Things to Do in Surabaya: Best Places to Visit

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Surabaya is one of the most interesting cities in East Java for travelers who want to experience a more local side of Indonesia. The city combines important historical landmarks, old neighborhoods, museums, religious sites, markets, parks, and a strong local food culture.

Unlike Indonesia’s major beach destinations, Surabaya is primarily an urban destination. Its appeal comes from its history and everyday city life rather than tropical scenery. That makes it particularly worthwhile for travelers interested in Indonesian culture, architecture, and food.

There are enough things to do in Surabaya to fill one or two days comfortably. You can explore the historic center in the morning, visit museums and landmarks during the day, and finish with local food or an evening walk.

If this is your first time visiting the city, our Surabaya travel guide covers the wider practical information you need for planning your trip.

Best Things to Do in Surabaya

Surabaya is a large city, so it helps to group attractions by area instead of trying to see everything in a single day. The city’s historic center is particularly useful for sightseeing, while other attractions are spread across different parts of Surabaya.

1. Visit Tugu Pahlawan

Tugu Pahlawan, or the Heroes Monument, is one of the most important landmarks in Surabaya. The monument commemorates the city’s role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence and has become closely associated with Surabaya’s identity as the City of Heroes.

The surrounding area is also home to the Museum Sepuluh Nopember, where visitors can learn more about the events surrounding the Battle of Surabaya in 1945.

For travelers interested in Indonesian history, this should be one of the first stops on a Surabaya itinerary.

2. Explore the House of Sampoerna

House of Sampoerna is one of Surabaya’s better-known cultural attractions and is housed in an impressive colonial-era complex.

The museum focuses on the history of Sampoerna and the Indonesian kretek cigarette industry. The building itself is also worth seeing, making this an easy stop to combine with other historic attractions in the northern part of the city.

Allow some extra time if you enjoy museums and historical buildings rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph.

3. Walk Through Surabaya’s Old Town

Surabaya’s historic areas are among the best places to experience the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The old city contains a mixture of colonial buildings, traditional commercial streets, warehouses, and older residential areas. Parts of the historic center are particularly interesting in the morning, when local businesses are opening and the streets are busy with everyday activity.

Instead of treating the old town as a list of individual attractions, take time to walk around and explore the streets between the main landmarks.

4. Explore Chinatown

Surabaya has a long Chinese-Indonesian heritage, and the city’s Chinatown area offers a different perspective on its history.

The streets around the traditional commercial districts contain old shop houses, restaurants, temples, and local businesses. It is a good area to combine sightseeing with food, particularly if you want to move beyond the city’s major tourist attractions.

Early morning can be a good time to explore Chinatown before the heat becomes intense.

5. Visit the Arab Quarter and Ampel

The Ampel area is one of Surabaya’s most distinctive cultural neighborhoods. It developed around the historic Sunan Ampel Mosque and has strong Arab and Islamic influences.

The streets around the mosque are filled with shops, food stalls, religious stores, and traditional businesses. The atmosphere is very different from the modern commercial areas of central Surabaya.

Visitors should dress respectfully when entering religious sites and be prepared for a busy environment around the main mosque and market streets.

6. See the Submarine Monument

Monumen Kapal Selam, commonly known as the Submarine Monument or Monkasel, is one of the more unusual things to do in Surabaya.

The attraction is built around a real Soviet-built submarine and gives visitors the opportunity to see the vessel’s interior and learn about its history.

Because the submarine is relatively compact, the visit does not require a large amount of time and can easily be combined with other central Surabaya attractions.

7. Visit Bungkul Park

Bungkul Park is one of Surabaya’s best-known public parks and is a useful place to take a break from sightseeing.

The park is surrounded by restaurants, food stalls, and other local businesses, making it particularly interesting in the late afternoon and evening.

If you want to experience Surabaya beyond museums and monuments, spending some time in a busy public space such as Bungkul Park gives you a better sense of everyday city life.

8. Try Local Surabaya Food

Trying local food is one of the best things to do in Surabaya, especially if you enjoy regional Indonesian cuisine.

