With a history and heritage as rich as Indonesia’s, it is the responsibility of the country’s capital to showcase and share this with the world. Indeed, there are a fabulous variety of museums in Jakarta, open to locals, expats and visitors alike. Each of these distinct destinations share different insights into the culture and history of the city and indeed the rest of the country.
Here, NOW! Jakarta shares a curated list of some of Jakarta’s best museums, ranging from colonial history to ceramics, to maritime and science.
If you’re searching for Art Museums in Jakarta, head to our separate guide here:
Best Art Galleries in Jakarta: Art Spaces, Museums and Galleries
Museum Nasional Indonesia
Standing on the western edge of Merdeka Square, Museum Nasional Indonesia is the country’s oldest and largest, let alone that of the museums in Jakarta, having been established in 1868. Often referred to as “Museum Gajah” or the “Elephant Building” due to the bronze elephant statue gifted by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871 now displayed at the entrance.
Before, the institution was known as the Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, founded by the Dutch in 1778 as a centre for research and artifact preservation. It was housed in different locations before moving to its present neoclassical-style building in 1868, expanding into a museum.
The museum’s extensive collection of over 196,000 artifacts covers all of Indonesia’s diverse heritage, divided into several permanent exhibitions. The Prehistory Hall showcases Indonesia’s earliest human settlements, including fossils, tools, and ancient cave art, while the Archaeology & Classical Hindu-Buddhist Civilisation exhibition features relics from Java’s great empires, including the monumental statue of Adityawarman from the Majapahit era and exquisite Buddhist and Hindu stone carvings.
Moreover, the Ethnography Collection showcases a display of traditional costumes, textiles, and crafts from across the archipelago, reflecting the cultural diversity of Indonesia’s many ethnic groups. Also, the Treasure Room is home to a collection of gold and jewellery from ancient kingdoms, including heirlooms from Srivijaya and Majapahit. In addition, the Ceramics and Numismatics exhibition displays centuries-old Chinese porcelain, local pottery, and rare coin collections from Indonesia’s trading past.
Beyond static displays, the museum also offers guided tours, cultural performances, and interactive exhibits designed to make history come alive for all ages.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8.30 AM to 7 PM
Address: Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.12, Gambir, Kecamatan Gambir
IG: @museumnasionalindonesia
Wisma Habibie and Ainun
Wisma Habibie & Ainun is the residence of the 3rd President of Indonesia, BJ Habibie with his wife, Hasri Ainun Besari. The place, which has been located in South Jakarta since 1976, opened to the public in February 2025, with historical tours providing a closer look into the couple’s lives.
The Pendopo is the most important space in Wisma Habibie & Ainun. With Javanese-style design and natural lighting from the glass walls, this room was once used as a meeting place for BJ Habibie and important guests, both for personal and state purposes. Now used for events like discussions and business meetings, in addition to taking a history tour, visitors can also enjoy a dinner at the Pendopo.
For those who love books or technology, the Habibie & Ainun Library is a must-visit. The library’s collection includes not only thousands of books reflecting BJ Habibie’s intellectualism, but also miniature aircraft and replicas of the ships he designed.
Moreover, the Bhineka Tunggal Ika Room is a space designed to reflect the diversity of Indonesian culture across decorative panels symbolising the five major islands. Here, visitors are invited to understand how Habibie viewed unity as the nation’s main strength.
Opening Hours: 2 days a week (Saturdays and Sundays/Saturdays and Wednesdays) and offers 3 tours a day (10 AM to 11.30 AM, 1pm to 2.30 PM, 4 PM to 5.30 PM). Each session is limited to 60 people.
Address: Jl. Patra Kuningan XIII No.5, RT.6/RW.4, East Kuningan, Setiabudi
IG: @wismahabibieainun
Jakarta History Museum (at Kota Tua)
In 1974, the building once known as Batavia’s old city hall, Stadhuis, appropriately became the Jakarta History Museum, AKA Fatahillah Museum or Batavia Museum. In front of Fatahillah Square at the heart of Kota Tua, as one of many museums in Jakarta, it takes visitors through the city’s history; from as far back as the prehistoric period to the city’s previous iterations: Jayakarta, Sunda Kelapa, Batavia.
Inside the museum, countless collections and preserved rooms are on display, the majority being relics of the Dutch people who have lived in Batavia since the beginning of the 16th century, while also encompassing the Tarumanegara and Padjajaran kingdoms. The results of archaeological excavations in Jakarta reaching around 23,500 items, these include artifacts, colonial clothes, stone inscriptions, household furniture, weapons, ceramics, maps, and books.
The front yard contains a statue of the god Hermes along with Si Jagur, an old cannon of Portuguese heritage with the tip resembling a thumb sandwiched between two fingers, which in Portuguese culture is called “mano fico” or “mano figa”, a symbol of rejecting evil and good luck. In addition, the basement used to be a famous crypt where Indonesian heroes were captured and imprisoned.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM
Address: Jalan Taman Fatahillah 1, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari
IG: @museumkesejarahan
Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics (at Kota Tua)
Located on Fatahillah Square in Kota Tua as one of three museums in Jakarta there, the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics stands as a testament to Dutch colonial architecture. Having been originally built in 1870 as the Court of Justice of Batavia, the building balances countering the Indonesian heat with elegant European style with grand columns, high ceilings, and wide windows.
