Salatiga Is A Small City With A Big Charm

 

Salatiga is a small city in Central Java, Indonesia, that offers a variety of attractions for travelers who love nature, culture, and history.

This city located at the foot of Mount Merbabu, a popular destination for hikers and campers. The city has a cool and fresh climate, making it a perfect escape from the heat and pollution of the urban areas.

The temperature of Salatiga varies throughout the year, with the highest average temperature in October (24.1 °C) and the lowest in January (22.4 °C)1. The current temperature (06:08) is 26°C (78.8°F)2. Salatiga has a tropical monsoon climate, with the average rainfall of 2,668 mm (105.0 in) per year1. The weather today is cloudy, with some rain and a thunderstorm expected later.

Salatiga has adequate facilities for travelers, such as hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The city is easily accessible by car, bus, or train from other major cities in Central Java, such as Semarang, Solo, and Yogyakarta. The city also has a toll road that connects it to the neighboring provinces of West Java and East Java.

 

Salatiga is has many beautiful places and natural attractions to offer.

Some of them are:

Mount Merbabu National Park, a park that covers the area of Mount Merbabu, a popular destination for hikers and campers. The park offers a stunning view of nature, especially the sunrise and the panorama of Mount Merapi, the neighboring volcano.

There are two possible routes to get to Mount Merbabu from Salatiga by car: The first route is via 181, Ketep - Kopeng, which is about 40.4 km long and takes about 75 minutes to drive. This route has no traffic congestion and passes through scenic areas such as the Senjoyo Spring and the Rong View Cave.

The second route is via 20, 198, which is about 54.5 km long and takes about 85 minutes to drive. This route has no traffic congestion and passes through historical places such as the Plumpungan Inscription and the Hok Tek Bio Temple.

You can choose either route depending on your preference and interest

 

Kali Pancur Waterfall, a waterfall that is very beautiful and has a small river near it where visitors can play with water. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and has a gazebo where visitors can relax and enjoy the view.

 

Rong View Cave, a cave that offers a breathtaking view of the landscape and has a restaurant and a cafe where visitors can savor local delicacies and beverages. The cave also has a natural spring that provides clean and refreshing water for the surrounding villages.

 

Senjoyo Spring, a natural spring that provides clean and refreshing water for the surrounding villages. The spring is surrounded by lush greenery and has a gazebo where visitors can relax and enjoy the view.

 

Taman Budaya Lorentz, a cultural park that showcases the diversity of Indonesian ethnic groups, such as Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, Batak, and others. The park also has a bike rental service where visitors can explore the park and its surroundings.

 

Candi Gedong Songo, a complex of five Hindu temples located in Salatiga, built in the 8th century AD, that reflect beautiful ancient Javanese culture.

 

The Radya Pustaka Museum, a museum that displays various collections of ancient manuscripts, puppets, masks, weapons, and other cultural artifacts from Central Java.

 

Papak Building, which is used as the Salatiga Mayor’s Office. The building was built in 1850 and was designed for Queen Juliana’s use as a house when she visited her colony.

 

Plumpungan Inscription, the oldest historical relic in Central Java, dating back to 750 AD. The inscription marks the establishment of Salatiga as a free village and is written in Sanskrit and Old Javanese. and can be found in the Plumpungan Village, about 4 km from the city center.

 

Hok Tek Bio Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Central Java, built in 1746. The temple has a unique architecture that blends Chinese, Javanese, and Dutch influences.

The temple is also a center of religious and social activities for the local Chinese community, especially during the Lunar New Year and other festivals.

 

 

The traditional, delicious, and famous foods

Salatiga has many traditional, delicious, and famous foods that reflect its history and culture.

Some of the foods that you can try in Salatiga are:

 

Tumpang Koyor, a spicy dish made from beef tripe and tendon, cooked in coconut milk and chili paste.

This dish is unique to Salatiga and has been passed down from generation to generation.

 

Soto Esto, a chicken soup with uritan (chicken gizzard) and karak (crispy crackers).

This dish is named after the bus company that used to operate near the original stall. The soup has a clear and savory broth that warms your stomach.

 

Gethuk Kethek, a sweet snack made from mashed cassava, coconut, and palm sugar.

This snack is named after the monkey that used to live in front of the stall. The snack is soft and chewy, with a hint of smoky flavor from the wood fire.

 

Bakso Babat Tamansari, a meatball soup with beef tripe and tendon.

This soup is one of the oldest in Salatiga and has a loyal customer base. The meatballs are tender and juicy, and the broth is clear and tasty.

 

Gecok Kambing, a goat meat dish that is cooked with various spices and herbs.

This dish comes from Tlogo, a village near Salatiga. The goat meat is tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and aromatic.

