Surabaya is Indonesia s second-largest city and the vibrant gateway to East Java, where modern boulevards meet historic quarters and leafy riverside walks. You experience a dynamic port city that balances busy urban life with strong local character.
Discover Surabaya
Discover Surabaya
Why visit Surabaya?
What to expect
You find broad avenues, restored colonial buildings, and lively neighbourhoods that reveal Surabaya s maritime heritage. The city feels energetic yet relaxed, with coffee shops, promenades, and riverside parks offering space to slow down between explorations.
Plan your trip
Use Surabaya as a well-connected base to explore nearby volcanoes, coastal towns, and cultural sites across East Java. With good road links and regional flights, it works well for both short city breaks and longer journeys through Indonesia.
Top sights in Surabaya
House of Sampoerna
Explore this preserved historic complex with elegant architecture, a small museum, and a leafy courtyard that offers a calm look into Surabaya s past as an important trading city.
Suramadu Bridge
Cross the long Suramadu Bridge linking Java and Madura Island for wide views over the Madura Strait, especially atmospheric at sunrise, sunset, and when the bridge lights glow after dark.
Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument)
Visit this landmark monument and surrounding grounds to understand Surabaya s role in Indonesia s independence history while enjoying a spacious green pocket in the city centre.
Old City and Chinatown area
Wander past shophouses, temples, and old warehouses in the Kota Tua and Chinatown districts, where narrow streets and colourful facades reveal layers of trading heritage.
Submarine Monument (Monumen Kapal Selam)
Step aboard a preserved submarine set beside the river, an unusual urban attraction that also offers a pleasant riverside promenade for a short stroll afterwards.
Kenjeran Park and coastal area
Head to the Kenjeran coastal strip for sea views, breezy walks, and open spaces where families gather, especially popular in the late afternoon and on weekends.
Bromo and East Java excursions
Use Surabaya as your starting point for day or overnight trips to Mount Bromo, cool highland towns, and scenic national parks across East Java.
Experience Surabaya s everyday rhythm
Getting around
In Surabaya, you mainly move by taxi, ride-hailing apps, or local buses for longer distances, with walkable pockets in the city centre and around malls. For a different view, take a short riverfront stroll or coastal drive, then use taxis or ojeks for the last mile back to your hotel.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Surabaya centres on lively streets, neighbourhood markets, and coffee shops where people gather to talk and relax. You can feel a strong sense of local pride, from restored heritage buildings to artistic murals that brighten residential alleys and public spaces.
Where to unwind
Unwind in city parks, riverfront promenades, and landscaped plazas attached to major malls, best enjoyed in the cooler early mornings or evenings. For more space, head towards Kenjeran s coastal breeze or plan a short escape to hill towns outside the city for fresh air and gentler temperatures.
A taste of Surabaya
Street food & local specialties
Surabaya is known for bold, savoury dishes such as rawon beef soup, soto ayam, and local satay, often found at humble road-side stalls and neighbourhood warungs. Explore busy areas near traditional markets and older districts to try favourites the way locals enjoy them.
Casual & modern dining hubs
You find plenty of relaxed dining in Surabaya s malls and modern lifestyle centres, where Indonesian classics sit alongside pan-Asian, Indian, and Western options. Smaller portions and shared plates make it easy to taste several dishes during one meal with friends or family.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, consider rooftop venues or high-floor restaurants in central Surabaya that look out over the city lights. Some riverside and coastal spots also offer open-air seating where you can linger over dinner as the daylight fades.
Retail therapy in Surabaya
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Surabaya s large malls and lifestyle centres bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and family entertainment under one roof. They double as social spaces where you can shop, dine, and relax in air-conditioned comfort throughout the day.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out traditional markets and smaller shopping streets for batik, handicrafts, and everyday local products, especially around the old city, Chinatown, and long-established commercial areas. These neighbourhoods offer a closer view of how the city trades and shops.
Evening retail scene
After dark, several shopping streets and mall facades glow with bright lights, and smaller stalls appear along busy roads for snacks and casual browsing. Public transport, taxis, and ride-hailing services make it easy to reach these evening spots and return to your hotel safely.
Best time to visit Surabaya
Surabaya has a warm tropical climate year-round, with distinct wet and dry periods. Peak season generally runs from June to August (peak season), when days are relatively drier and temperatures average around 27–32 °C (81–90 °F). The months from March to May and September to October form a pleasant shoulder season (shoulder season), with warm conditions around 26–31 °C (79–88 °F) and a mix of sunny and occasionally rainy days. November to February is the wetter low season (low season), bringing higher humidity, frequent showers, and temperatures of about 25–30 °C (77–86 °F), though rainfall often arrives in short, intense bursts.