AMAZING MALIOBORO STREET

MALIOBORO
Down The Road of Flower Bouquet and Souvenir Paradise in The Heart of Jogja

Jl. Malioboro, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Coming from the Sanskrit language which means bouquet of flowers, Malioboro becomes flower that its charm is able to attract tourists. Not only full of stories and memories, Malioboro also becomes souvenir paradise in the heart of Jogja.

Malioboro is the most famous street in Yogyakarta. Located in the heart of Yogya, this is the city’s main street, and was once the ceremonial avenue for the Sultan to pass through on his way to and from the Keraton. During such occasions Malioboro would be festively decorated with flowers. Some say that the name Malioboro” derives from the name of the British governor Marlborough from the era when Britain ruled the archipelago, between 1811-1816.

Near the north gate of the Keraton or palace are grand Dutch colonial buildings that are now the Central Post Office and the Bank Dagang Negara. Walking further north is the well laid out State Guest House, which was once the home of the Dutch Resident, but which after Independence became the presidential palace when Yogya was the capital of the young Republic. President Soekarno stayed here between 1946-1949.

Across the road is the Vredenburg fort, which used to be the barracks of Dutch soldiers and is now a center for arts and painting exhibitions.

On the same side of the road is Beringharjo market, Yogya’s crowded main market, where you can buy batik and souvenirs at cheap prices. 

On Malioboro you will also find Yogyakarta’s oldest hotel, the Garuda Hotel, built in Dutch colonial architecture. 

While steeped in history, today, Malioboro is the place to come to shop. It packed with shops selling curiosities, and street vendors offering souvenirs at affordable prices, so you’re bound to find something of interest in this street.

If you’re after some batik to take home as a souvenir, then Malioboro is the right place for you. From house dresses to formal batik wear, this street has them all. Batik can also be made into bags, table cloths, bed sheets, pillow covers, curtains, and a whole lot more.

One of the main tourist attractions in Yogyakarta is Malioboro street as it is an icon and also the busiest  business district in the area.  The street is alive 24 hours a day and extends for 3 km from North to South.  At the southern end there is a junction, known as Nol Kilometer (Zero Kilometers). Some people say that Malioboro comes from Marlborough, an English Governor General, who ruled in Yogyakarta during the colonial period. You can see the colonial buildings lining the street combined with a more modern building facade. One of the exciting facades known as Apotik Kimia Farma (Kimia Farma Facade), has a geometric structure and a classically  decorated interior. 

Walking along Malioboro street is just like entering into a big craft market where crafts sellers sell handicraft to the visitors.  There are hand-made crafts and batiks, also sandals, sarongs, hats and bags all made from leather, dry plants, shellfish, coconuts, and rattan.  You can barter the price for crafts and batiks and can purchase them for quarter of the price and often half the original asking price so don't hesitate to  bargain!.   The holiday season during July - August is the busiest time in Malioboro street and it can get very crowded with international tourists as well as visitors from around Indonesia.


If you are feeling hungry on Malioboro street there are many options of restaurants and places to eat and drink and there are plenty of food vendors available in the night from 10pm-4am.  Local food is sold on the side of the road and includes gudeg, steak, onion sauce, tea, coffee and juice.  You can choose whatever food you like from the Lesehan Vendors, put it on a plate, then sit on the footpath and enjoy!

There are many places available to stay if you intend to visit overnight or for an extended period near Marlioboro street.  At the northern end of Malioboro street there are two main streets; Pasar Kembang and Sosrowijayan where several hotels and motels open 24 hours for guests. It's easy to get to Pasar Kembang and Sosrowijayan as you can walk to the north until near Tugu Railway Station. The hotels and motels are the most strategic places to stay as they are located in a central position and you can go anywhere from this point and there are many options for transportation available.
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