Yogyakarta is Java's cultural capital and the best place on the island to experience traditional Javanese arts. The Keraton (Sultan's Palace) hosts regular performances of gamelan, wayang kulit shadow puppetry, and classical dance. The Taman Sari water palace ruins and the underground mosque of Sumur Gumuling are atmospheric spots to explore on foot.
Beyond the palace complex, the city has several good museums, a thriving contemporary art scene, and the batik workshops along Jalan Tirtodipuran. Further afield, village homestays offer a window into rural Javanese life, and the volcanic landscape around Mount Merapi provides hiking and off-road adventures.