Semarang lies on the province's northern coast.

Semarang's topography is marked by a narrow coastal plain, rising sharply inland. The city sprawls up from the coast, and the higher areas see some of the highest rate of residential development, due to the slightly cooler climate. The sea is slowly reclaiming the coastal lowlands during the monthly rob or high tides, causing flooding up to more than a kilometer from the coast.

The coastal location can make the climate uncomfortably hot and humid. It is not unusual for temperatures to be above 32 °C (90 °F).

In contrast to many Indonesian cities, Semarang still has a fair amount of greenery. Locals will tell you that areas that used to be (by their standards) "cool" are no longer. The climate is hot and humid, except on the slope - where it is slightly more pleasant - towards Ungaran, so wear light-coloured cotton clothes, such as T-shirts and knee-length trousers for comfort.

In 2007 the government started to promote Semarang as a tourist destination, starting with the Semarang Pesona Asia (Semarang, Asia's Enchantment) branding.

• -6.981303110.4123681 Tourist Information Center (TIC) Semarang, Jl Pemuda No 147 (across the street from the City Hall, near Lawang Sewu and Tugu Muda; TransSemarang Koridor I, II, III, IV), ☏ +62 24 351-5451. Has an information counter and some leaflets about Semarang and other parts of Central Java. The Joglosemar bus (going to Yogyakarta or Solo) and the Central Java Travel shuttle van (going to Jepara), depart from here. 
• Tourist Information Center, (TIC) Achmad Yani Airport. The tourist office also has an information counter at the airport. 

• -6.96591110.375351 Achmad Yani International Airport (Bandar Udara Internasional Ahmad Yani SRG  ^IATA) (close to the city centre). It is well connected with multiple flights each day from hub airports in Jakarta and Surabaya. There are also direct flights from Balikpapan and Banjarmasin (Lion Air). Direct connection from other cities includes Bandung and Batam (Lion Air), Bandar Lampung (Aviastar) and Bali (Garuda, Wings Air). International flights are also available, daily from Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia) and less frequently from Singapore, (AirAsia).  

For international arrivals, if you need a Visa on Arrival, proceed to the left side of the immigration queue, otherwise, go straight to the immigration counter.

There are two main railway stations, both on the north coast mainline connecting Jakarta with Surabaya:

• -6.964444110.4277782 Tawang Station (Stasiun Tawang or Semarang Tawang in online bookings), Jl Taman Tawang No. 1 (TransSemarang Koridor II, III, and IV), ☏ +62 24 354-4544. Located in the Old Town (Kota Lama) area, Tawang is historically significant, being the oldest major railway station in Indonesia that is still operational, having been used since 1867. It mostly serves business and executive class long-distance trains from other major cities. However, some economy trains do stop here, for example, those serving Solo and Purwokerto. Be sure to listen for the farewell/welcome song Empat Penari (the four dancers) also as known as Gambang Semarang, played over the tannoy at the arrival or departure of every train. (updated Oct 2017)
• -6.97317110.4153 Poncol Station (Stasiun Poncol or Semarang Poncol in online bookings), Jl Imam Bonjol No. 115 (TransSemarang Koridor III and IV), ☏ +62 24 354-4496. Poncol mainly handles economy class trains serving nearby cities in Central Java, such as Tegal, Pekalongan, or Purwokerto. However, there are some long distance economy trains serving Jakarta, Surabaya, and Malang.  

Semarang is well-connected to Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya by train. The economy and executive class train Joglosemarkerto travels in a loop across Central Java, through Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Pekalongan, Tegal, Purwokerto, and back to Yogyakarta, as well as in the reverse direction. Multiple executive-class trains connect Semarang to Jakarta (6 hours) and Surabaya (4 hours) several times a day, with overnight journeys also possible. The Harina service connects Semarang to Bandung and Surabaya once a day with executive and economy class coaches.

Semarang can be reached by car from both Jakarta and Surabaya in around 4-5 hours and from Solo in less than 2 hours using the Trans-Java toll road.

