My Favourite Photos of Indonesia to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Few countries are as diverse and fascinating as Indonesia. Spanning over 17,000 islands, this vast archipelago offers everything from volcanic peaks and ancient temples to kaleidoscopic coral reefs and untouched jungles.

I love how every island has its own distinct culture, traditions, and landscapes. Bali’s terraced rice fields and Hindu temples feel a world apart from Java’s smoking volcanoes and buzzing cities, or Flores’ pristine waters and otherworldly wildlife.

For adventure seekers, Indonesia is paradise.

Climbing Mount Batur at sunset, with barely another soul in sight, is an experience I’ll never forget.

Hot steam poured out of vents in the rock. As I watched, the golden light faded over the horizon, and silhouettes rose from the bizarre volcanic landscape. In the distance, the elaborately carved roofs of a temple cast long shadows over the land.

Pure magic.

And snorkelling in the Komodo Islands, gliding alongside giant manta rays, was a dream come true.

I spent a month in Lombok, trying (with mixed success) to finally master surfing. While my skills on the board might not have improved that much, exploring the island’s hidden corners on my trusty scooter more than made up for it.

I loved winding over lush green hills, past deserted beaches, and through tiny villages.

Indonesia is a place that sparks your curiosity and draws you back again and again.

The photos below capture just a few of my favourite moments. I hope they inspire you to visit this incredible country.

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A man sitting on a glass-walled balcony with an umbrella, overlooking a volcanic mountain in the distance.

