Create meetup in Surabayachevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Surabaya Guides
bar_chart Trends in Surabaya
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 colβ¦ ποΈ 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.
π 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.
ποΈ 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.
π» 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.
π° 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.
ποΈ 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.
π 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.
π‘ 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.
3 Days in Surabaya: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the historic House of Sampoerna (Taman Sampoerna 6, open 9am-5pm, free entry) to learn about Indonesia's clove cigarette industry. Then walk to theβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Old Town & River
Start your morning at the historic House of Sampoerna (Taman Sampoerna 6, open 9am-5pm, free entry) to learn about Indonesia's clove cigarette industry. Then walk to the nearby Red Bridge (Jembatan Merah) and explore the Dutch colonial architecture along the Kalimas River. For lunch, try rawon at Rawon Setan (Embong Malang 78, around 30,000 IDR).
ποΈ Day 1: Museums & Sunset
After lunch, visit the Surabaya Submarine Monument (Monumen Kapal Selam, Jalan Pemuda, open 8am-9pm, entry 15,000 IDR) to tour a real Soviet-era submarine. Then head to the Surabaya City Hall area for the Surabaya Museum (Jalan Taman Mayangkara 6, open 8am-4pm, free). End the day at the Tunjungan Plaza area for dinner and a walk along the iconic Tunjungan Street.
π Day 2: Arab Quarter & Ships
Begin day two in the Ampel district, visiting the Ampel Mosque (Masjid Ampel, open 24 hours, free) and the surrounding Arab Quarter with its narrow lanes and spice shops. Take a bemo or ride-hailing service (10-15 minutes, around 20,000 IDR) to the Kalimas harbor to see the historic ships at the Surabaya Maritime Museum (Jalan Perak Timur, open 8am-4pm, entry 10,000 IDR).
π³ Day 2: Parks & Evening
In the afternoon, relax at Bungkul Park (Jalan Raya Darmo, open 24 hours, free), a popular green space with food stalls and a jogging track. For dinner, head to the nearby Kayoon Street (Jalan Kayoon) for seafood at one of the many warungs. Try the grilled fish with sambal, around 50,000 IDR per person.
ποΈ Day 3: Shopping & Culture
Spend your last morning at the Pasar Atom Mall (Jalan Bunguran, open 10am-9pm) for electronics and local snacks, or the Genteng Market for traditional batik. Then visit the Suroboyo Carnival Park (Jalan Kusuma Bangsa, open 3pm-10pm, entry 25,000 IDR) for a mix of rides and local food stalls.
π Day 3: Local Flavors
For your final lunch, try the legendary soto ayam at Soto Ayam Cak Har (Jalan Pucang Anom 1, open 7am-2pm, around 25,000 IDR). In the afternoon, take a short taxi ride (15 minutes, 50,000 IDR) to the House of Sampoerna for a last souvenir shop. End your trip with a sunset walk along the Kenjeran Beach (free entry, 30 minutes from city center).
π Getting Around
Surabaya has a limited public bus system (Suroboyo Bus, flat fare 5,000 IDR) but ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab are widely available and affordable (short trips around 15,000-30,000 IDR). For longer distances, use the city's taxis or rent a car with a driver for about 500,000 IDR per day. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours (7-9am and 4-7pm), so plan accordingly.
π‘ Money-Saving Tips
Street food meals cost as little as 20,000-30,000 IDR, while sit-down restaurants range from 50,000-100,000 IDR. Many museums and attractions have entry fees under 20,000 IDR. Bring cash as smaller vendors and markets rarely accept cards. ATMs are widely available in malls and convenience stores.
honestly this is a solid itinerary, covers the bases well. one thing i'd tweak is day 2's maritime museum part - the museum itself is small and kind of dusty, you can skip it and just walk along the harbor instead. the real vibe is watching the wooden pinisi ships being loaded and unloaded, it's free and way more interesting than the exhibits
for day 3, if you're into street art, head to the tembok ratu area near the old town. there's a bunch of murals by local artists along the kalimas river, some are really detailed and tell stories about surabaya's history. takes like 30 mins to walk through and you'll prob get some cool photos without the crowds
also a heads up on the suroboyo bus card thing - you can just tap your bank card or e-wallet qr code on the bus now, no need to buy a separate card. most locals use gojek or grab though cause the bus only runs every 20-30 mins and the route is limited. traffic is a nightmare so factor that in
solid guide, covers the core stuff well. one thing i'd shift is day 1's afternoon - instead of the submarine monument (which is cool but a quick 20-min walkthrough), i'd add a stop at ciputra waterfront for a drink. it's a promenade along the kalimas with a few cafes, about 10 mins by gojek from the submarine, and you get a different angle on the river than the old town bit. the iced coffee at warung kopi klotok there is around 15k and way better than the chain stuff
for day 2, the arab quarter is best early morning when the spice sellers are setting up, like 7-8am. the smell of cloves and cumin hits you as you walk in, and it's way less crowded than midday. grab a glass of teh poci from a stall near the mosque entrance, it's sweet and strong, maybe 5k
also a heads up on getting around - gojek and grab are fine but if you're moving between major spots like tunjungan and bungkul, the suroboyo bus is actually faster during peak traffic because it uses the bus lane. the app shows real-time positions now so you can time it. just tap your bank card on the reader, no card needed anymore
nice guide, covers the main spots well. one thing i'd add is that the rawon setan they mention for day 1 lunch is famous but can be really crowded at peak times, the line might take 30 mins. if you want a quicker option with similar quality, try rawon nguling on jalan ngaglik, it's a bit less touristy and the broth is just as rich
also for day 3, instead of kenjeran beach which can be pretty packed and the water isn't great for swimming, i'd suggest walking along the suramadu bridge area at sunset. you can get a gojek to the base of the bridge, maybe 30k from city center, and there's a small park with food carts where locals hang out. the view of the bridge lit up is nicer than the beach tbh
one practical tip: grab a suroboyo bus card at a convenience store or terminal, the 5k flat fare is a steal and it connects a few of these spots like tunjungan and bungkul park. just check the route map first because the coverage isn't huge