From Cilacap in the very southwest of Central Java will take seven to eight hours, via Banyumas, Wonosobo and Temanggung. At Temanggung you can choose to keep going on the main roads through Secang and Ambarawa, or to cut up over the side of Mount Ungaran to Sumowono and Bandungan and take advantage of their all-day fruit and vegetable market.

The biggest and most modern bus terminal in Semarang is:

• -6.968938110.2893124 Mangkang Bus Terminal (Terminal Mangkang), Mangkang Kulon, Tugu (TransSemarang Koridor I). Intercity bus, TransSemarang and TransJateng. (updated Sep 2022)

Many bus companies offer daily service from Jakarta, from Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal and Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in East Jakarta, Kalideres Bus Terminal and Grogol Bus Terminal in West Jakarta, or from Pasar Jumat Bus Terminal (the successor of Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal) in South Jakarta. The overnight bus with A/C is also available with good service. Sometimes the bus route is Jakarta to Solo via Semarang. In this case, you can ask the bus driver's assistant (the on-board ticket-checker) to wake you up in Semarang.

There is an executive-class tourist bus Joglosemar, which connects Jogjakarta, Solo, and Semarang (hence the name). It picks up tourists from specific hotels and provides snacks and water for their trip. Pricier than other executive buses, it is more comfortable and provides friendly service. They depart almost hourly.

Other companies providing shuttle vans in and out of Semarang include DayTrans (from Jogjakarta, Jepara), Solo and Cilacap), Central Java Travel, Bejeu (from Jepara), Bintang Raya, Matraman Travel, Mitra Travel and Putra Mandiri.

If you want to reserve a bus and travel online, there are some booking portals called Easybook, redBus, or Traveloka. This serves bus and travel tickets from cities like Bandung, Jakarta, Surabaya and Yogyakarta.

Semarang's Tanjung Emas Port (reachable by TransSemarang Koridor III) is located in the northern part, in an area that unfortunately is often flooded during high tide.

It is regularly served by ships mostly to/from destinations in Kalimantan. The state-owned PELNI has ships going to Banjarmasin (using KM. Egon), Pontianak (using KM. Lawit), and Kumai (using KM. Leuser and KM. Egon). Another operator with ships also going to Kalimantan is Dharma Lautan Utama (DLU), which serves Pontianak, Ketapang, Kumai, and Sampit. There are no regular ships going directly into Semarang from other major cities in Java, except for occasional ships from Jakarta during the mudik period close to Lebaran offered an alternative for people going back to their hometowns.

Cruise ships occasionally spend a day in port. It has few facilities for passengers, but an informal market of street vendors often assembles outside the secure area. Most passengers take a one-day tour to Borobudur or a city tour of Semarang.

There are big and medium-sized buses operated by city government-owned company called TransSemarang^{[dead link]} buses with designated stops on raised platforms (locally known as shelter). Despite being called a BRT system, the buses do not travel in designated lanes. There are eight routes:

• Koridor : Penggaron (Bus Terminal)-Mangkang (Bus Terminal)
• Koridor 1M: Mangkang (Bus Terminal)-Simpang Lima (night service, 18:00-23:00)
• Koridor : Sisemut (Bus Terminal)-Terboyo (Bus Terminal)
• Koridor : Pelabuhan (Port)-Elisabeth (via Peterongan)
• Koridor : Pelabuhan (Port)-Elisabeth (via Simpang Lima)
• Koridor : Cangkiran-Stasiun Tawang (Tawang Station)
• Koridor : Meteseh-Ahmad Yani Airport-PRPP
• Koridor : Diponegoro University (UNDIP) to Semarang State University (UNNES)
• Koridor : Terboyo (Bus Terminal)-Balai Kota (City Hall)
• Koridor : Cangkiran-Gunung Pati-Simpang Lima
• Koridor : Ahmad Yani Airport-Simpang Lima (night service, 18:00-24:00)

Most interchanging of buses is done at the Balai Kota (City Hall) or SMAN 5 shelter on Jl Pemuda.

