This City Was Just Crowned The Largest In The World, And It's Not Tokyo

The world is getting bigger — well, the population is, at least. With 8.2 billion humans on the planet, urban cities are rapidly expanding. It's a trend that has helped catapult Jakarta, Indonesia, to the top of the world's most populous cities. According to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects report for 2025, Jakarta is home to 42 million residents. The city is among 33 urban areas that the U.N. calls "megacities," or cities with more than 10 million people. Of these 33 megacities, 19 are located in Asia. Tokyo, which once held the title of most populous city on the planet, is now in seventh place on the list, with 33 million residents calling the city home. In 2018, when the last report was published, Jakarta was closer to 30th place on the list, proving just how much the city has grown in recent years.

Indonesia is the world's largest island country and is considered wildly affordable. The affordability has no doubt contributed to its growth, but large-scale infrastructure problems have followed. Traffic, poverty, and a lack of clean water are some of the main challenges for residents of Jakarta. But, the city's tourism options are seemingly endless, with 5-star hotels and religious, urban, and food tourism all being strong draws to this urban destination.

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, meaning it is the center of the country's political and cultural landscape. Skyscrapers, bustling streets, and businesses add to the hum of the modern city. Some of Indonesia's bucket-worthy attractions for tourists are located in Jakarta. Kota Tua, the city's Old Town, is home to European-style buildings and the Jakarta History Museum, located within the former City Hall. Also known as the Fatahillah Museum, this attraction showcases the city's history from pre-historic times to colonization and beyond.

Jakarta also has a fascinating religious background. One of Indonesia's mottos is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which means "Unity in Diversity." This ethos applies to many of its religious landmarks. Mosques, churches, and temples all stand here, and welcome visitors throughout the year. Southeast Asia's largest mosque, the Grand Instiqlal Mosque, stands within Jakarta's city center at Merdeka Square. This massive place of worship took 17 years to construct and can house 120,000 worshippers.

Not far from the mosque is the Jakarta Cathedral, a neo-gothic Roman Catholic cathedral that has welcomed congregations since 1901. Called Gereja Santa Maria Pelindung Diangkat ke Surga by locals, the church was intentionally positioned directly across the street from the mosque to showcase the country's dedication to diversity. The Murugan Temple is also in Jakarta and celebrates the Hindu religion and culture. The large temple welcomes visitors from all backgrounds and faiths to explore its grounds.

Besides having a fascinating cultural and religious history, the city of Jakarta has emerged as an under-the-radar haven for foodies. While there are all kinds of excellent restaurants in Jakarta, the best food is arguably the delicacies sizzling on portable grills in the streets. Chicken and beef dishes are the most common meals available from these vendors, but the options are practically endless. The benefit of so many cultures and ethnicities within this megacity is that visitors can sample a wide variety of flavors all in one place. 

Satay, for example, is an Indonesian barbecue that's cooked over charcoal and marinated in sauce. Chicken satay with peanut sauce is the most popular version, but the dish is also prepared with mutton, beef, minced seafood, and more. Another popular food in Jakarta is called nasi uduk, which is rice cooked in coconut milk, often served with curry. There are plenty of options to try, and most vendors prepare their food within view, which allows customers to watch — and salivate — while their meal is cooked in front of them.

As one would expect, the world's most populous city has an international airport with many direct flights. Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport services cities within Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It serves as the main connection to the city and to the island of Java. Car rental services, taxi services, and private shuttle services are all available on site, making hotels and accommodations easily within reach of the airport.