Nestled in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Candi Prambanan temple is a 9th-century masterpiece that stands as a twin to the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. If you've ever visited Angkor Wat, a visit to Prambanan will feel like a continuation of that adventure. Like Angkor Wat, Prambanan boasts a magnificent scale and breathtaking scenery that transports you back in time. Together with the Borobudur temple, also located on Java, Prambanan is one of Indonesia's most renowned temples.

This travel guide will delve into what to expect during your visit to Prambanan, how to explore it independently (with or without a tour group), and which temples within the complex are worth visiting the most!

History of Candi Prambanan

Prambanan is a cluster of temples, known as "candi," constructed by the Hindu dynasties of Java in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world, featuring over 500 individual temples and shrines, along with a set of spires reaching up to 50 meters (165 feet) in height.

Over the centuries, the temple was severely damaged by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, eventually being abandoned in the jungle and shrouded in legends and myths. In the 19th century, a British explorer rediscovered the site, but it was only in the 1930s that the Dutch began proper restoration work.

Recently, Prambanan has undergone much more restoration than Angkor Wat, which may give it a less authentic feel, but you can still expect to see equally stunning architectural styles, towering stone structures, and exotic Hindu sculptures. Today, Candi Prambanan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts numerous visitors each year. Along with Borobudur, it is a highlight of any trip to Central Java.

Prambanan + Borobudur Tour

One of the most popular ways to visit Prambanan is to combine it with a trip to Borobudur, another 9th-century temple, slightly further from Yogyakarta, and the largest Buddhist temple in the world. There are many other smaller temples in the Prambanan area, so if you want to visit most (or all) of them, the most convenient way is to hire a driver or book a full-day tour that includes all the attractions you wish to see.

Klook offers a full-day tour that includes both the Prambanan and Borobudur temples, priced at 900,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 65), with free hotel pick-up and drop-off services. They also provide sunrise tours at the same temples, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

If you prefer to arrange your Prambanan visit independently, I'll explain how to do it next!

How to Get to Candi Prambanan

Candi Prambanan is located in the outskirts of Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. The nearest airport is Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), served by many budget airlines with favorable reviews.

AirAsia frequently offers flights from Singapore (SIN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Yogyakarta, priced at 1 million Rupiahs (USD 70), or from Bali (DPS) to Yogyakarta for just 600,000 Rupiahs (USD 40). You can purchase flights to Yogyakarta on Skyscanner.

You can also easily reach Yogyakarta by train, bus, or car from Semarang, Surabaya, Malang, and other cities in Java.

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, you can easily reach Prambanan by taxi or tour group. You can even use the Grab or GoJek ride-hailing apps to call a driver with a car or motorcycle to take you directly to Prambanan.

Keep in mind that the Borobudur temple is farther from Prambanan and Yogyakarta's city center, so if you plan to visit both temples, the best option is to book a tour group or hire a full-day driver.

Getting Around

The Prambanan Archaeological Park is small and can be easily navigated by foot, including major attractions like the Sewu Temple.

If you plan to visit independent temples in Yogyakarta, such as the Plaosan Temple, you can use the GoJek ride-hailing app. Drivers are easy to find in the Yogyakarta area, and fares are very cheap.

Taking a GoJek (also known as GoCar), the one-way fare from Prambanan to the Plaosan Temple is only around 20,000 Rupiahs, or you can easily walk if you're in the area frequently.

Prambanan is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) or just a 30-minute drive from Yogyakarta's city center.

Not all the temples are worth visiting (my favorite temples are listed below), but theoretically, it's possible to visit all of them in one day if you're willing.

Opening Hours and Tickets

Operating Hours: 6 AM to 5 PM
Tour Guide Fee (optional): 150,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 10)
Tickets
Adults: 350,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 25)
Children: 210,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 15)
Students: 210,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (USD 15) *must carry a physical student ID for the discount.
Locals: 50,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (about USD 3)

Sunrise at the Temples

Sunrise at Prambanan is not as big an attraction as it is at Angkor Wat.

While Prambanan Park offers great spots for sunrise/sunset photography, unfortunately, the park opens after sunrise and closes before sunset. I'm not sure who made that decision, but I hope it changes.

Currently, the best place to catch the sunrise is at the Plaosan Temple, which is outside the Prambanan park, so you can visit it at any time of the day.

Top Temples to Visit

The Prambanan plain actually hosts dozens of Hindu temples and ruins.

This is not an exhaustive list of every temple, but I believe these are the most impressive and in the best condition.

These are the highlights that have left a lasting impression on me during my multiple visits to the area!

• Candi Prambanan
This is the main temple and the center of the Prambanan Archaeological Park. It is magnificent, and you can enter the interior of the huge towers. The stone walls outside also feature intricate carvings.

• Candi Brahu
This is a smaller temple visible when walking from Prambanan to the Sewu Temple. It may not be the most eye-catching temple on the list, but it is well-preserved, and you can visit inside.

• Candi Sewu
This is my second-favorite temple at Prambanan. It is actually a Buddhist temple and older than the other structures at Prambanan. The roof is bell-shaped (similar to Borobudur), and the entrance is guarded by two large statues holding sticks.

• Candi Plaosan
This is the only temple on the list located outside the Prambanan Archaeological Park. Plaosan is a 30-minute walk (or a 5-minute GoJek ride) from the Prambanan entrance. This temple is the best spot for sunrise!