The number of tourist attractions in Semarang has made the city an ever-lively destination for tourists, guaranteeing that they will never get bored. The variety of natural attractions, shopping spots, culinary selections, and art collections, also gives tourists endless choices of stops to make. Semarang is sure to be one of those destinations you will want to come back to.

Semarang is also historically rich. During the Dutch colonial era, Semarang was quite an important city, evident in the many European-styled buildings left until today. Tourists often find Lawang Sewu, Gereja Blenduk, and Gedung Marba to be excellent spots to absorb Semarang’s history.

However, Semarang’s appeal is not only limited to old historical buildings. The Great Mosque of Central Java, for example, has become one of the icons of Semarang, even Central Java. The mosque possesses six electric giant umbrellas, a concept adopted from Masjidil Haram in Medina. The umbrellas are the main attraction for tourists who are visiting this 10-hectare area, located on Jalan Gajah Raya, Sambirejo, Gayamsari. Tourists are allowed to take pictures of the umbrellas and the panoramic view of the city from the 19th floor of the Asmaul Husna Tower, or to wander around the mosque simply to admire the magnificent architecture of the mosque.

In Semarang, tourists can also find stories of tolerance among religious people. Sam Po Kong Temple, which stands on Jalan Simongan Raya No. 129, Bongsari, is a silent witness to the visit of a Muslim sailor from China named Cheng Ho in Indonesia. This temple is now used as a place of worship for Tridharma (Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism), but many tourists also come here for a historical tour, as well as to see the Chinese acculturation with the local people.

Meanwhile, those who love nature will appreciate a visit to ​​Umbul Sidomukti in Sidomukti Village. This spot has swimming facilities, outbound games, and paragliding for the adventurous. The air here is fresh and cool, thanks to its location in the highlands. Umbul Sidomukti is an excellent place to get away from your boring daily routine.

Complete your visit to Semarang by dining at Kampung Laut. This restaurant is located at Puri Maerokoco Tawang Mas, Jalan Anjasmoro, Bandungan, where diners can enjoy a variety of delicious seafood dishes on floating gazebos. The great menu and view make this a wonderful place to spend time with family and friends.

If you are craving for some frosty menu, look no further than Es Puter Cong Lik. Located on Jalan Ahmad Dahlan No. 11, Es Puter Cong Lik was established in 1984 and has been a popular joint to get a traditional shaved ice dessert ever since. Aside from the affordable price, Es Puter Cong Lik is favored by many because of its soft ice texture that comes from using a manual ice maker. Moreover, this modest kiosk offers a tempting variety of flavors and toppings, which customers can choose from.

As a metropolitan city, Semarang also offers more modern culinary concepts, such as Nestcology Land of Gastronomy, located on Jalan Tambora No. 1. 5A, Candi. As its name suggests, this cafe brings molecular gastronomy cooking techniques onto its menu, providing a unique culinary experience for its diners. In addition, the cafe’s unique interior and comfortable atmosphere also create a homey feeling that encourages diners to relax at the cafe.

Interested to visit Semarang? The capital of Central Java is reachable by land and air transportation. Travelers flying by plane will land at Ahmad Yani International Airport, 12 kilometers from the city center. Although relatively small, this airport is quite a busy hub. It introduced a new terminal built on swampland, making it the first floating terminal in Indonesia.