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Two people hiking up a mist-covered grassy hill with rocky outcroppings, surrounded by lush greenery.
A traditional Balinese house with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by tropical plants and overlooking a green rice field.
A panoramic view of a tropical forest, with a wide expanse of palm trees and hills stretching into the misty horizon.
A stone statue of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god, in a garden next to a pond, with lush plants and another small statue in the background.
Two thatched-roof pavilions on stilts, standing over water, with a rice field and tropical trees in the background.
A suspension bridge crossing a rocky stream, leading to wooden houses, with greenery and mountains in the distance.
A woman standing on a deck overlooking a vast landscape of tropical forests and hills under a cloudy sky.
A terraced agricultural field surrounded by tropical trees and hills, with smoke rising in the distance.
A small wooden gazebo next to a house, set among neatly planted crops with a lush tropical landscape in the background.
An aerial view of a lush green valley in Sayan, Ubud, bordered by a winding river, with the sun setting behind dense palm forests and casting a soft golden glow over the scene.
A serene yoga studio overlooking the coastline of Kuta, Lombok at sunset, with mats and bowls arranged on a wooden platform that opens up to a panoramic view of the ocean and distant islands.
Two bamboo beach loungers with thatched umbrellas on a white sand beach, facing the calm turquoise waters, with a fishing boat and green hills in the background.
A small fishing boat anchored in crystal-clear turquoise water, with grassy hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A group of small striped cats curled up together on a wooden surface, sleeping peacefully next to a snack package and a plastic brush.
An ice bath filled with large ice cubes at a wellness center, with a mural on the wall behind it outlining steps for relaxation and recovery at LOKA Lounge.
A breathtaking view of the sun setting over an infinity pool, with reflections of the orange and pink sky mirrored in the water, and the coastline and ocean in the distance.
A relaxing outdoor seating area with white lounge chairs, overlooking a grassy lawn and a palm tree-lined coastline during sunset, with gentle ocean waves in the background.
A wide sandy beach at low tide, with people walking along the shore and hills in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A rooster and two chickens walking on the beach next to white chairs, with a scenic view of the ocean and hills in the background.
A wide beach view, bordered by green hills, with calm blue waves gently meeting the sandy shore. A few people walk along the beach, their footprints visible on the sand.
Three people, one holding a surfboard, walk along a tranquil beach with green, tree-covered hills in the background. The shoreline is dotted with small boats, and beachgoers are visible in the water.
Lush green rice paddies in Indonesia stretch across a flat valley with rolling hills in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. Palm trees dot the horizon, framing the expansive field.
Indonesian farmers work in a flooded rice field, bending to plant new crops while buffalo and cows graze nearby on the hillsides. The surrounding hills provide a green, textured backdrop.
A turquoise bay with small wooden boats anchored near the shore. The steep, green cliffs rise dramatically from the water’s edge.
A peaceful coastal scene with calm, clear waters gently lapping a sandy beach. Distant mountains are faintly visible, creating a serene horizon.
Two white lounge chairs under a tree facing the water, with boats anchored offshore. Large branches create a shaded area near the calm coastline.
A woman walks barefoot along the shoreline at dusk, the ocean gently washing onto the beach. Distant islands and a silhouette of a mountain add depth to the tranquil scene.
A tropical boutique hotel building with wooden lounge chairs on the front lawn, surrounded by tall palm trees and lush greenery. The home features a welcoming porch and well-kept garden.
A stunning sunset over the ocean, casting vibrant orange and pink hues across the sky. The water reflects the colors of the sky, with gentle waves rolling toward the shore and there's an infinity pool in the foreground.
A peaceful scene showing an infinity pool merging with the ocean horizon at sunset, with soft orange and pink hues reflecting in the pool.
View from inside a room looking out onto a wooden deck with a table and chairs, overlooking the ocean and cliffs in the distance.
Alex Tiffany relaxing in an infinity pool with an expansive view of the ocean and distant cliffs under a bright blue sky.
A large tortoise sitting on green grass in a tropical garden, surrounded by colorful flowers and palm trees.
A dome-shaped structure surrounded by blooming pink bougainvillea, with a road and communication towers visible in the background at sunset.
A scenic restaurant terrace with a pool overlooking lush green rice terraces and palm trees, with mountains faintly visible in the background.
Ornate Balinese temple entrance, featuring detailed stone carvings surrounded by greenery, trees, and a serene setting.
Traditional huts with red-tiled roofs nestled in rice fields with distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
An elevated beachside café with people lounging and watching surfers riding waves in the ocean.
A dramatic cliffside view with waves crashing against the rocks, framed by green plants and pink flowers in the foreground.
A macaque sitting on a stone wall with a dramatic view of Uluwatu Temple in Bali, perched on a cliff with the ocean waves crashing below.
A breathtaking view of the rocky cliffs at Uluwatu, Bali, with turquoise waves crashing against the rocks and the temple visible in the distance.
Two large manta rays swim gracefully underwater, seen from above as they glide through the clear, blue-green ocean.
A pair of motorboats with people standing on the deck in the shallow turquoise waters of the Komodo Islands.
A wooden pier extending into crystal-clear turquoise waters with speed boats docked alongside, leading to a small island with hills in the background.
A small white boat docked on a bright turquoise sandbar in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by clear blue waters and distant mountains.
A Komodo dragon resting in the shade of some large trees with a wooden pier and mountains visible in the background.
A scenic view of a secluded beach surrounded by rocky hills on Padar Island, Indonesia, with multiple boats anchored in the calm bay.
An aerial view of the sweeping, arid landscape of Padar Island, Indonesia, with its famous curved beaches and turquoise waters nestled between rugged hills.
A close-up of a cliff edge at Padar Island with an expansive view of the turquoise ocean and small islets in the distance.
Hikers resting under a tree on the summit of Padar Island, with stunning views of the island’s multiple beaches and bays below.
A view of a bay filled with boats in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, with hills and islands in the background under an overcast sky.
Overlooking a busy harbor in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, with boats docked and colorful rooftops of buildings in the foreground.
A tall, twin waterfall surrounded by lush green vegetation in a tropical forest.
A couple stands in front of a lush, twin waterfall in a dense green jungle, holding hands and admiring the view.
A tropical farm scene featuring palm trees, thatched huts, and rows of crops under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A group of young men playfully swim near a small waterfall in a cave, with one of them mid-jump from the waterfall.
Three plates of traditional Indonesian food, featuring fried noodles, rice, fried egg, tofu, and tempeh, garnished with cucumber and tomato slices.
A serene view of terraced rice fields surrounded by lush vegetation and tall palm trees in a tropical landscape.
A restaurant table overlooking a breathtaking view of a coastline with rolling hills and the blue ocean in the distance.
A vibrant sunset over the ocean, with the sky painted in shades of orange and purple, and boats silhouetted against the horizon.
A vibrant orange sunset over the ocean with large clouds forming dramatic shapes in the sky, with small waves crashing onto the shore.
Close-up view of another stunning sunset with hues of orange, pink, and purple blending together in the sky, large clouds catching the last light of the day.
A silhouetted pavilion stands in front of a glowing orange sunset by the beach, with large, dark clouds towering above the ocean in the background.
Aerial view from an airplane window showing a chain of small tropical islands (the Gili Islands) surrounded by turquoise waters, with the airplane wing visible in the top left corner.

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Essential Travel Resources


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I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

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Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

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📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
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• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

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YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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