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Things to Do in Surabaya (2026)
Begin your exploration in the historic Kota Tua area, where Dutch colonial architecture lines the streets. Visit the iconic Hotel Majapahit at Jalan Tunjungan 65, a beauti… 🏛️ Start at the Old City
Begin your exploration in the historic Kota Tua area, where Dutch colonial architecture lines the streets. Visit the iconic Hotel Majapahit at Jalan Tunjungan 65, a beautifully preserved art deco building that once hosted world leaders. The nearby Surabaya Submarine Monument at Jalan Pemuda is a decommissioned Russian submarine you can walk through for a small fee.
🕌 Explore Religious Landmarks
The Cheng Hoo Mosque on Jalan Gading is a stunning Chinese-style mosque that reflects Surabaya's multicultural heritage. For a different experience, visit the 18th-century Sunan Ampel Mosque in the Ampel district, surrounded by a bustling Arab Quarter with spice markets and traditional snacks. Both are free to enter, but dress modestly.
🛍️ Shop at Pasar Atom
Pasar Atom at Jalan Bunguran is Surabaya's largest indoor market, offering everything from electronics to batik clothing. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price. For a more modern shopping experience, head to Tunjungan Plaza, a massive mall complex with international brands and a food court.
🍜 Eat Like a Local
Try the city's signature dish, rawon, a rich black beef soup, at Rawon Setan on Jalan Embong Malang. For a sweet treat, visit Depot Ice Cream Zangrandi at Jalan Yos Sudarso 133, a legendary ice cream parlor from 1930. Most local eateries are open from 10 AM to 9 PM and cost under $5 per meal.
🌳 Relax at Bungkul Park
Bungkul Park at Jalan Raya Darmo is a lively urban green space perfect for an evening stroll. On weekends, the park hosts food stalls selling local snacks like lontong balap and pisang epe. It's free to enter and open 24 hours, though best visited before 10 PM.
🚌 Getting Around the City
Surabaya's Suroboyo Bus system covers major routes with air-conditioned buses for a flat fare of around $0.30. For shorter trips, use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab, which are widely available and affordable. Avoid taxis that don't use meters, as they often overcharge tourists.
🎭 Catch a Cultural Show
The Taman Budaya Jawa Timur at Jalan Gentengkali 85 hosts traditional Javanese dance and wayang kulit puppet shows on weekends. Check their schedule in advance, as performances are irregular. Tickets usually cost less than $5, and the venue is a short ride from the city center.
🌅 Best Evening Spots
For sunset views, head to the Suramadu Bridge area, where you can walk along the coastal promenade. Alternatively, the rooftop bar at Hotel Majapahit offers a panoramic view of the city skyline with colonial-era charm. Drinks are moderately priced, and the atmosphere is relaxed.
ngl the rawon setan recommendation is solid but i'd also hit up rawon nguling on jalan nguling for a slightly different take, it's been around just as long and the broth is a bit lighter. if you're at pasar atom, the top floor has a decent spot for soto ayam that most tourists miss, usually costs like 15k rupiah. also the suramadu bridge walk is nicer around 5pm before it gets too crowded, grab some rujak cingur from the vendors near the base there
solid guide, really captures the main spots. if you're into photography, the old city area around jalan kembang jepun is way better in the early morning before the traffic picks up, the light hits those colonial facades just right, and the street vendors are setting up with fresh fried bananas and coffee for like 5k rupiah. also worth mentioning that the suramadu bridge walk is free but the parking attendants near the base will try to charge you a random fee, just ignore them and walk past, it's a public area.
for the taman budaya show, the schedule is hit or miss but they sometimes have a free rehearsal on saturday afternoons around 2pm if you just show up and ask nicely at the front desk, i caught a full gamelan practice that way. one thing that's easy to miss is the surabaya zoo on jalan setail, it's a bit run down and not the best for animal welfare honestly, but the old dutch buildings inside are worth a quick look if you're already nearby, and the entrance is only like 15k rupiah.
honestly the cheng hoo mosque is worth it just for the architecture alone, the red pillars and pagoda style roof are so different from any other mosque in indonesia. if you're there on a sunday morning theres a small market outside with decent street food like tahu campur and lontong balap for like 10k rupiah. also for getting around, the suroboyo bus app is a bit janky but works fine if you download it beforehand, just tap your e-money card at the gate. one thing the guide missed is the house of sampoerna at jalan taman sampoerna 6, its a museum in an old dutch cigarette factory with free entry and a cool balcony overlooking the historic area, takes about an hour to go through.
