Around two hours’ drive from Yogyakarta, Sadranan Beach is one of the stars of Gunung Kidul’s coastline. Here you can swim, catch some rays, canoe, snorkel, or enjoy a stand-up paddleboarding session amid golden sands, clear waters, simple restaurants, and some of the best coral in this part of Java. You can also camp overnight.
Just outside Yogyakarta, the Imogiri Kings Cemetery (Pajimatan Girirejo Imogiri) is the final resting place of the rulers of the Muslim kingdoms of Mataram, Yogyakarta, and Surakarta. Also called the Imogiri Royal Cemetery, the 17th-century site is well worth the effort involved in visiting—including dressing up in Javanese court costume.
De Arca Museum is a waxwork museum with a difference: Rather than using wax, the characters are crafted from fiberglass. Around 100 different statues span the gamut from Indonesian heroes to celebrities such as David Beckham, Brad Pitt, and the late Queen Elizabeth II. Some likenesses are more convincing than others.
