A plan for Surabaya

According to folklore, Surabaya's name derives from the Javanese words Suro, meaning shark, and Boyo, meaning crocodile. With over 2 million people, Surabaya is the second-largest city in Indonesia. While many people come for business, Surabaya is also a gateway city for Mount Bromo and Bali. The city's tree-lined streets and renovated pavements will impress those newly arrived from other cities in the archipelago, though in general the city's attractions tend to be more apparent to those who make it their home rather than to short-term visitors. Put in the effort here, and you'll have an authentic, fascinating, unique experience of an Asia that once was: get it while it lasts.

Climate

Very tropical and you need to wear casual, light clothes: T-shirts, shorts, sandals or shoes. Temperatures vary little through the year, with daytime highs around 32-34°C, falling at night to 22-26°C. During the rainy season (November–April) be prepared for occasional flash floods and traffic jams, and sometimes it's almost as bad as Jakarta.

Community

Being simultaneously one of the most ancient and significant trading ports in Indonesia, a post Dutch-colonial city (the Dutch knew it as Soerabaja), and having passed through brief Japanese control during WWII, Surabaya has a complex and patchwork heritage. It's not unusual to meet Surabaya locals with heritage from other parts of Indonesia, all parts of south-eastern China, the Middle East or Europe. Surabaya was also one of the only places in Indonesia with a synagogue; it was demolished in 2013.

Tourism information

Tourism information, Jl Wisata Menanggal, ☏ +62 31 8531815, +62 31 8531820.

Tourism information, TIC Balai Pemuda, Jl Pemuda Surabaya, ☏ +62 31 5340444.

Bridges

1 Jembatan Merah (The Red Bridge). This red bridge plays a big role in Surabaya's history; not for the bridge itself, but for the Dutch colonial era commercial area which lies in northern part of the city surrounding this bridge. The area is also known as Old Surabaya. See one of the best preserved Dutch colonial quarters in Indonesia. (updated Jun 2016)

2 The Suramadu Bridge (Jembatan Suramadu). Also known as the Surabaya-Madura Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge which connects Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura. The bridge has been open for the public since 2009.

Monuments

3 Tugu Pahlawan & Museum Sepuluh November (Heroes monument), Jalan Pahlawan, Kel. Alun-Alun Contong, Kec. Bubutan. A monument dedicated to the fallen heroes of Surabaya during the Independence war of 1945-49. Adjacent to the monument area is Museum Sepuluh Nopember, named after the declaration of war against the Dutch colony on November 10, 1945. There are uniforms, pictures, dioramas and a large collection of World Was II era weapons (pistols, rifles, machine guns and a mortar). Most of the information is available in Indonesian and English. Rp8,000.

4 Monumen Jalasveva Jayamahe. A monument on Surabaya's seafront dedicated to the service of the Indonesian Navy.

5 Monumen Kapal Selam (KRI Pasopati (410)) (beside the river next to Delta Plaza). A Soviet-built submarine display which served in the Indonesian Navy since 1962. Launched in 1952, and since her decommissioning in 1990 has been preserved as a monument. The body/hull was slightly cut for stairs & door for easier public entrance & viewing. Beside the monument there is a building where a short film about the history of the submarine can be viewed. You also can see the Suroboyo monument near the river.

6 Monumen Pers Perjuangan Surabaya, Jl. Tunjungan No.100, Genteng. A press monument. (updated Oct 2022)

Museums

7 Museum Kesehatan dr. Adhyatma, MPH (Dr. Adhyatma Health Museum), Jl. Indrapura No. 17, ☏ +62 31 352-8748, fax: +82 31 352-8749. Daily 08:30-15:00. A museum built in the 1990s oriented towards the history of health & medicinal treatment in Indonesia, from the depiction of health in traditional cultures to the evolution of remedy methods. Rp 1500.

Swim and have fun with water in 1 Ciputra Waterpark. , a great place for swimming. It has a wave pool, slides, and more. This waterpark is located in the CitraLand complex. It is usually crowded on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays. The waterpark is open until 20:00.

Enjoy the local arts at Balai Pemuda, an art center in the heart of Surabaya, near the City Hall. You can watch the Reog Dance and other art performances. The big event is Festival Seni Surabaya (FSS), held every year in June. During the Dutch Colonial era, this building was a club called Simpangsche Societeit.

Get around the Old Town area (around Kembang Jepun to the port) and enjoy the view of nice colonial buildings.

Watch movies in 21 Group cinemas, a nice cinema. 21 Cinemas have air-conditioners and nice seats. You can identify if a cinema is part of Group 21 from the last name, like Empire 21 or Tunjungan 21. And now there are also XXI which is still the same group of 21. The XXI cinema is available at SUTOS (Surabaya Town Square) and Tunjungan Plaza. The XXI cinemas are more expensive than 21 Cinema. Also available CGV cinemas in Marvell City Mall.

2 Surabaya expats football team. Plays every Saturday at 3pm. Feel free to join!

Golf

Surabaya has several golf courses. Generally golf in Surabaya is cheap if you compare with most other countries.

