Places to visit

The Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace, which still stands firmly in the city of Surakarta, Central Java, not only serves as the residence of the King but is also used as a museum. This museum is open and accessible to the general public. Surakarta is known as a popular tourist destination, frequently visited by tourists from major cities. Tourists who vacation in Yogyakarta often make a stop in Surakarta, or vice versa. The main tourist attractions in the city include the Surakarta Palace (Kraton Surakarta), Pura Mangkunegaran, and the batik villages and traditional markets. There is also a historical site called De Tjolomadoe, a former sugar factory located in Colomadu, Karanganyar.

Surakarta has several designated citywalk areas for pedestrians and cyclists, including the Ngarsopuro Corridor, along Slamet Riyadi Street (stretching 6–7 km with a width of 3 meters), and along Perintis Kemerdekaan Street. Motor vehicles are prohibited from passing through these citywalks.

Sepur kluthuk Jaladara The Jaladara Steam Train, known as Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara in Javanese, is operated in collaboration between Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) and the Surakarta City Government. This train is a popular tourist attraction in Surakarta, particularly due to the route it follows.

The train operates on the Purwosari–Wonogiri–Baturetno line, specifically the Purwosari-Solo Kota section, where the tracks run alongside Slamet Riyadi Street. With a set of two or three passenger cars pulled by a C12 or D14 and D52 steam locomotive, tourists can view significant sites along Slamet Riyadi Street, such as the Surakarta Palace, Loji Gandrung (the official residence of the Mayor of Surakarta), Ngarsopuro area, and Gladak.

Natural attractions near Surakarta include the Tawangmangu Tourism Area (located in Karanganyar Regency), Selo Tourism Area (in Boyolali Regency), Umbul Ponggok and Umbul Manten in Klaten Regency, Kemuning Tea Plantation, Jumog Waterfall, Parang Ijo Waterfall, Segoro Gunung Waterfall, and Grojogan Sewu Waterfall. Additionally, in the slopes of Mount Lawu in Karanganyar, there are several ancient Hindu-Buddhist temples, such as Sukuh Temple, Cetho Temple, and Monkey Temple. Other significant temples in the region include Plaosan and Sewu Temple in Klaten Regency.

Kebo bule always attract attention during the 1 Suro night parade at the Keraton Surakarta. The beloved animals of Susuhunan Pakubuwana are paraded around the palace every year during the 1 Sura or 1 Muharram procession. This event is held by the Surakarta Palace and Pura Mangkunegaran on the night before 1 Sura, the Javanese New Year. The procession route is approximately 3 km long, passing through Surakarta Palace–Northern Square–Gladak–Mayor Kusmanto Street–Kapten Mulyadi Street–Veteran Street–Yos Sudarso Street–Slamet Riyadi Street–Gladak, and then returning to the Palace.

In the procession, sacred heirlooms with mystical power are carried by abdi dalem (royal servants) dressed in Jawi Jangkep (traditional Javanese attire). At the front of the procession is a group of albino buffalos (Kebo Bule), descendants of the sacred buffalo Kyai Slamet, followed by the heirloom carriers.

Sekaten is held annually in the month of Mulud (Rabi' al-Awwal) to commemorate the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. On the 12th of Mulud, a procession called Grebeg Mulud is held, followed by a two-week festival in the Northern Square. During this period, a night market, children's playground, and art performances are held. On the final day, another procession called Grebeg is conducted in the Northern Square. The Sekaten ceremony was first held during the reign of the Demak Sultanate.

Grebeg Sudiro, 2020 Grebeg Sudiro is held to celebrate the Chinese New Year (Imlek) with a blend of Chinese-Javanese culture. This festival, initiated in 2007, is centered around Pasar Gedhe and Balong (in Sudiroprajan) and the Surakarta City Hall.

The gunungan procession during Grebeg Mulud at the Keraton Surakarta Grebeg Mulud is held on the 12th of Mulud to commemorate the Mawlid of Muhammad. It is part of the Sekaten celebration. In this ceremony, abdi dalem in Jawi Jangkep attire carry a gunungan (mountain-shaped offering) from the Keraton Surakarta to the Great Mosque of Surakarta.

The gunungan, made from various vegetables and traditional snacks, is blessed by the palace clergy (ngulamadalem). After the prayer, one gunungan is distributed to the visitors, while another is taken back to the keraton to be shared among the abdi dalem.

Commemoration of the 13th ascension to the throne of Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIII at Sasana Sewaka Karaton Surakarta Held annually on the 2nd of Ruwah (Javanese month) to commemorate the anniversary of the coronation of the King of Surakarta (Sri Susuhunan Surakarta). During this event, the king sits on the dampar (throne) in the Pendapa Agung Sasana Sewaka, attended by the royal servants and nobility, while witnessing the sacred dance Bedhaya Ketawang, performed by nine unmarried young women. The dancers are chosen from the royal grandchildren, royal relatives, or general dancers who meet the specific requirements.

This ceremony is held to welcome the Eid al-Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. The event takes place after the Eid prayer, with a procession similar to the Grebeg Mulud, where royal servants carry a gunungan from the Keraton Surakarta to the Great Mosque of Surakarta, where it is blessed by the palace clergy and then distributed to the visiting public.

Syawalan is held one day after Eid al-Fitr at Taman Satwataru Jurug, located along the Bengawan Solo River. The highlight of the event is the Larung Gethek Jaka Tingkir, where ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves) are distributed to visitors. Various traditional art performances are also showcased during the event.

Solo Batik Carnival is an annual festival organized by the Surakarta government, using batik as the main material for the costumes. Participants design costumes based on specific themes, wear them, and walk down a catwalk along Slamet Riyadi Street. This carnival has been held every June since 2008.