From Spain to Java: A Magical Day at Borobudur Temple, Indonesia

I chose to visit Borobudur this time because I wanted to introduce my son, Noah, to his roots. As a Javanese, I believe it's important for him to know where part of his heritage comes from. I wanted him to feel connected to his ancestors, to understand the richness of our culture, and to witness the beauty of our history firsthand.

It was also a nostalgic trip for me a little flashback to my own childhood. I remember visiting Borobudur with my family when I was a kid, and now I get to recreate that memory with my little family. It felt full-circle.

We booked a one-day tour through Enjoy Your Holiday, which included a visit to Borobudur Temple and the adventurous Merapi Lava Tour (I'll write about that in another post). The package covered all the essentials: a friendly driver, gasoline, parking, local entrance tickets, and the jeep rental for Merapi. It cost us IDR 1,575,000 in total for 2 adults and 1 child. Pretty reasonable for such a packed day!

What Makes Borobudur So Special?

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th century, it’s made up of over 2,600 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues each one carved with beautiful detail. The structure itself is shaped like a mandala, symbolizing the path to enlightenment. Standing in front of it felt humbling. You can feel the spiritual energy, the history, and the artistry all in one place.

Although you can pay extra to climb up to the top of the temple, we chose to admire its grandeur from below this time. The midday sun was strong, and with my mom having a knee issue, we went for the VIP route renting a golf cart to help us get closer to the temple entrance. It cost us an additional IDR 75,000 each way, and honestly, it was worth every rupiah.

The Experience

A quick heads-up: the entrance to Borobudur is now farther from the main gate than it used to be. The shuttle car ride is included in the ticket, but from the drop-off point, there's still a bit of walking. For families traveling with elders or young children, I’d recommend the golf cart like we did — it made things much easier.

Despite the heat (and yes, it was very hot!), we had an amazing time. My son was full of energy and curiosity, and my mom was glowing with joy just being there. We took plenty of pictures, laughed a lot, and soaked in the atmosphere of this sacred site. It was more than just sightseeing — it was a moment of togetherness and cultural bonding.

Tips Before You Go

Bring sunscreen, hats, and water – the sun is no joke!

Wear comfy shoes – you’ll be walking a lot.

Bring some cash – for golf carts or extra entrance if you want to climb up.

Go early if you want fewer crowds and cooler weather.

A Day to Remember

Traveling with family always brings a different kind of joy. Borobudur wasn’t just a destination on a map it was an experience filled with wonder, respect for history, and shared memories. I’m grateful we made it here, especially for the chance to show Noah a piece of where he comes from.

Next up, I’ll share our thrilling Merapi Lava Tour experience – so stay tuned!

📍 Location: Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia

💼 Tour Service: Enjoy Your Holiday

💸 Total Cost: IDR 1,575,000 for 2 adults + 1 child

🚗 Extras: Golf cart rental IDR 75,000 one way