The museum’s primary bragging right is its fine art collection, featuring everything from batik work to oil paintings, sculptures, wood totems and modern mixed media by legendary artisans representing various artistic movements and periods. Highlights include Hendra Gunawan’s Pengantin Revolusi, Raden Saleh’s The Regent of Lebak, wood-crafted totem poles by Balinese sculptor Tjokot and sculptures by Oesman Effendi.
Just as impressive is the ceramics section, which consists of over 2,000 earthenware, clay and porcelain pieces that reflect the techniques and traditions which have spanned centuries throughout Indonesia and beyond. Cities and islands like Bandung, Palembang, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lombok are represented, in addition to examples from Europe and other Asian locales, such as China’s Ming Dynasty from the 16th-20th centuries, and the former archipelagic Majapahit Empire’s 14th-century terracotta.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM
Address: Jl. Pos Kota No.2 9, RT.9/RW.7, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari
IG: @museum_keramikjkt
Wayang Museum (Kota Tua)
Established in 1975, The Wayang Museum is one of the most iconic museums in Jakarta to explore Indonesia’s puppet art, or wayang heritage. Facing Fatahillah Square, it is located in Kota Tua, having once existed as the Old Dutch Church from 1960.
The Museum has a collection of over 6,800 puppets, consisting of wayang kulit, wayang golek, wayang kardus, wayang rumput, wayang janur, wayang beber, and gamelan. Made of various materials, it includes styles from all over Indonesia and foreign countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Suriname, China, Vietnam, France, India and Cambodia.
In addition, it often holds puppet performances in a theatre, offering rare opportunities to enjoy puppets come to life on stage. Complete with gamelan music, visitors can witness this art firsthand, with an experienced puppeteer to retell ancient folklore epics featuring famous puppet characters, such as Arjuna, Rama and Sinta.
Moreover, the museum not only serves as an entertainment venue, but also as a center for cultural education. They often hold workshops and educational programs to introduce the art of puppetry to the next generation.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM
Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No. 27, Pinangsia, RT.3/RW.6, Kota Tua, Kec. Taman Sari
IG: @wayangmuseum
Museum Bahari
Museum Bahari, or the Maritime Museum was once part of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) warehouse where nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and other spices were stored before being traded by the Dutch. During the post-independence era, the building was repurposed before being transformed into its current form in 1977.
Built gradually from 1718 to 1774, the walls of Museum Bahari have seen it all– colonial ambition, wartime occupation and even a devastating fire in 2018 that tore through Building C, destroying a collection of miniature ships and navigation equipment. Ever since then, restoration efforts have breathed new life into it out of the museums in Jakarta.
Visitors can stroll past replicas and actual models of traditional Indonesian boats, from the mighty phinisi of the Bugis sailors to the sleek Madurese fishing vessels. The collection displayed range from the traditional boats from Sulawesi, vessels from Borneo, the northern coasts of Java in Cirebon, East Java, and Sunda Kelapa, to the traditional boats of Papua from its northern, western, and southern regions.
Museum Bahari also houses models and miniatures from the VOC era, along with modern vessels and various maritime equipment used by sailors in the past, such as anchors, lighthouse models, and cannons. There are also displays of collections of marine life specimens, data on the types and distribution of fish in Indonesian waters.
A tour guide is always ready to provide an in-depth explanation of the boat-making process—as well as all there is to know about Indonesia’s maritime history. In addition, a mini theatre that plays movies about the museum’s history and Indonesia’s maritime heritage is available.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8 AM to 3 PM
Address: Jl. Ps. Ikan No.1, RT.11/RW.4, Penjaringan, Kec. Penjaringan
IG: @museumkebaharianjkt
Museum Bank Indonesia
Museum Bank Indonesia, also officially BI Museum in English, was founded by Bank Indonesia and opened on 21 July 2009, though its origins date back to 1925 as a church for Protestants. The original Bank Indonesia building, De Javasche Bank, was built in 1828 in Neo-Classical style with local influences. As such, it is a cultural heritage site as one of the museums in Jakarta.
This museum presents information on the role of Bank Indonesia in the nation’s historical journey from before the arrival of western nations, until the formation of Bank Indonesia in 1953 and its policies until 2005. The presentation uses modern and multimedia technology, like electronic displays, static panels, plasma televisions, and dioramas, to create a comfortable museum experience for visitors to enjoy.
In addition, there are also facts and collections of historical objects in the period before the formation of Bank Indonesia, such as a collection of numismatic money from the Nusantara kingdom.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8 AM to 3.30 PM
Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Utara No.3, RT.4/RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari
IG: @museum_bi
Museum Mandiri
Museum Mandiri in Kota Tua, Jakarta originally belonged to a Dutch trading company during colonisation, namely Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij (NHM), which later developed into a company in the banking sector, the forerunner of the establishment of the Bank Mandiri Museum.
