A Solo Music Museum Near The Sunan Hotel Solo in Surakarta, Indonesia
A Gallery and Café Just a Two-Minute Walk from the Hotel
Words and photos by Jigubyeol Sigoljwi
Hi, everyone! I’m Jigubyeol Sigoljwi, a book-loving travel blogger. Today, I’m sharing a favorite experience from Solo, also known as Surakarta, in Central Java, Indonesia—including a Solo music museum that’s well worth a visit.
In particular, I want to show you The Sunan Hotel Solo, where I stayed, and a few lovely places right nearby.
A quick note: the hotel manager recommended the spot below as an easy walk, so I headed over to check it out.
1. The Sunan Hotel Solo
Solo is known for its rich culture and history, and The Sunan Hotel Solo made a wonderfully convenient base for exploring it.
True to its #soloyasunan tagline, the hotel helped make my time in Solo feel special. Its convenient location put the main sights within easy reach, while the comfortable room and friendly service gave me somewhere to recharge between outings.
The hotel had such a lovely atmosphere that I felt inspired to make a little music.
Not that I’m a great singer—no one was asking me to perform!
I was practicing a cover of an Indonesian song and filmed a little clip, just to have something to remember the trip by.
This is The Sunan Hotel Solo, where I stayed for three days and two nights.
Anyway, back to exploring!
Even if you’re not staying at The Sunan Hotel Solo, the gallery and café just across from it are worth adding to your Solo itinerary.
From this point on, everything was paid for out of my own pocket. 🙂
A Short Video Snapshot of Surakarta
2. Lokananta Bloc & Records
I visited on a hotel staff member’s recommendation. It’s only a two-minute walk from the front of the hotel.
Lokananta Bloc & Records brings together Indonesia’s musical history and a fresh, contemporary creative scene.
How much was admission again?
It was less than $4…
Local and international visitors paid the same price.
It was inexpensive enough that I didn’t make a point of noting the exact amount.
I went in first and was having a look around…
Then a friend joined me partway through.
Naturally, we had a great time taking photos for each other.
I usually pay in cash, but my friend paid by QR code.
Here’s hoping Naver Pay, the Korean mobile payment service, becomes available in Indonesia soon!
Founded in 1956, this was Indonesia’s first and largest recording studio. More recently, it has been reinvented as a creative space for a younger generation.
Inside the Lokananta Bloc gallery, you can explore eight themed sections, including the Gamelan Room, Discography, and Bengawan Solo.
I’ll let the photos give you a better idea.
#rekaman
Apparently, this songwriter is someone everyone in Indonesia knows!
This is such a photogenic space.
It gave me a fascinating overview of the history of Indonesia’s recording industry.
With its mix of heritage and modern spaces, this Solo music museum is a great stop if you’d like to explore Indonesian music culture in a contemporary setting.
Unfortunately, Korean-language information wasn’t available yet. You can scan the QR codes for English explanations as you make your way through the exhibits.
For Korean travelers like us, another big draw was the photography. There are lovely spots for pictures all over the place.
I’ve marked all the locations on the map below.
That should make them easy to find. 🙂
3. Sawahita Local Bar & Home Cuisine
Right beside Lokananta Bloc & Records, there’s a building lined with some appealing cafés and restaurants.
I took a few photos, mostly of the cafés.
It’s a nice, tidy-looking space, isn’t it?
After making a full loop around the building, I settled on Sawahita Local Bar & Home Cuisine. Here’s why…
1) The owner spotted me and enthusiastically waved me inside.
2) Sawahita genuinely had a lovely atmosphere, so I was naturally drawn in. It also seemed to have the most customers that afternoon.
You can choose between air-conditioned indoor seating and an outdoor area without air-conditioning. Incense was burning inside, giving the space a distinctive atmosphere.
The staff were friendly and service was quick, making it an easy place to settle in and enjoy myself.
Prices were reasonable, and the signature drink was especially delicious. I was told they normally accept only cashless payments from local customers, but since I only had cash, they kindly accepted it.
Something to keep in mind before you visit.
Seriously, this was delicious—exactly my kind of drink!
My friend’s order was delicious, too.
With its distinctive atmosphere and decor, it was just the place to relax and catch up with my friend after visiting the gallery.
I’d happily come back the next time I’m in Solo. They even subscribed to my YouTube channel, which was so kind!
I also noticed some basic art supplies here and asked the owner about them.
Apparently, café guests can pay an extra fee to create their own artwork. Worth knowing if you like working a little art into your travels!
Exploring Around The Sunan Hotel Solo
Between a comfortable stay at The Sunan Hotel Solo, a visit to the Solo music museum at Lokananta Bloc & Records, and a relaxing stop at Sawahita Local Bar & Home Cuisine, these places made my trip feel that much more special.
If you’re staying at a hotel in Surakarta, I’d recommend stopping by, too.
I’ll be sharing more videos from my Indonesia trip on YouTube. Until then, happy travels!
Written by Jigubyeol Sigoljwi, a book-loving travel blogger
Thanks for reading!