From swimming with manta rays to feasting on native delicacies, you possibly can all the time escape the crowds within the Spice Islands.
The mere point out of Bali provokes pictures of paradise.
Final yr, shut to 2 million Europeans touched down on Indonesian soil, with most guests making a beeline for the well-known seashores.
However past the sun-soaked coasts and vibrant nightlife, enormous swathes of Indonesia stay unexplored, providing tropical jungles, historical temples, and gorgeous pure magnificence.
In 2025, Indonesia has shifted its focus from mass tourism to a mannequin that emphasises size of keep and regenerative tourism, and is now shining a highlight on lesser-known areas.
Chatting with Euronews Journey at ITB Berlin 2025, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, deputy minister for advertising and marketing on the Ministry of Tourism and Inventive Financial system in Indonesia, explains that high quality tourism is the brand new precedence, with a concentrate on all the things from sustainability to gastronomy.
Listed here are the perfect locations in Indonesia to expertise all of it, in Bali and past.
Clear up your act in Likupang
Eco-friendly journey is a priority for an rising variety of holidaymakers, main Indonesia to launch a nationwide ‘clear tourism’ marketing campaign, backed by the federal government.
“Within the midst of the worldwide downside of waste and plastic, now we have a marketing campaign throughout Indonesia to ensure that rivers and oceans are clear,” explains Marthini.
“The ministry works with native authorities, with college students, and with the neighborhood to select up the trash and educate folks [on sustainability].”
Likupang in North Sulawesi presents an eco-friendly haven in case you’re in search of to discover Indonesia’s pure magnificence responsibly.
The realm is understood for pristine seashores, vibrant coral reefs and dense tropical forests, and is presently being designated as a Particular Financial Zone (SEZ), an space designed to generate optimistic financial development.
Not like most SEZs in Indonesia, nevertheless, Likupang’s focus is on resort-themed tourism, balancing cultural, pure and financial features whereas preserving its magnificence via zero waste administration and a round useful resource economic system.
The area is dwelling to a vibrant underwater ecosystem, together with uncommon species just like the inexperienced sea turtle which, in case you’re fortunate, you possibly can quietly observe for your self.
Likupang Seaside is the place to take action, with its huge white sandy shore and crystal-clear waters which can be good for diving, whereas close by Lihaga and Gangga Islands additionally supply spectacular diving experiences.
Swim with the rays in Nusa Tenggara
Dwelling to over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is packed stuffed with marine experiences, from high-octane watersports to animal encounters.
“You may have seashores, you possibly can go diving, snorkelling and discover the largest coral reef on the earth,” says Marthini. “We wish to promote that alongside scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and extra.”
With spectacular diving, magnificent waterfalls and effervescent sizzling springs, the province of Nusa Tenggara ticks all of the bins.
A one-hour flight from Bali’s Denpasar Worldwide Airport, the 500-strong chain of volcanic, coral-ringed islands presents technicolour volcanic lakes, limitless surf breaks and barrels, and underwater worlds teeming with vibrant creatures.
In Flores, you possibly can snorkel straight off the seaside with an countless quantity of shipwreck-laden dive websites swarming with whale sharks, manta rays, and fish.
Gobble gado-gado in gastronomic Ubud
“We’ve 1000’s of dishes in Indonesia and all of them have spice, that is why we’re generally known as the Spice Islands,” says Marthini. “We wish to elevate that and introduce Indonesia as a gastronomic vacation spot.”
Ubud, positioned within the central hills of Bali, is already identified for its creative aptitude, however in 2024 it was additionally chosen by the UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism Product Growth Challenge as a gastronomic tourism vacation spot. The venture goals to strengthen the area as a pillar of cultural and gastronomic heritage whereas boosting the native economic system, creating jobs and driving sustainable improvement.
The bounty of worldwide delicacies in Ubud befits a cosmopolitan metropolis, however the native delicacies shouldn’t be ignored.
Past the budget-friendly ‘warungs’ (small, family-owned eateries), you will discover a vary of upscale eating places providing genuine Balinese and pan-Indonesian dishes. Right here, you possibly can bask in delicacies like ‘babi guling’ (whole-roasted suckling pig) and ‘gado-gado’, a satisfying platter of cooked greens drizzled with a wealthy peanut sauce.
Uncover serenity in Borobudur
There is a good cause why wellness seekers flock to Indonesia, and whereas the Balinese therapeutic massage is a spotlight on the numerous wellness resorts throughout the nation, Borobudur in Java presents one thing really particular.
Surrounded by serene landscapes and wealthy cultural heritage, the world invitations you to attach deeply with each nature and spirituality.
Reaching to the heavens, Borobudur Temple dates again to the eighth century and is the biggest Buddhist temple on the earth. Right here you’ll discover a peaceable power that enhances yoga and meditation classes, whereas native wellness retreats supply holistic therapies similar to Javanese massages and natural remedies.
Depart the vacationer path in Sumba
Dare to go away the overwhelmed monitor? Effectively then jungle treehouses, riverside lodges and seaside shacks provides you with a heat welcome all through the archipelago.
Villagers in distant areas typically open their doorways to vacationers, with cosy homestays generally known as ‘penginapan’, providing an genuine style of Indonesian life.
“Greater than 6,000 villages in Indonesia are able to welcome vacationers in rural areas,” says Marthini. “We wish to ensure that tourism will not be just for massive firms, but in addition for the those that stay their life within the villages, so it is for them, by them.
“Vacationers keep within the villager’s homes, so that they get pleasure from financial advantages whereas preserving the tradition.”
Homestays are fashionable throughout Indonesia, although lesser-known locations typically present a extra real journey expertise.
For one thing really distinctive, take a look at the island of Sumba positioned within the southern a part of the nation, the place tranquil villages home monolithic stone tombs, stilted homes, and picket church buildings.