A City Forged by Struggle

Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city and East Java's provincial capital, but its identity runs deeper than its size. Nicknamed "Kota Pahlawan" — the City of Heroes — Surabaya earned its place in the nation's history on 10 November 1945, when its people fought one of the fiercest battles of the Indonesian revolution against returning colonial forces. That single, defiant stand is commemorated every year as National Heroes' Day, and the city's fighting spirit still shows in how proudly Surabayans speak — direct, warm, and unmistakably loud with pride for their hometown.

Long before that battle, Surabaya was already one of the archipelago's oldest port cities, its harbour at Tanjung Perak linking Java to trade routes stretching back centuries. That maritime history is still visible today in the old town, where Dutch colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, and Arab quarter alleyways sit within a few minutes' walk of one another — a layered reminder of the traders, sailors, and settlers who shaped the city long before it became a metropolis.

Arts & Culture

Surabaya's cultural identity blends Javanese tradition with the city's own maritime, multi-ethnic character. Ludruk, a traditional East Javanese folk theatre performed entirely by male actors (including female roles), remains a beloved local art form, mixing comedy, social commentary, and music in the distinctive East Javanese dialect. The city's House of Sampoerna museum, housed in a restored 1862 colonial building, tells the story of Surabaya's kretek (clove cigarette) industry while doubling as a window into the city's architectural and commercial past. Meanwhile, the annual Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk Art Festival brings performers from across Indonesia and abroad to the city's streets, reflecting Surabaya's growing role as a cultural crossroads in eastern Java.

Must-Visit Places

  • House of Sampoerna — a heritage museum and working cigarette factory viewing gallery in a beautifully preserved colonial complex.
  • Kota Lama (Old Town) & Jembatan Merah — Surabaya's historic Dutch, Chinese, and Arab quarters, best explored on foot or by heritage tram.
  • Monumen Kapal Selam (Submarine Monument) — a real decommissioned Indonesian Navy submarine open for public tours, docked beside the Kalimas River.
  • Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument) — the city's iconic 41-metre monument and museum commemorating the Battle of Surabaya.
  • Jembatan Suramadu — the dramatic bridge connecting Surabaya to Madura Island, especially striking at sunset.
  • Taman Bungkul — a lively city park that comes alive in the evening with food stalls, street performers, and families.

The Flavours of Surabaya

Surabaya's food culture is as bold as its history. Rawon, a dark beef soup coloured and flavoured by kluwek nut, is considered the city's signature dish, traditionally eaten with rice, bean sprouts, and salted egg. Rujak cingur — a striking mix of vegetables, fruit, and cow's snout in thick peanut-and-shrimp-paste sauce — is not for the faint-hearted but beloved by locals. Street food lovers should also try lontong balap (rice cakes with bean sprouts and fried tofu in a light broth), tahu tek, and sate klopo, satay coated in roasted grated coconut before grilling, found in night food streets like Genteng and Kya-Kya. These dishes are best experienced the way locals do — from a warung stall, plastic stool, and a plate shared with friends.

Your Gateway to East Java

For most travellers, Surabaya is where the journey to East Java's villages and highlands begins. Its international airport and central location put Batu Malang, Bromo, Trawas, and Prigen within a few hours' reach — and its own streets, food, and history are worth at least a day of exploring before continuing on. Spend a morning in Kota Lama, an afternoon on Kalimas riverside, and an evening at a street food stall, and you will understand why Surabaya still holds its own even next to the natural beauty waiting just beyond the city.