Surabaya blends modern city energy with deep maritime and trading history. You find lively streets, historic districts, and easy access to East Java’s natural wonders.
Discover Surabaya
Discover Surabaya
Why visit Surabaya?
What to expect
Expect wide boulevards, restored colonial buildings, riverside promenades, and bustling malls. The pace is dynamic yet laid-back neighbourhoods and green spaces give you room to breathe.
Plan your trip
Use Surabaya as a base for exploring volcanoes, highland plantations, and coastal towns across East Java. The city’s good road and air links make regional adventures straightforward.
Top sights in Surabaya
House of Sampoerna
Wander through this beautifully preserved museum complex housed in Dutch-era buildings, with exhibits on local history and a charming courtyard café.
Suramadu National Bridge
Drive or ride across this impressive bridge linking Java and Madura Island for sweeping views, especially atmospheric around sunset and after dark.
Tunjungan Heritage Street
Stroll along this historic avenue lined with art deco and colonial architecture, where classic façades meet contemporary cafés and shops.
Submarine Monument (Monumen Kapal Selam)
Step aboard a decommissioned Russian-built submarine on the riverfront and get a close look at its compact control rooms and torpedo bays.
Kenjeran Park and Beach
Head to the coast for sea breezes, coastal views, and a mix of recreational areas and family-friendly attractions by the water.
Arab Quarter (Kampung Arab)
Explore narrow lanes filled with textile shops, spice stores, and traditional trading houses that reflect Surabaya’s historic role as a port city.
Bromo and Tengger Highlands day trips
Use Surabaya as a starting point for guided excursions to the dramatic volcanic landscapes and cool highlands of Mount Bromo and its surrounds.
Experience Surabaya’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use taxis and ride-hailing apps for flexible journeys between districts, and local buses for simple fixed routes. For a slower look at neighbourhood life, try walking short stretches in central areas, then finish trips with a quick ride to your hotel.
Local life & culture
You see daily life unfold in traditional kampungs, riverside paths, and small community squares where families gather in the evenings. The city’s blend of Javanese, Chinese, and Arab influences is visible in its architecture, festivals, and community traditions.
Where to unwind
Relax in riverside parks and landscaped city gardens during the cooler early mornings or late afternoons. Many waterfront spots and hilltop viewpoints offer soft breezes and skyline vistas that feel especially calm at dusk.
A taste of Surabaya
Street food & local specialties
Look for dishes such as rawon, rujak cingur, and various soto soups at humble eateries and night-time stalls, especially around traditional markets and older neighbourhoods.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Air-conditioned malls and newer lifestyle districts gather cafés, bakeries, and relaxed restaurants with Indonesian and international menus, where smaller portions and shared plates make it easy to sample several flavours.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose rooftop venues or river-facing restaurants that frame the city lights, or book a table in restored heritage buildings for a sense of Surabaya’s past with your dinner.
Retail therapy in Surabaya
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large central malls offer international fashion, local brands, cinemas, and family entertainment, making them popular places to shop, dine, and escape the midday heat.
Markets & local crafts
Traditional markets and side streets around older districts are ideal for browsing textiles, handicrafts, batik, and small homeware pieces made by local artisans.
Evening retail scene
As temperatures drop, streets near major malls and markets glow with illuminated shopfronts and casual stalls, and you can reach most evening hotspots quickly by taxi or ride-hailing services.
Best time to visit Surabaya
Surabaya has a warm tropical climate year-round. The dry season, typically from May to September, is the peak season, with average temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F) and lower humidity, ideal for city walks and trips to nearby highlands. The shoulder season runs from October to November, when temperatures remain about 27–32°C (81–90°F) but showers become more frequent, often in short bursts late in the day. The low season usually falls between December and April, bringing higher humidity and more consistent rainfall, while temperatures stay around 26–31°C (79–88°F), which can suit travellers who prefer quieter attractions and do not mind tropical rain.