Surabaya blends historic quarters, leafy neighbourhoods, and a thriving port city energy. You find characterful streets, riverfront views, and easy access to some of East Java's most dramatic landscapes.
Discover Surabaya
Discover Surabaya
Why visit Surabaya?
What to expect
Expect broad avenues, bustling local districts, and a warm, humid climate. Modern malls sit alongside heritage buildings, while lively night-time streets showcase the city as a friendly, down-to-earth gateway to East Java.
Plan your trip
Use Surabaya as your base to explore East Java's volcanoes, plantations, and coastal towns. With good road and rail links, it is a practical starting point for wider adventures across the region.
Top sights in Surabaya
House of Sampoerna
Stroll through a beautifully preserved Dutch-era complex that now houses a museum, art space, and café, offering a glimpse into Surabaya's colonial and industrial past.
Old City and Red Bridge
Walk around the old town near Jembatan Merah to see historic warehouses, riverside views, and fading but atmospheric architecture from Surabaya's trading heyday.
Tunjungan Street
Explore this central boulevard lined with heritage buildings, shopping centres, and local eateries, especially lively in the evening when the street lights up.
Suramadu Bridge
Drive across the long bridge linking Surabaya and Madura Island for wide sea views and a different perspective on the city skyline.
Submarine Monument (Monumen Kapal Selam)
Step inside a preserved Russian-built submarine on the riverside and learn about Indonesia's maritime history in a unique setting.
Mangrove Ecotourism Wonorejo
Take a boat ride through calm mangrove canals on the city outskirts, a peaceful escape from traffic and a chance to spot birdlife at sunset.
Kenjeran Beach area
Visit the Kenjeran coastal strip for sea breezes, local snacks, and wide open spaces where families gather on weekends.
Experience Surabaya's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use taxis and ride-hailing apps for most journeys, as they are flexible and widely available. For a slower look at neighbourhood life, try short rides on local minibuses, and walk the last few streets to explore narrow lanes and small shops.
Local life & culture
Surabaya has a reputation for being straightforward, warm, and energetic, with strong local pride. Traditional neighbourhoods, old Chinese shophouse districts, and modern business areas sit side by side, giving you a sense of a city that is always on the move.
Where to unwind
Relax in city parks and riverside promenades in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are softer. Beachfront spots on the eastern side of the city and mangrove areas on the outskirts are ideal for catching sea breezes and colourful skies.
A taste of Surabaya
Street food & local specialties
Look for Surabaya-style soto, rawon beef soup, and spicy noodle dishes at humble stalls and simple eateries, especially around traditional markets and older neighbourhoods.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Air-conditioned malls and newer commercial districts host cafés, family restaurants, and global chains, letting you mix local favourites with international choices and share several small plates with friends.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose rooftop venues or high-floor restaurants in central Surabaya, where you can dine with views over city lights, rivers, and the distant coastline.
Retail therapy in Surabaya
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Surabaya's large shopping centres bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and cafés, making them popular places to shop, meet friends, and escape the afternoon heat.
Markets & local crafts
Visit traditional markets and older commercial streets for textiles, batik, and household goods, with districts dedicated to fabric, hardware, and small crafts scattered across the inner city.
Evening retail scene
After dark, malls stay lively and some streets turn into informal night shopping areas with food and small stalls, all easily reached by taxi or ride-hailing services.
Best time to visit Surabaya
Surabaya has a tropical climate with a clear split between dry and rainy periods. The dry season, typically from May to September, is the peak season, with warm temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F) and lower humidity, ideal for city sightseeing and excursions to nearby highlands. The shoulder season runs from October to November, when temperatures remain around 27–33°C (81–91°F) and occasional showers begin, bringing greener scenery while crowds are moderate. The low season is usually from December to April, when the monsoon brings heavier, frequent showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures around 26–31°C (79–88°F); you can still enjoy indoor attractions and shopping, but should plan for sudden downpours.