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Plaosan Temple Complex and Ratu Boko PalacePlaosan Temple ComplexThe slightly lesser known Plaosan temple complex is lesser visited than for example Borobudur and the nearby Prambanan complex. It's quite a big complex with 174 buildings, many in no more than just piles of stones. However, what is left is certainly worth exploring. Eye catcher is the Plaosan Twin temple. 
Most of the 174 buildings are shrines and stupas which date back to the 9th century. They are Hindu of origin, like the (unrelated) Prambanan complex. The complex is about a kilometer north west of the Prambanan temples. If you are on the bicycle, you can cycle all around both Prambanan and Plaosan complexes. 
 If you visit the Prambanan temple in a tour from Yogyakarta, typically it contains a visit to Borobudur, Plaosan and the Rau Boko palace (see below).
It's maybe a bit much for a day but if you have limited time, this is probably the easiest option. Better is to visit Prambanan, Plaosan and Ratu Boko on your own on a day trip from Yogyakarta. 
 Ratu BokoA couple of kilometers from Prambanan away lie the ruins Ratu Boko. It was probably a palace but it's not 100% confirmed. The reason it is assumed to be a palace is that the complex wasn't a temple and it contained nothing that suggests it was a anything religious (although some temples were found inside the complex). There are also walls found, which supports the complex was a palace of some sorts. 
The name is probably related to the legendary King Boko, a character of popular folklore.
The site might have been belonged to the kings of Sailendra or the Mataram kingdom but this too was never confirmed.
Ratu Boko is a mix of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Artefacts found are both Buddhist and Hindu of origin.
Getting ThereIf you are cycling and on the way from from Solo, you might want to spend a night in Prambanan. I felt it was a little too much to cycle Solo-Yogyakarta and see Prambanan, Plaosan and Ratu Boko during the same day. Alternative you can visit Prambanan and the nearby temples as a day trip from Yogyakarta (or, if you insist, from Solo). As mentioned above, you can do all of the major temples in an organized day trip from Yogya too. It's a bit a rush but certainly possible. 
Banyunibo (water drops) Buddhist temple, not far from Ratu Boko. The first thing to do is to visit Prambanan. Just north of the complex, you will find Plaosan, within walking distance. To visit Ratu Boko, you probably want to use a local transport (or, of course your own bicycle. Take in Prambanan town, the road to Boko Hanjo (jalan Piyungan Prambanan). The complex is about 3 km further on your left. Continue cycling to Solo, Prambanan, the Borobudur or go back to Yogyakarta. Back to the top of Plaosan Temple Complex and Ratu Boko Palace
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YogyakartaMy favorite city in Java, full of culture and plenty to see, and not crazy busy as for example Bandung, Surabaya or Jakarta. The back road to BorobudurOne of the nicest roads to cycle is not the main road to Magelan but a small back lane, here's more about that lovely little road:
Cycling in Java Many travelers think Java is way too busy for cycling but I think it's great, here's the my story:
PrambananTo me, Prambanan is one of the wonders of Indonesia, if not one of the wonders of all Asia.
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