Magelang, Indonesia
Magelang is a town of 128,709 people in Central Java, Indonesia, founded in April 16, 907.
Why visit Magelang
Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 17 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Tidar University and Muhammadiyah University of Magelang.
Weather in Magelang
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Magelang
Magelang (Javanese: ꦩꦒꦼꦭꦁ) is one of six cities in Central Java, Indonesia, that are administratively independent of the regencies in which they lie geographically. Each of these cities is governed by a mayor rather than a bupati. Magelang City covers an area of 18.56 km2 and had a population of 118,227 at the 2010 census and 121,526 at the 2020 census; the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 129,043 (comprising 63,823 males and 65,220 females). It is geographically located in the middle of the Magelang Regency, between Mount Merbabu and Mount Sumbing in the south of the province, and lies 43 km north of Yogyakarta, 15 km north of Mungkid (the administrative centre of Magelang Regency) and 75 km south of Semarang (the capital of Central Java).
From the Wikipedia article Magelang (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Magelang on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Things to do4
Tidar University
School · 1.2 km
Public university in Magelang, Indonesia
Muhammadiyah University of Magelang
School · 1.9 km
University in Indonesia
Museums and landmarks2
Parks, trails and playgrounds9
Lapangan Sapta Marga Akmil
Sports field and stadium · 3.1 km
56123 Jurangombo Sel., Kec. Magelang Sel., Kota Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56123
Taman Rekreasi Kyai Langgeng Kab. Magelang
Sports field and stadium · 1.7 km
6 Jalan Cepaka, magelang
Restaurants and cafes17
5 more on the map.
History
Magelang was established on 11 April 907. Magelang was then known as a village called Mantyasih, which is now known as Meteseh.
There are three steles of historical importance in Magelang, namely Poh, Gilikan, and Mantyasih, all of which are written on a plate of copper. Poh and Mantyasih were written under the rule of King Balitung of Mataram kingdom. In those steles, the villages of Mantyasih and Glanggang were mentioned. They became Meteseh and Magelang respectively.
On the Mantyasih stele, it mentioned the name of King Watukura Dyah Balitung, as well as 829 Çaka bulan Çaitra tanggal 11 Paro-Gelap Paringkelan Tungle, Pasaran Umanis hari Senais Sçara atau Sabtu, which means Saturday Legi, 11 April 907. The village Mantyasih was made by the king as a tax-free village which was led by a patih (similar to Prime Minister nowadays). Also mentioned are Mount Susundara and Mount Wukir Sumbing which is now known as Mount Sindoro and Mount Sumbing.
When Britain colonised Magelang in the eighteenth century, Magelang became the seat of the government and was made to the same level as a regency with Mas Ngabehi Danukromo as its first leader (Bupati). Mas Ngabehi Danukromo built Alun-alun (town square), bupati residence, and a mosque. Magelang became the capital of Karesidenan Kedu in 1818.
From the History section of Magelang on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
Churches and places of worship277
Shopping5
IKM Center Kota Magelang
Grocery · 2.3 km
Jalan Letjend. Suprapto, Kelurahan Magersari, Kecamatan Magelang Selatan, Kota magelang, Magelang
Gas and EV charging6
Schools, colleges and libraries135
Perpustakaan SD Rejowinangun Utara 5
Library · 1.9 km
Jalan Jenderal Urip Sumoharjo, Magelang
Perpustakaan Universitas Tidar
Library · 1.2 km
Jalan Perintis kemerdekaan, magelang
Perpustakaan BKKBN Magelang
Library · 2.5 km
Jalan Panglima Besar Sudirman, Magelang
Perpustakaan Kampus 1 Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang
Library · 2.0 km
Jalan Kenanga, Magelang
Healthcare26
Map of Magelang
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Adisutjipto Airport (JOG) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 43 km away.
- Mertoyudan 6 km south, about 6 min by car
- Muntilan 15 km southeast, about 15 min by car
- Gunung Kendil 26 km northeast, about 26 min by car
- Ambarawa 30 km northeast, about 30 min by car
- Sleman 31 km southeast, about 31 min by car
- Salatiga 34 km northeast, about 34 min by car
- Yogyakarta 40 km southeast, about 40 min by car
- Semarang 58 km northeast, about 58 min by car
- Surakarta 68 km east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Pekalongan 88 km northwest, 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
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Page built November 3, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.