Some dishes associated with the city and surrounding East Java region include rawon, rujak cingur, lontong balap, tahu tek, and various grilled and fried dishes served with sambal.

Do not limit yourself to restaurants aimed at tourists. Local warungs and traditional food stalls are often the better choice if you want to understand the city’s food culture.

If you are staying in central Surabaya, you will have plenty of restaurants and food stalls within easy reach of the main hotel areas.

9. Explore Tunjungan Street

Jalan Tunjungan is one of the most recognizable streets in central Surabaya and one of the easiest places to combine sightseeing, shopping, restaurants, and evening entertainment.

The area becomes particularly lively later in the day, when the temperature is more comfortable and residents come out to eat, shop, and socialize.

Staying around Tunjungan is also convenient if you want to be close to restaurants and central attractions. If accommodation is part of your planning, see our guide to the best hotels in Surabaya.

10. Visit Masjid Nasional Al Akbar

Masjid Nasional Al Akbar is one of the most prominent mosques in Surabaya and one of the city’s major architectural landmarks.

The mosque is located farther from the historic center, so it is best visited as part of a route through southern Surabaya rather than added between attractions in the old city.

As with other religious sites, visitors should dress appropriately and follow local rules when entering the complex.

11. Walk Along the Kalimas River

The Kalimas River has played an important role in Surabaya’s development as a major trading city.

Parts of the riverfront have been developed as public spaces, and the area can be interesting for a relaxed walk after visiting the city’s more intensive historical attractions.

Even if you do not take a boat trip, seeing the river and surrounding neighborhoods provides another perspective on Surabaya.

12. Visit Surabaya Zoo

Surabaya Zoo is one of the city’s long-established attractions and can be an option for families or travelers who want something different from museums and historical sites.

It is located in the southern part of the city, so consider combining it with other nearby attractions rather than making a separate cross-city trip solely for the zoo.

Families looking for accommodation can also choose a hotel near the southern districts if they plan to spend more time in this part of Surabaya.

Best Things to Do in Surabaya at Night

Surabaya becomes noticeably more comfortable after sunset, particularly during the hotter months. Evening is a good time to explore the city’s food scene, shopping streets, and public spaces.

Walk Along Jalan Tunjungan

Tunjungan is one of the easiest places for an evening walk. Shops, restaurants, cafes, and busy sidewalks make the area lively after dark.

It is also a convenient place to finish a sightseeing day because there are plenty of options for dinner nearby.

Eat at Local Night Markets and Food Stalls

Surabaya’s food culture becomes particularly interesting in the evening, when street stalls and local restaurants become busy.

Look for popular local dishes rather than focusing only on international restaurants. If you see a busy warung filled with local customers, it is often worth investigating.

Relax at Bungkul Park

Bungkul Park is another useful evening stop. The cooler temperatures make the park more comfortable than during the middle of the day, and the surrounding food options make it easy to combine a walk with dinner.

Best Things to Do in Surabaya for First-Time Visitors

If you only have one day in Surabaya, focus on the city’s historic and cultural highlights rather than trying to cover the entire metropolitan area.

A practical first-time itinerary could start at Tugu Pahlawan and continue through the historic areas toward House of Sampoerna and the northern part of the city. From there, you can explore the Arab Quarter and Ampel before heading back toward central Surabaya.

In the afternoon, visit the Submarine Monument or another central attraction, then spend the evening around Tunjungan Street.

This gives you a good balance of history, architecture, food, and everyday city life without spending most of the day in traffic.

Things to Do in Surabaya with Kids

Families have several options in Surabaya, although the city is better suited to cultural and urban sightseeing than a traditional resort-style holiday.

• Visit Surabaya Zoo.
• Explore Bungkul Park.
• See the Submarine Monument.
• Walk around Tunjungan Street.
• Choose family-friendly restaurants and shopping areas in central Surabaya.

If you are traveling with children, choose a hotel with a pool and convenient transport access. Staying at a hotel in a central area can make it easier to return to your room during the hottest part of the afternoon.