The ticket costs Rp3,500 for adults who use electronic money, Rp4,000 for adults who pay in cash and flat Rp2,000 for students. The ticket is valid for as long as you are travelling, but you cannot break your journey. If you get off one bus and get straight on another, the ticket is valid. Keep your ticket when transferring from one corridor to another so that you won't have to buy a new ticket. Some of the less-frequented shelters do not have officials selling tickets, so you have to buy on board. Every bus also has a conductor. This is by far the most visitor-friendly method of going around by public transport.

Central Java provincial government also runs a bus rapid transit route, TransJateng, from Tawang railway station to the Bawen bus terminal, 36.5 km (22.7 mi) away on the southern outskirts of the city. Passing through Semarang Old Town, the main post office, town hall, Tugu Muda, Kariadi hospital. It also passes the Watu Gong Buddhist temple and the Sido Muncul jamu factory. A ticket costs Rp3,500. If you break your journey, you will need to buy another ticket when you get back on. The first bus leaves at 05:00 until 21:00. They run every 15-20 minutes and should do the whole journey in about 90 minutes.

There are plenty of minibuses (locally called angkot or daihatsu) serving other routes. The route is written on the windscreen, and sometimes on the back and side of the vehicle. The route is normally written in the form of 'origin-destination' and sometimes with 'via' information if there is more than one minibus route with the same origin-destination but with a different path in between. For example, the route written as Johar-Sampangan, means it starts in Johar and ends in Sampangan, and vice-versa. Minibus fares are around Rp2,000-3,000. There are two kinds of minibuses, the orange-coloured ones travel longer routes, and the yellow ones travel shorter routes (e.g. from a housing complex to the nearest market or terminal). Ask the conductor or driver before you board about the route and whether it goes where you want to go. This is where you need some rudimentary Indonesian as the person you ask is unlikely to speak English.

Taxis are safe and comfortable, and reasonably priced (starting price Rp4,000).

Make sure you understand the route or ask a friend. Make sure the driver uses the meter ("argo"). If he refuses to use the meter, use another taxi. List of taxi companies:

• Astria, Jl Jatisari 1, ☏ +62 24 746-0940. 
• Blue Bird, Jl Brigjen Sudiarto No. 492, ☏ +62 24 670-1234. Ordering a Blue Bird in Semarang is now possible through a smartphone app. They also link up with the Go-Jek ride service to offer Go-Bluebird.

• Centris Multipersada, Jl Majapahit 583, ☏ +62 24 672-3624. 
• Kosti, Jl Pamularsih 15, ☏ +62 24 761-3333. 
• Pandu Persada Saranamukti, Jl Kaligawe Km 4/46, ☏ +62 24 659-1234. 
• Puri Kencana, Jl Rogojembangan Raya 68, ☏ +62 24 670-5050. 

Using your smartphone, you can now easily hail a GoJek or Grab in Semarang. It is worth investing in a local SIM card with data so you can use the apps. In Semarang, Grab offers Grab Car and Grab Bike, and GoJek offers its full range, including Go-Bluebird, its tie-in with Bluebird Taxis: book a Bluebird using the GoJek app.Y Because the maps used in the app are not always reliable, drivers tend to call you shortly after they accept the job, to get more precise information. It is helpful to have enough Indonesian language skills to tell them exactly where you are waiting, to be able to describe a useful landmark, and what colour clothes you are wearing.

At first glance, central Semarang seems to have wide pavements. On closer inspection, they turn out to be paved with ceramic wall tiles that are lethally slippery when wet. Trees grow out of them, bus shelters take up nearly the whole width, traders start to encroach. Coupled with the hot and humid climate, walking suddenly seems a lot less attractive. What's more, trying to cross the road is borderline suicidal. Many of the main roads in the central area are one way, which turns them into race tracks. Pedestrian crossings, even with traffic lights, are disregarded. There are footbridges in places, but construction is low quality so watch your step on the stairs, and some have railings missing.

