Free Surabaya Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Surabaya trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download the Free PDF guide

All photos

Surabaya blends colonial streets, heroic history, East Javanese cuisine and lively markets with Madura and Mount Bromo nearby for culture-rich city breaks.

A Port Shaped by Trade

Surabaya stands on the north-eastern coast of Java, where the Kalimas River reaches the Madura Strait. Indonesia’s second-largest city is a commercial and maritime centre, but its broad avenues, old quarters and public monuments also reveal a layered past. Modern Surabaya is energetic without being defined solely by tourism: offices, universities, neighbourhood markets and industrial districts sit alongside colonial buildings, mosques and surviving kampung communities.

History in the Streets

The city’s historic identity is closely associated with its port, the Islamic heritage of Ampel and the decisive Battle of Surabaya in November 1945, a formative episode in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. The Heroes Monument and its museum provide context for that conflict, while the House of Sampoerna occupies a restored Dutch colonial complex in the old city. Around Jalan Rajawali and the Red Bridge, warehouses and civic buildings evoke the era when Surabaya was a major centre of trade under Dutch rule.

Urban Culture and East Javanese Flavours

Surabaya’s character is also found in its food and everyday public life. Dishes such as rawon, rujak cingur, lontong balap and tahu tek express East Java’s fondness for assertive spices, fermented ingredients and contrasting textures. The renovated Tunjungan area brings cafés and evening strolls to one of the city’s best-known streets, while Pasar Genteng, Pasar Atom and the lanes around Ampel offer a closer view of local commerce. Parks, river corridors and carefully maintained civic spaces soften the dense urban landscape, and the city makes a practical base for exploring the wider eastern part of Java.

When is the best time to visit Surabaya?

Best: June–August · 32°C

31° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: 24°C, High: 31°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 297 mm, High: 370 mm J

31° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: 24°C, High: 31°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 245 mm, High: 295 mm F

32° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 229 mm, High: 290 mm M

32° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 133 mm, High: 248 mm A

32° Temperature Range for MayLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 85 mm, High: 195 mm M

Best 32° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 23°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 50 mm, High: 75 mm J

Best 32° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 23°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 26 mm, High: 42 mm J

Best 32° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 23°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 32 mm, High: 52 mm A

33° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 24°C, High: 33°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 52 mm, High: 98 mm S

32° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 88 mm, High: 208 mm O

32° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 158 mm, High: 243 mm N

32° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: 24°C, High: 32°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 247 mm, High: 313 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	31	330
February	31	265
March	32	260
April	32	190
May	32	140
June (best)	32	62
July (best)	32	34
August (best)	32	42
September	33	75
October	32	148
November	32	200
December	32	280

Getting to and around Surabaya

How to get there

Most international visitors arrive through Juanda International Airport, located in neighbouring Sidoarjo Regency south of Surabaya and connected to the city by road. The airport handles domestic services and selected international routes, though schedules vary. Surabaya is also a major railway hub: Surabaya Gubeng serves many eastbound and central-Java trains, while Pasar Turi is important for routes towards western Java. Long-distance coaches connect the city with destinations across Java and nearby islands, and intercity buses generally use terminals outside the historic centre. Road access is extensive, although traffic can be heavy. The port serves passenger and freight connections within Indonesia, but routes and schedules should be checked before travelling.

Transportation

Surabaya’s central districts can be explored on foot in short sections, particularly around Tunjungan, the civic centre and selected historic streets, but the metropolitan area is too spread out for walking alone. City buses, including the Suroboyo Bus network, serve major corridors, while local angkot minibuses operate on routes that can be less straightforward for first-time visitors. App-based motorcycle taxis and car taxis are widely used for point-to-point travel; conventional taxis are also available. Traffic, heat and sudden rain make air-conditioned transport useful for longer journeys. Driving a hire car within the city is generally less relaxing than using a driver or booking a car for the day.

