Blitar
Introduction
Blitar is a city in East Java, Indonesia, sitting roughly 73 km from Malang and 167 km from Surabaya. It lies at an average altitude of about 167 metres above sea level and forms an enclave within Blitar Regency, which surrounds it on all sides.
The city covers a compact area, so you can move between its districts without long journeys. Its position within the regency means the surrounding countryside is never far away, and the larger cities of East Java are reachable for onward travel.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know what Blitar is and is not. It is a quiet, charming town and the capital of the regency of the same name, best known as the burial place of Sukarno, Indonesia's founding father. Note the common misconception that he was born here: he was actually born in Surabaya, so plan your visit around his grave rather than a birthplace. The town's other draws lie beyond its centre, so think about how you will reach them before you arrive. These include Candi Penataran, the largest ancient Hindu temple in East Java, the active volcano Mount Kelud, and a couple of nice beaches.Getting there
Blitar is well connected to the rest of East Java by both bus and rail. Air-conditioned buses run from Malang, a journey of about two hours, while services from Surabaya and Jember each take roughly four hours. Buses also link Blitar with other major towns and cities across the province.
- By bus: air-con buses from Malang (about 2 hours), Surabaya and Jember (about 4 hours each), plus other East Java towns and cities.
- By rail: Blitar railway station sits on one of the main East Java lines, with daily services to other cities in the region and Central Java, and longer-distance access from Jakarta and Bandung. A pleasant daily executive-class train from Malang to Yogyakarta passes through Blitar around 5.00pm; arriving on it from Malang usually means staying overnight in Blitar before visiting local sites the next day. Check the PT Kereta Api (Persero) website for detailed schedules.
Getting around
Blitar is compact enough that you can cover much of the centre on foot, including the city plaza area. For anything beyond comfortable walking distance — most importantly Candi Penataran — you will need motorised transport. Regular minibuses run to the temple from Jalan Veteran in town, a trip of about half an hour, and they are the practical way to make the journey without a car. Ask the driver for "Makam Bung Karno" and you will be dropped near the Sukarno grave site along the way, in either direction.
Pedicabs, known locally as becak, are available for local tours taking in several sites, including Sukarno's house and the nearby grave; drivers wait at the large, well-established parking area with a cafe, rest rooms and an information kiosk a little south of the grave. Agree the fare before you set off. Blitar also has a railway station on one of the main East Java lines, with daily services to other cities in the region and Central Java and longer-distance access from Jakarta and Bandung; the daily executive-class train between Malang and Yogyakarta passes through in the late afternoon, useful both for arriving from Malang and for continuing towards Yogyakarta. Buses connect Blitar with major East Java towns and cities. Base yourself centrally if you want to walk to the plaza and nearby sights, check train schedules in advance since timings shape whether you can visit sites the same day you arrive, and allow extra time in the wetter months, roughly November to May, when heavy rainfall can slow road travel.
Where to stay
In the town centre you'll find several losmen-type places, and budget travellers are advised to simply turn up, as finding somewhere to stay is not a problem. For something more up-market, Hotel Tugu (Sri Lestari) on Jl Merdeka is housed in a converted colonial building and magnificently adorned with Javanese antiques, in keeping with the other Tugu hotels.Food & drink
For eating in Blitar, head for the town centre, where the areas around Jalan Veteren and Jalan Merdeka offer as good a choice as any. You will find a typical selection of local restaurants, including several good Chinese places. If you are unsure where to settle, follow the local crowds. One standout is the restaurant at Hotel Tugu, which is truly top class, though you do of course pay for that privilege.What to see and do
Blitar's headline sight is Candi Penataran, the largest ancient Hindu temple in East Java, reached by taking the road north out of the city towards Sumberingin; after roughly 10 km, at the village of Ngeglok, the temple is impossible to miss. Dating from the early Majapahit period, it is a large complex of three courtyards that in many ways recalls a Balinese temple, and its relics include a substantial wall relief depicting the Ramayana. From Candi Penataran you can arrange motorcycle or car transport up Gunung Kelud, a semi-active volcano whose summit offers remarkable scenery and warm, sulfurous hot springs you can bathe in; the ride itself, with its sweeping views, is arguably the highlight. On the same road, midway between the city and the temple, is the Sukarno makam, a well-organised grave site with a modern museum and library where many Indonesian pilgrims come to perform ziarah, though few foreign visitors call in. In Blitar itself, the Sukarno Museum on Jl Sultan Agung, known locally as Istana Gebang, occupies the house where Sukarno lived as a boy and is filled with memorabilia, papers and photographs; it pairs naturally with a visit to the grave. Further afield, Tambakrejo Beach lies about 30 km due south along the only reasonably major road leading south, an extensive stretch of white sand that is usually all but deserted, though not safe for swimming.
To get around town, hire a becak driver to pedal you from the main Sukarno car park to nearby sites such as Istana Gebang and the Makam Bung Karno. The provincial tourist office also lists a number of other possibilities near Blitar, among them Sawentar Temple, Plumbangan Temple, Rambut Monte Temple, Jolosutro Beach, Serang Beach, Goa Embultuk, the PETA monument, the Aryo Blitar grave, the Kebon Rojo Monument with its little surrounding park, Grebag Pancasila, and Agrowisata Belimbing Karangsari, a star fruit agrotourism site. Within the city you can also visit Sumber Udel, a water park.
When to go
Blitar has a tropical monsoon climate, with a clear split between a drier stretch from June to October and a wet stretch from November to May. The drier months bring moderate to little rainfall, making this the easier half of the year for getting around and seeing sites. Conditions stay warm and tropical throughout, and the driest weeks fall in the middle of the run.
The wet season, from November to May, brings heavy rainfall, often arriving as intense afternoon downpours. Travel can be slower during this period and outdoor plans are more easily disrupted, so build in flexibility if you visit then.
Three days in Blitar
Day one: Base yourself in Blitar, a quiet town in East Java, Indonesia, and start with the legacy of Sukarno. Visit Makam Bung Karno, the burial place of Indonesia's first president, and take a pedicab along Jalan Veteran to get your bearings. In the evening, eat at Sri Lestari or Hotel Tugu, both of which serve local East Javanese cooking.
Day two: Head out to Candi Penataran, the largest Hindu temple complex in East Java, and spend the morning among its stone reliefs. In the afternoon, travel toward Mount Kelud, an active volcano in Blitar Regency with a crater lake and viewpoints. Note that the air is cooler up here, so bring a layer.
Day three: Use Blitar as a base for the wider region. Buses connect the town to Malang, Surabaya, Jember, and beyond, while PT Kereta Api Persero runs regular trains toward Yogyakarta, Bandung, Jakarta, and Central Java. Before you leave, check the weather: November to May is the wet season, so plan indoor stops if the rain sets in.