The Old Town is the only part of town that can be truly explored on foot. Behind Gereja Blenduk you will find a fascinating warren of streets between colonial offices and warehouses.

You can walk around the open green space of Simpang Lima, but crossing the road to get there is risky.

• -6.968017110.42787715 Old Town (Kota Lama, Oudstadt). Northern Semarang has many old Dutch colonial buildings. This was where the old walled city was located. The wall is no longer there, but many of the buildings remain. While there are a number specific points of interest, the whole area is atmospheric and interesting for a wander. Early morning or late afternoon offers the coolest parts of the day and the best light for photography. The rundown nature is part of its charm, but the City Council is making concerted efforts to bring it back to life. The numbers of cafes and restaurants is slowly growing. This helps to give life to the area at night also, and there is a semi-permanent bric-a-brac market that is most active during these cooler hours. During certain high tides, the area is flooded. Tackling it is also part of the government's plan, and the flooding is slowly dropping in terms of number and intensity of incidents.  
• -6.968312110.42743716 Gereja Blenduk (GPIB Immanuel), Jl Letjen Suprapto 32 (The heart of the Old Town). The name means "domed church". A beautiful Protestant church built in 1753, it is the oldest church in Semarang. It has a baroque organ, a rarity in Indonesia.  
• -6.9675110.428217 Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery, Jl Taman Srigunting No.5-6, ☏ +62 24 355-2099, fax: +62 24 355-2199, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10:00–16:30. Modern gallery offering a selection of contemporary art in revolving exhibitions. Strong focus on Asian artists in general and Indonesian artists in particular. (updated Dec 2017)
• -6.968938110.42656318 Rumah Akar (The Groot), Jl. Roda II. 24 hours. An alley with some buildings with tree roots growing on its walls. Many people make it as a photo background even for pre or post-wedding photos. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.967437110.42681219 Taman Garuda. A small park with Garuda monument. 
• -6.968187110.42781320 Taman Srigunting (Right by the Gereja Blenduk). A small, shady square nestled by the Gereja Blenduk. Good for a quick sit-down after the exertions of walking around the Old Town, and great for indulging in a bit of the Indonesian national pastime of taking selfies. Expect to be invited to join in photos with other visitors. 
• -6.968187110.42518721 Gedung Djakarta Lloyd, Jl. Mpu Tantular. Gedung Djakarta Lloyd was once the office of the largest shipping company in the Netherlands named Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland (SMN). This building was designed by Ir. Thomas Karsten in 1930. SMN was later nationalized to become Djakarta Lloyd. Until now this building is still used as the office of state-owned, Djakarta Lloyd. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.968512110.42798422 Gedung MARBA, Jl. Gelatik No. 35. Marba (Martak Badjened) is a company owned by a Yemen-Indonesia businessman who is engaged in export and import. This building was built in the mid-19th century. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.969437110.42643723 Gedung Monod Diephuis & Co, Jl. Kepodang No. 11-13, ☏ +62 819 044 42888. M-F 08:00-21:00, Sa 08:00-17:00. Located in the middle of Hoogendoorpstraat, now Jalan Kepodang. Monod & Co company was founded in 1882 by CLF Monod de Froideville and is one of the oldest companies in Semarang. This company is engaged in brokerage, especially sugar, coffee, copra, and other agricultural products for export to Europe. The building is used for art galleries, public libraries, and wedding halls also social activities. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.967937110.42768824 Gedung Oudetrap. The building has a spiral staircase in front of the building, which was built in 1834. It was used as a spice warehouse in the Dutch colonial era. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.967937110.42531325 Gedung PELNI, Jl. Mpu Tantular (next to Gedung Djakarta Lloyd). This building was used by Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM) in the early 20th century. The building is an Art Deco Indies style building that was first built in Semarang. Designed by F.J.L Ghijsels of the AIA bureau in 1917. Construction took a year and was only completed in 1918. Now, It is owned by the national marine passenger transport company, PT PELNI. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.969437110.42568726 Gedung PTPN XV, Jl. Mpu Tantular No. 5. Built in the early 19th century and used for Cultuur-Maatschappij der Vorstenlanden N.V., a Dutch company engaged in plantations and agriculture. The company opened a branch in Semarang in 1888. Now, the building is owned by state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara. (updated Oct 2022)

