Indonesia’s islands contain a surprising variety of urban places: dense market towns, coastal ports, and compact administrative cities. Looking beyond population to the actual land area reveals how different communities manage space, infrastructure and heritage within sometimes surprisingly small footprints.
There are 25 Smallest Cities in Indonesia by Area, ranging from Banda Aceh to Yogyakarta. For each entry you’ll find below Country,Province,Area (km²) so you can quickly compare location and size at a glance — see the list you’ll find below.
How is “smallest” measured here?
This list ranks cities by their official administrative area in square kilometres (km²), not by metropolitan area or population; figures come from government or statistical sources and reflect city proper boundaries used for governance and planning.
Why does a city’s area matter when comparing places?
Area helps indicate how compact a city is and affects density, transport and service delivery; to understand livability or pressure on space, pair area with population and local context rather than treating area alone as the whole story.
Smallest Cities in Indonesia by Area
| City | Country | Province | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sibolga | Indonesia | North Sumatra | 10.77 |
| Magelang | Indonesia | Central Java | 18.54 |
| Mojokerto | Indonesia | East Java | 20.21 |
| Padang Panjang | Indonesia | West Sumatra | 23 |
| Bukittinggi | Indonesia | West Sumatra | 25.24 |
| Yogyakarta | Indonesia | Yogyakarta | 32.5 |
| Blitar | Indonesia | East Java | 32.96 |
| Madiun | Indonesia | East Java | 33.92 |
| Pasuruan | Indonesia | East Java | 35.28 |
| Tebing Tinggi | Indonesia | North Sumatra | 38.44 |
| Cirebon | Indonesia | West Java | 39.43 |
| Tegal | Indonesia | Central Java | 39.68 |
| Pekalongan | Indonesia | Central Java | 45.25 |
| Pariaman | Indonesia | West Sumatra | 45.55 |
| Surakarta | Indonesia | Central Java | 46.72 |
| Sukabumi | Indonesia | West Java | 48.42 |
| Pematangsiantar | Indonesia | North Sumatra | 55.66 |
| Probolinggo | Indonesia | East Java | 56.67 |
| Salatiga | Indonesia | Central Java | 57.36 |
| Solok | Indonesia | West Sumatra | 58.72 |
| Banda Aceh | Indonesia | Aceh | 61.36 |
| Kediri | Indonesia | East Java | 63.4 |
| Metro | Indonesia | Lampung | 73.15 |
| Gorontalo | Indonesia | Gorontalo | 79.03 |
| Payakumbuh | Indonesia | West Sumatra | 80.43 |
Images and Descriptions
Sibolga
A major seaport on the west coast of Sumatra, serving as a primary gateway to the Nias Islands. Its narrow coastal geography makes it a bustling trade and fishing hub packed into Indonesia’s smallest city area.
Magelang
A historic military city completely surrounded by Magelang Regency. Known for its high population density and proximity to Borobudur Temple, it is a vital service center for the region despite its compact size.
Mojokerto
Holding deep historical significance as the capital of the ancient Majapahit Empire, this small city is now an industrial and agricultural service center connecting larger cities like Surabaya and Jombang with its strategic location.
Padang Panjang
Nestled in the cool highlands of West Sumatra, this city is a renowned center for Minangkabau culture, arts, and Islamic education. Its small size belies its cultural importance and scenic location between three volcanoes.
Bukittinggi
A major tourist destination in the Minangkabau highlands, famous for its iconic Jam Gadang clock tower and the stunning Sianok Canyon. This cool-climate city is a hub for regional trade and a center of West Sumatran history.
Yogyakarta
The cultural and spiritual heart of Java, this city is home to the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton) and is a vibrant center for education, art, and tourism. Despite its small area, its cultural influence is immense.
Blitar
Famous as the final resting place of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, whose mausoleum is a major national pilgrimage site. This small city in East Java also serves as a regional trade center for surrounding agricultural areas.
Madiun
A strategic city in East Java, historically known for its role in Indonesia’s railway industry and as a military base. Today, it remains an important economic and transportation hub for the western part of the province.
Pasuruan
A historic coastal city in East Java with a bustling port that has been active for centuries. It serves as an important industrial area and transportation link between Surabaya and popular destinations like Mount Bromo.
Tebing Tinggi
Located in North Sumatra, this city is a significant commercial hub for the surrounding palm oil and rubber plantations. Its strategic position along the Trans-Sumatran Highway makes it a vital center for trade and transportation.
Cirebon
A historic port city on Java’s northern coast, known for its royal palaces from the Cirebon Sultanate. Its culture is a unique blend of Javanese and Sundanese influences, reflected in its art, language, and cuisine.
Tegal
A bustling maritime city on the north coast of Central Java, renowned for its significant fishing industry and shipbuilding traditions. It is also famous for its distinct dialect and culinary specialty, the “warteg” (Warung Tegal).
Pekalongan
Internationally recognized as a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art, Pekalongan is the heart of Indonesia’s batik industry. This vibrant coastal city’s economy and identity are deeply intertwined with the production of its world-famous textiles.
Pariaman
A coastal city in West Sumatra famous for its vibrant Tabuik festival, a major cultural and religious event that draws large crowds annually. The city’s economy is centered on fishing, agriculture, and regional trade.
Surakarta
Often called Solo, it is a major center of Javanese culture and heritage, considered a sister city to Yogyakarta. It is home to two royal palaces and is renowned for its traditional arts, batik, and sophisticated culinary scene.
Sukabumi
A landlocked city in West Java, surrounded by mountains like Gede and Pangrango. It serves as a commercial and administrative center for its region and is a popular starting point for exploring nearby natural parks and attractions.
Pematangsiantar
An enclave city completely surrounded by Simalungun Regency in North Sumatra. It is a vital trading and transportation hub for the region’s vast agricultural estates, particularly for palm oil and rubber products.
Probolinggo
An important port city in East Java, primarily known as the main gateway for travelers visiting the spectacular Mount Bromo. Its economy is supported by its harbor, fishing industry, and local agriculture like mangoes and grapes.
Salatiga
An enclave city nestled at the foot of Mount Merbabu in Central Java. Known for its cool, pleasant climate and historic colonial-era architecture, it has been dubbed one of Indonesia’s most liveable cities.
Solok
Located in a fertile highland valley in West Sumatra, this city is the heart of a major rice-producing region, famous for its high-quality “Beras Solok.” It serves as a key agricultural trade and distribution center.
Banda Aceh
The capital of Aceh province, located on the northern tip of Sumatra. The city was remarkably rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami and is a center of Acehnese culture, history, and strong Islamic traditions.
Kediri
A historic city on the banks of the Brantas River, once the capital of an ancient Javanese kingdom. Today, it is a major center for Indonesia’s sugar and cigarette industries and an important regional economic hub.
Metro
A planned city in Lampung province, designed by Dutch colonialists as an agricultural center. It remains a very orderly city and serves as a key hub for education and trade in the central part of the province.
Gorontalo
The capital of Gorontalo province on the island of Sulawesi. Situated on a scenic bay, the city is a center for trade, education, and services, known for its corn production and unique local cuisine.
Payakumbuh
A city in the Minangkabau highlands, located in a fertile basin surrounded by hills. It is a major trading center for agricultural products from the region and is famous for its culinary specialties, including rendang.
