Malioboro Street

Despite the growing appeal of the new shopping street jalan Urip sumoharjo, with its updated commercial trapping, the vibrant life of the city is still centered along Malioboro and Ahmad Yani, extending from the rail-way-tracks to the public square faced by the sultan’s palace. The shops that hem in this through fare are packed ceiling to floor with colorful articles. Merchandise spreads on mats and trestles lined the covered-foot-ways, where itinerant hawkers, street vendors and quacks vie for your attention. The incredible array of goods and the afire prices draw in the teeming thousands who seek bargains or just come to see, to compare, to be part of the swirling current of people, noise, color and atmosphere. This street is packed with an intense life, but that’s just what makes the interesting scenes for a kaleidoscopic view of the city.

The shops open 9 am to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. including Sundays. There are dozens of cozy restaurants with reasonable prices and serving wide selections of dishes as early as 10 am through 10 p.m. After shop closing hours the footways are occupied by eating stalls serving local specialties like nasi gudeg, sate, bakso, martabak etc. Which make Malioboro and Ahmad Yani a nice place to hangout in the evening and start your sightseeing in the morning.