Where to stay in Semarang 2024 - 4 best areas
In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Semarang.
To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.
Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:
Where to stay in Semarang first time?
Where to stay in Semarang for nightlife?
Where to stay in Semarang with family?
Where to stay in Semarang to visit Karimunjawa?
Where to stay in Semarang on a budget?
You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.
This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.
Enjoy!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Semarang first time
| Name of the area in Semarang | Description of the recommended area |
|---|---|
.... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This is the heart of the city, known for its large roundabout. That part of the city is also a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists where you can find shopping centers like Ciputra Mall and Simpang Lima Plaza, plenty of restaurants, and some nightlife options. It’s also near the Lawang Sewu building, a famous historical site. For most first-time visitors, this is the ideal area to stay in. *You can click on the purple link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area. |
.. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This historic area is known for its well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture. Walking through the cobblestone streets gives a sense of the city’s rich history. You’re located near several key attractions, including Blenduk Church, and Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery. The area is not as convenient as Simpang Lima, but the boutique hotels provide a charming and unique experience making it worth choosing it over Simpang Lime. |
. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. | Chinatown is one of the oldest parts of Semarang. Here, you can find all sorts of traditional markets and temples like Sam Poo Kong. You can find a good variety of street food and local eateries, making it an ideal area to explore local cuisine. Chinatown is also a particularly budget-friendly area when it comes to accommodation options. |
... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Candi Baru is a more upscale residential area located on a hill. It’s a great area for families who seek a quieter experience. It’s known for its colonial houses and the scenic views of Semarang. If your budget allows it, Candi Baru is an almost perfect area, but keep in mind that you’re located a bit further away from the city center. |
Where to stay in Semarang first time
The best areas to stay in Semarang first time are Simpang Lima, Old Town, Chinatown, and Candi Baru.
For most first-time travelers, Simpang Lima is the ideal area as this is the heart of the city with plenty of things to do.
From here, you can easily reach the main attractions of the city.
As Semarang is home to beautiful historical buildings, you have two somewhat alternative options compared to Simpang Lima.
Old Town, also known as Kota Lama, is known for its well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture. If you’re looking for a boutique experience, this is the area you should stay at.
Chinatown, also known as Pecinan, is one of the oldest parts of Semarang and is a great option for those traveling on a budget. You can find great street food options here as well as local eateries.
If you’re looking for an upscale experience, consider staying at Candi Baru.
It’s known for its colonial houses and scenic views.
Especially families tend to stay in this area.
With that being said, when it comes to convenience, Simpang Lima is the best option you have.
Where to stay in Semarang for nightlife
The best area to stay in Semarang for nightlife is Simpang Lima.
This is the heart of the city.
The nightlife scene in Simpang Lima is not as extensive, but you can find a good variety of bars and even rooftop bars.
Where to stay in Semarang with family
The best areas to stay in Semarang with family are Candi Baru and Simpang Lima.
Candi Baru is located on a hill and provides beautiful views over the city.
It’s mainly a residential area and offers a much quieter experience compared to the more central areas, which is the main reason why families tend to stay here.
When it comes to convenience, Simpang Lima is a slightly better option.
This is the heart of the city, with great access to the main attractions of the city and where you can find the majority of restaurants, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.
Where to stay in Semarang to visit Karimunjawa
The best area to stay in Semarang to visit Karimunjawa is Simpang Lima.
The ferry that takes you to the tropical island departs from Jepara, and transportation can best be arranged at Simpang Lima.
It will take about one and a half hours to get there by bus and a tiny bit shorter if you go by taxi.
Where to stay in Semarang on a budget
The best area to stay in Semarang on a budget is Chinatown.
Now, you can find affordable accommodations in Semarang’s Old Town and the heart of the city, Simpang Lime, but Chinatown really stands out as a budget-friendly area.
Not only come accommodations cheap, but you can also find an abundance of street food options in Chinatown, which are very affordable too.
1. Simpang Lima
Simpang Lima is the heart of the city and comes with much convenience.
It’s very easy to reach the key sites of Semarang, including Lawang Sewu, the Old Town (Kota Lama), and Sam Poo Kong Temple.
You also have great access to public transportation, making it easy to get around the city and to the port for trips to Karimunjawa.
During the evening, Simpang Lima Square becomes a bustling hub of activity.
You can find many restaurants in this part and the night markets are the place to be to discover local delicacies, including the famous Lumpia Semarang.
The main reason why so many tourists tend to stay here is simply the convenience.
Many hotels come with modern amenities for a carefree stay and whenever you need to buy something, you simply head over to the shopping malls like Ciputra Mall and Simpang Lima Plaza.
Keep in mind that the heart of the city does come with quite the noise pollution.
The nightlife scene here doesn’t contribute to a quieter experience either.
Especially when traveling with kids, areas like Candi Baru are often better as these areas are much quieter.
Also, because it attracts the majority of the tourists, Simpang Lima feels less authentic and more touristy than other areas.
But to be honest, the convenience of this part of the city is an advantage none of the other areas can compete against.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Semarang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Old Town
Semarang’s Old Town is called Kota Lama and is known for its well-preserved Dutch colonial buildings.
It’s located near Simpang Lima, so it’s still a central area.
Aside from its historical charm, Old Town is also particularly great for shooting photos.
Places like Tawang Station and Srigunting Park are excellent spots to snap some cool pictures.
The area is also home to many unique cafes and eateries that are set in the historic buildings.
And you can also find unique hotels and boutique guesthouses too.
When it comes to food, you can find many local eateries and street food vendors, but as you can expect, trendy restaurants are available too.
If you’re into history, Old Town is an excellent option to stay at.
Just keep in mind that it lacks modern amenities when you compare it to Simpang Lima, the previously recommended area.
But that area lacks authenticity, so it’s all about preferences.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Semarang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the oldest and most culturally vibrant areas in Semarang.
Here, you can find several significant temples, such as Sam Poo Kong and Tay Kak Sie.
Like most Chinatowns in the world, food is abundant, and the one in Semarang is no exception.
From street food to local eateries, serving traditional Chinese dishes to local Indonesian-Chinese fusion cuisine, you can all find it here.
Expect the streets to be full of people during the evening, as many seek an affordable meal in this part of the city.
Out of all the areas that we recommend in this article, Chinatown is the most budget-friendly area.
Not only does food come cheap here, but you can choose between many hostels and guesthouses where you can stay for a bargain.
The area is relatively walkable, allowing you to easily explore on foot, and as Chinatown is considered a central area, getting to other popular parts of the city is a piece of cake.
Just keep in mind that the area does get crowded and lacks modern amenities and can definitely use some maintenance work.
Because of that, tourists with a larger budget tend to stay in more developed areas and only those travelling on a stricter budget choose to stay here.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Semarang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Candi Baru
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience in a quieter area, then Candi Baru is the best option.
Situated on a hill, this area offers beautiful panoramic views of Semarang.
Candi Baru is renowned for its colonial-era buildings and charming old houses.
Overall, the whole area feels exclusive.
The presence of the prestigious Diponegoro University is one of the prime examples of what this area stands for.
It’s known for being one of the cleaner and safer parts of Semarang.
Despite its tranquil setting, Candi Baru is still conveniently located with easy access to the city center and major attractions.
Combining all of this it’s a no-brainer that especially those traveling with kids will highly appreciate a stay here.
Just keep in mind that this doesn’t come cheap.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Semarang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.