Bantul reveals itself through contrasts: historic sites of remembrance, crafts made from different materials, and a coastal landscape whose forms reward closer inspection. If you enjoy learning how history becomes visible in a place, you’ll find various ways to explore it here—from the past of the Mataram Kingdom to a dune whose formation is linked to sediment, a river and the wind.
History in Special Places
Goa Selarong is a historic attraction in Dusun Kembang Putihan, Kalurahan Guwosari, Kapanewon Pajangan. During the guerrilla war against the Dutch from 1825 to 1830, the cave served as a refuge for Pangeran Diponegoro and his followers. Makam Imogiri offers another historical perspective: Sultan Agung had the burial site built between 1632 and 1640. It is the burial site of the kings of Mataram and their families, as well as the kings of Surakarta and their families.
The architecture is also part of the discovery: Makam Giriloyo has three courtyards surrounded by brick walls; the first courtyard contains 33 graves. The Museum Sejarah Purbakala Pleret stands on the site of the former complex of the Islamic Mataram Palace, within the Kerta-Plered heritage area. It is located on Jalan Raya Pleret in Kapanewon Pleret and officially opened to the public on March 10, 2014. The three sites each offer a different focus: refuge during a war, royal burials, and the form of a former palace complex.
A travel recommendation published in 2023 advised visitors to Goa Selarong to arrive in a private vehicle; public transport did not go as far as the attraction. Check this travel information before your visit.
Crafts in Wood, Fabric and Clay
In Desa Wisata Krebet, batik is made on wood rather than fabric. If you’d like to learn the technique, you can take a batik class at craft galleries or through the tourism village administration. Wukirsari in Kabupaten Bantul is known as a center for traditional hand-drawn batik and wayang kulit craftsmanship. In the wider destination of Yogyakarta, visitors can watch the making of wayang kulit from cowhide in Wukirsari, from coloring through to performance. In Bantul, you’ll encounter different craft traditions: batik on wood in Krebet, hand-drawn batik and shadow puppets in Wukirsari.
In Kasongan, Desa Bangunjiwo, Kecamatan Kasihan, pottery takes center stage. As a center of pottery, the village complements batik and wayang kulit with another material and a different form of craftsmanship. If you’re interested in how things are made, you can discover a range of craft traditions rather than focusing on just one product.
Dunes, Lagoon and Coast
Gumuk Pasir Barcan Parangkusumo is shaped by an unusual process: volcanic sediment was carried from Gunung Merapi to the sea by the Opak River, then blown inland again by the wind. The dune is described as the only barchan dune in Southeast Asia. Its form can therefore be understood not only as a landscape, but also through the interplay of river, sea and wind.
At Laguna Pengklik in Kelurahan Srigading, you can go canoeing and see the mangrove forest on the eastern side of the lagoon. In 2024, ten canoes were available for rent there; check current availability before setting out. Pantai Baru in Desa Poncosari offers a different coastal perspective: it provides views of the sunset and a green cemara forest that serves as a breakwater. You’ll also find food stalls at the beach serving seafood prepared in various ways, and ATVs are available to rent for rides along the beach.
Choose what to focus on based on your interests, without having to follow a set sequence through these different themes.
Discover more destinations: Parangtritis, Sleman, Kulon Progo, Kudus, Yogyakarta City, South Jakarta City, Gunung Kidul.
See the overview of the wider destination: Yogyakarta.
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