In Surabaya, a Dutch-era compound houses a cigarette factory, and the city also has a monument for the 1945 battle, a long bridge to Madura, a Chinese-style mosque and an old Arab quarter.
The tall, ribbed monument honours the battle of 10 November 1945 that gave Surabaya its nickname. An underground museum next to it tells the story with dioramas and photographs.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Go in the morning before the heat builds, and check the official site for current visiting hours. 10 November is Heroes' Day, when the area is busy with ceremonies.
A Dutch-era complex that once housed an orphanage and later became a famous cigarette maker's first factory. Today it is a museum, with a viewing gallery above the hand-rolling workers.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Tours are usually guided and the on-site cafe is a pleasant break. Hours and tour times can change, so check the official page for your date.
One of the oldest mosques in Java, tied to the early spread of Islam, stands in the lanes of the Arab quarter, with stalls of dates, spices and perfume. Old Dutch trading buildings are nearby.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Dress modestly (women cover hair and arms where asked), avoid prayer times for sightseeing inside, and ask before taking photos of worshippers. The lanes are crowded, so keep bags close.
Indonesia's longest bridge, about 5.4 km, links Surabaya with Madura island over the Madura Strait. Many visitors come for sunset views and a first taste of Madura.
Best time: Late afternoon / sunset
Tip: Stopping on the bridge is not allowed for safety - enjoy the view from the Surabaya-side park or viewpoint instead. Traffic gets heavy around rush hour and holidays.
Surabaya's seaside strip: Kenjeran Park, a colourful bridge over the water and the Sanggar Agung temple, with a large sea-facing statue. Locals come for snacks, sea air and family outings.
Best time: Late afternoon
Tip: The water is brown and not meant for swimming - come for walks and food. Weekends and holidays are crowded, so weekday afternoons are calmer. Respect worshippers inside the temple.
A real retired navy submarine, KRI Pasopati, now open to walk through on the bank of the Kalimas River - a fun stop for families and anyone curious about life on board.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Passages and ladders inside are narrow, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes; taller visitors should mind their heads. Check the official source for visiting hours.
Surabaya's grand old shopping street, lined with restored colonial-era buildings, murals, cafes and the historic Majapahit Hotel - the site of the 1945 flag incident.
Best time: Evening
Tip: Evenings are cooler and the street lights up for photos. Cross carefully, as traffic is busy, and keep valuables out of sight when walking.
A mosque with a Chinese-style pagoda roof in red, green and gold, named after the Muslim admiral Zheng He - a lovely sign of Indonesia's mix of cultures.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Visitors are generally welcome outside prayer times; cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes. Ask a caretaker if you may enter or photograph inside.
Cool mountain air in the Trawas hills, with Jolotundo, an ancient bathing place on the slope of Mount Penanggungan, and many small ruins of old Javanese temples in the area.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Trails on Penanggungan are steep and slippery after rain - hire a local guide for any hike. Go on a weekday for a quieter visit and dress modestly at the sacred site.
It is about 16 km in a straight line from Surabaya.
It is about 76 km in a straight line from Surabaya.
It is about 104 km in a straight line from Surabaya.
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Indonesia page
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Dec.
Prices here are about 29% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Juanda International Airport (SUB) is south of the city - allow about 30-60 minutes by road depending on traffic. Trains from Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Malang arrive at Gubeng, Pasar Turi or Surabaya Kota stations.
The dry season (roughly April to October) is easiest for sightseeing. Surabaya is hot all year, so plan outdoor visits for early morning or late afternoon and carry water.
Surabaya is mostly Muslim and halal food is easy to find; mosques and prayer rooms are widespread. Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and temples, remove shoes, and ask before photographing people.
Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are the simplest way around town; traffic is heavy in rush hours. For Trawas or a full-day trip, a car with driver is easiest. Agree the price first for any unmetered ride.
112 - general emergency (free, works from any phone where the service is live). 110 - police. 118 / 119 - ambulance and medical emergency. 113 - fire. 115 - search and rescue (BASARNAS). English is understood in the main tourist areas; elsewhere ask your hotel to call for you.
Report a lost passport to the nearest police station (get the police report), then contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. Keep a photo of your passport in your e-mail or phone - it speeds everything up. The official embassy list linked here shows where to find your country's embassy or consulate.
Big cities and Bali have international-standard private hospitals (e.g. Siloam, BIMC in Bali, Mayapada, RS Pondok Indah in Jakarta). Public referral hospitals are cheaper but busier. Ask your hotel or travel insurer for the nearest suitable hospital.
local government
Helps with: Indonesia's national tourism ministry. Its contact page lists a call centre, a WhatsApp contact centre, an email address and its office in Jakarta for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Indonesia or planning a trip there.
Phone: 021-3838000
Email: [email protected]
Address: Gedung Sapta Pesona, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.17, Gambir, Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta 10110
un agency
Helps with: The UN migration agency, operating in Indonesia since 1979. It works with governments and partners on migration management and crisis response.
Who qualifies: Migrants, governments and partners working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +62 21 57951275
Email: [email protected]
Address: Sampoerna Strategic Square North Tower 10th Floor, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 45-46, Jakarta 12930
ngo
Helps with: The ICRC says it works with the society on training first responders in pre-hospital care, reuniting separated families and emergency preparedness. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It names the society as the ICRC's partner in Indonesia.