9 recommended tourist spots in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city, by a former resident

The city being introduced this time is Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city after Jakarta in terms of population. In recent years, many Japanese companies such as Unicharm, Yakult, and Ajinomoto have expanded into Surabaya, and malls and Japanese restaurants have been opening one after another. It is about a 1 hour and 30-minute flight from Jakarta, and about 50 minutes from Bali.

The name "Surabaya" comes from combining sura, meaning shark, and baya, meaning crocodile. Because of this, you can see sculptures of sharks and crocodiles intertwined throughout the city.

As someone who has lived in Indonesia for a long time, I would like to introduce some recommended tourist spots in Surabaya.

1. Hakata Ikkousha Surabaya Branch

For those familiar with Indonesia, many might be surprised and think, "Tonkotsu ramen in Indonesia!?" Indonesia is a country where 90% of the population practices Islam, and in the teachings of Islam, pork is considered a sacred animal, and its consumption is strictly forbidden. Not only pork but also seasonings derived from pork are prohibited.

However, it is possible to serve pork dishes if a request is submitted to the government. Many restaurants that offer pork dishes cater to non-Muslims, Chinese Indonesians, and foreigners.

Since around 2010, a ramen boom has arrived in Indonesia, and Hakata Ikkousha has been a pioneering presence in this boom, opening branches in places like Jakarta and Surabaya. Here, you can enjoy tonkotsu ramen.

First-time visitors will likely be surprised not only by the quality of the tonkotsu ramen but also by the large number of staff. One common feature in Indonesia is that, due to low labor costs, many businesses tend to have more staff than necessary for the size of the establishment. Surabaya has three branches, so please consider paying a visit.

2. Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium

Football is extremely popular in Indonesia, and the country has a professional football league.

Surabaya also has a professional football team, Persebaya Surabaya United (commonly known as BSU). BSU belongs to the Indonesia Soccer Championship A, and it is a strong team with a chance of winning the championship. BSU is based at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, which can hold 50,000 people, making it the third-largest stadium in Indonesia.

On game days, many supporters flood the stadium and cheer loudly even before the match starts. Even the most expensive tickets are around 82,000 IDR, making them very affordable. Even if you are not a football fan, why not visit this stadium as a tourist spot in Surabaya?

3. Surabaya Zoo

Surabaya Zoo is said to be one of the largest in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of animals and the size of its grounds.

The best thing about Indonesian zoos is the admission fee! How much do you think it is? You might wonder how they can operate with such a low fee, and whether this has something to do with it or not, Surabaya Zoo has a rather shocking nickname: "The Zoo of Death." This name originated from a series of incidents, such as "a 1-year-old lion was found hanged," "Komodo dragons died from stomach problems," and "goats died in fights among themselves," resulting in more than 100 animal deaths in just six months in 2014.

The cause was attributed to poor management, leading to corrective measures imposed by the national and city governments. With the arrival of a new zoo director, things have improved significantly now.

4. Sidoarjo Mud Volcano

The Sidoarjo Mud Volcano is a hidden gem known to some tourists. In Sidoarjo Regency, there is a mud volcano along the route to these parks.

The mud volcano is considered a negative legacy of Indonesia. The exact cause is not clear, but it is almost certain that in 2006, a drilling company failed while attempting to explore a gas field. Even after 10 years, the mud volcano continues to spew carcinogenic mud, water, and steam, affecting about 37,000 people and forcing more than 10,000 to relocate.

You cannot, of course, go near the center of the mud eruption, but you can observe it from a distance. You can see houses buried in mud and utility poles more than halfway submerged, showing the ongoing damage. There are guides around who speak Indonesian and broken English, so if you want to learn more, feel free to use them.

5. Wisata Bahari Lamongan

Wisata Bahari Lamongan (commonly known as WBL) is a complex facility with a sea-themed amusement park and a large pool. It’s about a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from Surabaya and is a popular spot for expatriate families living in Surabaya.

