Lawang Sewu
A grand Dutch colonial building, Lawang Sewu offers history, spooky tales, and immersive experiences.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical ambiance
Lawang Sewu
Best Time
Fewer crowds, magical ambiance
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A grand Dutch colonial building, Lawang Sewu offers history, spooky tales, and immersive experiences.
"This place is majestic. Strongly suggest you to use a guide provided there, it's really worth it."
🎯 Guided Tour Recommended
Enhance your visit with a guide for historical insights & photo tips. Worth the extra cost!
👻 Basement Tour for Thrills
For a spooky experience, opt for the basement tour (additional fee).
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Underground Passage
Basement
Explore the newly reopened underground passage, a chilling part of Lawang Sewu's history.
Immersive History Experience
Building B
Step back in time with interactive exhibits detailing the railway and colonial eras.
Architectural Grandeur
Main Buildings
Admire the stunning Dutch colonial architecture, a photographer's dream with its grand halls and intricate details.
Angkringan Lawang Sewu
Courtyard
Enjoy local snacks and drinks at this popular night spot with a unique view of the illuminated building.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tickets in Advance
Embrace the History (and the Spooks!)
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Guided Tour Recommended
Enhance your visit with a guide for historical insights & photo tips. Worth the extra cost!
👻 Basement Tour for Thrills
For a spooky experience, opt for the basement tour (additional fee).
📸 Best Photo Spots
Guides know the best angles! Ask them for help capturing the building's grandeur.
💧 No Outside Drinks Allowed
Leave your drinks outside or finish them before entering.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Guided Tour Recommended
Enhance your visit with a guide for historical insights & photo tips. Worth the extra cost!
👻 Basement Tour for Thrills
For a spooky experience, opt for the basement tour (additional fee).
📸 Best Photo Spots
Guides know the best angles! Ask them for help capturing the building's grandeur.
💧 No Outside Drinks Allowed
Leave your drinks outside or finish them before entering.
♿ Wheelchairs Available
Elderly visitors can borrow wheelchairs by leaving an ID.
🛍️ Souvenir Shopping
Find local crafts and souvenirs from vendors inside and outside the gates.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Lawang Sewu for its rich history, stunning architecture, and the unique experiences it offers, from immersive tours to its spooky basement. While some find the museum flow could be improved, the overall consensus is that it's a must-visit for understanding Semarang's past. The addition of the reopened underground passage and evening angkringan adds to its appeal.
"Really place to learn some of local history. The flow of the museum needs to be better sih. So people like me, when decided to go there without any guide still can do a proper tour. Maybe a guide letter / sign can help. Sssstt they got a hidden basement tour (some said it haunted!)"
Faiz alHajjaj
"This place is majestic. When visiting this place I would strongly suggest you to use a guide provided there, it’s not free service (for a family of four you will have to pay at least IDR100,000) but it’s really worth it. The guide will not only tell you the history about this place but they are good photographer as well, they will tell you the best location to take picture and will take a nice picture for you."
Indra Prasetyo
"The Ticket price starts from 10K for Kids, 20K for Adults and 30K for Foreign Tourist. Was previously functioned for Dutch government back to colonial time. I recommend to visit the basement in order to feel the true horror experience of this place. And yeah for the basement there is additional charge."
Fabs!
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Lawang Sewu is easily accessible from Semarang city center. You can take a taxi, ride-sharing service, or local public transport. It's located near Tugu Muda, a prominent landmark. Many visitors arrive from Stasiun Semarang Tawang by walking or a short ride.
Yes, there is parking available at Lawang Sewu. However, it can get busy, especially on weekends. Consider using ride-sharing if you prefer not to worry about parking.
If you're staying near DP Mall or Tugu Muda, Lawang Sewu is within walking distance. Several hotels are also located conveniently across the street, making it easy to reach on foot.
Yes, local buses and angkots (minibuses) serve the area around Lawang Sewu. Ask locals for the best routes from your starting point.
While the main buildings are generally accessible, some areas like the underground passage might be challenging. Wheelchairs are available for rent.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices vary. General admission is around IDR 10,000 for children and IDR 20,000 for adults. Foreign tourists may pay more. Special tours like the immersive experience or basement tour have additional charges.
It's recommended to book tickets in advance, especially for special tours like the immersive experience, to secure your spot.
Lawang Sewu is typically open daily from morning until evening. The Angkringan Lawang Sewu operates late into the night. Check their official social media for the most current hours.
Yes, besides general admission, you can purchase tickets for the immersive experience, the underground passage tour, and escape room activities. Combo tickets are often available.
