Welcome to Java, Indonesia’s most populous island and the seat of its modern story. Jakarta, the sprawling capital, began as Sunda Kelapa and later Batavia under the Dutch—traces of this layered past glow in the Old Town’s guild halls and canals. Just 2–3 hours away, Bandung rose in the early 20th century as a highland retreat for planters and architects, earning nicknames like “Paris van Java” for its cool air and Art Deco flourishes.

This 7-day itinerary pairs Jakarta’s blockbuster sights—Kota Tua, Istiqlal Mosque, Sunda Kelapa harbor, and TMII—with Bandung’s tea plantations, crater lakes, and mountain hot springs. Expect standout coffee (Indonesia grows world-class beans), wildly good street food, and a sense of place shaped by trade winds, volcanic soil, and centuries of migration.

Practical notes: Jakarta is hot and humid; Bandung is cooler (bring a light layer for evenings and highlands). Use ride-hailing apps for short hops. The new Whoosh high-speed rail between Jakarta and Bandung trims travel to under 1.5 hours including a feeder train. Dress modestly for religious sites, and check volcano advisories before mountain excursions.

Jakarta

Indonesia’s political and economic heart, Jakarta rewards curiosity: peel back layers in Kota Tua (Old Batavia), step into the serene vastness of Istiqlal Mosque opposite the neo-Gothic Jakarta Cathedral, and watch wooden phinisi schooners load cargo in Sunda Kelapa. By night, rooftop bars and hawker-lined streets trade stories as happily as they pour drinks.

• Top sights: Old Town (Fatahillah Square), Sunda Kelapa Harbor, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, National Monument (Monas), TMII (miniature pavilions of Indonesia’s provinces), Museum MACAN (contemporary art).
• Food & coffee: Soto Betawi, nasi uduk, satay, and Padang rice spreads; specialty roasters like Giyanti and Tanamera; street bites along Jalan Sabang.
• Stay in: Menteng/Thamrin for classic central access; SCBD/Senayan for upscale dining and nightlife.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Jakarta | Hotels.com Jakarta

How to get there: Fly into Soekarno–Hatta (CGK). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport Railink to BNI City (~45 min; ~IDR 70,000) or taxis/ride-hailing (~45–90 min; ~IDR 200,000–350,000 depending on traffic).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Batavia at Golden Hour, and Rooftop Views

Afternoon: Land in Jakarta and check in. For a caffeine reset, try Giyanti Coffee Roastery (fruity, light-roast profiles) or Tanamera Coffee (award-winning Indonesian beans). Head to Kota Tua as the light softens—stroll Fatahillah Square, admire the Dutch-era façades, and step into the Jakarta History Museum if time allows.

Evening: Dine at Kaum Jakarta (regionally focused Indonesian dishes—try sago crackers and grilled fish with torch ginger) or Plataran Menteng (Javanese classics in a heritage mansion). Cap the night at SKYE on BCA Tower for skyline views or Henshin (Nikkei cuisine) atop The Westin if you prefer a dressy scene.

Day 2: Jakarta Highlights with a Local Expert (Full-Day Tour)

Cover the essentials efficiently on this curated day out—ideal for first-timers and history lovers.

Jakarta Full-Day Highlights Tour with Transfer

Expect Istiqlal Mosque (Asia’s largest), the Cathedral across the road, Monas for Indonesia’s independence story, and time in Old Batavia and Sunda Kelapa where wooden phinisi ships still sail. Your guide threads history, architecture, and daily life into a vivid portrait. Inclusions and pickup points vary—see the tour page for details.

Evening (post-tour): Wander Jalan Sabang for street eats (satay grills, martabak stuffed pancakes) or sit down at Lara Djonggrang, an atmospheric space layered with art and antiques serving spice-rich Nusantara fare.

Day 3: Culture Deep-Dive—TMII, Batik, and a Night Spin

Morning: Head to TMII – Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a sprawling park of provincial pavilions, cultural performances, and miniature landmarks. It’s a fast pass through Indonesia’s vast diversity. Grab breakfast en route at Anomali Coffee or Pison (try a flat white and a hearty croissant).

Afternoon: Try your hand at Indonesia’s textile art in a guided batik session—with lunch and keepsakes included.

Full Day Private Batiks Class and Explore Miniature Park

You’ll learn wax-resist techniques, create your own piece, and explore TMII’s highlights with a local host. It’s hands-on, memorable, and kid-friendly.

Evening (optional add-on): See the city glow and sample late-night bites on a guided spin.

Jakarta Night Tour: Enjoyable Night time in Jakarta

Prefer DIY? Try Cloud Lounge for cocktails followed by bowls of soto Betawi at Soto Betawi H. Ma’ruf in Menteng.

Bandung

Bandung sits in a vast bowl carved by volcanoes and cooled by altitude. Tea gardens stripe the hills, hot springs bubble under pines, and the city center flaunts streamlined Art Deco heritage along Braga Street and Asia Afrika. It’s a favorite weekend escape for Jakartans—come for crisp mornings, batagor (fried tofu and fish dumplings), and scenic drives to crater rims.

