. Leave bags at your hotel or airport luggage storage before visiting. If coming directly from the airport, ask your taxi to wait (negotiate hourly rate around Rp 100,000/hour) while you explore.

Accessibility

Fatahillah Square is mostly flat cobblestone, navigable with assistance for wheelchair users. Museums have limited accessibility—the Jakarta History Museum has some ground-floor exhibits accessible without stairs. Sidewalks around Kota Tua are uneven. Taxis provide the most accessible transport to and from the area.