If you’re looking for new things to do in Jakarta - head to the leafy Kemang area in the south. Popular with hipsters and expat families alike, the area is full of indie boutiques, brunch spots and art galleries. Directly to the north is Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), which gleams with mega malls, hotels and rooftop bars.

Topped by a gold-leaf flame, the National Monument (MONAS) rises 137 metres above Merdeka Square. Catch the lift to the observation deck for panoramic views over Jakarta’s attractions. Down below, a museum depicts the independence struggle in dioramas. A vast surrounding park has lawns, a dancing fountain and a deer enclosure.

With some 17,000 islands spread across a vast area, Indonesian food is remarkably varied, influenced by cultures from across Asia and the West alike. Satay skewers, nasi goreng (fried rice) and gado-gado (a salad doused in peanut sauce) are ubiquitous favourites. For a taste of local Betawi cuisine, try soto (a meaty soup in a coconut broth) and kerak telor (a spicy omelette with dried shrimp).

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art gave Jakarta a world-class venue when it opened in 2017. The 43,000-square-foot Museum MACAN (for short) features local talents (FX Harsono and Heri Dono) as well as international favourites. The National Gallery of Indonesia is another must-visit Jakarta attraction for art fans.

Jalan Surabaya is the place to browse and bargain for unique souvenirs: wooden sculptures, porcelain vases, brassware, batik art, Javanese puppets and vintage vinyl. Stalls occupy a roughly 500-metre stretch of Jalan Surabaya in the posh Menteng neighbourhood. There’s even a section of luggage vendors – should you need more room for your haul.

Istiqlal Mosque wows visitors with its modernist marble exterior and sheer size. ‘Istiqlal’ means ‘independence,’ and Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, presided over the 1978 opening. The mosque is also a testament to pluralism: it was designed by a Christian architect from North Sumatra and faces Jakarta Cathedral.

Kota Tua was the Dutch centre of power in Batavia, as Jakarta was then known: and it still looks the part with its European-style architecture and canals. Set out on a rental bike; visit the Jakarta History Museum and the Wayang (puppet) Museum; and soak up the atmosphere at the venerable Cafe Batavia, overlooking cobblestoned Fatahillah Square.

On Sundays from 6am to 11am the grand boulevard of Jalan Thamrin in central Jakarta becomes a blessedly car-free zone. Locals flock here for a stroll, jog or picnic, while performers add to the festive vibe. Come hungry for chicken porridge, egg fried rice, fish dumplings and other staples sold from kaki lima (street food) carts.

Get a whirlwind nationwide tour at Taman Mini Indonesia, a cultural park with pavilions representing 26 provinces – plus a mini recreation of Borobudur, a water park, a cable-car ride, theatres and an aviary. Dunia Fantasi is another homegrown concept with kid-friendly rides; it’s part of the Ancol Dreamland complex along the northern waterfront.

Topped by a gold-leaf flame, the National Monument (MONAS) rises 137 metres above Merdeka Square. Catch the lift to the observation deck for panoramic views over Jakarta’s attractions. Down below, a museum depicts the independence struggle in dioramas. A vast surrounding park has lawns, a dancing fountain and a deer enclosure.

With some 17,000 islands spread across a vast area, Indonesian food is remarkably varied, influenced by cultures from across Asia and the West alike. Satay skewers, nasi goreng (fried rice) and gado-gado (a salad doused in peanut sauce) are ubiquitous favourites. For a taste of local Betawi cuisine, try soto (a meaty soup in a coconut broth) and kerak telor (a spicy omelette with dried shrimp).

Next time you travel to Jakarta, tag on an island escape. A two-hour speedboat ride will transport you to the white sands of Pulau Seribu, meaning ‘thousand islands.’ While that figure may be a bit of an overstatement, the archipelago is indisputably idyllic, encompassing coral reefs, fishing villages and secluded gems perfect for an eco-resort getaway.