Where to Stay in Surabaya (2026)
The CBD around Jalan Basuki Rahmat and Tunjungan is ideal for business travelers and first-time visitors. Hotels like Hotel Majapahit (Jalan Tunjungan No.65) offer col… 🏙️ Central Business District
The CBD around Jalan Basuki Rahmat and Tunjungan is ideal for business travelers and first-time visitors. Hotels like Hotel Majapahit (Jalan Tunjungan No.65) offer colonial charm with rates from IDR 600,000 per night. You'll be walking distance to Tunjungan Plaza mall and many restaurants.
🌃 Nightlife Hub: West Surabaya
For night owls, the area around Jalan Mayjen Sungkono and Citraland is packed with bars and clubs. The Westin Surabaya (Jalan Mayjen Sungkono No.100) starts at IDR 1,200,000 per night and puts you near hotspots like The Lounge. Budget options like Ibis Styles (from IDR 400,000) are also nearby.
🛍️ Family-Friendly: East Surabaya
East Surabaya near Pakuwon City and MERR offers quieter streets and family-oriented malls. The Harris Hotel Pakuwon (Jalan Pakuwon Indah No.1) has family rooms from IDR 500,000 and is close to Pakuwon Mall. Kids will enjoy the nearby Ciputra Waterpark.
💻 Digital Nomads: Gubeng Area
Gubeng and Kertajaya are popular with remote workers due to affordable co-working spaces and cafes. The Dafam Hotel Jalan Gubeng (Jalan Gubeng No.21) offers rooms from IDR 350,000 with fast WiFi. Many co-working spots like Kertajaya Coworking are within a short ride.
💰 Budget Stays: Pasar Turi
Backpackers should head to Pasar Turi near the train station for hostels under IDR 150,000 per night. The area is chaotic but convenient for transit. Be cautious with valuables and book well-reviewed places like The Packer Lodge.
🏖️ Beach Escape: Kenjeran
For a seaside vibe, Kenjeran offers budget hotels and homestays near the beach. Hotel Kenjeran Indah (Jalan Kenjeran No.123) has rooms from IDR 200,000. It's a 30-minute drive from the city center, so rent a scooter or use ride-hailing apps.
🚇 Transit Access: Wonokromo
Wonokromo is a transport hub with the main train station and bus terminal. Hotels like Hotel Santika Jemursari (Jalan Raya Jemursari No.1) cost around IDR 400,000 and offer easy access to Suroboyo Bus stops. It's practical for day trips but not the prettiest area.
🏡 Hidden Gem: Darmo
Darmo is a leafy residential area with colonial-era houses and a relaxed atmosphere. The boutique hotel Ciputra World Surabaya (Jalan Mayjen Sungkono) starts at IDR 800,000. It's perfect for couples seeking quiet walks and local warungs.
good breakdown, especially the CBD recommendation. if you're staying at Hotel Majapahit, do the afternoon tea in their lobby, it's like IDR 100k and the vibe is straight out of the 1920s. also worth knowing that Tunjungan Plaza is huge and the food court on the top floor has an amazing pempek stall that's way better than the tourist spots on the main strip
one thing missing here is the area around Jalan Embong Malang, it's a bit gritty but has some of the best late-night street food in the city. there's a sate ayam cart that sets up around 9pm near the intersection with Jalan Blauran, IDR 20k for 10 sticks and the peanut sauce is legit. not for everyone but if you want real surabaya energy that's where you go
for budget folks, Pasar Turi is fine for a night but honestly the noise from the train station is constant, i'd rather pay IDR 200k for a guesthouse in Gubeng and get sleep. the Packer Lodge is solid though, the staff there helped me find a scooter rental for IDR 60k a day which was clutch
honestly the Gubeng area is underrated for digital nomads but you gotta try the coffee at Kofinator on Jalan Gubeng Kertajaya, it's like IDR 25k for a pour-over and the wifi is solid. I worked from there for a week straight and never had a dropout, plus the owner speaks english well enough. also the street food near the Dafam hotel is insane, there's a nasi campur stall on the corner that does a full plate for IDR 15k and it's open til midnight
I've stayed in the Darmo area a few times and it's a solid pick for anyone who wants to actually sleep at night. The old Dutch houses and wide sidewalks make for nice morning walks, and there's a great soto ayam stall called Soto Ayam Ambengan on Jalan Raya Darmo that's open until late afternoon. Just keep in mind that ride-hailing cars can take a while to arrive from there compared to the CBD.