Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular holiday destinations, offering visitors many exciting attractions and activities.

Home to over 17,000 islands, the sprawling archipelago has many fascinating sights, from Bali’s sun-kissed beaches to Lombok’s cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains.

If you need help planning your trip to this Southeast Asian nation, refer below for the most incredible destinations to visit in Indonesia.

Komodo Island

The Komodo National Park boasts some of the country’s most unique landscapes, making it a top destination in Indonesia. Located off the coast of Flores Island, the national park is best renowned for its wildlife. It’s home to the ferocious Komodo dragons, the world’s largest and heaviest lizards. Aside from thrilling wildlife encounters, the national park also offers opportunities for scenic hikes and snorkelling with manta rays. Hiking Padar Island is a popular activity at Komodo National Park. The uphill hike takes around 25-30 min, but it could take longer since you can’t resist stopping by some viewpoints to capture the island’s most breathtaking views. You’ll enjoy even more amazing views once you get to the top, as it overlooks the pink and black sand beaches underneath. The Komodo Island also offers fantastic opportunities for snorkelling adventures. Here, you’ll have a chance to swim with manta rays and other fascinating marine life.  And if you’re a beach bummer who prefers to relax and lounge around at the beach, check out Pink Beach. The sand’s unique pink colour is a result of the corals, which makes it one of Indonesia’s most Instagrammable spots.

Bali

Bali is one of Indonesia’s most famous tourist destinations for good reasons. Despite the touristy vibe, there are many good reasons to visit this enchanting island at least once. It has some of Indonesia’s top surfing spots and a different culture from the rest of the country. While many would come to Bali for the beach and the party scene, it’s also a haven for nature lovers and those who want to explore the great outdoors. You can hike the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces, a lush valley of rice paddies north of Ubud. Wake up early for your hike to catch the breathtaking views of sunrise. Bali has a unique culture than the rest of Indonesia since most of its locals are Hindu, while the rest of Indonesia follows the Islam religion. You’ll learn more about this as you explore the island and visit local villages home to many Hindu temples. One of the best ways to immerse in the island’s local culture is to witness traditional dance performances, such as the Kecak Fire Dance. The best place to see this dance performance is at the cliff-top amphitheatre of Uluwatu Temple in Ubud town.

Kalimantan

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo, an island Indonesia shares with Malaysia and Brunei. The region is famous for its wildlife, particularly orangutans. It’s home to the world’s largest population of wild orangutans. So, if you are fond of wildlife and want to see these primates up close, Kalimantan is one of those places to visit on your trip to Indonesia. Cruising down the Sebangau River is one of the best ways to see orangutans, gibbons, and other exciting wildlife living along the banks of the Sebangau National Park. You’ll also see a large population of orangutans in the treetop canopies of Kalimantan. Another place for seeing these great apes is the Tanjung Puting National Park. Beyond the wildlife, Kalimantan also offers visitors a chance to discover many cultural wonders. If you want to learn more about Borneo’s local culture, explore Balikpapan, a bustling modern city in East Kalimantan with beautiful villages home to friendly locals. Check out the city’s local attractions, including World War Sites, a botanical garden, and a mangrove park.

Java 

Whether visiting for the first time or not, consider booking tailor-made breaks in Indonesia, great for those hoping to visit numerous incredible destinations, including the island of Java. A tailor-made Indonesian break will make planning your trip more convenient as it saves you from planning the itinerary yourself. Java is a massive island home to over half of the country’s population. While many would associate it with big, bustling, and chaotic cities like Jakarta, the island is also home to lush rice paddies surrounded by majestic volcanoes. So, if you’re a nature lover, Jakarta is perfect for you. The Ijen Volcano is the top hiking destination in Java, renowned for its beautiful crater with a crystal-clear lake. Book a guided hiking trip before daybreak to witness the incredible blue fire from the hot sulfuric gas.  Mount Bromo, which boasts a perfectly shaped cone, is another popular trekking destination in Java. The trek to the summit usually lasts 45 minutes and is best during early morning, allowing you to catch the incredible sunrise views from above. The Borobudur temple is one of Indonesia’s most visited tourist destinations and the reason many tourists would come to Java. It’s a Buddhist temple constructed around the 8th century and is one of the world’s largest.

Lombok

Lombok is a volcanic island surrounded by picturesque islets. Renowned for its colourful coral reefs, it’s one of Indonesia’s top destinations for diving and snorkelling. Located within the Nusa Tenggara Barat province, your best option for going to Lombok is to take a flight or ferry from the neighbouring island of Bali. If you’re heading to Lombok for a diving adventure, visit the “Secret Gili” Islands in the south of Lombok. You can book an island-hopping trip to visit these islands, which include Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak. These tours will take you to the top snorkelling spots, teeming with colourful fishes and other marine life. Another popular activity in Lombok is trekking Mount Rinjani. Climbing this famous volcano is one of the most epic adventures in Indonesia, taking you to the summit where you can admire the spectacular views of the crater lake.