Just a short hop from the west of Bali, and located at the eastern tip of Java Island, Banyuwangi offers a thrilling holiday experience. From trekking up mountains and spotting rare natural phenomena, to UNESCO-recognised Geoparks and stunning surfing spots, Banyuwangi is a top pick for those who love an adventurous escape with a sprinkling of cultural touches.
Banyuwangi is the largest regency in East Java (even larger than the island of Bali) and home to untouched forests and 10 unique islands. Its diverse geography offers a mixture of natural wonders and must-see attractions, whilst its cultural roots stretch back to the regal Blambangan Kingdom.
Set aside 3-days and 2-nights for a full holiday adventure, and pair it with a comfy stay for the ultimate Banyuwangi experience!
Table of Contents
Recommended Accommodation In Banyuwangi:
When it comes to exploring Banyuwangi, location matters! Stay right in the heart of the action at Aston Banyuwangi Hotel & Conference Centre – just 45 minutes from the famous Mount Ijen and close to the city centre, as well as many of the area’s main tourist hotspots.
This elegantly designed hotel has all the facilities you need, such as a spa, swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant, coffee shop and even a kids club. Book directly through www.archipelagohotels.com for the best rates and exclusive promos.
How to Get There
Banyuwangi Airport (BWX) embraces an eco-friendly design, using mostly natural materials like wood and grass. It even received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022 for its unique design. Whilst flight access is currently limited to departures from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, travellers from Bali can enjoy a smooth overland journey with a 4-hour drive from Denpasar to Gilimanuk Port, followed by a 1-hour ferry crossing to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi.
Best Time To Visit
To make the most of Banyuwangi’s great outdoors, aim to visit between April and October during the dry season. The dry season brings clear skies and great weather for ticking-off the area’s stunning natural gems like Ijen Crater and the exotic shores of Pulau Merah.
Time your visit in October and you’ll be in for a treat with heaps of cultural festivals, including the renowned Gandrung Sewu Festival – a beachfront spectacle where more than 1,000 dancers perform the traditional Gandrung dance right by the sea.
Day 1, Taste Traditional Cuisine and Enjoy a Stunning Sunset
Morning
- After arriving in Banyuwangi, the first thing you must do is try the region’s legendary traditional food. Start with Rumah Makan Pecel Ayu. Enjoy its signature dish, nasi pecel combined with rawon, which is a soup filled with beef in a black broth with a distinctive aroma. Interestingly, rawon was ranked as the top global soup in the ’10 Best Rated Soups in the World’ by Taste Atlas in 2023.
- After enjoying the food, continue your journey to De Djawatan Benculuk Forest. This forest with towering trembesi trees gives real Fangorn Forest in the Lord of The Rings vibes. Besides being a great photo spot, here you can also explore the forest using a delman, a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
Afternoon
- Head to Aston Banyuwangi Hotel & Conference Centre to check-in.
- Relax for a moment and have lunch at Sukamade Restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel. This restaurant offers Indonesian and international menus wrapped in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.
- After lunch, continue your journey to Pulau Merah. The trip takes about 2-hours from the hotel. At this gorgeous beach, you can take advantage of the medium-sized waves for a spot of surfing, or simply relax with a good book on the long sandy beach.
Evening
- Do not rush to leave Pulau Merah, because this beach has the best sunset spot in Banyuwangi! Famous for its towering hill in the middle, when the sun sets, the atmosphere at this dreamy beach is truly magical.
- Return to the hotel to prepare for your mountain climb the next day.
Day 2, Explore UNESCO Global Geopark
Morning
- Get ready for the hike up Mount Ijen. Depart at 00:00 to the hiking point at Paltuding. After arriving at Paltuding, rest whilst you wait for the hiking gate to open at 02:00. The entrance fee for foreign tourists to climb Mount Ijen is IDR 100,000 (AUD $10) on weekdays and IDR 150,000 (AUD $15) on weekends. We would recommend renting an air mask, which is available at the entrance gate, as the sulphur smoke here is quite strong.
- Trek to the summit of Mount Ijen. It takes about 2-hours from the entrance gate to the summit. Do not be late for the climb, because if the sun has risen, you will not be able to see the enchantingly unique Blue Fire at the crater’s base.
- After witnessing the Blue Fire spectacle, climb back up to the summit to see the sunrise and the volcanic crater of Ijen. Along the journey, make sure to always give way to the sulphur miners, as they are each carrying about 100kg of sulphur on their shoulders! Also, always ask permission first if you want to photograph the sulphur miners out of politeness and respect.
- After taking photos at the summit, start trekking back down the mountain. If you are too tired, you can rent a trolley taxi by paying around IDR 500,000 (AUD $50) to get back down to Paltuding.
- Have a well-deserved breakfast at a traditional stall in Paltuding and relax, before continuing on to the next part of your journey.
Afternoon
- After hiking Mount Ijen, return to the hotel for a short rest.
- Rejuvenate your body after the strenuous hike by enjoying a spa treatment at Aston Banyuwangi Hotel & Conference Centre. They offer a range of traditional spa therapy services including Javanese, Balinese and Thai massage treatments from their experienced therapists, ensuring you feel relaxed and refreshed after your busy morning.
- Next, soak in the cosy atmosphere at Moxie Coffee, located on the 2nd floor of the hotel. With its laid-back ambiance, this cafe is perfect for enjoying an aromatic coffee, tucking into some signature dishes, and a tempting slice of cakes from La Patisserie Cake Shop.
Evening
- Relax at Blimbingsari Beach and delight in a fresh seafood dinner at Warles Sari Asih with various fish served alongside their signature sambal tempong (chilli sauce).
Day 3, Relax and Enjoy Banyuwangi’s Atmosphere
Morning
- Treat yourself to a long breakfast at Sukamade Restaurant and savour their array of delicious dishes.
- After breakfast, continue your journey to Boom Beach. This is one of the favourite beaches in Banyuwangi and it is located only 15 minutes from Aston Banyuwangi Hotel. Throughout the month of October, Boom Beach also becomes the main site for the culturally impressive Gandrung performance, which is famous throughout Banyuwangi. As well as its volcanic black sands, you’ll also discover impressive buildings that are old remnants of the Dutch colonial era.
Afternoon
- Shop for souvenirs at Osing Deles, one of the most famous souvenir centres in Banyuwangi, offering everything from culinary delights to traditional batik clothes with authentic Gajah Oling motifs.
- Prepare for your departure.
3-days, 2-nights and endless wow moments – Banyuwangi will take you from sunrise mountain-top magic to sunset beachside bliss. It’s a nature-lover’s dream and the ultimate playground for those craving a slice of Indonesia’s wild beauty.
