The oil town of Cilacap sits on the south coast of Central Java province. It’s a popular port city with tourists, famed for its long, narrow harbor and international trade.
Cilacap is a sizeable city of over a million people and has plenty of attractions for the culture vulture, including those that highlight Banyumasan culture. It is an industrial town, however, and doesn’t boast the splendor and beauty of other, higher profile cities in Java. If you head out of town east you will find some nice beaches.
Cilacap has bounced back after the 2004 tsunami claimed 147 lives and tore the area’s beaches apart. The devastation would have been far worse were it not for Kambangan Island acting as a buffer. There are several high-security prisons on the island.
Getting There & Away
Cilacap is less than an hour’s flight from Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, with flights arriving from all over Java at Tunggul Wulung Airport. It is also connected by road and rail with the rest of Java.
Things to Do
Cilacap Attractions
- WhiteHouse at Cilacap
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A palatial building in cilacap, which is more beige/marble-colored than white.
Side trips from Cilacap
- Kambangan Island
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This island protects cilacap from the ravaging of monsoonal weather and typhoons and has many high profile prisons and inmates. a boat trip around the island can be a nice experience.
Events
- Cilacap Kite Festival
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Featuring numerous colorful kites being flown by all and sundry in penyu bay in late july.