How Many Days Do You Need in Surabaya?

One full day is enough to see several of the city’s main attractions, but two days is better if you want to explore without rushing.

With one day, prioritize the historic center, Tugu Pahlawan, House of Sampoerna, Ampel, and one or two central attractions.

With two days, you can spread the sightseeing out, spend more time exploring local neighborhoods, visit additional museums or religious sites, and devote an evening to Surabaya’s food scene.

If Surabaya is part of a larger East Java trip, you may also want to keep some flexibility in your schedule for onward travel. Malang is a natural addition to a Java itinerary, and our Malang travel guide covers what to expect there.

Where to Stay for Sightseeing in Surabaya

For a short sightseeing trip, staying in central Surabaya is usually the most convenient option. It reduces the amount of time spent traveling between the main attractions and gives you easier access to restaurants and evening activities.

Areas around Tunjungan and the central business district are particularly practical for first-time visitors. You can also find accommodation in Surabaya in a wide range of price categories, from simple city hotels to international five-star properties.

If you are planning a sightseeing-heavy itinerary, choose a hotel near the areas you want to visit rather than focusing only on the lowest room rate.

For more options, compare the properties in our guide to the best hotels in Surabaya.

Tips for Exploring Surabaya

• Start early: Outdoor sightseeing is more comfortable before the afternoon heat.
• Group attractions by area: Surabaya is large, so avoid unnecessary cross-city trips.
• Use ride-hailing apps: They are useful for moving between attractions and neighborhoods.
• Carry water: The city’s tropical climate can make walking tiring during the middle of the day.
• Dress appropriately at religious sites: Cover shoulders and knees and follow local instructions.
• Leave time for food: Some of the best parts of a Surabaya visit happen between the major attractions.
• Stay centrally for a short visit: A convenient hotel location can save significant travel time.

Is Surabaya Worth Visiting?

Surabaya is worth visiting if you are interested in Indonesian history, local culture, architecture, and food.

It is not Indonesia’s most scenic destination, and travelers looking primarily for beaches or tropical resorts may prefer other parts of the country. But for a city break or a stop during a Java itinerary, Surabaya offers plenty to explore.

The city’s biggest advantage is that it feels like a real working Indonesian city rather than a destination built primarily around tourism. Its historic districts, religious neighborhoods, food culture, and public spaces give you a different perspective on the country.

Final Thoughts

The best things to do in Surabaya range from major historical landmarks to local markets, traditional neighborhoods, museums, parks, and food experiences.

For a first visit, focus on Tugu Pahlawan, House of Sampoerna, the historic districts, Ampel, Tunjungan Street, and at least a few local dishes. With two days, you can explore at a much more relaxed pace and add attractions outside the central area.

Base yourself in central Surabaya if you are visiting for sightseeing, choose a hotel near the areas you plan to explore, and leave enough time to experience the city rather than simply checking attractions off a list.

For the complete practical information, including transport, costs, accommodation, and planning advice, continue with our Surabaya travel guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tugu Pahlawan?

The Heroes Monument, one of Surabaya’s most important landmarks, commemorating the city’s role in Indonesia’s independence struggle, with the nearby Museum Sepuluh Nopember covering the 1945 Battle of Surabaya.

What is the House of Sampoerna?

A well-known cultural attraction housed in a colonial-era complex, focusing on the history of Sampoerna and the Indonesian kretek cigarette industry.

How should you approach Surabaya’s Old Town?

Rather than treating it as a list of individual attractions, take time to walk around and explore the streets between the main landmarks — the old city has colonial buildings, traditional commercial streets, warehouses, and older residential areas, especially interesting in the morning.

What can you do in Surabaya’s Chinatown?

Get a different perspective on the city’s long Chinese-Indonesian heritage.

How much time do you need to see Surabaya’s main sights?

Enough things to do to fill one or two days comfortably — exploring the historic center in the morning, museums and landmarks during the day, and finishing with local food or an evening walk.