Bengkulu, Indonesia
Bengkulu is a regional capital of 397,321 people in Bengkulu, Indonesia, founded in March 18, 1719.
Why visit Bengkulu
Townapedia lists 17 museums and landmarks, 24 parks and trails, 80 places to eat, 25 places to stay and 5 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Fort Marlborough, Bengkulu Museum, koiiko and Pantai Panjang.
Weather in Bengkulu
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Bengkulu
Bengkulu, formerly Bencoolen (Dutch: Benkoelen) is the capital of the Indonesian province of Bengkulu. The city is the second largest city on the west coast of Sumatra Island after Padang. Previously this area was under the influence of the kingdom of Inderapura and the Sultanate of Banten. The city also became the place of exile of Sukarno from 1939 to 1942.
From the Wikipedia article Bengkulu (city) (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Bengkulu on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Things to do5
Museums and landmarks17
Thomas Parr Monument
Monument and historic site · 2.1 km
Monument in Bengkulu, Indonesia
5 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds24
12 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes80
Raya Factory
Cafe · Donut, Coffee Shop, Burger, Pizza, Indonesian, Dessert, Chocolate · 4.9 km
64 Jalan Jenggalu, Kota Bengkulu
Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00
Pondok 19 Sea Food and Chinese Food
Restaurant · Indonesian, Seafood, Chinese · 2.2 km
Jalan Kalimantan
68 more on the map.
History
The Bengkulu region was historically inhabited by various ethnic communities and small local chiefdoms (kedatuan), including settlements in Sungai Serut, Sungai Lemau, Selebar, and surrounding coastal areas. The region was influenced by broader maritime trading networks across western Sumatra and the Indian Ocean. Historical records suggest that the area was connected to the sphere of influence of the Srivijaya during the early medieval period, although direct control over Bengkulu is not well documented.
From around the 15th century, Bengkulu became associated with the Banten Sultanate through trade and political relations. Pepper from the west coast of Sumatra became an important commodity in regional trade networks. During the 17th century, the region was also influenced by the Inderapura Kingdom, a Minangkabau-linked coastal kingdom centered in present-day West Sumatra.
The British East India Company established Bengkulu, known to the British as Bencoolen, in 1685 as a trading center for pepper and other commodities, after losing access to Banten following the expansion of Dutch East India Company influence in the region.
In 1714, the British constructed Fort Marlborough, one of the largest British forts in Southeast Asia. Despite its strategic role, Bencoolen was considered economically difficult due to its remote location, challenging climate, and limited commercial success.
From the History section of Bengkulu (city) on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay25
DJO Front One Inn Hotel
Motel and hotel · 4.8 km
67RG+7V Jalan WR Supratman, Bengkulu
Churches and places of worship68
Masjid Khalifah SMPN 02 Kota Bengkulu
Place of worship · 1.1 km
Jl. Cendana, Kel. Sawah Lebar, Kec. Ratu Samban, Kota Bengkulu
Shopping12
Gas and EV charging10
Schools, colleges and libraries80
Ponpes TQ Salafiyah An Nur
School · 4.1 km
Jalan Barito 3, Kel. Padang Harapan, Kec. Gading Cempaka, Kota Bengkulu
Healthcare23
RSUD Dr. M. Yunus Bengkulu
Hospital · 6.7 km
Jl. Bhayangkara, Sidomulyo, Kec. Gading Cemp., Kota Bengkulu, Bengkulu
Map of Bengkulu
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Fatmawati Soekarno Airport (BKS) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 km away.
- Curup 46 km northeast, about 46 min by car
- Lubuklinggau 87 km northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Pantai Panjang Bengkulu, sbamueller, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Aerial view of Bengkulu City, sbamueller, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Makam Sentot Bengkulu, Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Public domain
- Peninggalan Makam Inggris Kota Bengkulu, Kena niskala, CC0
- Makam Anak Inggris Kota Bengkulu, Kena niskala, CC0
- Makam Inggris Kota Bengkulu, Azahrroh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- TK KEMALA BHAYANGKARI 26 KOTA BENGKULU, Mutiaraaisyahh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gereja Katolik Paroki St. Yohanes Penginjil, Kota Bengkulu, Kena niskala, CC0
- Gereja Katolik St. Yohanes Bengkulu (2026), Ayulstrri, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rumah Dinas Gubernur Bengkulu - Balai Raya Semarak Bengkulu (2026), Ayulstrri, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Balai Raya Semarak Bengkulu (Rumah Dinas Gubernur Bengkulu) Oktober 2026, Mutiaraaisyahh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mempersiapkan Tabot di Lapangan Merdeka Bengkulu, Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Peserta Pelatihan Lokakarya Wikitutur Bengkulu, Onyaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pelatihan Lokakarya Wikitutur Bengkulu 2026, Onyaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pelatihan Wikitutur Bengkulu, Onyaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pelatihan Wikitutur Bengkulu1, Onyaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bengkulu City and Fort Marlborough, sbamueller, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rumah Pengasingan Bung Karno di Kota Bengkulu, Azizadisuryo, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Thomas Parr Monument, Bengkulu, 2015-04-19 01, Crisco 1492, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Simpang lima ratu samban, Lulupakaika, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tampak depan rumah pengasingan Ir. Soekarno, Nownaufal, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rumah Pengasingan Bung Karno, Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Perjalananku, Ery Maryony, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lion Air PK-LIS, sbamueller, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Fuso 190PS firetruck, sbamueller ; cropped, rotated slightly by uploader Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Lighting on the sky, Lulupakaika, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Komplek Makam Inggris, Kena niskala, CC0
- Makam Inggris Jitra, Namuchick, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Makam Inggris, Azahrroh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dinas Pekerjaan Umum & Penata Ruang (2026), Ayulstrri, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Toren Peninggalan Belanda, Kena niskala, CC0
- Gereja St. Yohanes, Azahrroh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gereja Santo Yohannes Penginjil, Namuchick, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gereja Katolik Santo Yohanes Penginjil, Mutiaraaisyahh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- TK AISYIAH BUSTANUL ATHFAL 1, Mutiaraaisyahh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- PLN di daerah view tower belakang panggung terbuka, Mutiaraaisyahh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tabot Tebuang, Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Arak Arakan Tabot, Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mengarak Tabot, Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rizky Ryuzzy, Rizkyryuzzy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Monumen Thomas Parr, Yuk Sai, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Page built November 3, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.