Surabaya is a dynamic port city that blends historic districts, waterfront views, and a relaxed East Java charm. You find lively streets, characterful neighbourhoods, and easy access to volcanoes and countryside.
Discover Surabaya
Discover Surabaya
Why visit Surabaya?
What to expect
You can expect broad avenues, busy markets, impressive monuments, and shopping streets alongside older Dutch-era buildings and leafy suburbs. The pace is energetic yet down-to-earth, with a strong sense of local pride.
Plan your trip
Surabaya works well as both a short city break and a gateway to East Java, including Mount Bromo and the Ijen plateau. Plan a few days in the city before or after exploring the wider region.
Top sights in Surabaya
House of Sampoerna
Step into a preserved heritage complex, with galleries in historic buildings that tell the story of Surabaya and its industrial past.
Suramadu Bridge
Take in sweeping views from Indonesia's longest bridge, linking Surabaya and Madura Island with skyline and sea vistas, especially striking at sunset.
Old Town and Arab Quarter
Wander atmospheric streets lined with colonial-era warehouses and traditional shopfronts, discovering textiles, spices, and busy local life.
Tunjungan Heroes Monument area
Visit the Heroes Monument and surrounding plazas to learn about Surabaya's role in Indonesian history and enjoy open green spaces in the city centre.
Kenjeran Park waterfront
Head to the coastal area at Kenjeran for sea breezes, family-friendly attractions, and wide-open views across the strait.
Submarine Monument
Explore a preserved submarine by the riverside and get a close look at maritime history in the heart of the city.
Ciputra Waterpark
Cool off at one of Surabaya's largest waterparks, with pools and slides that make a refreshing break from sightseeing.
Experience Surabaya's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most convenient way to move between districts in Surabaya, supported by local buses on key routes. For a different perspective, try a relaxed stroll along central boulevards, and use short rides by taxi or becak for the last mile back to your hotel.
You feel Surabaya's character in its community parks, waterfront promenades, and neighbourhood streets where families gather in the evenings. Creative spaces, cultural centres, and historic quarters showcase a mix of Javanese, Chinese, and colonial influences in daily life and architecture.
Where to unwind
Unwind in city parks, riverside promenades, and hotel pools that provide a calm pause from the traffic. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to enjoy cooler temperatures, gentle light, and relaxed walks through greener areas of the city.
A taste of Surabaya
Street food & local specialties
Follow locals to roadside stalls and humble eateries for favourites such as rawon, rujak cingur, and soto, especially around traditional markets and older neighbourhoods where recipes are often passed down through generations.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Modern malls and lifestyle centres in central Surabaya gather Indonesian, pan-Asian, and Western restaurants in one place, with smaller portions and shared plates that make it easy to try several dishes in a single meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Seek out rooftop venues and hotel restaurants with skyline or riverside views for a special night out, pairing East Javanese flavours with contemporary menus in calm, well-designed spaces.
Retail therapy in Surabaya
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping centres in central Surabaya bring together international brands, local fashion labels, cinemas, and family attractions, doubling as popular meeting points for dining and people-watching.
Markets & local crafts
Traditional markets and smaller commercial streets are the places to look for batik, handicrafts, and homeware, with local districts offering an authentic mix of everyday goods and handmade pieces.
Evening retail scene
In the evening, malls stay lively and some street areas fill with pop-up stalls and casual vendors, creating a relaxed, illuminated shopping atmosphere that remains easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing services.
Best time to visit Surabaya
Surabaya has a tropical climate with two main seasons. The dry season, roughly June to September, is the shoulder season, with warm temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F), lower humidity, and generally clearer skies. The wet season, typically November to March, is the low season, with similar temperatures of about 26–31°C (79–88°F), but higher humidity and frequent showers or thunderstorms, usually in the afternoon or evening. April, May, and October are transition months that can feel like shoulder periods, with mixed conditions between the two main seasons.