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Magelang is one of six cities in Central Java, Indonesia, that are administratively independent of the regencies in which they lie geographically. Each of these cities is governed by a mayor rather than a bupati. Magelang City covers an area of 18.56 km2 and had a population of 118,227 at the 2010 census and 121,526 at the 2020 census; the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 129,043 (comprising 63,823 males and 65,220 females). It is geographically located in the middle of the Magelang Regency, between Mount Merbabu and Mount Sumbing in the south of the province, and lies 43 km north of Yogyakarta, 15 km north of Mungkid (the administrative centre of Magelang Regency) and 75 km south of Semarang (the capital of Central Java).

Magelang was established on 11 April 907. Magelang was then known as a village called Mantyasih, which is now known as Meteseh.

There are three steles of historical importance in Magelang, namely Poh, Gilikan, and Mantyasih, all of which are written on a plate of copper. Poh and Mantyasih were written under the rule of King Balitung of Mataram kingdom. In those steles, the villages of Mantyasih and Glanggang were mentioned. They became Meteseh and Magelang respectively.

On the Mantyasih stele, it mentioned the name of King Watukura Dyah Balitung, as well as 829 Çaka bulan Çaitra tanggal 11 Paro-Gelap Paringkelan Tungle, Pasaran Umanis hari Senais Sçara atau Sabtu, which means Saturday Legi, 11 April 907. The village Mantyasih was made by the king as a tax-free village which was led by a patih (similar to Prime Minister nowadays). Also mentioned are Mount Susundara and Mount Wukir Sumbing which is now known as Mount Sindoro and Mount Sumbing.

When Britain colonised Magelang in the eighteenth century, Magelang became the seat of the government and was made to the same level as a regency with Mas Ngabehi Danukromo as its first leader (Bupati). Mas Ngabehi Danukromo built Alun-alun (town square), bupati residence, and a mosque. Magelang became the capital of Karesidenan Kedu in 1818.

After the Dutch defeated the British, Magelang was made the center of the economy because of its strategic location. The Dutch government built a drinking water tower (known locally as Menara Air Minum) in 1918 which provides the city with water. Electricity became available in 1927. The roads were remade using asphalt.

Coat of Arms of Magelang during Dutch colonial era, granted in 1930. The city has historically been a military post, dating back to the Dutch East Indies colonial era. It subsequently acted as an army stronghold for Indonesian pro-independence movements against the Dutch government during the resistance period. It is a host of two military landmarks: the Indonesian Military Academy, and the only military-associated school, Taruna Nusantara.

Journalist Taichiro Kajimura announced on 12 May 2007 the discovery of 30 Netherlands government documents submitted to the Tokyo tribunal as evidence of a forced mass prostitution incident by the Japanese army in 1944 in Magelang. The documents reportedly detailed how local women were coerced into serving Japanese soldiers, confirming accounts from survivors and witnesses that had long been overlooked.

After the independence of Indonesia, Magelang became kotapraja (same level as a district) and then kotamadya (same level as a city).

Magelang is a city which is located in a fertile agricultural area that is one of the most densely populated regions in Central Java. Magelang has two borders; the western border is the Progo River and the eastern border is the Elo River.