One of the main tourist attractions in Yogyakarta is Jalan Malioboro as a name of the street that become a iconic of Yogyakarta city. Malioboro situated in the downtown which an icon and also the busiest business district in the area. The street is alive 24 hours a day and extends for 1 km from North to South with historical Dutch colonial-era architecture, new modern building architecture mixed in with the Chinese and contemporary commercial districts. 

Best way to explore the streets are by foot, just within walking distance from Stasiun Tugu (Tugu Railway Station) until southern end a junction, known as Nol Kilometer (Zero Kilometers). Another option is hiring a becak (pedicab) or the ubiquitous four-wheeled horse-drawn carts called “andong”.

 

 

What to expect?  Things to Do in Malioboro

#Shopping

Malioboro has plenty of shopping destinations and you will find everything from local markets to sophisticated malls.  Get the best deals along the shopping streets of Malioboro, the cheap shopping area in the heart of Yogya! From bags, shirts, and more souvenir items, they have it all here! Price items from small store halls and street vendors doesn’t differ that much.  

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 bargain 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 June - August is the busiest time in Malioboro street and it can get very crowded with international tourists as well as visitors from around Indonesia.

Beringharjo market becomes part of Malioboro that is worth to visit. You will find lots of stalls line up selling anything you can think of from clothes to bags to rattan products and silver jewelries, food and anything you thought you might find in Indonesia. What a best way to end your trip in Yogya by getting real good cheap souvenirs in Malioboro, one of the best places to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia!
 

#Local Food Culinary

If you are feeling hungry on Malioboro street there are many options of restaurants and places to eat and drink. Parade of street foods can also be found along the way. 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!
 

#Accomodation 

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.

 

History

The word Malioboro also probably came from the word 'Marlborough', the name of English Duke who lived there in 1811-1816. In Sanskrit, the word 'Malioboro' means bouquet or wreath. It may be related to the past when Karaton had a big event then Malioboro would be full of flower.  

In the colonial era, malioboro become the center of the Dutch government as strategy to maintain their domination by building Vredeburg Fort (1790) at the south end of Malioboro Street near to the existing traditional market, followed by the Dutch Club (1822), the Dutch Governor’s Residence (1830), Java Bank and the Post Office

Malioboro street also an important role in the independence era (post-1945), as the Indonesian people fought to defend their independence in battles that took place north-south along the street