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8 Incredible Things To Do In Surabaya City of Indonesia
Being the second-largest city in Indonesia, there is no short of exciting and incredible tourist attractions with things to do in Surabaya.
Being the largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, there are plenty of exciting and incredible tourist attractions with things to do in Surabaya that are worth exploring. Surabaya is one of the most underrated cities in the country but it holds so much significance for representing the rich history of Indonesia.
Though most of the tourists coming to Indonesia either go towards the famous land of Bali or the cities of Jakarta and Medan, instead of going to such touristy places why not consider visiting Surabaya city which is usually less crowded but offers places that are enough to gain your attention.
Read along, to take a glimpse of the top 10 best places offering some exciting things to do in Surabaya.
Start your tour by visiting the famous Arab Market of Surabaya city named Pasar Ampel. The goods traded here are either inspired by the Middle East or directly imported from Middle Eastern countries. The reason why it become the Arab market is that a huge number of native Arabians live here calling themselves Kampung Arab.
Though Surabaya is no short of shopping malls and traditional markets, but shopping here will be another level of experience. The goods that you may find here are nowhere to be found in other parts of the country. The most popular products of this market include perfumes, prayer mats, dates, and several other things that are usually available in Arab countries.
Best Time To Visit: During the month of Ramadan
Things To Buy:
As Surabaya is a port city, how can you miss taking a cruise tour and exploring the waters that surround the city. The best cruise to onboard in Surabaya is the Artama III which will take you on a two-hour cruise tour. Make sure, the cruise operates once a week on Sunday and departs at 9 am. It is best advised to reach out earlier in order to reserve your place.
Timing: Sunday 9:00
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
Having a beautiful blue-colored dome and unique structure, Al Akbar Mosque is one of the architectural marvels of Surabaya city. Al Akbar is the second-largest mosque in the country and contains two minarets that are accessible to the public. The minarets are 99 m meters long, symbolizing the 99 names of Allah.
Not only its exterior, but the interior of the mosque is also beautiful and will definitely leave you awestruck. Non-muslims tourists are welcome to visit the mosque keeping in mind that they are dressed modestly and are not wearing revealing clothes. The rule applies to both men and women.
Timing for Visitors: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Pakuwon Food festival is the grand festival of Surabaya that commemorates different cuisines of the world specifically of Asian countries such as Arab, India, and China. Not only the food, but the atmosphere of the festival also attracts the visitors. The atmosphere here is completely filled with music, live shows, and concerts that make the audience remain engaged.
Timings: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Things To Do:
Surabaya city is home to the famous football club in Indonesia “Persebaya Football Club”. For football lovers, it's a golden chance to watch a live club football match right here in Gelora Bung Tomo, the football stadium of Surabaya city. The stadium can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators at once.
The Unique mosque was built by Chinese Muslims as a homage to a famous Chinese admiral named Zheng. The structure of this mosque is inspired by Malaysian, Chinese, and Indonesian architecture. Being one of the most exceptional and unique tourist attractions in Surabaya, the Cheng Ho Mosque is something that you must visit if you want to know more about Islamic history in Indonesia.
Several tourists include this mosque among their top things to do in Surabaya due it its architecture which makes it different from other Indonesian mosques. The man after whom the mosque has been named first came to Southeast Asia after accepting Islam and was willing to spread the message of Islam and make new friends.
If you want to experience the most peaceful hiking with a lesser crowd then Mount Bromo is the place for you. Mount Bromo is home to an active volcano and is considered one of the easiest trails for hiking in Indonesia. Climb up this majestic mountain and enjoy the most scenic views that you will ever see anywhere in Indonesia.
In order to enjoy the breathtaking view of sunrise. Leave earlier with your friend and your family. Early morning is recommended as the top of this mountain can be crowded as soon as the sun rises. If you are staying in another part of the country then do plan a tour 3 days to go for hiking and camping. Don’t worry about the trails on the pathway it may look scary to some but that’s not true/
Things To Do:
The Bamboo Forest of Surabaya or Hutan Bambu Forest is a newly built vacation site that is ideal for an adrenaline rush and several outdoor activities. The forest holds so much resemblance to the popular Sagano Bamboo Forest of Japan. Visiting here is among the best things to do in Surabaya especially when you are accompanied by your family.
