Being an employee may limit our flexibility to take an extended holiday.
Yet, it’s not necessarily that we can’t make the most of a short one, especially when time is tight.
This was exactly what happened when my husband and I had only a day and a half to spend in Yogyakarta.
It wasn’t that I went to Yogyakarta straight after leaving Jakarta.
To be honest, the idea came to me suddenly when we were visiting my parents-in-law in Cilacap, Central Java.
Why not stop by Yogyakarta, since it’s only a three-hour trip from Cilacap?
We immediately booked tickets to the city of Yogyakarta for the earliest departure schedule at 6 a.m., along with return tickets for the next day at 10 a.m.
A brief escape, but enough to make it worthwhile.
What I’m going to share here is how we made the most of our limited time in Yogyakarta, which may inspire you if you’re looking for ideas on how to enjoy a short holiday in the city.
Soaking in Nature at Ledok Sambi Eco Park
Since I had been craving to spend time in a natural setting, our first destination was Ledok Sambi Eco Park, a riverside area fed by the Kalikuning River.
We had visited it years ago, and I had been hoping to go back ever since.
Read more about my first visit to Ledok Sambi: Ledok Sambi Yogyakarta Review
When we arrived in Yogyakarta at Tugu Station, we headed directly to the place on a rented motorcycle.
The location is at Jalan Kaliurang, KM 12, Sleman, Yogyakarta, which is the same road leading to Merapi Mountain. It took around an hour to go there.
By the time we set foot on the site, it occurred to us that it was Sunday, as we found many other visitors.
However, it didn’t reduce my excitement. I was as happy as a child seeing the river again, not to mention the tall trees that stood proudly. I took a deep breath of the fresh air.
One of the reasons I always long to return to Ledok Sambi is that it’s free! There’s no entrance ticket at all!
We only need to pay a reasonable parking fee. Nonetheless, it’s prohibited to bring food and drinks from outside, so we must buy them at the restaurant inside.
Worry not, the charges are fair and well worth it. This rule might explain how they make a profit despite having no entrance fee.
We ordered the signature coffee from Ledok Sambi called Kopi Ledok, and traditional food for lunch.
We deeply enjoyed spending time having lunch and sipping coffee while gazing at the flowing river and listening to its calming sound, taking it slow and losing track of time.
The kids playing and splashing water at each other made the moment even more delightful.
I also took some time to sit on a large rock by the river, gently playing with the water using my hands, as I didn’t want my clothes to get soaked.
I enjoyed moments of slowing down, putting my mind at ease, and thoroughly absorbing the natural atmosphere around me.
I felt genuinely sad when my husband gently reminded me that we needed to leave soon and head to the hotel for check-in.
A Sweet Evening at Tempo Gelato
In the evening, we headed to Tempo Gelato on Jalan Kaliurang, a famous gelato outlet in Yogyakarta.
Thankfully, it wasn’t as crowded as I thought, so we didn’t rush to pick our flavor as there was no line. We could also ask for a sample to taste.
It was a clumsy moment when I forgot the flow of the order. When I told the staff at the counter the flavors I wanted to buy, they asked me to make payment first at the cashier.
To make a long story short, I ordered the two-flavor gelato: matcha and coffee, while my husband ordered the three-flavor gelato: matcha, coffee, and Oreo.
What always catches my attention is a brick wall filled with framed photographs of various sizes.
The photos feature customers who have visited the outlet, captured in cheerful moments while enjoying their dessert with friends or family.
Even though it wasn’t my first time visiting, I always found myself drawn to them.
The brick walls create a cozy and welcoming space while the interior is illuminated by warm lighting, featuring wooden tables and chairs.
People were sitting close together, chatting and enjoying their sweet treat without rushing, filling the room with a relaxed and cheerful vibe, which showed that Tempo Gelato is the kind of place where you don’t just stop by for dessert.
Ending the Day with Goat Satay at a Roadside Stall
I felt slightly regretful for not staying downtown, as it was very challenging for us to search for a place to have dinner.
While there were several restaurants nearby our hotel, the prices weren’t affordable and didn’t meet my craving that night, which was goat satay.
As a result, we must have put in much more effort to ride to find the goat satay stall we had seen on Google Maps.
After a long and somewhat frustrating search—often ending in disappointment because some of the stalls listed online were no longer open or had unclear pricing—we finally decided to eat out at a local roadside goat satay stall that my husband used to frequent when he was a student in Yogyakarta.
The precise location is on Jalan Rajawali Raya, Condongcatur, Sleman, Yogyakarta, but unfortunately, I didn’t take pictures when I was there.
The place was modest yet homey, with women running the stall who welcomed us warmly, making me feel as though I were having dinner at my own aunties’ house.
They were also more than happy to answer our questions about the pricing details.
I felt grateful to finally enjoy goat satay for dinner, without having to worry about the hidden costs, something that had frustrated me earlier.
Strolling around at Malioboro before leaving
The next day, before taking our train to return to Cilacap at 10 a.m., we made time to stroll around Malioboro for a while.
It was there when I truly felt the essence of Yogyakarta.
Although some people might say that Malioboro is too touristy, I was still happy to return to the place time and again.
Along the way, I spontaneously bought jamu from a woman on a bicycle, stopped by a local batik store, and purchased batik clothing, as well as rujak (a dish made by cutting fruit and served with spicy peanut sauce) as a snack for the train ride.
Wrapping Up a Short Getaway
Although our time in Yogyakarta was brief, I felt delighted with the experiences we managed to fit in.
From soaking in nature to enjoying local food and simple moments around the city, every part of the trip felt meaningful.
That said, I can’t deny that it would have been even better to spend more time there, without having to rush from one place to another.
Still, this short getaway reminded me that even a limited time can leave a lasting impression.