3 Bukit Darmo Golf, Jl. Bukit Darmo Golf Blok G-2. This golf course is located in the elite housing area in West Surabaya. This course has 18 holes, designed by Jack Nicklaus II. (updated May 2020)

4 Ahmad Yani Golf Club, Jl. Golf No. 1. This course is built in hilly terrain and is the oldest course in town, built in 1898, with the crypt of the last Dutch Governor on it. (updated May 2020)

5 Golf Graha Famili, Jl. Raya Golf Graha Famili. 18 holes, inside Graha Famili real estate site, near the Bukit Darmo Golf. (updated May 2020)

6 Ciputra Golf, Jl. CitraLand Utama, CitraLand. Found within Citraland Estate. (updated May 2020)

7 Pakuwon Golf. For beginners, try this golf course instead within Pakuwon Estate - an 18-hole par 3 course; the 'back nine' are quite challenging. (updated May 2020)

8 Taman Dayu Golf Club & Resort, Jl. Raya Surabaya Malang Km.48. Pandaan 67156. Located about an hour drive south, towards Malang. (updated May 2020)

Surabaya is a foodie's dream, with many local specialities. The city is famous for rujak cingur, a local salad with sauce, and cingur (slices of cooked cow nose). Try also the sate klopo, satay with coconut rasp which you can find in Jalan Walikota Mustajab.

Don't forget to try rawon, pecel, gado-gado Surabaya, semanggi, es campur, es teler, and es kacang ijo (mung bean dessert). Rawon setan ("Satan's rawon") could be described as beef soup and rice, but that doesn't capture the magic.

Lapis legit Surabaya is the local variety of a cake that's made throughout large parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Budget

1 Ibu Hasan, Jl. Manyar Rejo 8, ☏ +62 31 594 8710. Daily 06:30-17:00. Local bakery chain.

2 Jasmine Ice Cream and Pastries, Grand City Mall lt 2-38, Jl. Gubeng Pojok no. 1, Galaxy Mall Lt 2 - 315, ☏ +62 31 594 7452, +62 31 7099-1431. (updated Oct 2022)

3 Pecel Bu Kus, Jl. Barata Jaya XX no. 110. 06:00-19:30. Serves Pecel (traditional Javanese salad with peanut sauce). (updated Jul 2022)

4 Rujak Cingur Genteng Durasim, Jl. Genteng Durasim No.29, ☏ +62 31 5358213. 11:00-17:00. Notable rujak cingur. Start from Rp 30,000. (updated Jul 2022)

5 Lontong Balap Pak Gendut, Jl. Embong Malang No.38, Genteng, ☏ +62 856 558 42489. 07:00-23:00. Lontong balap is made of lontong (compressed rice cake wrapped in a banana leaf), tauge (bean sprouts), fried tofu, lentho (fried mashed beans), fried shallots, petis (black coloured shrimp paste sauce), and sweet soy sauce. It served with sate kerang (clam satay). (updated Jul 2022)

6 Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih, Jl. Walikota Mustajab No. 36. 07:00-22:00. Serves Sate Klopo (beef satay with grated coconut). Small dining area, filled with smoke from the satay grill. (updated Jul 2022)

7 Rawon Setan Embong Malang, Jl. Embong Malang No.78/I, Genteng, ☏ +62 812 255 91682. Sun-Tue 08:00-23:00; Wed-Sat 08:00-16:30, 18:00-05:00. Serves rawon (dark beef soup). You may try the local Surabaya iced drink es sinom. (updated Oct 2022)

8 Tahu Telor Pak Jayen, Jl. Dharmahusada Indah I Blok C No.2, Mulyorejo, ☏ +62 851 014 28020. 17:00-22:00. Serves tahu tek or tahu telor (tofu dish with peanut and shrimp paste sauce). (updated Oct 2022)

Mid-range

Tradewinds Restaurant, Jl. Raya Kupang Baru 17A, ☏ +62 31 7326066, pinkhouse_rc@yahoo.com.

360 Royal Plaza, Jl.Ahmad Yani.

Big Box Cafe, Jl.Sumatra. Under renovation but still open. Seems to have some other names, like 'Lava Lounge' and 'Box Entertainment Complex'. Basically an outdoor bar/restaurant with couches/stools, some decent western food and juice, alcohol and regular live music.

Blowfish Kitchen & Bar@MEX One Stop Entertainment, Jl.Pregolan, Tegalsari.

1 Citilites Skyclub & Bistro (Java Paragon Hotel), Jl. Mayjend Sungkono 101-103, ☏ +62 31 562 1234. 18:00-23:00. On the 21st floor with a good view of the city lights. Regional and international beverages, snacks, and pastries. Cozy and stylish.

Colors Pub & Resto, Jl. Sumatra 81. Popular and very, very loud nightclub.

