Semarang’s Old Town offers historical charm with stunning colonial architecture, various interesting photo spots, and mouth-watering traditional cuisine.

Semarang Old Town is a tourist area that not only presents the beauty of Dutch colonial architecture, but also has a long history full of interesting stories.

Located in the center of Semarang City, this area offers a tourist experience that combines history, culture, and art in one place.

As one of the tourist destinations that continues to develop, Semarang Old Town is now an icon of historical tourism that is worth visiting, both by local and foreign tourists.

Historical Traces of Semarang’s Old City

The historical journey of Semarang Old Town began in the 17th century, when the VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) began to establish forts and trading facilities in Semarang.

During the reign of Amangkurat II of the Mataram Kingdom, Semarang was given to the VOC as a gift in return for their help in crushing the Trunojoyo rebellion.

This became the basis for the development of this area as an important trading center for the Netherlands. The VOC built Fort Vijhoek, a fort that also functioned as a military base and residence for Dutch citizens.

This fort became the foundation for the development of Semarang’s Old City, which is now known for its rows of historic buildings.

Although this fort is no longer intact, some of its remains can still be found, one of which is De Zuider Por, which is better known as Jembatan Berok by the local people.

The Attraction of Semarang’s Old Town

Semarang’s Old Town has a charm that is hard to forget. One of the main attractions is the colonial architecture that can be seen in the various old buildings that are still standing strong.

Each building here has a high historical value, making this area an interesting place to explore and learn more deeply.

Blenduk Church, famous for its large dome and typical European architectural design, is one of the icons of the Old City that should not be missed.

In addition to the church, there are many other buildings that also hold historical stories. Lawang Sewu, a building famous for its mystical stories and magnificent architecture, is one of the main destinations for tourists who come.

The area also has many art galleries and local craft places, which display artwork and creative products from various regions in Indonesia.

Location and Accessibility of Semarang Old Town

Semarang Old Town is located on Jalan Letjen Suprapto, Tanjung Emas, North Semarang District, Semarang City, Central Java, which is very easy to reach by various types of transportation.

For tourists who come by train, this area is only a few kilometers from Semarang Tawang Station, so access is quite easy and comfortable.

For visitors who come using private vehicles, there are many parking lots around the area. In addition, you can also enjoy the atmosphere of the Old City more relaxed using bicycles or scooters that can be rented around the area.

The cost of renting a bicycle is IDR 15,000 for 60 minutes, while for scooters, the rate is IDR 15,000 for 15 minutes.

Entrance Ticket Prices and Fun Activities

Visiting Semarang Old Town does not require an entrance fee. The area is free for anyone to explore its historic streets. However, if you want to have a more exciting experience, you can rent a bicycle or scooter to get around the city.

In addition, there are various interesting tourist attractions around the Old City that are worth exploring, such as the Old City 3D Trick Art Museum which offers a photo experience with three-dimensional artwork.

The entrance ticket to this museum is quite affordable, only IDR 30,000. Don’t miss a visit to the Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery, which exhibits various artworks from Indonesian artists. The entrance ticket for this gallery is only IDR 10,000.

Popular Tourist Spots in Semarang Old Town

Semarang Old Town has several tourist spots that are most often visited and are favorites of tourists. Here are some places that must be visited when in this area:

1. Srigunting Park

This park is a place that is often used as a meeting point for tourists who want to explore the Old City. This green and beautiful park is equipped with various unique properties such as bicycles, scooters, and artistic statues, making it a perfect place for taking pictures.

2. Blenduk Church

This old church is one of the famous icons of the Old City. With a large dome-shaped roof, this church exudes an aura of grandeur of Dutch colonial architecture.

Blenduk Church is one of the historical buildings that is often visited by tourists who are interested in history and architecture.

3. Marba Building

Marba Building is a classic European-style building that is a favorite photo spot for tourists who want to capture their memories with a historical architectural background. This building is very popular among visitors who like a vintage atmosphere.

4. Root House

One of the most interesting photo spots in Kota Lama is Rumah Akar, an old building wrapped in large tree roots in the middle.

This house used to be the editorial office of the Dutch-language newspaper, NV Dagblad de Locomotief. Now, this house is a place often used for professional photo shoots.

5. Klithikan Market

For those of you who love hunting for antiques, Klithikan Market is the right place. This market is known as a heaven for collectors of antiques, such as pottery, ancient coins, as well as electronic devices and vintage motorbikes with unique designs.

Facilities Available in Semarang Old Town

Semarang’s Old Town is becoming more comfortable to visit thanks to increasingly complete public facilities. Around this area, there are various facilities such as toilets, places of worship, and trash bins that ensure the comfort of visitors.

In addition, there are also various cafes with unique concepts that offer various delicious dishes, such as Spiegel Bar & Resto, Café Tekodeko, Café Marabunta, and many more.

For those who want to enjoy the night atmosphere in Kota Lama, this area offers a different experience. At night, the view of Kota Lama is even more elegant with lights that illuminate the streets.

Many Instagrammable photo spots have emerged, such as park benches with beautiful murals and old telephone boxes that are not only photo spots but also function as places to charge cellphones.

Semarang’s Old Town is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to explore history, culture, and the beauty of colonial architecture.

With its historical buildings, art galleries, and convenient facilities, this area offers not only historical tourism but also a fun and unique experience.

Don’t forget to visit Lawang Sewu when you are in Semarang and enjoy the atmosphere filled with stories of the past that are still alive today.