Flights from Seoul (ICN) to Surabaya (SUB)

About Surabaya

Indonesia's bustling port city with character

Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, is a busy port and commercial centre with a distinctly local character. You will find broad avenues, historic neighbourhoods, and thriving markets that reflect its long maritime history and role as a trading hub. The city offers a vivid contrast to resort destinations, with an energy shaped by daily life and business.

Beyond the skyline, Surabaya rewards curious travellers with heritage buildings, leafy parks, and a growing creative scene. It is also a convenient gateway to East Java's natural highlights, from volcanic landscapes to coastal escapes. Whether you are here for meetings, family visits, or onward adventures, Surabaya combines practical convenience with a sense of place.

The city’s mix of old and new is easy to explore, with modern malls standing alongside traditional streets, and cafés appearing close to long-established eateries. With tropical warmth year-round and a relaxed pace in many neighbourhoods, Surabaya invites you to slow down, look closer, and get to know a different side of Indonesia.

Top sights in Surabaya

House of Sampoerna

Visit this well-preserved museum complex in a historic compound to learn about Surabaya’s industrial heritage and admire colonial-era architecture.

Suramadu National Bridge

Take in sweeping views as you cross this impressive bridge linking Surabaya and Madura Island, especially atmospheric around sunset and at night.

Tunjungan Street

Stroll along this central boulevard lined with shopping centres, hotels, and heritage buildings that showcase the city’s evolving urban landscape.

Submarine Monument

Explore a decommissioned submarine turned museum on the banks of the Kalimas River for an insight into naval history and life on board.

Kenjeran Park and Beach

Head to the Kenjeran coastal area for sea breezes, casual seaside stalls, and open spaces that offer a break from the busy city centre.

Experience Surabaya's culture and surroundings

Surabaya is best discovered through its neighbourhoods and everyday scenes. Wander through the old town area and you will find narrow streets, traditional trading houses, and warehouses that recall its maritime past. Riverfront promenades and small parks offer welcome pauses, while street vendors and local cafés provide easy chances to sample regional flavours and observe city life.

If you have more time, Surabaya is a convenient base for organised excursions into East Java. Many travellers use the city as a starting point for tours to Mount Bromo or other volcanic landscapes, where sunrise views and cool mountain air contrast with the coastal heat. Closer to the city, you can join guided visits to creative districts, where young designers, artists, and entrepreneurs are reshaping Surabaya’s cultural identity.

Families can enjoy relaxed activities around green spaces, waterfront areas, and modern leisure complexes that offer cinemas, children’s play zones, and casual dining. Whether you prefer urban exploration or nature-focused day trips, Surabaya and its surroundings offer a varied mix of options.

A taste of Surabaya

Surabaya’s dining scene is rich, varied, and deeply rooted in East Javanese traditions. Street-side stalls, local food courts, and simple eateries serve hearty rice dishes, noodles, and snacks with bold flavours, often enjoyed in a relaxed, social setting. You will find dishes that highlight aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and a wide variety of sauces and condiments.

In the city’s modern malls and business districts, contemporary cafés and restaurants sit alongside long-standing local favourites. Many venues focus on regional Indonesian cuisine, while others offer pan-Asian and international menus, making it easy to mix familiar choices with new discoveries. Coffee culture is growing too, with speciality cafés showcasing locally sourced beans and different brewing styles.

Evening is a particularly enjoyable time to explore Surabaya’s food scene, as night markets and late-opening stalls create a lively atmosphere. From quick bites between meetings to leisurely shared meals, you can experience how food is woven into the city’s social fabric.

Retail therapy in Surabaya

Shopping in Surabaya ranges from large-scale malls to smaller, characterful markets. Modern shopping centres offer international and local brands, department stores, and spacious food courts, making them convenient stops for fashion, electronics, and everyday essentials. Many also include entertainment options, allowing you to combine errands with leisure.

Traditional markets and smaller shops remain an important part of the city’s retail landscape. Here you can browse for textiles, batik, handicrafts, and household goods, often in lively, colourful surroundings. Exploring these areas gives you a sense of how residents shop, trade, and socialise, and you may find unique items to bring home as mementoes.

Creative districts and emerging lifestyle hubs add another dimension, with independent boutiques, design studios, and artisanal products. As Surabaya continues to develop, its mix of classic markets, established malls, and newer concept stores offers plenty of variety for both practical purchases and thoughtful gifts.

Best time to visit Surabaya

Dry season (Musim Kemarau), typically from May to September, brings warm, relatively less humid days with average temperatures around 28–32°C (82–90°F). Clearer skies make it popular for city sightseeing and excursions to East Java’s highlands, so this period is often considered peak season.

Transitional season, around April and October, sits between the drier and wetter months, with temperatures about 27–31°C (81–88°F). Short showers can occur, but there are still many bright hours each day. This shoulder season offers a pleasant balance of greenery in the landscape and comfortable conditions for both city and outdoor activities.

Rainy season (Musim Hujan), usually from November to March, brings higher humidity and more frequent downpours, with temperatures averaging 27–30°C (81–86°F). Showers are often intense but short, leaving time for indoor attractions, shopping, and dining. It is considered low season, with a relaxed atmosphere and lush surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore top picked destinations

Seoul to Denpasar Bali Seoul to Jakarta Seoul to Medan
Seoul to Alor Setar Seoul to Bandar Seri Begawan Seoul to Bangkok Seoul to Bintulu Seoul to Cebu Seoul to Da Nang Seoul to Davao Seoul to Hanoi Seoul to Ho Chi Minh City Seoul to Johor Bahru Seoul to Kuala Lumpur Seoul to Kuala Terengganu Seoul to Labuan Seoul to Mandalay City Seoul to Manila Seoul to Penang Seoul to Phnom Penh Seoul to Phuket Seoul to Sandakan Seoul to Siem Reap
London to Singapore Singapore to Sydney Singapore to Bangkok Frankfurt to New York Singapore to Tokyo Singapore to Bali Singapore to Phuket Los Angeles to Singapore San Francisco to Singapore Mumbai to Singapore Melbourne to Singapore Paris to Singapore Zurich to Singapore Amsterdam to Singapore