Beautiful and magical are perfect words to describe Parangtritis Beach, located on Java Island. As one of the main tourist attractions in Yogyakarta, the beach is well-known for its natural beauty and solid spiritual aroma.

Parangtritis Beach is a great spot for singles, couples, and families of all ages. Enjoy the view as the waves sweep across the black sand ramps accompanied by the typical wind gusts that make this beach so beautiful while you relax. 

Best Things To Do In Parangtritis Beach, Yogyakarta

Parangtritis Beach is known as Southeast Asia’s only desert due to its dunes or gumuks surrounding it.

There is a great deal of sand on the beach, and the air is much hotter than in the surrounding area. Therefore, you may feel as if you are in Africa.

Along with Mount Merapi and the Sultanate palace of Jogja, Parangtritis Beach is a symbol of Trimurti power in Yogyakarta.

In contrast, the Sultanate Palace at Parangtritis Beach represents the water element, and Mount Merapi means the fire element. The three entities are arranged straight from north to south if drawn in a straight line.

Yogyakarta’s beach plays a significant role in the local economy. Furthermore, part of Parangtritis Beach is the entryway to Kanjeng Ratu Kidul’s Royal Palace on the South Sea. 

According to legend, the queen enjoys green, so beachgoers should avoid wearing green clothing since something terrible happens. 

There is a small fee per person of 3,500 Rupiah to enjoy the beauty of this tourist location.

History of Parangtritis Beach

The beach was initially discovered by a Majapahit escapee named Dipokusumo. Dipokusumo is sipping and doing Semedi around this beach.

From his place of Semedinya, he saw water dripping or called Tumaritis from the crack of the rock called a machete. Combining these two words creates the word Parangtritis, which means water dripping from cracks in the rock.

What Things To Do In Parangtritis Beach?

It seems that Parangtritis Beach has never lost its charm. At this tourist spot, there are always a lot of tourists from different nations and regions.

Is there anything you can do here? Here’s the list of the best things to do in Parangtritis beach:

1.Around the beach

There is a vast expanse of sand on Parangtritis Beach in comparison to some other famous Indonesian beaches. Walking around the beach while enjoying the waves on your feet is a viable option if you want to get around the beach. 

It is possible to ride a horse if you do not want to walk too much. The experience will be unique.

For those who do not dare to ride horses, a horse-drawn carriage and a jug are available on the beach for rides. Riding a jug is ordinary, right?

Then try renting an ATV, a type of four-wheeled motorcycle that you can use to get around the beach to the ‘desert.’

Make sure you wear glasses so sand won’t enter your eyes. While roasted corn is enjoyed at sunset, you can hunt for photos.

It is impossible to deny the beauty of the sunset at Parangtritis Beach. There will be more visitors as dusk approaches on this beach.

Sunset is a popular time for tourists to set up their cameras to take the most spectacular pictures.

The beach is also famous for its grilled corn and young coconut ice, which you can enjoy if you no longer want to take pictures. You can also surf at Parangtritis beach. No matter how you enjoy Parangtritis Beach, you can always enjoy its beauty.

2.Souvenir hunting

Aside from souvenir shops, many handicraft shops on Jogja Beach sell handicrafts handmade from natural materials.

When you buy souvenirs from them, you can also contribute to the surrounding area’s economy and bring home beautiful souvenirs for your family and friends.

3.Playing kite

It is a perfect place to fly kites because of the heavy beach breeze and the vast expanse of sand. Paragtritis Beach is one of the most popular spots for kite flying.

Not infrequently, this tourist destination is also used for kite festivals organized by both regional and national organizations.

What’s more interesting about Parangtritis Beach?

According to popular belief, Parangtritis Beach is the entrance gate to the occult kingdom at the southern end of the world.

In addition to facilitating various rituals between the palace and residents in the surroundings, this beach is also used for other purposes.

Labuhan is a ritual that is common in the community. The coastguard and envoy from the palace sail offerings to the high seas to obtain blessings, safety, and tranquility as part of this ritual.

Traditionally, the labuhan is performed on the day of a sultan’s coronation and leaks the many anniversaries eight years later. The Sultan may also perform this ritual when his son marries and when he conducts certain Hajatan ceremonies.

4.Dunes

A natural phenomenon known as Gumuk Pasir causes deserts to form in locations where there has been a high level of rainfall, such as Jogja.

Aside from serving as tourist attractions, these dunes are used by scientists around the world for research.

The study found that the dunes on Mount Merapi formed when volcanic material was washed to the sea by the rivers. Afterward, waves carry this material to land, where the wind carries it to create a dessert with a distinctive pattern. 

Dune formation over thousands of years results from tons of sand and a unique way of developing in Africa. Photographers use dunes for various purposes, including pre-wedding photos, commercial shoots, video clips, and movies.

5.Parawedang hot spring

A hot spring place called Parawedang is also located on Parangtritis beach. The study results indicate that even though the water from this spring feels hot, it has no sulfur in it.

It is believed that swimming in a bathing pool can treat a wide variety of skin conditions.

6.Location and transportation

The Parangtritis Beach is located at Jalan Parangtritis KM 28, Yogyakarta, about 30 km from the city center. Several modes of transportation are available to get you to Parangtritis, including private vehicles and public transport.

Private vehicles can take the routes Yogyakarta – Kretek – Parangtritis or Yogyakarta – Imogiri – Siluk – Parangtritis.

If you would like public transportation, you can take a bus from Giwangan Terminal, Yogyakarta. On the bus route Yogyakarta – Parangtritis, you can get off at the beach at Parangtritis.