• Top sights: Kawah Putih (White Crater), Tangkuban Perahu volcano (check current advisories), Lembang’s Maribaya and Farmhouse, Braga and Dago heritage strips, tea estates in Ciwidey and Rancabali.
• Food & coffee: Sundanese feasts at Ampera, airy hilltop restaurants (The Valley, Sierra), cult snacks like Batagor Kingsley and brownies from Kartika Sari, and specialty coffee at Sejiwa or Two Hands Full. Don’t miss beans from the century-old Kopi Aroma.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Bandung | Hotels.com Bandung

• Specific stays: Value in the historic core at Ibis Budget Bandung Asia Afrika (steps from Braga Street). For a pool and mountain views, Hilton Bandung offers spacious rooms near the station.

Getting from Jakarta to Bandung: Morning departures recommended. The Whoosh high-speed rail from Halim (Jakarta) to Padalarang (~45 minutes) connects to a feeder train into Bandung (~20 minutes). Budget ~IDR 150,000–300,000 per adult one way for Whoosh plus ~IDR 35,000 for the feeder (~US$12–22 total). Search schedules on Trip.com Trains. Private car takes 3–5 hours depending on traffic; expect roughly IDR 800,000–1,200,000 for a full-day car/driver.

Day 4: Travel to Bandung, Braga Street, and Asia-Afrika Heritage

Morning: Depart Jakarta on the high-speed Whoosh; enjoy plantation and valley views as you glide into the hills. Check into your Bandung stay, then fuel up at Sejiwa Coffee (signature latte) or Two Hands Full (hearty brunch plates).

Afternoon: Walk Braga Street—Murals, galleries, and vintage signage set the mood. Pop into the Asia–Africa Conference Museum (historic 1955 summit site; check opening days), and swing by Kopi Aroma for a bag of locally roasted beans straight out of a 1930s roastery.

Evening: Dinner at Braga Permai (since 1923: schotel, rijsttafel, and pastries) or Hummingbird Eatery (Indo-Western comfort). Nightcap up in Dago at Sierra Café & Lounge for twinkling city views.

Day 5: South Bandung—Kawah Putih, Tea Plantations, and Hot Springs (Full-Day Tour)

Head to Ciwidey for surreal crater lakes, rolling tea estates, and steamy pools beneath the pines.

Bandung Tour All In, White Crater, Volcano Mountain, Hot Spring

Highlights include Kawah Putih (a turquoise crater lake framed by white volcanic sand), the tea-folded hills of Rancabali, and a soak at a local hot spring. Pack a light jacket—it’s cooler here. For lunch, ask your guide about Saung Gawir (strawberry farm vibes) or a Sundanese spread served on banana leaves.

Evening (back in town): Keep it casual with Batagor Kingsley (Bandung’s beloved fish dumplings) or a Sundanese feast—grilled gourami, sayur asem, and sambal galore—at Warung Nasi Ampera.

Day 6: North Bandung—Volcano Rims, Lembang Pines, and Valley Views

Private Guided Volcano and Stony Bubble Tour in Bandung

Morning: Rise early for Tangkuban Perahu (subject to current volcanic advisories). Walk the rim trails, take in the sulfur vents, and learn the local legend of Sangkuriang that shaped this “upturned boat” silhouette.

Afternoon: Continue to Maribaya for waterfalls and forest boardwalks, or the Floating Market Lembang for snack-hopping from boat kiosks. Families love Farmhouse for photo spots; hikers might prefer Tebing Keraton for ridge-top panoramas.

Evening: Dine above the city lights at The Valley Bistro Café (classic Western-Asian plates with sweeping views). Dessert? Bandung-style thick waffle cones or a shareable chocolate martabak from a well-known stall like Martabak San Francisco.

Day 7: Coffee, Craft, and Return to Jakarta

Morning: One last Bandung coffee crawl—stop by Ngopi Doeloe for local beans or revisit Sejiwa. Pick up edible souvenirs at Kartika Sari (legendary brownies kukus) and browse a factory outlet such as Rumah Mode for deals.

Afternoon: Ride the Whoosh back toward Jakarta (aim to depart late morning to early afternoon; total rail journey ~1–1.5 hours plus transfers). Connect to your flight from CGK. Compare flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time before the airport, detour to Grand Indonesia for a polished lunch spread—try Remboelan for modern Indonesian.

Extra Tips and Local Gems

• Street food safety: Choose busy stalls with high turnover; eat cooked-to-order. Must-tries: nasi uduk, sate ayam, gado-gado, and es cendol.
• Ride-hailing: Gojek and Grab are reliable in both cities—for bikes or cars.
• Volcano advisories: Tangkuban Perahu access can change; check with your guide the day before.
• Sundays: Car-free mornings often occur on central boulevards—lovely for walking and cycling.

In summary: This week-long Jakarta and Bandung itinerary layers colonial-era streets and modern city life with misty tea hills, crater lakes, and steamy hot springs. Between rooftop sunsets, batik you make yourself, and coffee grown on nearby slopes, West Java’s rhythm stays with you long after the last train back to the capital.