• -6.984349110.40932127 Tugu Muda (The Monument to Youth), At the western end of Jl Pandaran and Jl Pemuda. One of Semarang's landmarks - an obelisk set in the middle of a roundabout. It commemorates the five days of fierce battle (14-19 October 1945) between Indonesian freedom fighters and Japanese soldiers who refused to surrender. (updated Nov 2017)

• -6.985946110.38387128 Museum Ronggowarsito, Jl. Abdurrahman Saleh No. 1, ☏ +62 24 7602389. 08:00–14:00, except on Monday. Javanese culture and art museum. Rp 2,000.  
• -7.069111110.41122229 MURI (Museum Rekor Indonesia), Jl. Setiabudi no.179 Srondol. M–F 08:00–16:00. Indonesian Record Museum.  
• -6.984521110.40930930 Museum Perjuangan Mandala Bhakti, Jl. Mgr. Sugiyopranoto. Tu–Th 08:00–18:00, F 08:00–10:30, Su 08:00–12:00. Military museum.  
• -6.969563110.43068831 Museum Kota Lama, Jl. Cendrawasih No.1a, Purwodinatan. Daily 10:00-15:30 Exc. Mon. The history of Semarang City since 1547. It is free but you have to make a reservation on Lunpia App, the application can be downloaded on Apple Store or Google Play. (updated Sep 2022)

• -6.9713110.424732 Johar Market (Pasar Johar), Jl K.H. Agus Salim, Kauman Tengah (Just south of the Old Town and at the eastern end of Jl Pemuda.). Built in 1936, and famous for its neo-vernacular design by architect Thomas Karsten. Unfortunately damaged by fire in 2016, but renovation started in late 2017. As of 2022, Pasar Johar has been reopened. Near the market, there are some landmarks, including the city square Aloon-Aloon Semarang and Masjid Agung Semarang (Semarang Central Mosque) or known as Masjid Kauman. (updated Nov 2017)

• -7.026063110.4096889 GOR Jatidiri, Karangrejo, Gajahmungkur. There is a sports complex owned by the Central Java government. Main football stadium, swimming pool, indoor stadium, roller skate velodrome, and so on. You may watch the tier-1 Indonesian football league match on the weekend. (updated Sep 2022)
• -6.990312110.41868810 GOR Tri Lomba Juang, Jl Kapten Piere Tendean No. 5, Sekayu. Running track, badminton, and tennis venue. Every afternoon, many Semarang people run and jog in this place. (updated Sep 2022)

After some hard travelling, a long flight, climbing a volcano or just a long walk around town, an easy way to unwind is one of 'reflexology' places offering an hour or two in an easy chair, with vaguely Oriental ambient music tinkling away, while someone squeezes your feet (despite being called reflexology, it is rarely that, but very pleasant nonetheless). All for a very reasonable price.

• -6.9778110.415511 Cozy Feet, Jl Kapten Piere Tendean No. 5, Sekayu (The street behind the Novotel.), ☏ +62 24 354-9823. 10:00-22:00 every day. Reflexology and massage. (updated Nov 2017)
• -6.9883110.424212 Yu Zu Tang, Jl Anggrek Raya Blok C No. 20-22, Pekunden (behind the Citraland Mall; leave the mall by the door next to Galael supermarket, turn right and follow the wall of the mall around until you get to Yu Zu Tang), ☏ +62 24 841-3036. 10:00-22:00. Reflexology and massage. From Rp75,000 for one hour. (updated Nov 2017)

