Semarang Hotels
Stunning Semarang
A little off the beaten track compared to the usual tourist traps, Semarang is perfect for those who want an authentic glimpse of urban Indonesia. Semarang’s history can be read in the pages of its diverse architecture, from the Dutch colonial See Lawang Sewu and native kampong (local hamlets) to modern office buildings and of course, Chinatown’s See Gedung Batu temple. ... Read more »
In Semarang, you’ll need to brush up on your Indonesian (language and customs), as the people, while very hospitable, are not used to a constant flow of western visitors. A couple of things to avoid include touching on the head and looking directly into a young man’s eyes more than a couple of times (which could lead to fisticuffs and general nastiness). Refrain from both and you’re in for a cultural treat, especially with the local cuisine, which is justifiably the pride of the city.
SEMARANG’S TOP 10
10. Mangkang Zoo A good kiddie attraction with monkeys, birds, snakes and deer. |
5. Simpang Lima The bustling town centre is where you’ll find shopping malls, cinemas and an endless array of stalls offering traditional food for a song. |
9. Semarang Harbour Relax and watch the local ‘Pinsi’ boats coming and going. |
4. Marina Beach Snorkel, play volleyball, hire a pleasure boat or just soak up the sun. |
8. See Lawang Sewu Originally built as an administrative building and railway station by the Dutch, it is still a great example of colonial architecture. |
3. Gedung Songo Temples A group of Hindu shrines on a mountaintop with views of volcanoes in the distance. It’s baking hot in the middle of the day, so go early. |
7. Ambarawa Train Museum Old locomotives await your investigation… |
2. See Gedung Batu A gaudy red Chinese temple built in honour of Admiral Cheng Ho. Your future will be revealed to you here. |
6. Gereja Blenduk The most historic church in Central Java. |
1. Mesjid Besar Climb the towering minaret of the Grand Mosque for the best views over Semarang. |
SEMARANG EVENTS
The Muslim New Year Festival takes place every April each year and is celebrated with gusto!
May’s Ruwatan is a traditional Javanese sacrificial ceremony staged at the Taman Budaya Raden Saleh to stave off disasters.
Go Skateboarding Day is a free event held at Salatiga in June.
For lovers of mythology, the Dun Ger Festival in December/January celebrates the Warak – which is part-lion, part-giraffe, part-horse, part-bird and part-Chinese dragon. Scary!
In November/December, large crowds head to the mosques for Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, for dancing, music and group praying.
WHEN TO GO
· The dry season (May to September) is hot and humid, so beware a midday scorching.
· Tropical monsoons can occur in October and November.
· Generally, Semarang is hot year-round, with daytime temperatures above 30°C (86°F).
GETTING AROUND
· The city buses are air-conditioned, quick and cheap, and do longer trips between towns.
· Taxis are also a good, inexpensive option, but only use the ones that have their meter on.
· A great way to get to other parts of Indonesia is by ferry.
HotelClub Blog
« HideMetro Hotel Semarang
3 Stars$45
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Jalan Haji Agus Salim No 2-4 Central Java Semarang 50139
Metro Hotel Semarang offers comfortable accommodation and quality services for travellers in Indonesia. Guests can vis... More hotel details
Hotel Horison Semarang
4 Stars$69
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Jalan. K.H. Ahmad Dahlan No. 2 Simpang Lima Semarang 50241
Hotel Horison Semarang provides quality accommodation and professional services for travellers in Indonesia. Sam Po Ko... More hotel details
Ciputra Hotel Semarang
5 Stars$68
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Jalan Simpang Lima Semarang Central Java 50134
An international hotel and Central Java's finest, the Ciputra Semarang is an ideal place for business and leisure gues... More hotel details
Grand Candi Hotel Semarang
5 Stars$58
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Jl Sisingamangaraja 16 Semarang 50232
Offering the perfect combination of friendly and professional service, the Grand Candi Hotel Semarang is an excellent ... More hotel details
