Holiday in Surabaya
City in Indonesia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇩
Country
Indonesia
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to October (dry season, 27-33 °C). Bromo sunrise year-round, but clear visibility is best in the dry season.
Budget/day
30-65 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Surabaya Juanda (SUB, approx. 14-18 h with a stopover in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta). Visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival, 35 USD) or e-visa.
Deals for Surabaya:
What makes Surabaya special as a destination?
Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia and the capital of East Java province. The port city in northeastern Java is known as Kota Pahlawan (Hero City) because the Battle of Surabaya took place here in 1945 — one of the bloodiest battles in the Indonesian War of Independence against the British and Dutch. The Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument) and the adjacent Museum 10 November commemorate this turning point in Indonesian history. Jalan Tunjungan, once the most elegant shopping street of the Dutch colonial era, preserves the charm of past epochs with the Hotel Majapahit (formerly Hotel Oranje) and historic Art Deco buildings. The Arab Quarter around the Al-Akbar Mosque — one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia — showcases the Islamic side of the city. The Chinese Temple Hok An Kiong (1830) and Chinatown document Surabaya's multicultural history. Surabaya is the gateway to Mount Bromo and the Ijen Crater: Gunung Bromo in the Tengger massif offers one of Asia's most spectacular natural spectacles at sunrise — a smoking crater amidst a moon-like sandy plain. The Kawah Ijen impresses with its turquoise acidic lake and the rare blue flames at night. The local cuisine is hearty and spicy: Rawon, a black beef stew with Kluwek nut, is Surabaya's culinary landmark.
What are the top highlights in Surabaya?
The top highlights in Surabaya include Gunung Bromo (Day Trip), Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument), Kawah Ijen (Blue Flames), Jalan Tunjungan & Hotel Majapahit, Al-Akbar Mosque.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Gunung Bromo (Day Trip)
Active volcano in the Tengger massif: sunrise over the smoking crater and the sand sea — one of Asia's top nature experiences.
Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument)
Landmark of Surabaya and symbol of the independence struggle: Museum 10 November with impressive multimedia show.
Kawah Ijen (Blue Flames)
Volcanic crater with turquoise acidic lake and blue flames at night: unique natural phenomenon, accessible from Surabaya.
Jalan Tunjungan & Hotel Majapahit
Historic colonial street with Art Deco architecture: Hotel Majapahit is the scene of a key moment in independence.
Al-Akbar Mosque
One of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia: impressive architecture with a minaret observation platform overlooking the city.
Hotels in Surabaya
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Reise-SIM für Surabaya
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Surabaya?
The best time to visit Surabaya is May to October (dry season, 27-33 °C). Bromo sunrise year-round, but clear visibility is best in the dry season.. 28-35 °C, tropical humid with rainy season November-April In winter: 26-33 °C, dry season May-October, less humidity
Recommended travel time
May to October (dry season, 27-33 °C). Bromo sunrise year-round, but clear visibility is best in the dry season.
Summer
28-35 °C, tropical humid with rainy season November-April
Winter
26-33 °C, dry season May-October, less humidity
How much does a holiday in Surabaya cost?
Budget travellers: 15-25 €/day, mid-range: 30-65 €/day, luxury: 75-180 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
15-25 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
30-65 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
75-180 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Surabaya?
Flight to Surabaya Juanda (SUB, approx. 14-18 h with a stopover in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta). Visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival, 35 USD) or e-visa.
Book a package holiday to Surabaya
Compare thousands of package holidays to Surabaya and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Surabaya?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Visa on arrival — 30 days for 35 USD available at the airport, extendable once. Alternatively, e-visa online in advance.
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) — 1 € ≈ 17,000 IDR. ATMs everywhere, larger bills preferred.
Book Bromo tour early — start at 2-3 AM for sunrise. Bring warm clothing, it is cold at the top.
Use Grab app — ride-hailing via app (GrabCar/GrabBike) is cheap and reliable in Surabaya.
Ijen with guide — blue flames only visible at night (start around 1 AM). Bring a gas mask or rent one on-site, sulfur fumes are intense.
What should you eat in Surabaya?
Typical specialities in Surabaya: Rawon — black beef stew with Kluwek nut, bean sprouts, and sambal: Surabaya's national dish, uniquely spicy., Rujak Cingur — salad of fruits, vegetables, and cow's snout in sweet-spicy shrimp paste: typical Surabaya street food., Sate Klopo — meat skewers grilled with grated coconut: East Java's version of classic satay., Lontong Balap — rice cakes with sprouts, tofu, and sweet-spicy sauce: quick lunch snack at the market., Tahu Tek — fried tofu with peanut sauce and sweet soy: Surabaya's popular street food classic..
These specialties you must try!
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