• Dug Der Festival (Dugderan), Johar, Kota Lama, Polder Tawang. Annual festival, one week before fasting month, or puasa. The name is derived from the sound of bedug ("Dug" - the sound of a gigantic drum often associated with Islam), and meriam bambu ("Der" - the sound of the traditional bamboo cannon). At the end of the festival, there's "Ngarak Warak", meaning a procession to bring Warak across the city's main street (normally from the Mayor's office to the Johar Market). The Warak is a mythical animal, with the body of an Arab buraq, the head of a Chinese dragon, and the legs of a Javanese goat. It's the icon of the festival and symbolizes the three cultures, Arab, Chinese, and Javanese in Semarang. You can buy toys at the festival, normally a warak laying an egg, thus the name "Warak Ngendog". 
• Jaran Sampo, Tay Kak Sie and Sam Poo Kong Temples. Attend the biggest ceremony of the Chinese community in Java, featuring a colourful procession and dances of decorated horses and 'liong' (dragon). 
• -6.961562110.38981313 Jateng Fair, at PRPP Marina. Annual showcase of the Central Java Promotions and Development. It's held between June and July. 
• Loenpia Jazz. Etesian jazz music festival. Presenting local and national musicians. The event is hosted by the Semarang jazz community, Jazz Ngisoringin. 
• -6.981312110.40193814 Semarang Bridge Fountain (Air Mancur Menari BKB), Jembatan Banjir Kanal Barat. F-Su, 19:30 and 21:00. Dancing fountain show in the evening. Free. (updated Jul 2022)
• Semarang Great Sale (Semargres). Annual shopping promotions and discounts with lucky draws are held by the city council. 
• -6.982188110.41256315 Semarang Night Carnival (SNC), Balai Kota (City Hall). Yearly fashion carnival around Semarang city main road. It usually starts at the city hall. (updated Sep 2022)
• -7.002937110.42431216 Wayang Wong Ngesti Pandowo, Jl. Sriwijaya No. 29 (inside Taman Budaya Raden Saleh, Ki Narto Sabdho building), ☏ +62 81 57784939, [email protected]. A weekly show of Javanese drama in the form of the human puppet (wayang orang in Indonesian or wayang wong in Javanese), with stories from folklore, Mahabarata, and Ramayana. There is a show every Saturday night. An excellent chance to get a glimpse of Javanese culture in Semarang Rp25,000. 

One of the favourites is milkfish, bandeng, pressure-cooked to soften the bones. It goes by the name bandeng presto or bandeng duri lunak. Also popular are lumpia Semarang (a spring roll with bamboo-shoot filling), wingko babat (small grilled patties of glutinous rice and shredded coconut), ganjel rel (a cake named after the railway sleeper that it resembles in shape and texture) and pia Kemuning (various kind of filling pastry, but the traditional ones are filled with palm sugar, not halal snack because of there is a label containing pork on the package). There is a well-known strip of toko oleh-oleh stores on Jl Pandanaran.

• -6.986428110.4132791 Bandeng Juwana Elrina, Jl Pandanaran no.57, ☏ +62 24 831-1488. Su-Th 06:30-22:00, F Sa 06:30-23:00. Bandeng presto, lumpia Semarang, wingko babat, ganjel rel cake and more. Free tasting. 
• -6.96804110.430062 Wingko Babat Cap Kereta Api (Railway Brand), Jl Cendrawasih 14 (on the eastern edge of the Old Town), ☏ +62 24 354-2064. This outlet is just on the edge of Semarang's Old Town. In addition to wingko they have a wide range of other sweet and savoury snack stuffs, and a small selection of souvenirs like fridge magnets. The shop is a much calmer experience than the toko oleh-oleh of Jl Pandanaran which can be crowded and hot, especially if a coachload of tourists arrives. (updated Oct 2017)
• -6.9744110.42783 Lumpia Gang Lombok (Loempia Gang Lombok or Loenpia Gang Lombok), Gang Lombok, Chinatown (next to Tay Kak Sie temple). The pioneer of Semarang's many lumpia (spring roll) stalls. Started operating before the Second World War. Some of the owners of other lumpia outlets started by working at this place. Uses both dried shrimp and fresh shrimp. Semarang lumpia is known for the use of bamboo shoots, which give them a distinctive taste. (updated Nov 2017)
• -6.991188110.3970634 Tahu Baxo Ibu Pudji (Tahu Bakso Bu Pudji cabang Pamularsih), Jl. Pamularsih Raya No.15, Bongsari (near Sam Poo Kong Temple), ☏ +62 822 424 75758. 07:00-20:00. Tahu bakso is tofu stuffed with beef or fish dough. It is a delicacy of Ungaran, Semarang (Regency). (updated Jul 2022)
• -6.978063110.4296885 Moaci Gemini, Jl. Kentangan Bar. No.101, Sawunggaling, ☏ +62 24 3519503. 07:00-20:00. Kue moaci is a Semarang mochi stuffed with the peanut paste and sesame seeds outside. (updated Sep 2022)

