Surabaya
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At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Region
- East Java
- Population
- 2.9 million
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Juanda International (SUB)
- Coordinates
- 7.26°S, 112.75°E
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Overview
Indonesia's second city is a big, hot, hard-working port on the north coast of East Java. It is known as the City of Heroes for its role in the 1945 battle against returning colonial forces, and that history is honoured across town.
Surabaya sees few holidaymakers, but it has interesting old quarters, excellent East Javanese food and a convenient airport for trips to the volcanoes of Bromo and Ijen.
Things to see
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Photo: consigliere ivan from Bontang, Indonesia, CC BY-SA 2.0 House of Sampoerna
A Dutch colonial building turned museum where you can watch workers hand-roll kretek clove cigarettes.
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Photo: Eny Santiati, CC BY-SA 4.0 Heroes Monument
A tall white monument in the city centre, with a museum beneath it about the Battle of Surabaya.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ampel Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Java, at the heart of the Arab quarter and its crowded market lanes.
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Photo: Astralekas, CC BY 4.0 Submarine Monument
A real Soviet-built navy submarine set on dry land by the river, which you can walk through.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Sakurai Midori, CC BY 3.0 Suramadu Bridge
Indonesia's longest bridge, crossing the strait to Madura island, impressive when lit at night.
Things to do
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Photo: Riza Nugraha ? from Utrecht, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0 Sunrise at Mount Bromo
Leave in the early hours to watch the sun come up over Bromo's smoking crater and the sea of sand.
Find tours -
Photo: christian razukas from Honolulu, Hawaii, CC BY-SA 2.0 Eat rawon
A dark beef soup coloured with keluak nuts, an East Javanese classic served with rice.
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Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain Walk the Arab quarter
Wander the lanes around Ampel, selling dates, perfume, prayer mats and snacks.
Where to stay
City centre
Around Tunjungan, with hotels, shopping malls and older colonial buildings.
Hotels in City centreGubeng
Near the main train station, handy for onward travel to Bromo and beyond.
Hotels in GubengWest Surabaya
Newer business hotels and malls, further from the historic sights.
Hotels in West Surabaya
Getting around
Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are the easiest way to get around a large, spread-out city.
Juanda airport is south of the city, about 45 minutes to an hour by taxi depending on traffic.
When to go
The dry season from May to October is best, especially for clear sunrises at Bromo. The wet season brings heavy afternoon rain, and the city is hot all year.
Plan your trip to Surabaya
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.