Best attractions in Surabaya

Surabaya’s attractions range from national history to everyday urban culture. The Heroes Monument and its museum explain the city’s pivotal role in the 1945 independence struggle, while the House of Sampoerna combines a restored colonial complex with an introduction to Indonesia’s clove-cigarette industry. In the old centre, the Jembatan Merah area, Kalimas waterfront and Pasar Pabean reveal the commercial heritage of the port. Ampel offers a different atmosphere, with the historic Sunan Ampel Mosque, pilgrimage activity and lanes of shops serving religious visitors. The Submarine Monument presents a naval vessel displayed near the city centre, and the elegant Balai Pemuda anchors a civic precinct near Tunjungan. Families may prefer Surabaya Zoo or the wide green spaces of Bungkul Park, while food stalls, markets and neighbourhood walks provide a more informal way to understand the city beyond its formal museums.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Surabaya

Surabaya’s landmarks embody its maritime, religious and revolutionary histories. The Heroes Monument, a tall modernist civic memorial, commemorates the city’s role in the struggle for independence and stands beside a museum devoted to the Battle of Surabaya. In the old commercial quarter, the Red Bridge crosses the Kalimas near streets associated with colonial warehouses and the port economy. The House of Sampoerna occupies a carefully restored Dutch colonial compound whose architecture reflects the city’s trading past, while the Sunan Ampel Mosque and surrounding pilgrimage complex remain central to Surabaya’s Islamic heritage. The Submarine Monument, featuring the former Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Pasopati, represents the republic’s later maritime history. Balai Pemuda, with its historic civic architecture near Tunjungan, and the large Al-Akbar Mosque further illustrate the range of institutions that shape the city’s public image.

Show more landmarks

Explore Surabaya on the map

Plan your Surabaya trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Surabaya

Best restaurants in Surabaya

Surabaya’s food culture is firmly rooted in East Java, where dark, aromatic sauces, chilli, fermented ingredients and generous herbs create assertive flavours. Rawon, a beef soup darkened with keluak, is a local favourite, while rujak cingur combines fruit, vegetables, rice cakes and a distinctive fermented shrimp-paste dressing. Lontong balap, tahu tek and semanggi are other characteristic dishes found at stalls and modest eateries rather than solely in polished restaurants. The city’s Chinese, Madurese, Javanese and broader Indonesian influences are visible in its noodles, seafood, grilled dishes and market cooking. Pasar Genteng and the food streets around central districts are useful for sampling local specialities, while Tunjungan offers cafés and contemporary restaurants in a more modern setting. Menus may include offal, strong chilli or shrimp products, so diners with dietary restrictions should ask carefully about ingredients.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Surabaya

Surabaya’s nightlife is more varied and restrained than the club scenes of Indonesia’s main resort destinations. The Tunjungan area becomes sociable after sunset, with cafés, dessert shops and restaurants along or near its central shopping streets, while hotel lounges and bars in central commercial districts provide cocktails, live music and a quieter evening setting. Darmo and western-central neighbourhoods also have established restaurants and entertainment venues, though the city’s nightlife is dispersed rather than concentrated in one late-night quarter. Live bands, karaoke and occasional performances are common forms of evening entertainment, and cinemas and cultural events offer alternatives to drinking. Visitors should expect conservative local norms in some areas, dress appropriately, use reputable transport after dark and check current venue information rather than assuming late opening hours.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Surabaya

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Surabaya

Shopping in Surabaya ranges from old trading markets to modern malls. Pasar Atom is a large, busy complex known for clothing, accessories, textiles, snacks and specialist stalls, while Pasar Genteng is particularly useful for packaged food products, regional snacks and everyday goods. The lanes around Ampel sell prayer articles, fabrics, perfume oils and items associated with pilgrimage, and the old port districts retain small wholesalers and traditional shops. Tunjungan Street combines department stores, cafés, heritage façades and contemporary retail, while large malls such as Galaxy Mall serve shoppers seeking international brands and air-conditioned facilities. Visitors looking for gifts can consider Indonesian batik, local food products, embroidered textiles and East Javanese snacks, but should distinguish genuinely local goods from mass-produced souvenirs. Bargaining is common in some markets but not in fixed-price shops or established malls.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Surabaya, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

Surabaya essentials

Currency and Payment

Indonesia uses the Indonesian rupiah, written as IDR or commonly abbreviated Rp. Debit and credit cards, as well as contactless payments, are increasingly accepted in hotels, shopping centres, established restaurants and many cafés, but smaller warung eateries, markets, parking attendants and neighbourhood shops often require cash. ATMs are common in commercial areas and usually dispense rupiah; international cards may incur fees or restrictions depending on the issuing bank. Carry modest amounts of small notes for food stalls and local transport, while keeping larger withdrawals secure. Check the amount and any service charge before paying, particularly where prices are not clearly displayed.

Safety

Use ordinary urban precautions in Surabaya: keep phones and wallets secure in crowded markets, on public transport and around busy road crossings, and use trusted transport after dark. Heat, humidity, traffic and uneven pavements can create more immediate difficulties than sightseeing itself, so take water and allow time when crossing wide roads. Motorcycle traffic is substantial, and pedestrians should use marked crossings where possible. Keep valuables discreet in nightlife and entertainment areas, and take care with unofficial guides or unsolicited transport offers. During heavy rain, low-lying streets may flood temporarily; local advice and weather conditions are worth checking before longer journeys.

