A New Road Worth the Detour
Yogyakarta has quietly added a compelling new draw for road-trippers. Kelok 23, a winding, hilly route connecting Bantul and Gunungkidul regencies in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, opened for trial use in mid-September 2026 and drew significant visitor numbers almost immediately. The road's appeal is straightforward: from its curves, travelers look out over the Indian Ocean stretching south toward the horizon.
What Makes the Route Special
The road climbs and bends through terrain that frames the coastline below. Late afternoon is widely considered the best time to drive it, as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean and the light turns the water gold. Kompas.com, which first reported on the route and visited on 16 September 2026, described the sunset panorama as genuinely striking.
That said, the late-afternoon window comes with a trade-off. By early evening, traffic along Kelok 23 becomes heavy, with visitors stopping to take in the views. Officially, stopping or parking on the roadside is not permitted. A designated rest area provides the proper place to pull over, and it includes food stalls and an observation tower for those who want to linger.
How to Get There
The entrance to Kelok 23 sits at Simpang Empat Kretek 2, in the Parangtritis area of Kretek, Bantul Regency. Travelers already familiar with the road to Parangtritis Beach will find the turnoff straightforward.
From central Yogyakarta, drive south on the main road toward Parangtritis. After crossing Kretek 1 Bridge, you will reach a large intersection with the Southern Coastal Road, known locally as JJLS. Turn left at that intersection. The road ahead, winding and uphill, is Kelok 23.
Because the route shares its initial approach with Parangtritis Beach, one of Yogyakarta's most visited coastal destinations, visitors can combine both in a single southern day trip.
Practical Notes for Visitors
Arrive with enough time before sunset to find parking at the rest area before the road gets congested. The observation tower at the rest area offers a dedicated vantage point, which is a better option than stopping on the road itself. Food stalls at the rest area mean there is no need to bring provisions, though options will likely be limited to local snacks and drinks.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent guesthouses, homestays, and small hotels in the Bantul corridor, particularly those already catering to Parangtritis visitors, have a new reason to position themselves as a base for southern Yogyakarta exploration. Kelok 23 adds a distinct late-afternoon activity that complements a beach morning, giving guests a fuller itinerary without requiring them to travel far. Hosts can advise guests to time their drive for roughly an hour before sunset and to use the rest area rather than stopping on the road, which keeps the experience smooth and avoids any issues with traffic enforcement. Updating guest information sheets and digital listings to mention the route, its entrance point, and the parking situation would be a low-effort, high-value addition.
Details about Kelok 23 Yogyakarta were first reported by Kompas.com, with on-the-ground reporting by Anggara Wikan Prasetya, published 22 September 2026.
First reported by go.kompas.com.