Salatiga is a town in Central Java, Indonesia. It is known for its cool weather and the Merbabu volcano. It is also the site of the annual Festival Mata Air, a festival highlighting the importance of sustainable use of Central Java's water resources.
Merbabu, an inactive volcano which is more than 3000m high. Most people will head to nearby Kopeng which is about 20 minutes away by car. Salatiga has a small shopping center named "Plaza Taman Sari" which is near the "clock tower" roundabout, between 2 main streets, Diponegoro and Jenderal Sudirman.
Salatiga is a small town, therefore there are not many attractions around. You might be able to visit a night market in the "town centre" at certain times though.
Although Salatiga has a relatively large market it is not special and not geared to tourists.
Eateries are spread out around the town. Those around the university tend to be cheap. Mie Bandung serves good chicken noodles (though salty) and "nasi tim" (soft steamed rice with chicken and soy sauce topping). In 2009 they cost below Rp 10,000. Tuntang (one of Salatiga's neighbouring districts) is close to the Rawa Pening lake shore, where you can find a group of lesehan grilled fish traditional restaurants. These kind of restaurants have some type of small "room" or "gazebo" where you can enjoy your meal privately, sitting on the floor (no chair). Indeed, the word lesehan literally means "sitting cross-legged on the floor".
Non-alcoholic drinks are served in most small eating places and medium to large restaurants. They tend to be sweet. The "es campur" consists of tape (sweet fermented cassava), pearl balls, black "cincau" cubes, agar-agar, sometimes with mung beans, served with syrup, crushed ice and sweetened condensed milk.
The area code for Salatiga is 0298.
- Kopeng is about 15-20 mins by car to the southwest of Salatiga.
- Ambarawa is a small town with a railway museum, 15-20 mins by car northwest of Salatiga.