Explore Borobudur by Classic Volkswagen: A Scenic Village Tour Beyond the Temple

Borobudur is a small village in Central Java, Indonesia, best known as the home of the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Most visitors come to admire the magnificent Borobudur Temple before heading to their next destination. What many travelers don’t realize is that the surrounding countryside offers plenty of hidden gems worth exploring. One of the most memorable ways to discover the area is by joining a Classic Volkswagen (VW) Tour. Cruise through peaceful rural roads lined with coconut trees, lush rice fields, and traditional Javanese villages while enjoying the fresh countryside air. We took this tour after watching the spectacular sunrise from Punthuk Setumbu, making it the perfect way to continue our morning adventure.

Ride in a Classic Volkswagen 182 Cabriolet

The tour uses colorful Volkswagen Type 182 Cabriolets, each with an open roof that lets you fully enjoy the surrounding scenery. Every vehicle accommodates up to four passengers plus the driver, creating an intimate and comfortable sightseeing experience. Today, around 70 classic Volkswagen vehicles are available for these village tours. The Volkswagen Type 181 and 182 were originally developed as light military utility vehicles in Germany and were produced between 1969 and 1983. Today, these vintage cars have found a new life transporting visitors through the beautiful countryside surrounding Borobudur.

Choose Your Own Route

Visitors can select from three different tour packages depending on how much time they have.

Short Tour

IDR 350,000 per vehicle

• Duration: 2–2.5 hours
• Explore villages surrounding Borobudur
• Visit 2 attractions

Medium Tour

IDR 450,000 per vehicle

• Duration: 3.5–4 hours
• Explore villages surrounding Borobudur
• Visit 3 attractions

Long Tour

IDR 600,000 per vehicle

• Duration: 5–6 hours
• Explore villages surrounding Borobudur
• Visit 4 attractions

Since our schedule was limited, we chose the Short Tour, which included visits to two local destinations.

Nglipoh Pottery Village

Our first stop was Nglipoh Village, a traditional pottery-making village where visitors can experience the art of pottery firsthand. Here, you can try shaping clay into your own creation under the guidance of local artisans. Because pottery needs several days to dry and be fired in a kiln, you won’t be able to take your piece home immediately. However, the workshop owners can arrange international or domestic shipping if you’d like to keep your handmade souvenir. Watching the local craftsmen at work is fascinating. With years of experience, they can create a beautiful Borobudur stupa-shaped ashtray in just two or three minutes. Besides souvenirs, they also produce traditional cooking pots, earthenware cookware, and many other handcrafted items. After spending about an hour exploring the village, we continued to our next destination.

Omah Saking Ndene

Located in Giri Tengah Village, Omah Saking Ndene is both a private residence and a traditional Javanese gamelan gallery. Here, Pak Tijab introduces visitors to Karawitan, the traditional ensemble music of Java. Even if you’ve never played a musical instrument before, he teaches simple rhythms that allow everyone to join in within minutes. The complete gamelan ensemble includes instruments such as the Kenong, Saron, Demung, Slenthem, Gong, Gambang, Siter, Gender, Kendang, and Bonang. Since each instrument plays a different role, a full performance typically requires at least ten participants, making this a fun and interactive cultural experience for families and groups.

Other Places You Can Visit

Depending on your chosen package, you can customize your itinerary with attractions such as:

• Camera House (Rumah Kamera)
• Chicken Church (Gereja Ayam)
• Punthuk Setumbu
• Pereng Nduwet
• Mendut Temple
• Pawon Temple
• Candirejo Tourism Village
• Pottery Craft Village
• Wood Craft Village
• Junkyard Auto Park
• Balkondes (Village Economic Centers)
• Honey Bee Farm
• Batik Workshop
• And many more

Tips for Enjoying the VW Cabrio Tour

Since some village roads are still unpaved and the vehicles have open roofs, it’s a good idea to prepare for the journey. Ask your driver for a face mask if the roads are dusty, especially during the dry season. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are also highly recommended to protect yourself from the tropical sun. Morning tours are the best option, as the weather is cooler and the sunlight is much gentler, making the ride even more enjoyable.

Discover the Hidden Side of Borobudur

A visit to Borobudur doesn’t have to end at the temple gates. Exploring the surrounding villages by classic Volkswagen offers a wonderful opportunity to experience authentic Javanese culture, meet local artisans, enjoy stunning rural landscapes, and discover attractions that many visitors miss. If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Borobudur beyond its famous temple, a classic VW village tour is an adventure you won’t want to miss.