Banten Province Travel Guide
Banten is a province that occupies the western tip of West Java and encompasses many popular destinations including Serang, Anyer Beach and the Sunda Islands.
Banten used to be an independent sultanate and is today split into five regencies - Serang, Pandeglang, Lebak, Cilegon, and dan Tangerang. The main cities to check out in Banten are Anyer Kidul, Karawaci, Tangerang, and Cilegon.
Attractions to take note of in Banten include Banten Sultanate Palace ruins in Banten Kraton, which was razed in 1808 by the Dutch; Anak Krakatau volcanic island and national park; and the beautiful Umang Island, in the west of Pandeglang. Ujung Kulon National Park in the southwest of Banten is also worth a look for its lowland rainforest. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.****
For chilling out, Anyer Beach is a fine beach resort and small town that can be found in the northwest of Banten and sports good waves and several resorts. Or you could make the trip out to Gunung Krakatau, located 50kms off of Banten’s western shoreline, to see the still active Anak Krakatau (Krakatoa) - the most popular sight in the region.
The best time to visit the province is between April and October for the driest weather, but early February sees Gathering Tourism Funday, a week-long event in Anyer featuring cultural performances and handicrafts galore.
The best way into Banten is via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta. It is the main airport in Indonesia and receives flights from all over. Serang is an hour or so west of the airport via the Jalan Tol Tangerang highway. Ferries also land at various spots along Banten’s west and northern coast.