Cirebon is a city in the North Coast region of West Java, not far from the border with Central Java.

Understand

Its name is often said to be derived from the Sundanese words of ci (water or river) and rebon (shrimp). Indeed, the city's main industry is fishery, including shrimp. An alternative Javanese explanation is that the city's name is from caruban, meaning "mixture", a reference to Cirebon's complex mix of Javanese, Malay, Sundanese, Chinese and Arabic cultural elements. While Indonesians from outside of Cirebon pronounce the name CHEE-reh-bon, locals say Cheer-BON (with rolling R).

The city weather is hot and humid. Wear cotton clothes. You do not need long sleeves shirt, instead a T-shirt and knee-long trousers are comfortable. Some places like mosques and temples require polite dress such as long trousers/skirts. Hot pants/mini skirts may attract unwanted attention and might be considered impolite.

Get in

By car

Cirebon is along the major west-east motorway connecting Jakarta and Central Java. If there are no traffic jams, Cirebon can be reached in about 2½ hours from Jakarta. However, traffic congestion is common and the trip usually takes up to 4 hours. During weekends and holidays, it may even take significantly longer.

There are additional trunk roads to Cirebon from the northwest (Indramayu), southwest (Bandung and Sumedang) and south (Kuningan).

By train

The main station of the city is 1 Cirebon railway station (also known as Kejaksan Station). There is on average about 1 train per hour to and from Jakarta (Gambir or Pasar Senen stations in Central Jakarta), both during daytime and at night. Almost all of these trains are business or executive class trains (one-way tickets about Rp150,000-250,000), but a few per day are economy class. Travel time between Jakarta and Cirebon is usually about 3 hours.

In the other direction, there are also on average hourly trains to the east. The final destinations of these trains differ, with several trains per day terminating at Surabaya, Kediri, or Malang in East Java, and several others going to cities in Central Java, such as Tegal, Semarang, Cilacap, or Yogyakarta. Finally, there are three (executive/business) trains per day from Cirebon to Bandung via Cikampek.

By bus

The main bus terminal of Cirebon is 2 Harjamukti bus terminal. The terminal is served by frequent buses to and from various bus terminals in Jakarta, the port of Merak, Tegal and Semarang, Tasikmalaya, Kuningan, and Bandung, among other cities. There are at least daily bus connections to all larger cities throughout Java, such as Surabaya and Yogyakarta, and also to Denpasar in Bali.

Get around

There are several ways of getting around the town of Cirebon. The most convenient way is by rented car. However, it is advisable to rent a car with a driver if you are not used to driving in Indonesia.

Another way to get around is by angkot (public minivan). There are various angkot routes throughout the city. Angkots follow a fixed route, but there is no fixed schedule and there are no fixed stops. To get on, simply raise your hand. To get off, simply shout "Kiri!" to the driver, so he will pull over on the left (Indonesian: kiri) side of the road. The price of an angkot ride within the city is usually about Rp3,000. It is best to ask a local which angkot route to take, and how to recognise the location you want to get off.

Other options to get around include hiring a becak (cycle rickshaw), ojek (motorcycle taxi) or a regular taxi. Not all taxi drivers are willing to use a taxi meter, so then the price depends on your negotiation skills. Two taxi companies in Cirebon that are known to usually use the official taxi meter are Central Taxi and Bhinneka Taxi. You can also get around by online ojek or taxi that is already available in the city. Install Gojek or Grab application on your phone, then you can order ojek or taxi from your phone almost anytime, to go anywhere in the city.

See

• 

  Keraton Kasepuhan.

  1 Keraton Kasepuhan (Kasepuhan Sultan Palace), Jalan Kasepuhan No. 43. Daily 08:00-17:00, except Fridays 07:00-11:00 and 14:00-16:00. The oldest sultan's palace in Cirebon, built in 1447. The decoration on the inside is interesting, being a curious combination of styles. For example, apart from the Sundanese, Javanese, and Islamic decorations, you may find Dutch Delft blue-and-white tiles. Entrance for foreigners Rp50,000 on weekdays, Rp70,000 in weekends. Discounts for students. (updated Sep 2016)
• 2 Keraton Kanoman (Kanoman Sultan Palace), Jalan Winaon Kampung Kanoman. The second sultan's palace, established when there was a division in the Cirebon sultanate in the 17th century. This palace is not as well-maintained as the Kasepuhan palace. (updated Sep 2016)
• 3 Keraton Kaprabonan (Kapabronan Sultan Palace), Jalan lemahwungkuk lemahwungkuk. The third sultan's palace, established when there was a division in the Kanoman sultanate in the 17th century. This palace is not as well-maintained and well known as the Kasepuhan palace and Kanoman palace. (updated Nov 2023)
• 4 Cirebon Kejaksan railway station building, Jl. Tanda Barat I / Jl. Stasiun. The station building of Cirebon's main railway station was built during the colonial time, based on a design by Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus Moojen. The building is a good example of New Indies Style, combining modern European architecture with local elements. (updated Sep 2016)
• 5 Grave of Sunan Gunungjati, Jl. Sunan Gunung Jati (off Jl. Raya Indramayu-Cirebon). Sunan Gunungjati was one of the wali sanga, revered saints of Islam in Indonesia in the 15th century. He was the founder of both the Sultanate of Banten and the Sultanate of Cirebon. Just as the graves of the other wali sanga, his grave is a local pilgrimage site. (updated Sep 2016)
• 6 Taman Wisata Gua Sunyaragi Cirebon, ☏ +62 812 2266 3855. 08ː00-17ː30 daily. A former rest house for the sultanate family that was built out of coral and takes on the appearance of a cave. (updated Oct 2020)
• 7 Alun Alun Kejaksan Cirebon, Jl Kartini. City mosque and grassy parkway in front if you're into that sort of thing. (updated Oct 2020)