The price is very reasonable, ranging from 52000 to 63000 Indonesian Rupiah (depending on the day). Despite the low cost, there are various pools and many rides in the amusement park, so you can enjoy the whole day.
For travelers visiting, there are two things to keep in mind. The first is women’s swimwear. Over 90% of Indonesians are Muslim. In Islamic teachings, women are not allowed to expose their skin in public, so it is best to avoid bikinis. It is also safer to wear a shirt over your swimsuit.

The second thing to consider is sun protection. The sunlight in Indonesia is strong, so you can easily get sunburned and feel pain. Make sure to apply sunscreen to your children and consider long-sleeved swimsuits for protection.

6. SONGA RAFTING

For those who want to enjoy active sports, rafting is highly recommended. Although it’s a bit far, you can get there in about 3.5 hours from Surabaya.

You descend a fast-flowing river in the mountains by boat, and there are two types of courses. The upstream course is about 9 km and takes 1.5-2 hours, while the downstream course is 12 km and takes 2-3 hours. The cost is about 210,000 to 241,000 Indonesian Rupiah.

The upstream course has rough rapids and a greater height difference, offering more thrills, but families with young children (elementary school age) should opt for the downstream course. The fee includes all necessary equipment, a light meal, and a car to take you back to the starting point, so you can go empty-handed.

Since you will definitely get wet, don’t forget to bring a change of clothes. At certain times, there can be heavy traffic on the way back to the city. It’s best to plan a whole day for this activity.

7. Tunjungan Plaza

In general, Indonesia is not the safest place, and there are few areas where tourists, especially women or families, can walk around freely. For expatriates, spending weekends mall-hopping with family is common. Like Jakarta, Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, is home to numerous malls featuring well-known brands and local stores.

One of the largest malls in Surabaya is Tunjungan Plaza, where you can find most of the things you need. In terms of food, you’ll find Japanese, Chinese and Korean restaurants, as well as local Indonesian eateries.

For clothing, fast fashion brands like ZARA and GAP, as well as sports brands like Adidas and Puma, are available. There are year-round sales, with discounts sometimes reaching 70%. The currency is Indonesian rupiah, so shopping here can be cheaper.

8. Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo stands at an elevation of 2,329 meters. Many tourists visiting Surabaya come to see the sunrise from Mount Bromo. The view at sunrise is magnificent and mystical, with Indonesia’s tallest peak, Mount Semeru (3,579 meters), and Mount Batok (2,470 meters) visible in the distance.

Though Indonesia is generally hot year-round, it gets very cold at the summit, so make sure to dress warmly in winter clothes. It takes about 5 hours one way to get from Surabaya to Mount Bromo. To see the sunrise, you’ll need to arrive the night before, stay at a lodge near Mount Bromo, and depart at 3 a.m. the next morning to reach your destination. After watching the sunrise, you can walk down to the foot of the mountain.

For marathon enthusiasts, the Bromo Marathon is a great event. This trail-running marathon around Mount Bromo offers courses ranging from 10 km to 130 km.

9. Marugame Seimen Surabaya Branch

Japanese food is very popular in Indonesia, and among the most popular dishes is udon. Leading the way in udon is Marugame Seimen, a well-known brand across Japan. Since its entry into Indonesia in 2012 in Jakarta, Marugame Seimen has expanded to 28 branches across Indonesia, including one at Townsquare in Surabaya.

The menu is almost the same as in Japan, but they also offer gyudon and curry, which aren’t available in Japan. The service style is the same as in Japan, where they make the food right after you place your order, ensuring it’s freshly prepared. Marugame Seimen is also known for its wide selection of side dishes and tempura, which you can also enjoy in Indonesia.

Of course, their most popular dish, kakiage, is available as well. One thing to note is that if you order hot udon when the store is crowded, it may cool down by the time you reach the cashier.

Conclusion

As Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya has no shortage of food, shelter, or living amenities, and there are plenty of tourist spots to fully enjoy your trip. There are numerous flights from Jakarta and Bali daily, and access from Singapore and Malaysia is also convenient. My top recommendation is definitely Mount Bromo.

The view from the sunrise is breathtaking and guaranteed to leave you in awe, so make sure to visit. However, like Jakarta, Surabaya is also experiencing increasing traffic congestion year by year, so always plan to leave early no matter where you go.

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9 recommended tourist spots in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city, by a former resident