There are numerous places around town to buy jewelry, paintings, handicrafts, art, and other items that could make great souvenirs, and these places can be found all over town. You can buy batik, antiques, and traditional items in Pasar Johar (Johar Market). There is plenty of choices. It is also accessible by Angkot (mini-bus).

Batik

[edit]

You can also buy high-quality batik at department stores, or at batik specialists like Batik Keris and Danar Hadi, both in the Simpang Lima square area. Semarang also has its own style of batik called Batik Semarangan, which can be found in various stores around town, one of them in kampung batik near old town.

• -7.066562110.47143813 Batik Semarang 16, Meteseh, Tembalang, ☏ +62 811 270 8692. 
• -6.969188110.43181314 Batik Temawon, Jl. Batik No.746, Kampung Batik, Rejomulyo (walking to the east from Bundaran Bubakan/Museum Kota Lama through Jalan Batik), ☏ +62 856 404 40909. 09:00-21:00. 

• -6.983562110.41231215 DP Mall, Jl. Pemuda (near Lawang Sewu), ☏ +62 24 3583588. 10:00–22:00. The mall has three floors. Fashion tenants include H&M, Uniqlo, and Giordano. It is a comfortable place to hang out with culinary tenants including Sushi Tei, Yoshinoya and Istana Mie & Es. There are the Cinema XXI cinema and Masterpiece karaoke on the second floor. (updated Aug 2022)
• -7.006417110.432516 Java Supermall, Jl. Letjen MT. Haryono No 992 – 994. 09:30–22:00. The mall has four floors. Fashion tenants include Matahari Department Store, Hammer, Giordano, and Bellagio. It is a comfortable place to hangout with culinary tenants including Starbucks, J.CO Donuts, Pizza Hut, Solaria, Es Teler 77, and Kopi Luwak. There is the Cinemazz cinema at the third floor. (updated May 2020)
• -6.9889110.423817 Mall Ciputra (Citraland Mall), Jl. Simpang Lima No 1. 09:30–22:00. The ground floor has many fashion options, including The Bra House, Andre Valentino, Batik Keris, Hammer, Giordano, Nike, dan Rotelli Shoes. The first floor has more with Planet Surf, Wacoal, Warna Fashion dan Fada Boutique. The second floor has XXI and Citra 21 cinemas. (updated May 2020)
• -6.9787110.415818 Paragon City Mall, Jl. Pemuda No 118. 10:00–22:00. At the G floor, you can buy beauty products at L'Occitane and the Body Shop. Some of the well-known tenants include Adidas, Giordano, Levi’s, Hush Puppies, and Wakai. Food options include BreadTalk, J.CO Donuts, dan Starbucks. (updated May 2020)

• -6.982437110.40443819 ADA, Jl. Mgr Sugiyopranoto No.58 - 60, Bulustalan (near Semarang Bridge Fountain), ☏ +62 24 3563641. 09:00–21:00. Modern supermarket in Semarang. It provides a variety of household needs, clothing, shoes, toys, and a food court. It has 4 branches all over Semarang. (updated Aug 2022)

Besides the famous Pasar Johar, there are other traditional markets across the city. You may buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, also numerous traditional snacks or kue known as jajan pasar. Go early in the morning to see the most activity. They tend to have quietened down by late morning. There are plenty to choose from.

