Cilacap: Discover the coast, nature and culture

Cilacap offers a variety of travel experiences: coastlines and boat trips, mangroves and forests, historical collections, and regional cuisine. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to decide first which experiences you want to shape your stay.

Coast and boat trips

Pantai Teluk Penyu is in Kelurahan Cilacap, Kecamatan Cilacap Selatan. Its relatively small waves make the beach suitable for swimming. You can find shell souvenirs, a fish market and a range of seafood dishes there. This makes it easy to combine a beach visit with a stop at the market or for a meal.

Excursion boats take visitors from Pantai Teluk Penyu to Nusakambangan Island. Pantai Pasir Putih Nusakambangan is about a 15-minute boat ride away. White sand, coral formations and dense green forest give this beach a different character from Teluk Penyu.

The coastline also takes different forms: Pantai Ketapang Indah has a wide, gently sloping beach that is suitable for playing in the sand and wading. Pantai Karang Pakis in Desa Karangpakis, Kecamatan Nusawungu, also has a wide, gently sloping beach. At Pantai Rancah Babakan, white sand and striking coral rocks meet at the mouth of Plawangan Barat, at the western end of Nusakambangan.

Pantai Widarapayung can be reached by public bus on the Cilacap–Gombong route or by private vehicle via the southern cross-island road. The access road to Pantai Widara Payung is passable for two- and four-wheeled vehicles. Check the bus service and road conditions before setting out.

Mangroves, forest and water

Hutan Payau is about 4 kilometres from central Cilacap, in Desa Tritih Kulon, Kecamatan Cilacap Utara. Mangrove vegetation provides a habitat for mudskippers, fiddler crabs, pistol shrimp and various bird species. The access road is paved, close to a main road and clearly signposted.

Kemit Forest combines dense pine trees with an elevated setting and views of the landscape of Kecamatan Sidareja. Attractions include an aerial bicycle, paragliding, a skybridge and a treehouse, as well as other activities for children and adults.

At Curug Mandala, the trail from the parking area climbs and descends over steps for about 500 metres. A pool forms below the watercourse; visitors can swim there when the water is clear. Water conditions vary by season, and the condition of the trail can also change.

History and cultural highlights

Benteng Pendem was built in several phases between 1861 and 1879 on an area of 6.5 hectares. The site has been managed again since 1986 and has been considered a tourist attraction ever since. The Soesilo Soedarman Museum in Desa Gentasari preserves the personal collection of General Soesilo Soedarman. It includes military equipment, a maritime patrol aircraft, the family’s gamelan and shadow-puppet figures dating from around the 18th century.

Tari Jalungmas combines dance movements in the Jaipong style with traditional Gending in the Banyumas style; the dance is accompanied by Banyumas Calung gamelan. On Gunung Selok, the Padepokan Sang Hyang Jati temple is used for Buddhist worship.

Batik Hendy’s offers motifs such as Parang Wijaya Kusuma, Kawung Cilacap, Pesisir Teluk Penyu, Daun Waru and Sido Cilacap. Batik Subama in Desa Bajing, Kecamatan Kroya, produces batik with local motifs such as mangroves, marine life and Nusakambangan Island.

Regional cuisine and more experiences

Brekecek Pathak Jahan is a spicy dish typical of Cilacap, made with Pathak Jahan, a type of Jahan fish. Gembus is also typical of Cilacap: it is made from cassava and shaped like a doughnut. Pantai Jetis offers seafood; at the TPI Congot fish auction centre, visitors can also buy the day’s catch directly. During the season, visitors can pick watermelons and other fruit in the fields around Pantai Jetis.

Pemandian Air Panas Cipari has three pools—two large and one small—as well as ten sauna cabins with bathtubs. Visitors use the sulphur-rich water for health treatments. Waduk Kubangkangkung offers a variety of play activities for children and several photo spots for selfies.

Discover more destinations: Cilacap, Sukoharjo, Sragen, Jepara, Kendal, Pati, Karanganyar, Semarang.

For the broader travel overview: Central Java.