Sikidang Crater Becomes Top Family Eco-Tourism Spot in Dieng

RRI.CO.ID, Banjarnegara - Offering not only stunning natural panoramas, Sikidang Crater on the Dieng Plateau in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, has also become a favorite educational tourism destination for families during the long holiday marking the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. The rare phenomenon of geothermal steam vents serves as an open-air geology classroom, drawing visitors from various regions.

Sonia, a visitor from Jepara Regency, said she deliberately took advantage of the holiday to vacation in Dieng out of curiosity to see the crater firsthand. “I wanted to see the crater, I was just curious. The view is very beautiful, with smoke like clouds,” she said at Sikidang Crater on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

According to her, this was her first visit and the atmosphere at Sikidang Crater was quite crowded. Sonia assessed that the Sikidang Crater area has beautiful scenery.

Meanwhile, Swandita, a visitor from Purwokerto, said Sikidang Crater offered a different experience because her hometown does not have a tourist attraction with hot steam vents like those seen in Dieng.

“Wow, this is very amazing because in Purwokerto we don’t have this. So, we came here together to refresh ourselves. Hot steam vents like this are very rare for us to see,” she said, visiting with the UMP Media Hangout group.

According to Swandita, Sikidang Crater is not only attractive as a tourist destination, but also has educational value, making it suitable for family visits. “This is also educational tourism, so it is very instructive for a family holiday,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

Another visitor from Purwokerto, Nana, said access to Sikidang Crater is now more comfortable compared to when she first visited as an elementary school student around 2014. Nana assessed that the improved access has made the journey to the tourist attraction easier and more comfortable.

“Previously, the road was still dirt and stone, now there is a road (the Kahayangan Bridge made of wood) and it is more comfortable. The road is also wider,” she said.

In a separate occasion, Head of Institutional Affairs, Human Resources, and Marketing at the Banjarnegara Regency Tourism and Culture Agency, Eko Sri Wurjani Juniasih, said tourist visits to Dieng often increase during long weekends and school holidays. This occurs because the majority of tourists visiting Dieng are dominated by family groups.

She explained that visits on regular days average below 5,000 people per day, while on weekends they can reach 10,000 people or more. According to her, an increasing trend has also been seen from June to August. “In June, visits were recorded at around 50,000–60,000 people.”

To cope with the surge in tourists during the long Independence Day holiday, the office prepared additional personnel to strengthen services at several tourist attractions, particularly in the Dieng Plateau area.

According to Wurjani, officers who usually work on weekdays will be assigned to assist during weekends or long holidays. The office also pays attention to the comfort and safety of tourists, including the elderly and visitors with toddlers.

“Specifically for the elderly and those with toddlers, from the front gate we have provided directions, so they do not pass through certain routes whose conditions are less suitable,” she said.

Wurjani said the area around Sikidang Crater still requires gradual improvements to enhance tourist comfort. ***