Emergency Situations

In Indonesia, police assistance can be reached on 110, fire services on 113 and medical emergency assistance on 118 or 119; the general emergency number 112 is available in some Indonesian locations but should not be assumed to work everywhere. If one number does not connect, ask hotel staff, a local host or nearby security personnel to contact the appropriate service. International visitors should keep passport, insurance and emergency contact details accessible. For urgent medical care, seek a hospital with an emergency department and ask accommodation staff or a local driver to help with directions. Emergency response and English-language support can vary, so prompt local assistance is useful.

Do's and Don'ts

Dress respectfully at mosques and religious sites, cover shoulders and knees where requested, and remove shoes before entering prayer areas or private homes. Use the right hand when giving or receiving food and money if practical, and avoid touching people’s heads. Ask before photographing worshippers, ceremonies or people at work. In restaurants, tipping is not universally required, although rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is appreciated; check whether a service charge is already included. Do not treat the old religious quarter of Ampel as a photo set, and avoid blocking pavements or entrances while taking pictures. Public displays of affection are best kept restrained.

Local Tips

Divide sightseeing geographically: combine Tunjungan and the civic centre on one outing, then explore the old port, Jembatan Merah and Ampel separately. Surabaya’s most atmospheric food experiences are often at modest stalls rather than formal dining rooms, so go with a local recommendation when possible and clarify unfamiliar ingredients. The city’s parks and shaded public spaces offer useful breaks from the heat. For a wider East Java itinerary, treat Surabaya as a transport base rather than assuming major natural attractions are nearby; Mount Bromo and other destinations require separate travel arrangements. Carry a translation app for market conversations and use place names in both English and Indonesian when booking transport.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Halo	[haˈlo]
Goodbye	Sampai jumpa	[samˈpai ˈdʒumpa]
Yes	Iya	[ˈi.ja]
No	Tidak	[ˈti.dak]
Please/You're welcome	Tolong	[ˈto.loŋ]
Thank you	Terima kasih	[tɛˈrima kaˈsih]
Excuse me/Sorry	Maaf	[maˈaf]
How are you?	Apa kabar?	[ˈa.pa ˈka.bar]
Fine. And you?	Baik. Bagaimana denganmu?	[baˈik baˈɡai.mana dɛnˈɡan.mu]
Do you speak English?	Apakah kamu bisa berbahasa Inggris?	[aˈpa.ka ˈkamʊ ˈbisa bərˈba.ha.sa ˈiŋ.ɡris]
I don't understand	Saya tidak mengerti	[saˈja tiˈdak məŋˈɡɛr.ti]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Saya ingin melihat menu, tolong	[saˈja ˈi.ŋin məˈli.hat ˈmɛ.nu ˈto.loŋ]
I don't eat meat	Saya tidak makan daging	[saˈja tiˈdak maˈkan ˈda.jiŋ]
Cheers!	Selamat!	[sɛˈla.mat]
I would like to pay, please	Saya ingin membayar, tolong	[saˈja ˈi.ŋin məmˈba.jar ˈto.loŋ]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Tolong!	[ˈto.loŋ]
Go away!	Pergi!	[ˈpɛr.ɡi]
Call the Police!	Panggil polisi!	[paŋˈɡil poˈli.si]
Call a doctor!	Panggil dokter!	[paŋˈɡil ˈdo.ktər]
I'm lost	Saya tersesat	[saˈja tərˈsɛ.sat]
I'm ill	Saya sakit	[saˈja ˈsa.kit]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	Saya ingin membeli...	[saˈja ˈi.ŋin məmˈbɛ.li...]
I'm just looking	Saya hanya melihat-lihat	[saˈja ˈhɑn.ja məˈli.hat-liˈhat]
How much is it?	Berapa harganya?	[bɛˈra.pa harˈɡan.ja]
That's too expensive	Itu terlalu mahal	[ˈi.tu tərˈla.lu maˈhal]
Can you lower the price?	Bisa turunkan harganya?	[ˈbi.sa tuˈruŋ.kan harˈɡan.ja]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	Sekarang jam berapa?	[səˈka.raŋ dʒam bɛˈra.pa]
It's one o'clock	Sekarang pukul satu	[səˈka.raŋ puˈkul ˈsa.tu]
Half past (10)	Setengah (sepuluh)	[səˈtɛŋ.ah (səˈpu.lu)]
Morning	Pagi	[ˈpa.ɡi]
Afternoon	Siang	[ˈsi.aŋ]
Evening	Malam	[ˈma.lam]
Yesterday	Kemarin	[kəˈma.rin]
Today	Hari ini	[ˈha.ri ˈi.ni]
Tomorrow	Besok	[ˈbɛ.sok]
1	Satu	[ˈsa.tu]
2	Dua	[ˈdu.a]
3	Tiga	[ˈti.ɡa]
4	Empat	[ˈɛm.pat]
5	Lima	[ˈli.ma]
6	Enam	[ˈə.nam]
7	Tujuh	[ˈtu.dʒuʰ]
8	Delapan	[dəˈla.pan]
9	Sembilan	[səmˈbi.lan]
10	Sepuluh	[səˈpu.lu]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Dimana ada/ada...	[di.ˈma.na ˈa.da/ ˈa.da]
What's the address?	Alamatnya dimana?	[aˈlamat.nja di.ˈma.na]
Can you show me (on the map)?	Bisa tunjukkan saya (di peta)?	[ˈbi.sa tun.ˈdʒuk.kan saˈja (di ˈpe.ta)]
When's the next (bus)?	Kapan bus berikutnya?	[ˈka.pan bus bə.ˈri.kut.nja]
A ticket (to ....)	Tiket (ke ....)	[ˈti.kət (kɛ ....)]