Top 8 Things To Do In Surabaya
1. Visit The Arab Market of Pasar Ampel
Start your tour by visiting the famous Arab Market of Surabaya city named Pasar Ampel. The goods traded here are either inspired by the Middle East or directly imported from Middle Eastern countries. The reason why it become the Arab market is that a huge number of native Arabians live here calling themselves Kampung Arab.
Though Surabaya is no short of shopping malls and traditional markets, but shopping here will be another level of experience. The goods that you may find here are nowhere to be found in other parts of the country. The most popular products of this market include perfumes, prayer mats, dates, and several other things that are usually available in Arab countries.
Best Time To Visit: During the month of Ramadan
Things To Buy:
- Dates
- Perfume/Attar
- Prayer Bread or Prayer Mate
Also Read: Travel Guide To Indonesia | Tips To Follow While Touring Indonesia
2. Harbour Cruise Tour
As Surabaya is a port city, how can you miss taking a cruise tour and exploring the waters that surround the city. The best cruise to onboard in Surabaya is the Artama III which will take you on a two-hour cruise tour. Make sure, the cruise operates once a week on Sunday and departs at 9 am. It is best advised to reach out earlier in order to reserve your place.
Timing: Sunday 9:00
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
3. Spiritual Tour At Masjid Al Akbar
Having a beautiful blue-colored dome and unique structure, Al Akbar Mosque is one of the architectural marvels of Surabaya city. Al Akbar is the second-largest mosque in the country and contains two minarets that are accessible to the public. The minarets are 99 m meters long, symbolizing the 99 names of Allah.
Not only its exterior, but the interior of the mosque is also beautiful and will definitely leave you awestruck. Non-muslims tourists are welcome to visit the mosque keeping in mind that they are dressed modestly and are not wearing revealing clothes. The rule applies to both men and women.
Timing for Visitors: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Also Read: Travel Guide To Indonesia | Tips To Follow While Touring Indonesia
4. Attend Pakuwon Food Festival
The Pakuwon Food festival is the grand festival of Surabaya that commemorates different cuisines of the world specifically of Asian countries such as Arab, India, and China. Not only the food, but the atmosphere of the festival also attracts the visitors. The atmosphere here is completely filled with music, live shows, and concerts that make the audience remain engaged.
Timings: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Things To Do:
- Visit with your family
- Enjoy the live performances
- Try a variety of foods
5. Watch Football Match At Gelora Bung Tomo
Surabaya city is home to the famous football club in Indonesia “Persebaya Football Club”. For football lovers, it's a golden chance to watch a live club football match right here in Gelora Bung Tomo, the football stadium of Surabaya city. The stadium can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators at once.
6. Visit the Chinese Mosque “Cheng Ho Mosque"
The Unique mosque was built by Chinese Muslims as a homage to a famous Chinese admiral named Zheng. The structure of this mosque is inspired by Malaysian, Chinese, and Indonesian architecture. Being one of the most exceptional and unique tourist attractions in Surabaya, the Cheng Ho Mosque is something that you must visit if you want to know more about Islamic history in Indonesia.
Several tourists include this mosque among their top things to do in Surabaya due it its architecture which makes it different from other Indonesian mosques. The man after whom the mosque has been named first came to Southeast Asia after accepting Islam and was willing to spread the message of Islam and make new friends.
7. Climb The Majestic Mount Bromo
If you want to experience the most peaceful hiking with a lesser crowd then Mount Bromo is the place for you. Mount Bromo is home to an active volcano and is considered one of the easiest trails for hiking in Indonesia. Climb up this majestic mountain and enjoy the most scenic views that you will ever see anywhere in Indonesia.
In order to enjoy the breathtaking view of sunrise. Leave earlier with your friend and your family. Early morning is recommended as the top of this mountain can be crowded as soon as the sun rises. If you are staying in another part of the country then do plan a tour 3 days to go for hiking and camping. Don’t worry about the trails on the pathway it may look scary to some but that’s not true/
Things To Do:
- Trekking
- Sightseeing
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Hiking
- Road Trip
8. A Family Tour At Hutan Bambu Forest
The Bamboo Forest of Surabaya or Hutan Bambu Forest is a newly built vacation site that is ideal for an adrenaline rush and several outdoor activities. The forest holds so much resemblance to the popular Sagano Bamboo Forest of Japan. Visiting here is among the best things to do in Surabaya especially when you are accompanied by your family.
Also Read: 10 Mouth-Watering Street Foods In Indonesia That You Must Try
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