Banten, also known as Banten Lama (Old Banten) is a town in the province of Banten, in the Western Java region of Indonesia. Banten used to be the capital of the powerful Banten sultanate, that had control over trade in parts of Western Java and Sumatra in the 16th to 18th century.

Understand

The town of Banten during its glory days, in 1724.

Being a great trading centre in Southeast Asia, especially of pepper, the sultanate of Banten was powerful and prosperous starting in the 16th century, which led to the construction of impressive buildings in its capital town of Banten. However, the capital of the colonial power, the Dutch East Indies, was located just 60 km east in Batavia (now the city of Jakarta). This led to intense conflicts, and eventually led to the end of the sultanate in the early 19th century, when it was absorbed in the Dutch East Indies. Nowadays, the town of Banten is an administrative village under the authority of the larger city of Serang. Banten's port is no more than a local fishing port, with the ports of Merak to the west and Jakarta to the east being much more important.

Get in

By car

Banten is about 7 km north of the city of Serang. The Jalan Raya Banten road leads directly from the city centre of Serang to Banten. To get to Banten from Jakarta, you can take the Jakarta-Merak toll road and get off at the Serang Timur (East Serang) exit. From there, it is about a 10 km drive to Banten.

By train

Banten is served by 1 Karangantu railway station. There are several daily trains from Serang and Rangkasbitung (terminus of commuter line from central Jakarta), and several in the other direction to Cilegon and Merak (ferry port to Sumatra).

By bus

There is also an angkot (minibus) route from the city of Serang to Banten. To ask for directions, mention specifically Banten Lama (Old Banten).

Get around

Most of the sights in Banten, as well as the railway station, are within walking distance of each other. Another option is to hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi). The neighborhood is poor and in parts resembles a shanty town.

See

• 

  The Grand Mosque of Banten.

  1 Surosowan sultan palace (Keraton Surosowan), Jl. Masjid Agung Banten (600 m west of the railway station). Located in the once-prosperous kingdom of Banten, this royal palace was designed by a Muslim Dutchman Hendrick Lucas Cardeel and completed during the reign of the first sultan. Surrounded by a high brick wall, it served as a glorious residence from 1526 to 1808 and was equipped with an aqueduct connected to a reservoir. A major excavation in 1984 divulged the greatness of this exuberant palace. Foundations of some pavilions, a bathing area in the south wing, and two filtration tanks are some of the structures awaiting the keen explorer. Free. (updated Sep 2016)
• 2 Great Mosque of Banten (Masjid Agung Banten), Jl. Banten Lama. 16th century mosque, one of the few surviving buildings of the old Banten town. The minaret tower was built in 1632. (updated Sep 2016)
• 3 Old Banten Archaeological Museum (Museum Situs Kepurbakalaan Banten Lama), Jl. Masjid Agung Banten (just east of the Grand Mosque). Tu-Su 09:00-16:00. Museum on the history of the town and the sultanate of Bandung, as well as Southeast Asian ceramics. (updated Sep 2016)
• 4 Vihara Avalokitesvara, Jalan Bio Banten. Buddhist monastery, and one of the oldest Chinese temples in Indonesia. (updated Sep 2016)
• 5 Fort Speelwijk (Benteng Speelwijk), Jl. Vihara, Kampung Pamarican (opposite the Chinese temple). Dutch fort built in 1682. The square-shaped fort is in good shape. Outside of the fort there is a Dutch cemetery. Free admission. (updated Sep 2016)
• 6 Keraton Kaibon, Kasunyatan, Kesemen. 08:00-17:00. Sprawling stone remains of a stately palace built in 1815. (updated Nov 2022)

Do

• 1 Gope Karangantu Beach, Jl. Pelelangan Ikan Karangantu, Kasemen. Do fishing and mangrove trekking. (updated Nov 2022)

Buy

• 1 Pasar Ikan Karangantu. Buy fresh fish. (updated Nov 2022)

Eat

There are various warungs (local eateries and streetfood stalls) in the town of Banten, serving seafood and other local dishes.

Drink

• 1 Salsa Jus, Jl. Sukadiri Klp. Dua, Kasunyatan, Kasemen. 10:00-23:00. A juice bar serves fruit juices and es kelapa muda. (updated Nov 2022)

Sleep

There are no hotels in the town of Banten. The nearest hotels are in the city of Serang. It is also possible to visit Banten as a day trip if you stay overnight in Tangerang or Jakarta.

Connect

Banten lama is in Serang City so the telephone code area is 0254.

Go next

• Anyer — this beach resort town is about 40 km west of Banten.
• Serang — in the nearby provincial capital there are various hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants.

Routes through Banten

Anyer ← Cilegon ←

W  E

→ Serang → Panarukan