ID · East Java · 7.25°S 112.74°E

surabaya

Indonesia's second city: rawon, heritage streets and the Bromo jump-off.

Best time
Hot all year. May to October is drier; plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
About 2.5 hours' direct flight from KL to Juanda International Airport.
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ID · East Javasurabaya7.25°S 112.74°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Indonesia's second city: rawon, heritage streets and the Bromo jump-off.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSurabayaID, East Java
KLsurabaya
≈ 1,685 km from KL, as the crow flies
Central Surabaya view taken from JW Marriott Surabaya

Photo: consigliere ivan · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Indonesia's second-largest city and one of its oldest ports, on Java's northeast coast. It's hot and busy, proud of its role in the 1945 Battle of Surabaya, and the main gateway for Bromo, Ijen and Malang.

Makan

  1. RawonBlack beef soup coloured with keluak nuts, eaten with salted egg and bean sprouts.Map ↗
  2. Lontong balapRice cakes with bean sprouts, tofu and lentho fritters in a light broth.Map ↗
  3. Rujak cingurA salad of fruit, vegetables and cow's snout in a dark petis sauce.Map ↗
  4. Bebek gorengCrispy fried duck, Madura style, with fiery sambal.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. House of SampoernaA working kretek cigarette factory and museum in an old Dutch building.Map ↗
  2. Tugu PahlawanThe Heroes Monument and museum, remembering the 1945 Battle of Surabaya.Map ↗
  3. AmpelThe old Arab quarter around Sunan Ampel Mosque, with lanes selling dates, perfume and prayer goods.Map ↗
  4. Submarine MonumentA real Soviet-built navy submarine you can walk through.Map ↗
  5. Suramadu BridgeThe long bridge to Madura island, where duck and satay are the draw.Map ↗

Good to know

  • For Bromo, tours run overnight from Surabaya, or you can break the trip in Malang.
  • The city is spread out and very hot. Use ride-hailing cars between sights rather than walking.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.