Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, built in the 9th century about 17 km east of Yogyakarta. Three main towers dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma stand in a walled court with smaller shrines for their mounts; the Shiva temple rises to 47 metres. The balustrades carry reliefs of the Ramayana.
The same archaeological park contains the Buddhist temple of Sewu, a short walk north, and the hilltop ruins of Ratu Boko are a few kilometres south — a well-known sunset spot.
What to see and do: Prambanan & the Ramayana Ballet
Explore the main temples
Enter the Shiva temple’s chambers to see the statues of Shiva, Durga, Ganesha and Agastya, and follow the Ramayana reliefs around the terrace.
See the Ramayana Ballet
A Javanese dance drama with a large cast and live gamelan. In the dry season, roughly May to October, it is staged on the open-air theatre with the floodlit temples as a backdrop; in the wet months it moves to the indoor theatre. It runs on selected evenings.
Walk to Candi Sewu
Far fewer visitors reach this large Buddhist complex with its guardian statues, included in the same ticket.
How to get to Prambanan & the Ramayana Ballet
- By Trans Jogja: line 1A runs from Malioboro to the Prambanan terminal, about 45–60 minutes; the gate is a 15-minute walk or a short becak ride from there.
- By train: the Yogyakarta–Solo commuter line stops at Brambanan station, around 1 km from the entrance.
- By tour or car: 30–45 minutes; the easiest option for the evening ballet. See tours.
Insider tips
- Late afternoon gives the best light and cooler temperatures.
- Combined tickets with Ratu Boko or Borobudur are sold; ask at the counter.
- The last public transport back leaves early in the evening — arrange a return ride if you stay for the ballet.
Best tours & tickets for Prambanan & the Ramayana Ballet
These top-rated experiences are an easy way to enjoy Prambanan & the Ramayana Ballet from a base on Malioboro:
Afternoon & evening tour from $18 Sunset at Prambanan & Ramayana Ballet (Ticket Guaranteed)
An afternoon at Prambanan as the light softens, followed by the Ramayana Ballet performed beside the temples. Having transport both ways is the main advantage: getting back to the city late in the evening is awkward on your own.
- Prambanan in the late-afternoon light
- Seat at the Ramayana Ballet afterwards
- Transport back to your hotel at night
Evening show from $17 Yogyakarta: Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan
Tickets for the Ramayana Ballet, the dance drama staged next to Prambanan with a full gamelan orchestra. In the dry season it is usually performed on the open-air stage with the temples lit behind; at other times it moves indoors. Check the schedule and seat class on the listing.
- Javanese dance drama with live gamelan
- Open-air stage in the dry season
- Options with or without transfer
Full-day temple tour from $17 Yogyakarta: Borobudur Sunrise (Guaranteed Climb-Up) & Prambanan
The best-selling day trip from Yogyakarta: an early start for sunrise near Borobudur, a reserved slot to climb the monument, and the option to continue to the Hindu temples of Prambanan. Places on the upper levels of Borobudur are limited each day, which is why a tour that secures them is worth having. Temple entrance fees are usually extra — check what your option includes.
- Sunrise viewpoint, then Borobudur with a temple-climb slot
- Option to add Prambanan the same day
- More than two thousand reviews