• -6.984063110.40768720 Pasar Bulu (Bulu Market), Jl. Mgr Sugiyopranoto (near Tugu Muda). In addition to providing ingredients for cooking, there is also a food court here. (updated Oct 2022)
• -6.981562110.39506221 Pasar Karangayu (Karangayu Market), Jl. Jendral Sudirman. One of the biggest traditional markets in Semarang. Just 5 km away from the airport. (updated Oct 2022)
• -7.002937110.43306322 Pasar Peterongan (Peterongan Market), Jl. MT. Haryono. Known for its old tamarind tree. It is older than the market which was built in 1916. (updated Oct 2022)

As Semarang is not a tourist city, you won't find a large concentration of money changers. Those listed below are generally reliable, and you can even call ahead to 'lock' a rate first before coming in personally in the next half an hour or so.

• Golden Valasindo, Jl Jend Sudirman 322, Ruko Siliwangi Square Kav 10 (TransSemarang Corridor I and IV, stop at Pasar Karangayu (Karangayu Market) - on the way from airport to the city centre), ☏ +62 24 7663-2631. 
• Rudo Indovalas Dunia, Jl Simpang Lima, Gajah Mada Plaza Bl A/9-10 (TransSemarang Koridor III and IV, stop at Simpang Lima), ☏ +62 24 844-4111. 
• Supit, Jl Pemuda 39C, ☏ +62 24 354-2461. 
• Supit (branch office), Mal Ciputra Shop Office Bl B/4, Jl Simpang Lima 1 1 (TransSemarang Corridor III and IV, stop at Simpang Lima), ☏ +62 24 844-0814. 
• Valin Internusa, Jl Mayjen DI Panjaitan 158-160, ☏ +62 24 356-5222. 

Banks are open between 08:30-15:00.

Semarang has many special foods that cannot be found in other cities, including:

• Babat gongso, beef tripe in a sweet and spicy sauce.
• Badak sambel, a veggies fritter in a spicy peanut sauce.
• Empal kelem, beef in thick spiced gravy.
• Kue jongkong singkong, a cake made from grated cassava.
• Mie kopyok, noodle in a garlic soup.
• Petis bumbon, boiled eggs cooked in fish paste sauce called petis banyar.
• Petis kangkung, boiled water spinach mixed with shrimp paste sauce and lime juice.
• Tahu gimbal, tofu dish with cabbage and gimbal (shrimp fritter) in a peanut sauce.
• Tahu petis, tofu stuffed with black shrimp paste sauce.
• Terang bulan Semarang, different from common martabak manis, it is softer and sprinkled with strawberry jam, white powder sugar, and sweetened chocolate condensed milk.

There are food stalls all over Semarang. Some kaki lima stalls are popular and cheap, as they are not permanent, and do not have phone numbers and exact addresses. However, they usually open in the same spot and time every day.

The cheapest of the cheap is nasi kucing (literally, cat rice) which is very small portions (just enough for a cat to eat, presumably) of rice served with a modest amount of side dishes and vegetables. Another cheap dish, bakso (meatball soup) with offal and cartilage also become a favorite lunch in Semarang such as Bakso Doa Ibu, Bakso Pak Geger, and Bakso Pak Ripto. Soto Semarang is a type of chicken soto with clear soup and various side dishes for budget breakfast, some of the oldest including Soto Bangkong, Soto Bokoran, Soto Pak Man, and Soto Pak Ra'an.

Porridge is one of the budget breakfast menus in the morning in the city of Semarang, the salty one is called bubur terik (porridge with tofu and boiled egg in yellow coconut milk soup) and the sweet one is bubur ketan kinco (porridge with glutinous rice, grated coconut, and liquid brown sugar).