The town of Bantul offers a tangible starting point with its market; the wider Bantul destination broadens the picture to include historic sites, crafts, and landscapes. The following highlights offer different discoveries, not a fixed route.
In the town of Bantul: Pasar Bantul
People of different age groups took part in a car-free event day in front of Pasar Bantul. Activities included group exercise, cycling, badminton, and walks—all without motor vehicle noise.
A cabinet bearing the inscription “Inventaris Sultan” is also kept at the market. This means that a time-limited community event and a permanent historical detail can be found in the same place: two different perspectives on Bantul and its market.
History across the wider Bantul destination
Goa Selarong is a historic attraction in Dusun Kembang Putihan, Kalurahan Guwosari, Kapanewon Pajangan, Kabupaten Bantul. During the guerrilla war against the Dutch from 1825 to 1830, the cave served as a refuge for Pangeran Diponegoro and his followers. In 2023, travel to Goa Selarong by private vehicle was recommended, as no public transport runs to the attraction. Check this travel information again before your visit.
Makam Imogiri offers a different historical perspective. Sultan Agung had the burial complex built between 1632 and 1640. It is the burial place of the kings of Mataram and their families, as well as the kings of Surakarta and their families. Makam Imogiri is located in Dusun Pajimatan, Kalurahan Girirejo, Kecamatan Imogiri, Kabupaten Bantul.
Museum Sejarah Purbakala Pleret stands on the site of the former complex of the Islamic Mataram palace, within the Kerta-Plered cultural heritage area. It is located on Jalan Raya Pleret in Kapanewon Pleret, Bantul, and officially opened to the public on March 10, 2014. Its location and historical connection give a visit to the museum a different focus from the refuge story of Goa Selarong or the burial complex in Imogiri.
Crafts across the wider Bantul destination
Craft traditions offer their own distinctive highlights. In Desa Wisata Krebet, in Dusun Krebet, Kelurahan Sendangsari, Kecamatan Pajangan, Kabupaten Bantul, batik is made on wood rather than fabric. Visitors can learn batik-making in craft galleries or through the tourism village administration. Desa Wisata Wukirsari in Kabupaten Bantul is known as a center for traditional hand-drawn batik and wayang kulit crafts, and offers an experience of rural life in Java. Kasongan, in Desa Bangunjiwo, Kecamatan Kasihan, Kabupaten Bantul, is a center for pottery. Those interested in cultural experiences can distinguish between wood batik, hand-drawn batik, wayang kulit crafts, and pottery.
Landscapes and activities across the wider Bantul destination
Gumuk Pasir Barcan Parangkusumo was formed from volcanic sediment: Gunung Merapi carried it via the Opak River to the sea, after which the wind blew it back inland. The dune is described as the only barchan dune in Southeast Asia. Pantai Baru offers views of the sunset and a green Cemara forest that serves as a breakwater. A description published in 2023 also mentions ATV rentals for rides on the beach, as well as food stalls serving seafood prepared in various ways.
Laguna Pengklik in Kelurahan Srigading, Kabupaten Bantul, offers another perspective on the landscape. You can go canoeing there and see the mangrove forest on the eastern side of the lagoon. Check in advance whether the canoeing option described in 2024 is currently available. The themes across the wider Bantul destination are varied, from coastal forest and beach activities to dune formation, crafts, and historical memory.
Discover more destinations: Tempel, Triharjo, Sedayu, Ngemplak, Tegal, Baturaden, Depok, Pleret.
For the overview of the wider destination: Yogyakarta.