Founded in 1929, the NHM Building was designed by the Dutch in 1929, but the building only became Indonesian in 1960, after NHM was nationalized for national banking purposes. With an area of 10,039 square meters, the museum still retains its original form, with the shape of the tiles and walls being identical to the Dutch colonial era.
Inside the museum, there are multiple rooms with historical financial ledgers, teller tables, typewriters, ATM machines, banking scales, banknote cutters, trolleys, money carriers and other banking objects (alongside puppets) when they were first known in Indonesia, dating back as far as the late 1930s. In addition, a special Chinese room tells the history of when many residents’ descendants worked as traders and managed plantations.
The lower area of the museum hosts what is known as brandkast, kluis or safe deposit. There, visitors can see various kinds of loot and their keys, even passing through a super thick iron door to enter the safe deposit box room. At the end of the museum, visitors will be shown a diorama of the creation of the NHM Building. Here, visitors can also see elevator machines from the colonial era.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM
Address: Jl. Lapangan Stasiun No. 1, RT.3/RW.6, Pinangsia, Kec. Taman Sari
IG: @museum_mandiri
Museum Tekstil Jakarta
Museum Tekstil Jakarta, or the Jakarta Textile Museum was founded in 1976 as the result of a concerted effort spearheaded by Ali Sadikin, the Governor of Jakarta at the time. The vision is to make the Textile Museum a center for the preservation of Indonesian wastra and a destination for international art and cultural tourism visits.
Currently, the Textile Museum holds around 2,500 collections consisting of batik fabrics, woven fabrics, mixed collections, fashion collections and contemporary textiles. Every day around 50 to 150 visitors visit the museum in Jakarta, consisting of students, the general public, the community and foreign nationals.
A standout attraction of the museum is the AI-assisted batik-fitting simulation room. Upon entering. travelers will be digitally directed to choose the origin of batik and the type of batik clothing according to gender. Then, a screen with sensors will display the visitors wearing the selected batik clothes. In addition to fittings, this place also provides information related to various batik in many regions in Indonesia.
Moreover, the museum hosts workshops for making batik and jumputans that visitors can participate in. By spending IDR 40k, they can obtain cloth as big as a handkerchief. There are also libraries and souvenir shops that all relate to the museum, textiles, batik and weaving for any interested guests.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM
Address: Jalan KS Tubun, No 2-4, Kelurahan Kota Bambu Selatan
IG: @museum_tekstiljkt
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Envisioned by the wife of Suharto, Siti Hartinah (better known as Ibu Tien Suharto) to foster national pride: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is a cultural theme park that encapsulates the diversity of Indonesia’s heritage: a one-stop shop to discover the breadth of Indonesian culture.
Even 50 years later, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is quite the feat: a sprawling 150 hectares jam-packed with attractions, experiences and museums in Jakarta. At its heart is the TMII central lake, inside of which a miniature archipelago captures the nation’s vast geography: a cable car glides above the lake for visitors to get a bird’s eye view of this impressive map.
As an educational cultural tourist attraction, TMII presents 15 museums that summarize the stories of the life and past of the Indonesian people. Each museum is dedicated to educating the public and enriching their knowledge of the history of life, social, civilization, culture, and technology in Indonesia.
From the Indonesian Museum to the Indonesia Science Center, the Transportation Museum and the Komodo Museum, the museums at TMII invite the public to witness the history of the past as well as the picture of the present and future. A variety of interactive activities in each museum invites visitors to learn while watching movies, making batik, watching electrical demonstrations and playing with VR technology.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5 AM to 8 PM
Address: Jl. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Ceger, Kec. Cipayung
IG: @tmiiofficial
Museum Layang-Layang Indonesia
Beyond just for leisure, kites are also a form of cultural expression of a nation or a certain group of people; as such, Museum Layang-Layang Indonesia, or The Kites Museum of Indonesia was established in 2003 by Mrs. Endang W. Puspoyo to preserve the kite culture from each region.
Until now, the museum has collected up to 200-300 kites, all which are part of the owner’s personal collection, having actively collected kites from in and out the country since the 80s. The museum’s success is evident with its own collection of pins, award certificates, plaques and kite postcards on a national to international scale.
The kites are highly varied: from small to large kites, traditional kites to modern kites and domestic kites to kites from foreign countries, even kites that have participated in international festivals and become champions. They come in various sizes and shapes, such as resembling dragons, ships, fish, regional traditional houses, birds, human faces, puppets, and many more.
In this museum, not only can visitors find information about kites, but they will also be invited to watch movies and hands-on practice to make and fly kites. In addition, they can paint umbrellas, ceramics, t-shirts, puppets and lanterns.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM
Address: Jl. H. Kamang No. 38 Pondok Labu, Cilandak
IG: @museumlayanglayang.id