Coyote Top Ten Bar, at Plaza Tunjungan

The D Club, Jl. Mayjend Sungkono 83, ☏ +62 31 567 7999. 12:00-23:00. Comfortable place to enjoy wine, and premium cigars from Indonesia, Cuba, Honduras and Nicaragua.

D'esperados restaurant, (Shangri la Hotel), Jl. Mayjend Sungkono.

Foreplay Eclectic Lounge, Sutos, Jl. Adityawarman No 55.

Ice Club, Lenmarc Mall. Drinking of spirits in a club environment.

Kantor Discotheque, Jl Semut Kali. Very nice place to hang out and drink at decent price.

Kowloon Palace Discotheque, at Delta Plaza or known as Plaza Surabaya building. Very nice place to hang out and chill out.

Lava Lounge, Jl. Sumatra 40 (near the Japanese consulate office), ☏ +62 31 5043151. Sun-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri Sat 16:00-00:00. Cheap beer, great outdoor setting. Nice regulars that are ex-pats and Indonesian. Arak Bali (an Indonesian vodka-like spirit), cocktails, coffee, tenderloin steak, and nachos.

Lido, off Jl Mayjen Sungkono. Expat-oriented bar.

The Penthouse, East Plaza, Ngagel.

Vertical Six, (V-Six at J.W. Marriott Hotel), Jl. Embong Malang.

2 Zangrandi Ice Cream, Jl. Yos Sudarso No.15, Embong Kaliasin, ☏ +62 31 5345820. 10:00-22:00. Since 1930, one of the oldest ice cream stalls in Surabaya. Start from Rp 36,000. (updated Jul 2022)

Do not drink tap water. One drinking water brand that is well known here is Cheers, the official drinking water of Surabaya approved by the city government.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful on the streets of Surabaya. While most drivers are honest, it is still standard practice to ensure the meter (locally called an argo) is turned on.

Blue Bird Group, ☏ +62 31 3721234. The nationwide gold standard. You can hail them on the street, find them at major malls, or book via the MyBluebird or Gojek app. They have a minimum fare of Rp 25,000 for street hails. (updated Jan 2026)

Green SM, ☏ 62 818 0526 8689Country code missing, toll-free: 14068Country code missing. The newest player in town; they operate a 100% electric fleet, easily identifiable by their cyan liveries. Expect quiet cabins and generally higher service standards. (updated Jan 2026)

A trip from the city center to Juanda International Airport (SUB) typically costs Rp 120,000–150,000, including the airport surcharge and toll fees. Drivers will appreciate if you tip, though it's not mandatory.

You are responsible for paying the driver for any toll road fees or parking charges incurred during the trip; they are not included in the meter price.

By becak

Becak (cycle rickshaw) are a traditional form of transportation in Surabaya. Surprisingly, they are still visible everywhere in the city outskirts, unlike throughout most of Southeast Asia where they have nearly vanished already. Expect to pay around Rp 5,000 for a short-hop, or Rp 10,000 for a few blocks, Rp 20,000 for a multi-block haul. Drivers may not want to go a long way, and if it's stinking hot have a heart and pay them some more money. Some of them have sun and rain covers, though these can be a bit low at times. Also, they can vary quite a bit in width: if you are 'big boned' you might need one to yourself.

Also available Becak Motor (cycle which powered by motor cycle engine).

By ride-hailing

Ride-hailing is one of the most efficient ways to get around Surabaya. All apps provide upfront pricing, so no haggling is required. Most support English-language interfaces.

Gojek: The local option. Its GoRide motorbike service is often the fastest way to weave through Surabaya's rush-hour traffic. Also offers cars via GoCars.

Grab: Also offers motorbikes (GrabBike) and cars (GrabCar). Seamlessly accepts international credit cards.

As with any big city, never let your guard down, because big cities such as Surabaya have a reputation among Indonesians for a mid crime rate. That said, Surabaya has few real dangers for visitors apart from the perils of crossing the very busy roads (the secret is to raise an arm while crossing, and to progress with a predictable speed and bearing, allowing the traffic to flow around you). Don't walk on the streets, especially at night other than the CBD area, if you can avoid it since you won't have anything to sightsee. Bring along your face mask if you travel by foot during rush hour since the traffic will be chaos and the air pollution is bad (16:30 to 18:30). Be polite to the people, since Surabayans tend to swear easily which is very common. Do not easily trust people you have just met, even if they look friendly.

Emergencies

Ambulance, ☏ 118.

Police, ☏ 110.

Police stations

East Java Police HQ, Jl. Ahmad Yani., ☏ +62 31 8280748.

Surabaya Police HQ, Jl. Sikatan 1., ☏ +62 31 3523927.

East Surabaya, Jl. Sidodadi., ☏ +62 31 5341053, +62 31 3711052.

North Surabaya, Jl. Raden Saleh, ☏ +62 31 5688099, +62 31 5341053.

South Surabaya, Jl. Dukuh Kupang Barat 16, ☏ +62 31 3711052, +62 31 5670641.

Tanjung Perak, Jl. Kalianget 1, ☏ +62 31 3293023, +62 31 62 31 3293023.