Surabaya Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Food, Museums & Day Trips
Surabaya, the capital of East Java and Indonesia’s second-largest city, blends heroic history, colonial architecture, lively food culture, major shopping districts, and easy access to Mount Bromo. If you want a practical city break with authentic local flavor, Surabaya deserves at least 2 to 4 days.
Food, history, shopping, city breaks
2 to 4 days
Juanda International Airport (SUB)
Mount Bromo sunrise
From Bali to Surabaya, you can fly in about 1 hour or travel onward overland through East Java depending on your itinerary.
Addresses & official links
Check current opening times, ticket prices, and access on the official links before visiting.
This guide gives travelers clean reading, verified opening hours, official links, detailed museum info, and full photography sources from Wikimedia Commons.
East Java gateway
Street food
Museums
Shopping malls
Bromo access
Why Visit Surabaya?
A city with substance
Surabaya is less about postcard-style sightseeing and more about layered travel: independence history, deep-rooted culinary culture, local markets, urban parks, and real East Javanese city life.
A smart base for East Java
It is also one of the most convenient gateways for exploring East Java, especially Mount Bromo, Madura, and onward routes from Bali or Yogyakarta.
Top Attractions in Surabaya
Tugu Pahlawan & Museum Sepuluh Nopember
⏰ Hours: Tue–Sun 08:00 – 15:00 (Closed Monday)
The Heroes Monument is the most important symbol of Surabaya. Beneath it, the November 10 Museum gives essential context on the 1945 Battle of Surabaya and Indonesia’s independence struggle.
Cheng Hoo Mosque
⏰ Hours: Daily 04:30 – 21:00
This mosque is famous for its striking Chinese-inspired design and peaceful atmosphere. It is one of the most distinctive religious landmarks in Surabaya and a meaningful stop for architecture lovers.
House of Sampoerna (Permanently closed)
⏰ Status: Permanently Closed
One of Surabaya’s best-known heritage landmarks, House of Sampoerna sits inside a preserved colonial compound in Old Surabaya. While museum access is closed, the surrounding heritage district remains popular for architecture enthusiasts.
Surabaya Zoo (Kebun Binatang Surabaya)
⏰ Hours: Daily 08:00 – 16:00
Surabaya Zoo remains one of the city’s classic family attractions. Located right in central Surabaya next to the Sura & Baya statue, it is best visited in the morning.
Museums Worth Visiting
Museum Sepuluh Nopember
⏰ Tue–Sun 08:00–15:00
Best museum in Surabaya for understanding the city’s role in Indonesia’s independence movement and the famous Battle of Surabaya. Located inside the Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan).
Submarine Monument Surabaya – Monumen Kapal Selam (Monkasel)
⏰ Daily 08:00 – 21:00
A decommissioned Russian submarine (KRI Pasopati 410) converted into a riverside museum, ideal for military history enthusiasts and families.
De Javasche Bank Museum
⏰ Tue–Sun 08:00 – 16:00
Housed in a grand Dutch colonial bank building, this Bank Indonesia heritage museum features historic safes, gold bars, and old bank notes.
Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
Balai Pemuda & Alun-Alun Surabaya
⏰ Daily 07:00 – 21:00
A historic colonial-era landmark that now serves as a vibrant cultural hub featuring art exhibitions, community performances, and a underground glass square.
Bungkul Park
⏰ Open 24 Hours
A popular award-winning urban green space for morning walks, light exercise, and experiencing local street food stalls.
Tanjung Perak (Surabaya North Quay)
⏰ Daily 10:00 – 22:00
Located at the Tanjung Perak port, visit for panoramic sea views, ocean breeze, docked cruise ships, and a great sunset rooftop atmosphere.
Hotel Majapahit
⏰ Daily Open
An elegant 1910 heritage hotel with a strong connection to Surabaya’s colonial past. Stop by for afternoon tea or drinks in its manicured courtyard gardens.
Must-Try Food in Surabaya
Surabaya is one of Indonesia’s most satisfying culinary destinations, known for savory broths, fermented petis pastes, and intense local spices.
