Key Takeaways
- Some of the oldest cities in Indonesia are Palembang, Salatiga, Kediri, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, and Malang.
- The oldest cities in Indonesia range from 700–1,300 years old.
- Some cities are considered the oldest in Indonesia because inscriptions from major kingdoms mention them, while others use dates based on specific historical events.
Many of Indonesia’s oldest cities began their historical journey hundreds, or even thousands, of years ago. Some of these old cities are as much as 16 times older than Indonesia is today.
Who would have thought that behind the hustle and bustle of modern cities and towering buildings, written traces of past kingdoms have been carefully preserved and serve as silent witnesses to the cities’ past? So, what is the oldest city in Indonesia? Check out the list in the following article!
List of the Oldest Cities in Indonesia
Below are some of the oldest cities in Indonesia, listed randomly and without any particular order:
Palembang City
The first city is Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, which is known as the birthplace of pempek. Palembang is Indonesia’s oldest city, having existed since the 7th century, or around 682 AD. This is stated in written historical evidence, namely the Kedukan Bukit Inscription.
Palembang also became the center of the Srivijaya Kingdom’s glory when it controlled maritime trade routes in Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 13th century.
During Srivijaya’s development, the city served as an entrepôt (transit port), connecting commodities from inland areas and the archipelago with international trade.
This fact is reinforced by a study published in the Jurnal Sejarah, Pendidikan, dan Humaniora (2025). The study shows that ceramics found in the Musi River, Palembang, originated from various Chinese dynasties.
Furthermore, the discovery of ancient currencies, including gold, silver, and copper coins from both local and Chinese sources, indicates that Srivijaya already had a currency-based economic system for its trade transactions. These findings confirm that the Musi River played a major role in the maritime history of the Indonesian archipelago.
Salatiga City
If Warga Asri has ever visited Semarang and Solo, Salatiga lies between these two major cities. As written in the Plumpungan Inscription, this city has existed since 750 AD. So, Salatiga is now 1,276 years old.
During the Dutch colonial period, Salatiga was known as the most beautiful city in Central Java. In addition to its natural beauty, which pleases the eye because it sits on the slopes of Mount Merbabu, Salatiga also has a calming atmosphere and good air quality.
When exploring Salatiga, you can find many historical attractions in the city center, such as old houses and classical churches inherited from the Dutch colonial period.
Read also: Green City: Explore Its Benefits and Building Methods
Kediri City
In addition to Central Java, East Java is also home to one of Indonesia’s oldest cities, Kediri. According to the Kwak Inscription, Kediri has existed since 879 AD.
In the past, this city was also part of the territory of the Kadiri Kingdom, or more commonly known as the Kediri Kingdom, from the 11th to the 13th century. Kediri’s past glory eventually inspired the construction of Simpang Lima Gumul (SLG), a modern landmark whose architecture resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
To date, Kediri still preserves various archaeological remains, such as the Tondowongso Site, Tegowangi Temple, Adan-Adan Site, and Totok Kerot Statue.
Surabaya City
Still in the East Java area, the capital of this province is apparently already 733 years old, you know. Surabaya was established on May 31, 1293, which coincided with the battle between Raden Wijaya and the Mongol forces led by Kublai Khan.
Surabaya’s long history as one of the oldest cities in Indonesia has earned the city the nickname “City of Heroes.” This nickname emerged from the heroic actions of Surabaya’s young people in defending Indonesia’s independence, including the November 10, 1945 Battle.
Interestingly, the heroic atmosphere comes not only from its historical events but also from the name Surabaya itself. This is because Surabaya is made up of the words “sura,” which means brave, and “baya,” which means danger.
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Banda Aceh City
Banda Aceh, one of Indonesia’s oldest cities, is located on the island of Sumatra. During the sultanate era, this city was known as Bandar Aceh Darussalam.
Sultan Johan Syah founded Banda Aceh on 1 Ramadan 601 Hijri/April 22, 1205 AD, making it 821 years old today.
In addition to being one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, Banda Aceh is also among the oldest Islamic cities in Southeast Asia. This status is inseparable from its role as a center of Islamic education during its heyday, when many students from India, the Middle East, and other regions came to the city to pursue knowledge.
Malang City
In addition to Kediri and Surabaya, East Java has another city that is no less old, namely Malang. This city has historical traces dating back to 760 AD, not long after Salatiga.
Malang was once ruled by the Kediri Kingdom and the Singasari Kingdom. If you visit Malang, you can find various remains of past glory, such as Kidal Temple, Jago Temple, and Singasari Temple.
During Dutch colonialism, Malang was also used as a strategic trading center. At that time, the Kayutangan area was strategically positioned as a trade route and a link between Malang and Surabaya.
In fact, because of its mountainous geography, Malang once served as a defensive base for fighters, including during the East Java regional coalition’s resistance against the Mataram Sultanate’s expansion under Panembahan Senapati.
Together with Indonesia Asri, Let’s Protect Our Cities and Preserve the Earth!
In the oldest cities in Indonesia mentioned above, various historical legacies can still be seen today. Nevertheless, a city’s sustainability depends not only on its historical heritage but also on environmental conditions that support the lives of the people within it.
Therefore, efforts to preserve the environment should not be underestimated. A healthy environment that is well maintained greatly affects the quality of life of the community as well as the long-term sustainability of an area.
Now, if you want to contribute more broadly to environmental preservation, Indonesia Asri is ready to be your loyal partner by offering various relevant programs, including #AksiAsri. #AksiAsri programs, such as Operasi Semut, are designed to create a real impact on the environment.
So, are you ready to help create a greener Indonesia? Don’t wait any longer. Register as a Warga Asri now!
Worth reading: The Most Pedestrian-Friendly Cities in the World & Indonesia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In addition to the oldest cities, also learn about some frequently asked questions related to cities in Indonesia and around the world below:
1. What Is the Oldest City in the World?
Some of the oldest cities in the world are Jericho (Palestine), Byblos (Lebanon), Damascus (Syria), and Faiyum (Egypt).
2. What Are the 5 Oldest Countries in the World?
The five oldest countries in the world are Egypt, India, Afghanistan, China, and Georgia.
3. What Is the Youngest City in Indonesia?
Some of the youngest cities in Indonesia include Sungai Penuh City (Jambi), South Tangerang (Banten), Kotamobagu (North Sulawesi), and Serang (Banten).