History of Surabaya

Early River Port and Coastal Settlement

Surabaya developed around a strategic coastal and riverine setting linked to the Madura Strait. The Kalimas provided access inland, while the wider port connected Java with shipping routes across the archipelago. Medieval references and later traditions associate the area with the port of Ujung Galuh, although the precise relationship between early names and the modern city remains debated. By the late Majapahit period, the settlement was part of a commercially important north-coast zone whose prosperity depended on maritime exchange, rice-producing hinterlands and river transport. This geographic foundation explains why port activity has remained central to Surabaya’s identity, even as the urban area expanded far beyond its original waterways.

Ampel and the Growth of Islam

During the fifteenth century, the north coast of Java became an important corridor for Islamic scholarship and trade. Surabaya’s district of Ampel is associated with Raden Rahmat, better known as Sunan Ampel, one of the Wali Songo traditionally credited with spreading Islam in Java. The mosque and religious complex that developed around his tomb made Ampel an enduring centre of pilgrimage and learning. Muslim, Arab, Javanese, Madurese, Chinese and other trading communities contributed to the port’s social life. This period helped shape the commercial and cultural diversity still visible in the old city, particularly around Ampel, the Kalimas and the former trading quarters.

Dutch Rule and Commercial Expansion

The Dutch East India Company established stronger control over Surabaya in the eighteenth century, and the city later became an important administrative and commercial centre of the Dutch East Indies. Its port handled agricultural produce and manufactured goods from East Java, while roads, railways, warehouses and civic buildings connected the waterfront with an expanding European and indigenous urban fabric. The railway station at Pasar Turi and the surviving colonial streets around Jembatan Merah reflect this era of infrastructure and trade. Estate agriculture, sugar production and shipping strengthened Surabaya’s economic importance, but colonial segregation also divided communities and access to urban services.

Occupation and the Battle of Surabaya

Japanese forces occupied Surabaya from 1942 until Japan’s surrender in August 1945, disrupting colonial administration and imposing wartime controls. After independence was proclaimed, tensions between Indonesian forces, local authorities and returning Allied troops escalated. The death of British brigadier A. W. S. Mallaby on 30 October 1945 intensified the confrontation, and major fighting began in November. Indonesian resistance under figures including Bung Tomo continued despite overwhelming military pressure. The battle became a defining symbol of the revolution, commemorated nationally through 10 November as Heroes’ Day. Surabaya’s Heroes Monument and the adjacent museum preserve the memory of this conflict and its importance in Indonesia’s national narrative.

Post-Independence Industrial City

After Indonesia achieved sovereignty, Surabaya grew as the principal economic centre of eastern Java. Its port, railway connections, manufacturing base, universities and government institutions attracted workers and businesses from across the region. Urban development spread beyond the historic core into residential, commercial and industrial districts, while kampung neighbourhoods remained important parts of the city’s social structure. Modern civic projects, parks and improvements to public spaces have altered the appearance of central Surabaya, but the old port, Ampel and colonial districts continue to anchor its historical identity. Today the city combines long-established maritime commerce with education, services, manufacturing and a strong regional food culture.