Do

• 1 Kejawanan Beach. Pretty good beach if you like brackish water and trash. But you can take a 10-minute boat ride for Rp 5,000 or 10,000 and also view the sunrise here. (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Cirebon Waterland Ade Irma Suryani, Jl. Yos Sudarso No.1, ☏ +62 231 8293194. 07ː00-21ː00 daily. Marine-type theme park: sea-cottages, flagship, pools with slides, food stalls, etc. (updated Oct 2020)

Buy

Cirebon is a centre of batik cloth industry. The special 'Batik Cirebon' style can be bought in many places around the city.

• 1 Yogya Grand Toserba, Jalan Karanggetas. Located at the heart of the city, this Toserba (toko serba ada meaning "shop that sells everything") has4 floors: 1st floor - shoes & bags department, 2nd floor - ladies wear & mens wear, 3rd floor - supermarket, 4th floor - Marina Restaurant. (updated Sep 2016)
• 2 CSB Mall Cirebon (Cirebon Super Block), Jl. Doktor Cipto Mangunkusumo No. 26. Daily 10:00-22:00. Shopping centre with a wide range of shops and cafés, as well as a large supermarket and XXI cinema. (updated Sep 2016)

Eat

Local cuisines

'Nasi jamblang' buffet.

Cirebon is known for a few local dishes, often with fish and seafood products, but also other dishes that show the city's mixture of Sundanese and Javanese influences. Below is a list of some popular local eateries that serve these local dishes.

• 1 Nasi Jamblang Mang Dul, Jalan Doktor Cipto Mangunkusumo No. 58, ☏ +62 231 206 564. Daily 05:00-01:00. Local 'nasi jamblang' cuisine: a buffet with dishes such as tofu vegetables, liver or meat stews, potatoes, fried eggs, cooked chili, and stewed fish. Key characteristic is the use of teak tree leaves to pack the rice. (updated Sep 2016)
• 2 Nasi Lengko H. Barno, Jalan Doktor Cipto Mangunkusumo (next to Nasi Jamblang Mang Dul), ☏ +62 812 2277 3991. Daily 08:00-22:00. Nasi lengko consists of steamed rice, tempeh and tofu, and bean sprouts, covered with peanuts sauce, garlic chives, and sweet soysauce on top. It is usually served with mutton satay and tapioca starch crackers. (updated Sep 2016)
• 3 Sate Kalong Jalan Kesambi Dalam, Jalan Kesambi Dalam No.102. Daily 19:00-23:00. Sate kalong is Cirebon-style buffalo satay. The word 'kalong' means 'bat', which refers to that the buffalo satay is usually only sold after dark. (updated Sep 2016)
• 4 Tahu Gejrot Wardi, Jl. Lemah Wungkuk / Kanoman. Tahu Gejrot is a spicy tofu dish. It is sold throughout the city at streetfood stalls, often for only about Rp5,000 per portion. A well-known seller is Tahu Gejrot Wardi at the corner of the Kanoman market, near the Kanoman palace. (updated Sep 2016)
• 5 Empal Gentong H. Apud, Jl. Raya Ir. H. Djuanda No. 24, ☏ +62 231 211 055. Daily 09:00-21:00. Local spicy curry-like beef soup. H. Apud is a famous restaurant selling this dish. (updated Sep 2016)
• 6 Empal Gentong & Empal Asam Amarta, Jl. Ir H Juanda No. 37, Plered. Daily 09:30-21:00. Empal asam is the same as empal gentong, but a small star fruit is added, and no coconut is used, making the taste more sour. 
• 7 Mie Koclok Panjunan, Jl. Pekarungan No.104, Panjunan, ☏ +62 877 752 55051. 15:30-22:00. Sell Cirebonese noodle dish, Mie koclok. From Rp25,000. (updated Jul 2022)

