Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Surabaya?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Surabaya?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Surabaya during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the big city activities, the many shops, the beaches, and the restaurant scene.

Surabaya is a port city on the island of Java. It's an often overlooked Indonesian city that some visitors pass through as a transportation stop when they're headed somewhere else. The city has a mix of skyscrapers and colonial architecture and it feels like a mix of unique neighborhoods that include a Chinatown and an Arabic Quarter.

Do you have one or two days to visit Surabaya? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Surabaya?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, Surabaya is a big city that is usually skipped over by visitors even though it is an authentic destination with some fun activities. To fully embrace Surabaya, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to two days to enjoy the city's energy, browse the shops, relax at the beach, and taste delicious cuisine. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Surabaya

Because Surabaya is a fairly large destination, you can spend at least a full day exploring the many neighborhoods, landmarks, and popular attractions found around town. It's the second biggest city in Indonesia, but it doesn't see a lot of tourists so you can enjoy wandering the tree-lined streets without the crowds of vacationers that you'll find in more popular places.

A few tour suggestions include:

Surabaya Shore Excursion For Cruise Passengers ($85)
Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers ($78)
Surabaya Private Customized Full-Day Tour with English Speaking Driver ($91)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. It's a port city, and the cuisine reflexs this. You'll find a mix of different flavors that combine Javanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian cuisines. Dishes include a lot of vegetables as well as tofu and tempeh. Many dishes are also sweet in flavor or incredibly spicy.

Surabaya is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's one of the more walkable cities in Indonesia and it has the feel of a bunch of neighborhoods combined together.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Surabaya?

A weekend offers a good amount of time to enjoy much of what Surabaya has for visitors. In addition to the big city activities and shopping, visitors can enjoy the food, nightlife, and local culture. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here.

Surabaya

How to spend 2 days in Surabaya

With a weekend (two to three days) in Surabaya, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Surabaya is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has a great mix of air-conditioned mega-malls and colorful street markets. Bratang Market has become a favorite but it's also worth checking out Tugu Pahlawan Market and Ampel Market.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Like the rest of the city, the nightlife scene has a local vibe. There are night markets, fascinating neighborhoods, and some lively clubs and bars.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Surabaya, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.