Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia

Semarang

As the capital of Central Java, Semarang boasts a remarkable multicultural harmony that permeates every corner of the city. Famous for its business district, it is indeed the perfect melting pot for Chinese, Indian, Arab, and European cultures.

This can be seen in old buildings that are well-preserved in some areas, like Lawang Sewu, Blenduk Church, and Gedung Batu. When in Semarang, make a stop at Chinatown to taste its delicious Lumpia. For a more complete culinary experience, visit Pasar Semawis in Gang Warung. The lined-up food stalls here serve various kinds of local dishes with a signature taste that can’t be found in any other place.

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Top Fleet in Semarang

Choose your fleet with our top picks below

Toyota black minivan SUV, modern family vehicle with sleek design and spacious interior, ideal for road trips and daily commuting, featured on Otodeck.com. Toyota black minivan SUV, modern family vehicle with sleek design and spacious interior, ideal for road trips and daily commuting, featured on Otodeck.com.
MPV's

Toyota New Kijang Innova

5
auto
2
4
Rp 1.424.500 / day
Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix
MPV's

Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix

5
auto
2
4
Rp 1.683.500 / day
Toyota Alphard Toyota Alphard
Luxury

Toyota Alphard

5
auto
2
4
Rp 3.700.000 / day
Toyota HiAce Commuter Toyota HiAce Commuter
Vans

Toyota HiAce Commuter

14
manual
4
3
Rp 1.332.000 / day
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Travel Tips for Semarang

What you need to know before traveling here

Practical Tips for Semarang

Things to prepare and best way to visit

The first iconic place that you must visit in Semarang is Lawang Sewu. This tourist spot is also known as the home to "" The Thousand Doors."" The entrance ticket price to Lawang Sewu is relatively cheap, only around IDR10,000-IDR30,000. Next is Sam Poo Kong Temple, the oldest temple in Semarang, known as a legendary stopover for Lasmana Cheng Ho from China back in the 1400s. Another popular tourist spot in Semarang is Jodipan Rainbow Village. Just like its name, this village is filled with hundreds of colorful houses, resembling a rainbow!

Visiting Semarang during the summer is recommended when the weather is perfect for indoor and outdoor activities. Usually, the best months to visit Semarang are from May to October. Avoid coming in December, January, and February, as the rain intensity is usually high. When in July, accommodation rates are cheaper than in other months. Tourist destinations are also experiencing a low season during this time.

There are several options for getting around Semarang. For a cheap way to get around the city, you can take the DAMRI bus. The DAMRI bus fare itself is pretty cheap, starting from Rp3,000 only. Next, there is angkot or angkutan kota that you can rely on, even until midnight. Some angkot provides routes to some famous tourist attractions such as Lawang Sewu, Old Town, and several other favorite tourist spots. However, if you want to be comfortable, rent a car to get around the city. You can go anywhere more flexibly and comfortably.

Tahu Gimbal is a typical Semarang food that you must try upon your visit. Made from fried tofu, vegetables, and shrimp onions, tahu gimbal is served with traditional rice cake (lontong) and mouthwatering peanut sauce. Next is Soto Semarang, a bowl of clear broth soto made from country chicken broth. On your culinary journey, it is also a must to try tahu petis, a tofu snack filled with thick and dark petis sauce.

You can visit several cities near Semarang, such as Kendal, Ungaran, Demak, Salatiga, and Purwodadi. Depending on where you will go next, if you plan to visit Kendal, you can visit popular tourist spots such as Indah Kemangi Beach, Sewu Waterfall, or Bladon River. If you visit Purwodadi, you can visit popular tourist spots such as Widuri Waterfall, Gulingan Jungle Park, Urang Cave, and many more!

See All Practical Tips for Semarang

Getting Around Semarang

A guide to Semarang’s local transportation

BRT or Bus Rapid Transit is public transportation that operates daily from 5.30 AM to 5.30 PM. The fare for riding BRT is very affordable, only IDR 4,000 in cash and IDR 3,500 in e-money payment. This transportation is very suitable for traveling around Semarang in a budget-friendly way.

Angkot (inner city transport) is one of the public transportation that you can find everywhere in Semarang. The angkot fare starts from IDR 4,000 for a one-way ride, depending on the distance. You can distinguish angkot based on its color, but if you need more clarification, you can ask the driver before getting on.

City buses will take you from one point to another within the city. You can get on and off this public transportation anywhere, not just at certain stops like BRT. The fare for riding a city bus is determined by the distance you travel and is usually very affordable.

Renting a car in Semarang allows you more flexible and comfortable travel. This public transport is also a cheaper option if you travel to Semarang with a big group. You are advised to book a car at least one day before your arrival in Semarang to ensure that you can get a car that is suitable for your needs. You can book a rental car via Otodeck! Otodeck car rental feature offers flexibility and practicality. You can choose a car with or without a driver, as well as the preferred budget, date, and time.

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