With some terrific day trip options available in the surrounding area, renting a car makes good sense. Without one, it’d be much more difficult to experience all that Surakarta, 17 miles away, has to offer. Explore the area starting with Solo Paragon Lifestyle Mall, Hartono Mall and Mangkunegaran Palace. Locals will also probably point you in the direction of Kudus, 45 miles away. If you can only find time for one thing here, let it be Menara Kudus Mosque. (But we’d also highly recommend Museum Kretek and Kudus Mall.)