Yes, the basement or underground passage tour usually requires an additional fee on top of the general admission ticket.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
Beyond history, you can enjoy the immersive experience, explore the underground passage, try an escape room, dine at the Angkringan, shop for souvenirs, and take photos.
Lawang Sewu has a reputation for being haunted, with many stories and legends associated with its past. The basement tour is particularly known for its spooky atmosphere.
Yes, photography is allowed and encouraged. The building's architecture offers many beautiful photo opportunities. Guides can also help you find the best spots.
Yes, guided tours are available and highly recommended to understand the rich history and stories of Lawang Sewu.
The immersive experience uses technology to bring the history of the railway and Semarang to life, offering an engaging way to learn.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a canteen inside Lawang Sewu offering various food and drinks. Additionally, the Angkringan Lawang Sewu in the courtyard is a popular spot for local snacks and meals, especially at night.
Angkringan Lawang Sewu offers traditional Indonesian street food and snacks, often served in a casual, 'lesehan' (sitting on the floor) style.
Yes, the area around Lawang Sewu, particularly near DP Mall and Tugu Muda, has numerous restaurants and eateries offering a variety of cuisines.
Prices at the canteen and Angkringan are generally considered affordable and reasonable.
Outside food and drinks are generally not allowed inside the main buildings. It's best to consume them before entering or purchase from vendors inside.
📸 📸 Photography
The grand halls, the iconic facade, the courtyard, and the underground passage offer excellent photographic opportunities. Guides can point out the most picturesque locations.
Drone photography regulations can vary. It's advisable to check with the management beforehand to ensure compliance with any restrictions.
Both daytime for clear architectural shots and evening for the illuminated ambiance are great. Golden hour can also provide beautiful lighting.
Generally, photography is allowed, but be mindful of other visitors and avoid disruptive behavior. Some specific exhibits might have temporary restrictions.
While not a formal service, guides often double as excellent photographers and can help you capture memorable shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the basement tour might be too scary for younger children, the main buildings offer plenty to see and learn. The availability of wheelchairs can also be helpful for families with elderly members. Don't forget to explore the souvenir shops for fun mementos.
👻 Ghost Hunters & Thrill Seekers
Even if you don't encounter any spirits, the historical context and the atmospheric architecture of the underground passage can be quite chilling. Be prepared for a potentially unsettling but memorable visit.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Consider hiring a guide who can not only share historical insights but also direct you to the best angles and spots for photography. The building is particularly beautiful when illuminated at night, offering a different photographic challenge.
🚶 History Buffs & Culture Explorers
The immersive experience provides a modern, engaging way to connect with this history, making it accessible and interesting. Visiting Lawang Sewu is an essential part of understanding Semarang's historical landscape.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Haunted History of Lawang Sewu
Many visitors report eerie feelings and unexplained occurrences, contributing to its reputation as one of Indonesia's most haunted buildings. The underground passage, in particular, is often cited as a focal point for paranormal activity. While some dismiss these as folklore, the building's somber history and imposing architecture certainly lend themselves to such tales.
For those seeking a thrill, the basement tour offers a chance to experience the building's more chilling side. Even without seeking out the supernatural, the sheer weight of history within Lawang Sewu is palpable, making it a compelling destination for history buffs and the curious alike.
Experiencing Lawang Sewu: Beyond the Museum
For a more adventurous outing, the Escape Room challenges visitors to solve puzzles within a set time, often themed around Lawang Sewu's history and its darker legends. This offers a fun, engaging activity for groups. The underground passage, reopened after a decade, provides a unique and somewhat eerie exploration of the building's lower levels.
In the evenings, the courtyard transforms into Angkringan Lawang Sewu, a popular spot for casual dining and enjoying the illuminated building. This offers a vibrant, local atmosphere and a different perspective on the landmark. These diverse offerings ensure that Lawang Sewu appeals to a wide range of visitors, from history enthusiasts to thrill-seekers and food lovers.
Lawang Sewu's Architectural Significance
The building's design emphasizes functionality and aesthetics, with a focus on natural ventilation and light. The use of high ceilings, large windows, and the iconic clock tower are hallmarks of its era. The intricate details in the ironwork, the stained glass, and the overall layout reflect the architectural trends of the early 20th century.
Today, Lawang Sewu stands as a protected cultural heritage site, preserving its architectural integrity while serving as a popular tourist attraction. Its preservation efforts allow visitors to appreciate its historical and artistic value, making it a key landmark in Semarang.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit