Kotagede

Historic silver district with heritage architecture and traditional crafts. Fine for daytime but higher crime at night - avoid after dark. Good for a morning or early afternoon trip, then head back to other areas.

Yogyakarta's oldest quarter, about 5km southeast of center, was the original Mataram Kingdom capital. Silver workshops line the streets where you can watch artisans work with traditional techniques. During the day, Joglo-style houses, old tombs, and narrow lanes create an old-world feel. Cafes in renovated heritage houses serve Javanese sweets or modern drinks. The issue is safety shifts dramatically from day to night - daytime is fine for exploring, but the area has higher crime than tourist neighborhoods and locals say avoid it after dark. Narrow lanes that look charming by day become poorly lit and empty at night. Visit for silver shopping and architecture, but arrive mid-morning, spend a few hours, and leave before sunset. Take Grab to and from rather than walking. English is limited - translation app helps with bargaining and directions.