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Cirebon

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City
—°13
Cirebon (Indonesia)
ℹ️

Practical info — Cirebon

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Kasepuhan Palace early in the morning to avoid the intense midday tropical heat.
  • Traffic can be chaotic; use local ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab instead of renting a car.
  • Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees when visiting the city's historical mosques and palaces.
  • Bargaining is common in traditional markets, but always do it politely and with a smile.

🍽 Food

🍽
Empal Gentong

A rich beef soup cooked in clay pots. Try it at traditional eateries along Jalan Plered.

🍽
Nasi Jamblang

Rice dishes served on fragrant teak leaves. Easily found at local warungs near the port area.

🍽
Tahu Gejrot

Fried tofu drenched in a sweet and spicy sauce. Grab it from street vendors around the main square.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Trusmi Batik Village

The best area to buy authentic Cirebon batik, especially the famous cloud-like 'Mega Mendung' pattern.

🛍
Pasar Pagi

A bustling morning market great for buying local spices, dried fish, and traditional snacks.

🧘
Sunyaragi Cave

A fascinating 18th-century water palace made of coral rock. Best visited early for a peaceful walk.

🧘
Kejawanan Beach

A calm, local spot by the Java Sea. Great for a quiet stroll during sunset.

Cirebon is a historic port city on the northern coast of West Java, situated at the cultural crossroads between the Sundanese and Javanese spheres. The city was once the seat of a powerful sultanate, whose legacy is preserved in three royal palaces, most notably the Kasepuhan Palace dating back to 1529. Geographically, Cirebon is dominated by the imposing Mount Cereme to the west, which shapes the local climate and fertile landscape. The city is unique for its 'Cirebon Batik,' particularly the world-famous 'Mega Mendung' cloud pattern, which reflects Chinese artistic influences integrated into Javanese techniques. Historically, it served as a vital junction for the trade of porcelain and silk, leading to a rich cultural fusion. Today, Cirebon is a major center for the fishing industry and rattan furniture exports, as well as a key stop on the main railway line between Jakarta and Surabaya. Its blend of Islamic architecture, Chinese shrines, and colonial structures creates a distinctive urban character.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C282728282828272728282828
Rain mm35638833524014187552146117229347

Geography

Population
344,851 (2026)
Coordinates
-6.70600, 108.55700

Facts

  • Kasepuhan Palace built in 1529
  • Burial site of Sunan Gunung Jati
  • Home of the Mega Mendung Batik pattern
  • Known as 'Kota Udang' (Shrimp City)
  • Port of Muara Jati is a historic trade link
  • Located near the active Mount Cereme volcano

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Cirebon (13)

Kanoman Palace Heritage Building Museum🏛 museum

Kanoman Palace Heritage Building Museum exhibits the historical artifacts of Cirebon.

Palace Kasepuhan🏰 castle

A 16th-century palace of the Cirebon Sultanate with distinctive Javanese and Islamic architecture.

Museum Bahari Sarwajala🏛 museum

Maritime museum in Cirebon with exhibits on Indonesian seafaring history.

Museum Topeng Cirebon🏛 museum

Museum Topeng Cirebon showcases traditional masks and cultural heritage in Cirebon.

Cirebon Waterland Ade Irma Suryani👨‍👩‍👧 family

A water park in Cirebon with pools and slides, named after the actress Ade Irma Suryani.

Cirebon Lighthouse📍 landmark

A historic lighthouse in Cirebon port guiding ships into the harbor.

Monumen Lokomotif B 1304🏺 historical

Monumen Lokomotif B 1304 is a monument preserving a historic train locomotive in Cirebon.

Tugu Kemerdekaan🏺 historical

A monument in Cirebon celebrating Indonesian independence.

Taman Rusa📍 landmark

A park in Cirebon housing deer and other local wildlife.

💶

Masjid Raya At-Taqwa⛪ religious

The grand mosque of Cirebon, known for its white domes.

Great Mosque of Cirebon⛪ religious

The Great Mosque of Cirebon is a historic place of worship, well known locally as Masjid Agung Sang Cipta Rasa.

Gunungsari Trade Centre📍 landmark

Large shopping complex in Cirebon, a major trade centre of the city.

Red Mosque of Panjunan⛪ religious

The Red Mosque of Panjunan is a historic place of worship in Cirebon, notable for its distinctive red brick architecture.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Cirebon mean?
It comes from 'Ci' (water) and 'Rebon' (shrimp), meaning 'shrimp river'.
Which Batik pattern is typical for Cirebon?
The 'Mega Mendung' pattern, which depicts stylized clouds.
Is there a Sultan's palace?
Yes, Cirebon has four palaces; Kasepuhan is the oldest and largest.
What dish is a must-try?
Empal Gentong, a spicy beef soup traditionally cooked in a clay pot.
Is Cirebon accessible by train?
Yes, it is located on the main railway line between Jakarta and Surabaya.
Cirebon: where is it located?
Cirebon is located in Indonesia.
Cirebon: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kanoman Palace Heritage Building Museum, Palace Kasepuhan, Museum Bahari Sarwajala.
Cirebon: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Cirebon: why is it worth visiting?
Cirebon is a historic port city on the northern coast of West Java, situated at the cultural crossroads between the Sundanese and Javanese spheres.
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