 

 

Hotels and homestays in Salatiga

There are many options for hotels and homestays in Salatiga, depending on your budget and preference.

Laras Asri Resort & Spa, a four-star hotel that offers a variety of facilities, such as a health club, a lobby lounge, a restaurant, and a drugstore.

The hotel has 91 standard rooms, 9 family rooms, 1 junior suite, 46 superior rooms, and 21 bungalows, all with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The hotel is located on Jalan Jendral Sudirman, about 2 km from the city center.

 

Grand Wahid Hotel Salatiga, another four-star hotel that is strategically located in Salatiga City, with 104 rooms and 6 meeting rooms.

The hotel also has a restaurant, a business center, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is located on Jalan Soedirman, near the Salatiga Plaza and the Salatiga City Hall.

 

Tetirah Boutique Hotel Salatiga, a three-star hotel that has a unique concept of the archipelago and the indigenous Javanese, with room names inspired by puppet characters.

The hotel has 24 rooms, all with air conditioning, a seating area, and a private bathroom. The hotel also has a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a garden. The hotel is located on Jalan Letjend Sukowati, about 1 km from the city center.

 

Guest House Gethsemane, a homestay that features a garden, a shared lounge, a shared kitchen, and a terrace.

The homestay has 4 bedrooms, all with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The homestay also provides free Wi-Fi and free private parking. The homestay is located in Salatiga, about 39 km from Brown Canyon and 17 km from Gua Maria Kerep.

 

Oase Van Java, a homestay that offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

The homestay has 10 rooms, all with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The homestay also has a bar, a restaurant, and a 24-hour front desk. The homestay is located in Salatiga, about 40 km from Brown Canyon and 16 km from Museum Kereta Api.

 

There are many budget-friendly homestays in Salatiga that you can choose. Some of the homestays that offer low prices and good facilities are:

 

ARGOSARI HOMESTAY SALATIGA, a homestay that provides a garden and free private parking. The homestay has a flat-screen TV and is located in Jagalan, about 46 km from Brown Canyon.

 

Rumah Elok Homestay, a homestay that is located on Jalan Singosari II, about 1 km from the city center. The homestay has air conditioning, a seating area, and a private bathroom.

 

MHome Kost Eksklusif Salatiga, a homestay that offers free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. The homestay has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The homestay is located on Jalan Gunung Payung I, near the Salatiga Plaza and the Salatiga City Hall.

 

SPOT ON 92537 Tetirah Homestay4, a homestay that features a TV with cable channels and a shared bathroom. The homestay also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property and is located in Popongan, about 19 km from Gua Maria Kerep and Museum Kereta Api.

 

 

Transportation options in Salatiga

If you are looking for transportation options in Salatiga, you have several choices.

These are some of the transportation options that you can use in Salatiga.

 

Car rental:

You can rent a car from various providers in Salatiga, such as Digdaya Rent Car1, Auto Car Rental2, Rental Mobil Salatiga YES3, and others.

You can choose from different types of cars, such as Calya, Inova, Hiace, Agya, Xenia, Mobilio, Brio, and more. You can also opt for a driver service or a self-drive option, depending on your preference and budget.

 

Motor rental:

You can rent a motorbike from some providers in Salatiga, such as Momo Garage4, Wahana Rent Car5, and others.

You can choose from different models of motorbikes, such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and more. You can also enjoy the freedom and flexibility of riding a motorbike around the city and its surroundings.

 

Bike rental:

You can rent a bicycle from some places in Salatiga, such as Kampoeng Kopi Banaran6, Taman Budaya Lorentz7, and others.

You can choose from different types of bicycles, such as mountain bikes, city bikes, and electric bikes. You can also enjoy the natural scenery and the fresh air of Salatiga while cycling.

Mass transportation:

You can use a public transportation service in Salatiga, such as Mass, which stands for Mass Rapid Transit Salatiga. Mass is a bus service that operates in several routes in Salatiga, such as Salatiga Plaza, Salatiga City Hall, Salatiga Market, and others. You can use Mads to travel within the city with a cheap and convenient fare.

 

 

Salatiga Tourism Office

If you are looking for a government’s office of tourist that can help you in Salatiga, you can visit the Salatiga Tourism Office, which is located on Jalan Jendral Sudirman No. 1, Salatiga.

The office provides information and services for tourists who want to explore Salatiga and its surroundings. You can also find brochures, maps, guides, and other resources about Salatiga’s attractions, culture, and history.

The office is open from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00 WIB.

You can also contact the office by phone at (0298) 321-212 or by email at disbudpar@salatiga.go.id.

 

I would recommend Salatiga to other travelers who are looking for a peaceful and pleasant getaway in Central Java. Salatiga has something for everyone, whether it is nature, culture, or history.

Salatiga is a small city with a big charm.