Rawon
A dark, savory beef soup flavored with indigenous keluak nut, served with bean sprouts, salted egg, sambal, and warm steamed rice.
Rujak Cingur
A famous local dish combining fresh vegetables, fruit, tofu, tempeh, rice cakes, cooked beef snout, and a rich savory petis peanut sauce.
Sate Klopo
Tender beef or chicken skewers coated with seasoned grated coconut before charcoal grilling, giving it a toasted nutty aroma.
Lontong Balap
A comforting local bowl of rice cake, bean sprouts, fried tofu, lentho (bean cakes), garlic, and a savory clear soup broth.
- Depot Bu Rudy: Famous across Indonesia for crispy shrimp rice bowls (nasi udang) and spicy garlic sambal.
- Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih: The legendary home of coconut satay in central Surabaya.
- Lontong Balap Pak Gendut: A famous local establishment serving authentic lontong balap since 1958.
- Rawon Setan: Famous midnight spot for tender beef rawon soup in the city center.
Best Shopping Malls in Surabaya
Tunjungan Plaza (TP 1–6)
One of East Java’s largest multi-building shopping and lifestyle complexes, ideal for fashion brands, tech, and dining.
Ciputra World Surabaya
A modern, high-end shopping mall in West Surabaya featuring luxury retail brands, cinema, and international cuisine.
Pakuwon Mall
One of the largest shopping malls in Indonesia, located in West Surabaya with expansive retail, dining, and convention areas.
Galaxy Mall
A major commercial complex in East Surabaya with a family-friendly vibe, department stores, and local food courts.
Day Trips from Surabaya
Mount Bromo Sunrise
Mount Bromo is the ultimate East Java adventure. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours (100 km / 62 miles). Most travelers organize a late-night private transfer paired with a 4WD sunrise jeep tour over the Sea of Sand.
Arrange Bromo Transport with Vaneta Travel →
Morning atmosphere on Mount Bromo, East Java. Hasiholan Siahaan XIV, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Madura Island & Suramadu Bridge
Cross the iconic 5.4 km (3.35 miles) Suramadu Bridge into Madura Island to enjoy scenic coastlines, local culinary specialties like Sate Madura, and historic towns.
Kenjeran Park & Sanggar Agung Temple
A seaside landmark in eastern Surabaya featuring sea views, giant Guan Yin statues, and dragon sculptures along the waterfront.
Wonorejo Mangrove Eco Park
A quiet coastal sanctuary featuring wooden boardwalks, boat rides through mangrove rivers, and bird watching away from city traffic.
Nightlife & Evening Ideas
Citilites Skyclub & Bistro
Rooftop dining with elevated panoramic views of Surabaya’s skyline at Java Paragon Hotel.
Our Bar
A popular central pub venue offering live music performance, drinks, and casual social environment.
The MAJ Pub – Heritage Lounges
Enjoy sophisticated drinks or evening coffee in colonial courtyard bars like The Maj Pub at Hotel Majapahit.
Transportation & Travel Tips
- Ride-Hailing Apps: Grab and Gojek are the safest, cheapest, and most efficient ways to travel across the city.
- Traffic Tip: Avoid rush hours (07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:00) in central business corridors like Jl. Tunjungan and Jl. Darmo.
- Airport & Intercity Travel: Private vehicles or rentals are recommended for Mount Bromo excursions or long-distance airport pickups.
- Book Airport Transfer & Car Rental with Vaneta Travel →
Where to Stay in Surabaya
Downtown Central Surabaya
Ideal for heritage walks, Tunjungan Plaza shopping, and business access.
East Surabaya Serviced Apartments
Great for family stays, university access, hospitals, and long-term convenience.
Onward Travel to Bali: Related Guides
Watch Surabaya before you go
A city travel video from Indo Travel.
Final Travel Tip
Surabaya is best enjoyed as both an intriguing city destination and an East Java launchpad. Explore its heroism, colonial history, local food markets, and shopping venues, before embarking toward Mount Bromo or continuing onward to Bali.
Read also:
Jakarta City Guide •
Yogyakarta Travel Guide •
Car Rentals & Transfers