Seafood

• 8 Restaurant Seafood Jumbo, Jalan Siliwangi No. 191, ☏ +62 231 203 606. Daily 10:00-22:00. (updated Sep 2016)
• 9 Marina, Jalan Parujakan No. 2A, ☏ +62 231 210 033. Daily 10:30-21:00. (updated Sep 2016)

Drink

Local drink

• 1 Es Cuing Ciremai Mang Goyat/Yayat, Jl. Pangeran Drajat No.19, Drajat, Kesambi, ☏ +62 852 246 77760. 09:00-17:00. Es cuing or cuwing is a kind of refreshing drink made from a gel that resembles jelly, the ingredients are made from cuwing leaves (Tiliacora triandra). (updated Sep 2022)

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Less than Rp400,000
Mid-range	Rp400,000-800,000
Splurge	More than Rp800,000

Budget

• 1 Amaris Hotel Cirebon, Jl. Siliwangi No. 70, ☏ +62 231 829 0066. Budget chain hotel walkable from railway station. Double rooms from Rp250,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)
• 2 Cordela Hotel Cirebon, Jl. Cipto Mangunkusumo No.111, ☏ +62 231 8332722. From Rp294,000 per night. (updated Nov 2016)
• 3 Hotel Citradream Cirebon, Jl. Cipto Mangunkusumo No. 6, ☏ +62 231 8336661. From Rp390,000. (updated Nov 2016)
• 4 Hotel Neo Samadikun, Jl. Kapten Samadikun No. 60, ☏ +62 231 833 2900. Budget chain hotel. From Rp293,000 per night. (updated Nov 2016)
• 5 Sapadia Hotel Cirebon, Jalan Katiasa No. 1, Kalijaga, Harjamukti (Near Harjamukti Station), ☏ +62 812 2306 6760, sapadiahotelcirebon@gmail.com. Check-out: 12:00. Rp 250,000. (updated Sep 2023)

Mid-range

• 6 Asri Hotel Cirebon, Jalan Karang Getas No. 25-27, ☏ +62 231 210 900. Facilities include swimming pool, fitness centre, and an outdoor breakfast area with Balinese garden. Double rooms from Rp425,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)
• 7 Aston Cirebon Hotel & Convention Center, Jl. Brigjen Dharsono No. 12C, ☏ +62 231 829 8000. Modern business hotel on the western side of the city. With large outdoor swimming pool. Double rooms from Rp548,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)
• 8 Batiqa Hotel Cirebon, Jl. DR. Cipto Mangunkusumo No.99, ☏ +62 231 833 8000. From Rp490,000 per night. (updated Nov 2016)
• 9 Grage Hotel Cirebon, Jl. R.A. Kartini No. 77, ☏ +62 231 222999. From Rp525,000 per night. (updated Nov 2016)
• 10 Hotel Santika Cirebon, Jalan Wahidin No. 32, ☏ +62 231 200 570. Fitness centre, massage facilities, swimming pool. Double rooms from Rp555,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)
• 11 Metland Hotel (by Horison), Jl. Siliwangi No. 61, ☏ +62 231 200 222. Three-star hotel near the railway station. Facilities include a coffee lounge and garden restaurant. Double rooms from Rp500,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)
• 12 The Luxton Cirebon, Jalan R.A. Kartini No. 60, ☏ +62 231 8338888. 4-star hotel with outdoor swimming pool, gym, and spa. From Rp720,000 per night. (updated Nov 2016)

Splurge

• 13 Bentani Hotel & Residence, Jl. Siliwangi No. 69, ☏ +62 231 203 246. Near the main railway station. The hotel has a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, and souvenir shop. Double rooms from Rp840,000 per night (discounts available when booking in advance). (updated Sep 2016)
• 14 Swiss-Belhotel Cirebon, Jalan Cipto Mangunkusumo 26 (Cirebon Superblock), ☏ +62 231 829 1888. From Rp965,000. (updated Nov 2016)

Connect

The telephone area code of Cirebon is 0231.

Go next

• Mount Ciremai National Park — the highest mountain of West Java province, just south of Cirebon.
• Linggajati — point of entrance to Mount Ciremai, and also the location of the 1946 Linggajati Agreement (now a museum).
• Indramayu — to the northwest, Indramayu has various beaches along the Java Sea coast, as well as a few offshore islands.
• Kuningan — in the eastern part of West Java province, south of the city of Cirebon.

Routes through Cirebon

Anyer ← Sumedang ←

W  E

→ Brebes → Panarukan