Apart from the mesmerizing natural beauty, the markets in Indonesia are also often the destinations of many tourists. One of the unique and interesting markets for tourists to visit is the antiques market. Visiting antique markets is usually used as a means of nostalgia and hunting for timeless old craft products.

At the antique markets, there are various historical artifacts, ranging from ancient crafts and old furniture to items of high artistic value. Unsurprisingly, a visit to the antique market in Indonesia seems to take tourists into a "time tunnel" to the past. Furthermore, interacting with traders with in-depth knowledge of the history or origin of each antique item being sold enhances the holiday experience and makes it even more memorable.

For Sobat Parekraf who have an interest in antiques or ancient crafts but still look aesthetically pleasing today, take time to visit the following antique markets in Indonesia:

Jalan Surabaya

When discussing the antique goods market in Indonesia, this location has always been a destination for antique collectors. Even though the place is not a "market" but is in the middle of an elite residential area in Jakarta, this antique center on Jalan Surabaya, Menteng, Central Jakarta, is well known internationally.

This location has been used to sell antiques since 1975, but there were only permanent stalls around 1988. Along Jalan Surabaya, Menteng, around 150 traders sell antiques, including masks, vases, jars, lamps, ceramic plates, cassettes, vinyl records, and old suitcases.

Cikapundung Market

In Bandung City, a market is a destination for antique collectors who want to hunt for old craft products, namely Pasar Elektronik Cikapundung (Cikapundung Electronics Market). The location is on Jalan ABC Blok U-1, Braga, Sumurbandung, Bandung City. Although it is called the "Electronics Market", the main commodities at Cikapundung Market are antiques.

At Cikapundung Market, you can find antiques from the 50s to the 90s, from used clothes, household furniture, wall clocks, watches, analog cameras, vinyl records, and decorative knick knacks. Along Jalan ABC, artists exhibit their best works.

Photo: One of the shops at Triwindu Market Solo (Shutterstock/noer cungkring)

Triwindu Market

In Central Java, Triwindu Market is one of the famous antique markets in Solo. Located on Jalan Diponegoro, Keprabon, Banjarsari, this market is near the main entrance of Mangkunegaran Palace. Previously, Triwindu Market was built to celebrate the 24th ascension to the throne of Adipati Sri Mangkunegara VII, who had been on the throne for three "windu"; a windu is eight years, so "triwindu" is 24 years. 

Established in 1939, Triwindu Market offers various collections of antiques, including jars, plates, lamps, masks, and old money from the 1800s. Interestingly, entering this market makes you feel like you are being taken into a time tunnel. The closely spaced traders' stalls and neatly arranged antiques evoke nostalgia and provide an Instagrammable photo backdrop in Triwindu Market's alleys.

Klithikan Pakuncen Market

Yogyakarta also has many interesting antique markets and hunting locations. One of the famous antique markets in Yogyakarta is Pasar Klithikan Pakuncen (Klithikan Pakuncen Market), on Jalan HOS Cokroaminoto No. 34, Yogyakarta City. "Klithikan" means small items, which is an attraction in this antique market.

Uniquely, many antique dealers at Klithikan Pakuncen Market are collectors, so you don't need to doubt the authenticity and origin of the antiques here. Even more interesting is that Klithikan Pakuncen Market sells antiques from Indonesia, China, and Thailand. Some antiques include ceramics, old money, miniatures, books, and vehicle parts.

Klitikan Kota Lama Market

As the name suggests, this antique market is located in the Kota Lama (Old City) area of Semarang, precisely on Jalan Garuda, Tanjung Mas, North Semarang. Interestingly, the antique dealers at Klitikan Kota Lama Market have been neatly managed in the Creative Industries Gallery behind the Blenduk Church, Kota Lama area. This market sells various kinds of antiques from the 13th century BC, ancient money, keris, telephones from the 1970s, ancient books, and centuries-old bowls and jars.

Nostalgia Market

The name has made us reminisce about the antiques sold in this market. The Nostalgia Market is located on the 2nd Floor of the Bratang Bird Market, Jl. Bratang Binangun, Gubeng, Surabaya. Slightly different from other antique markets, most of the items sold in this market come from abroad, such as from Singapore, Malaysia, and Afghanistan. It is not surprising that foreign tourists often visit the Nostalgia Market.

Cover: Surabaya Menteng Street is one of the antique hunting locations (Shutterstock/Fredy Albert)