//
Group of temples in Indonesia
Photo: User:Jpatokal, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Prambanan is a complex of massive ancient Hindu temples (candi) in Central Java, Indonesia. It was built by the Mataram Kingdom, rulers of central Java and defeaters of the Sailendra Dynasty.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Candi Rara Jonggrang
It is the largest and most-visited of the temples just to the left of the main entrance. While there were 237 temples built, most have long since crumbled and the main remaining attractions are the six temples of the central court, richly decorated with carved reliefs. Three of them, known as the Trimurti ("three sacred places"), are particularly important. About 2- 4-hr visit if doing all temples and museum.
A large Buddhist temple complex meaning "one thousand temples", is one kilometre north of the entrance gate and contains a large central temple surrounded by a cluster of smaller ones. Despite its name, the complex only consists of 249 temples. The size of the renovated and intricately decorated central temple is impressive but the statue niches are all empty. Take note of the Borobudur style stupas. Entrance from the east side only.
North of Candi Lara Jonggrang is a poorly displayed museum laid out in a series of small houses connected by walkways. Explanations are minimal, mostly only Indonesian text, but entry is free so you might as well take a look.
This Buddhist temple is about 2 km east of the northern edge of Prambanan park complex and is easily walkable from there. There are two large structures - Plaosan Lor (north) and Plaosan Kidul (south). This complex gives a good insight into the close relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism in 9th-century Java. Buddhist Plaosan was built during the same reign as Candi Loro Jonggrang. The Hindu king at the time had a Buddhist wife. There are some excellent intact reliefs and statues of Boddhisattvas here although most of the statuary was looted long ago. 30- to 60-min visit.
A Buddhist temple with architecture similar to Mendut temple near Borobudur. The temple was restored in 2012. The main chamber is empty and the temple is notable for its Jataka fable Buddhist tales carved on panels around its foot. In a village 1.5 km south of Prambanan between Prambanan and Ratu Boko.
South of Prambanan. The ruins of a large palace or temple, located on a hill 200 metres above the Prambanan plain. The origin is uncertain, but is popularly described as the palace of King Boko from the Prambanan legend. The hilltop has a viewpoint of Prambanan that is popular at sunset, and makes for good pictures using a zoom lens. A series of pools suggests palace bathing quarters. Only building foundations remain and it's difficult to make sense of the sprawling site, and the available guides may not speak English. Ratu Boko is incorporated into the Borobudur Park Authority, but entry is separately charged >10 years old: US$25, aged 3 to 10 US$15. There is a combined ticket with Prambanan that saves a few dollars.
A 9th-century Buddhist temple
Located east of Ratu Boko on the neighboring hilltop, close to Banyunibo. It is a Hindu temple on the stone platform on the hill overlooking the valley.
4 km southeast from Ratu Boko. The Hindu temple houses a large Linggam and Yoni symbol of Shiva. The temple consists of one main temple with three lesser templed. Because it is on the hilltop of another hill and quite remote, it is advisable to reach these temples by taxi (from Yogyakarta) or rented car.
This Buddhist temple is the oldest temple in Prambanan plain 3 km west of Prambanan. Take the main road from Prambanan heading back towards Yogyakarta, after 3 km the temple can be seen easily on south (left) side of the road. It is the oldest temple in Prambanan plain. According to Kalasan inscription, it was built to honour Tara, a female bodhisattva. The temple throne is now empty, statue of Tara probably made from bronze and have been looted for scrap metals for centuries, however the carvings of bodhisattvas are interesting.
This Buddhist temple was the vihara (temple and lodging) for Buddhist monks. Several hundreds meters north from the Kalasan temple in a walking distance. Just cross the main road to north side, walk east heading to Prambanan direction, after several hundred metres turn left into small village road and heading north until the temple is visible. The carving of Taras and Boddhisattvas are exquisite. Examine the winged human celestial creature similar to angels on the northern wall. The temple was originally coated by white plaster called 'vajralepa'. The temple was two storeys, with an upper deck made from wooden structure, the remnant of place to hold wooden beams can be seen.
This Hindu temple pre-dates Prambanan by about 30 years, was only discovered in 1966, and is remarkably complete. Some archaeologists speculate that it is part of a yet to be discovered, much larger complex which lies hidden under centuries of volcanic ash and earth on the Prambanan Plain.
A small Hindu temple discovered in 1937 near the Yogyakarta northern ring-road. The temple displays the statue of Ganesha and interesting carvings of faces on the roof section.
Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. Frequent representations of children or dwarfs with raised hands. In the middle of housing complex. Under restoration since 1997.
Discovered in 1994 by sand diggers, 4 metres deep. Square base of main temple visible. Secondary temples not yet fully excavated.
An open-air theatre inside the park, just west of Candi Prambanan right across the Opak river, has ballet Javanese dance performances of the great Hindu epic Ramayana on four nights during each full moon between May and October (dry season). The performance involves around 200 artists; dancers and gamelan musicians for about 2 hours, and is performed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. This performance, set against the starry sky and the lit backdrop of Prambanan with new LED lighting, is quite spell-binding. Enquire at travel agents locally or at your hotel for tickets and times. During the rainy season (November to April) the performance is held in the smaller indoor Trimurti theatre.
The annual jazz music festival that is usually held around July, where local and international musicians play.
Pendopo Taman Prambanan
Serves typical Javanese dishes at very competitive prices.
Prambanan restaurant
Offers rice with various side dishes from Rp10,000.
Prambanan Garden Resto
Serving Indonesian food buffet with Rp75,000 per pax. Usually visited in late afternoon to nightfall for a stop over dinner while waiting for Prambanan Ramayana Ballet performance next door at 19:30. The restaurant is set against the majestic flood-lit Prambanan temple as the background which make a romantic setting for dinner while waiting for the Javanese dance performance.
Local Klaten rice dish, sego wiwit.
Simple budget hotel on the main entrance road towards the rear of the complex.
Mid-market hotel which is popular with local tour groups. North east of the main complex. Has a swimming pool and two tennis courts.
A resort on a hill with views of Mount Merapi and Prambanan Temple.
Javanese-style accommodation.
By plane
By bus
TransJogja, Yogyakarta's bus service, serves a direct route to Prambanan. The bus is air-conditioned and comfortable, but sometimes can be overcrowded.
By train
By taxi
A taxi from the center of Yogyakarta costs around Rp 60,000.
Prambanan can be fairly easily covered on foot. If the midday heat is too much, a toy train shuttles around the park for Rp 5,000.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Yogyakarta · Regional · JOG
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Prambanan and Indonesia.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.