Things to do in Surabaya

Things to do in Surabaya 

Known as the ‘City of Heroes’, Surabaya offers a blend of rich culture, history, and mouth-watering culinary moments. For the history buffs, learn about Surabaya’s role in Indonesia’s fight for independence at Heroes Monument and Museum 10 November. And for the foodies, don’t miss your chance to try spicy and rich East Javanese dishes like rawon, rujak cingur, and lontong balap at a local street food stall. When you’ve filled your cup with authentic bites and moving stories about Indonesia’s history, Surabaya is also the gateway to adventure and nature-filled trips to Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater..

Unique Surabaya things you can’t do anywhere else

• Experience an underpass nightmarket: Kodam Brawijaya Night Market turns an ordinary underpass into a vibrant night-time destination, buzzing with local street food, fashion, and music. Its unique location beneath a flyover adds gritty, urban charm to Surabaya’s most energetic and authentic night market experience. Be warned though, Kodam Brawijaya is extremely popular so it can get pretty crowded.
• Visit a cigarette museum: Watch women hand-roll Indonesia’s iconic kretek (clove cigarettes) at astonishing speed inside the House of Sampoerna. Nowhere else can you witness this traditional craft live in a beautifully preserved Dutch colonial building.
• Visit the Cheng Hoo Mosque: A rare Chinese-Islamic mosque. Cheng Hoo Mosque was named after the Chinese Muslim explorer, Zheng He. It blends Chinese temple aesthetics with Islamic spiritual space — something you rarely see in Indonesia or around the world.
• Enjoy an authentic bowl of rawon: Surabaya is the home of rawon, a rich, black beef soup made with keluak nuts. Trust us when we say, rawon tastes the best here.

Best Surabaya attractions to see

• Heroes’ Monument (Tugu Pahlawan): A towering tribute to Indonesia’s independence struggle, this iconic monument honours fallen heroes of the 1945 Battle of Surabaya. 
• 10 November Museum: Combine 10 November Museum with your visit to the Heroes’ Monument for a day filled with moving stories about Indonesia’s culture-rich history. 10 November Museum is located just beneath the Heroes’ Monument — this underground museum brings Surabaya’s revolutionary past to life. 
• House of Sampoerna: Watch kretek cigarettes rolled by hand, explore colonial history, and discover Surabaya’s unique culture at this museum-factory-café complex. A highlight of this Surabaya city tour
• Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge): This historic red bridge remains a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s independence. You learn more about it on this insightful guided tour.
• Tunjungan Plaza: Shop ‘til you drop at one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping centres. Here, you’ll find global brands, local boutiques and fine dining destinations. 
• Jatim Park 2: Ready for some animal-loving fun? A short trip from Surabaya, Jatim Park 2 is a family-friendly destination with interactive animal exhibits and a whole lot of fun. 

Best Surabaya day trips and tours

• Day Trip To Mount Bromo: Witness the most majestic sunrise from none other than Mount Bromo. With this sunrise day trip experience, no hiking is needed as you’ll get graciously picked up in a 4x4 Jeep — all you’ll need to do is take in the unreal views. 
• Bromo & Ijen Crater Excursion: For the more adventurous, combine sunrise views at Mount Bromo with a trek into Ijen’s surreal crater lake. With this 3-day-2-night private Bromo and Ijen crater tour, you’ll get conveniently picked up in Surabaya for your volcano-filled adventure.   
• 1-Day Batu & Malang Excursion: Pick your own apples and stroll through vibrant flower gardens as you enjoy the crisp mountain air on this one day tour of Batu and Malang.
• Madakaripura Waterfall: Around 3.5-hours from Surabaya are towering falls in a lush canyon near Bromo. Madakaripura Waterfall is a must-do day trip for nature lovers, just remember to bring a waterproof jacket!

Budgeting for things to do in Surabaya

Whether you’re travelling on a budget or looking to splurge, you’ll be pleased to know that Surabaya is generally pretty affordable — especially when compared to Jakarta or Bali. Delicious and authentic street food like rawon or lontong balap are just a few dollars, and local transport is affordable too. If you are looking to splurge, booking an all-inclusive tour to Mount Bromo or Ijen crater is a bit more expensive, but well worth it for the jaw-dropping views and once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Free things to do in Surabaya

• Stroll Down Jalan Tunjungan: Soak up Surabaya’s renowned old-meets-new vibe along Jalan Tunjungan. This lively street is lined with colonial buildings, colourful murals, and talented street performers. Visit in the evening and immerse yourself in the buzzing nightlife atmosphere. 
• Relax At Bungkul Park (Taman Bungkul): Spend a slow day at Bungkul Park. Bring a picnic mat and people-watch as you enjoy live music on the weekends — all for free.
• Explore Kampung Lawas Maspati: Filled with murals, community gardens, and friendly locals, Kampung Lawas Maspati is a revitalised village that showcases Surabaya’s creativity. 
• Snap A Pic At Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge): Stop by the historic Red Bridge and explore the nearby markets and colonial-era architecture without paying a dime.