Stand at the northern end of Jembatan Merah and the city's history is laid out in front of you: the red bridge itself, the river below, and around it one of the best-preserved Dutch colonial quarters in Indonesia. Surabaya is a port city that has been trading for centuries, and much of what is worth your time sits in that old northern core or along the water.
This guide suits travellers who are already in East Java and want a day or two of city time between volcano trips or ferry crossings to Madura, and anyone interested in colonial architecture, religious buildings and the country's independence story rather than resort-style sightseeing.
What follows covers the sights and experiences the sources describe, ordered with the strongest first, plus a one-day plan that strings them together and answers to the questions travellers ask most.
Top things to do in Surabaya
1. Jembatan Merah
This red bridge matters less for the structure itself than for the Dutch colonial era commercial area surrounding it in the northern part of the city, also known as Old Surabaya. It is the anchor for a walk through one of the best-preserved colonial quarters in Indonesia.
Come in the morning and continue on foot through the surrounding streets; the bridge is the starting point, not the destination.
2. Tugu Pahlawan & Museum Sepuluh November
The Heroes monument on Jalan Pahlawan is dedicated to the fallen heroes of Surabaya during the Independence war of 1945-49. Adjacent to the monument area is Museum Sepuluh Nopember, named after the declaration of war against the Dutch colony on November 10, 1945, with uniforms, pictures, dioramas and a large collection of World War II era weapons including pistols, rifles, machine guns and a mortar.
Most of the information is available in Indonesian and English. Entry is Rp8,000, and the monument and museum are best treated as one visit.
3. Monumen Kapal Selam (KRI Pasopati (410))
This Soviet-built submarine served in the Indonesian Navy from 1962, was launched in 1952, and has been preserved as a monument since its decommissioning in 1990. The hull was slightly cut to add stairs and a door for easier public entrance and viewing.
Beside the monument there is a building where a short film about the history of the submarine can be viewed, and you can also see the Suroboyo monument near the river. It sits beside the river next to Delta Plaza.
4. Masjid Ampel
Built in 1421 by Sunan Ampel, this is the oldest mosque in East Java. On the left side of the mosque there is a well that is believed to be the auspicious well, typically used by believers to strengthen a pledge or oath, and Sunan Ampel's tomb complex is located in the area.
Pair it with the Jembatan Merah area, since both sit in the northern part of the city.
5. Hok An Kiong Chinese Temple (Klenteng Jalan Coklat)
An excellent example of an older Chinese Southeast Asian temple, built in the early 19th century, with numerous old wooden carvings and statues from around the region. Just ask a bicycle to bring you to "Jalan Coklat" (Chocolate street) and you will see a bright red temple building.
Afterwards, walk westward then north through some of the city's numerous examples of old colonial commercial architecture.
6. Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya
A huge mosque with a tower equipped with an elevator so that visitors can see Surabaya from the top of the tower, 65 m (195 ft) above ground level.
The tower is the reason to come; go up for the view rather than treating the mosque as a quick photo stop.
7. Kelenteng Boen Bio
A Confucian temple and former Chinese school built by Chinese immigrants in 1882. In the main prayer hall, look out for the 聲教南暨 plaque, which was presented to the temple by Emperor Guangxu of China in 1906.
The plaque is easy to miss if you walk through quickly, so look for it deliberately in the main prayer hall.
8. Masjid Muhammad Cheng Hoo
A small but impressively detailed modern mosque, built circa 2001 and named after Zheng He, the Chinese Muslim admiral who led the Ming Dynasty treasure fleets on their seven voyages through the South China Sea to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and East Africa. It has beautiful Chinese architecture and a large outdoor model of one of the ancient Chinese treasure vessels.
It is about 10 minutes walk from Surabaya City Hall, or 5 minutes by becak.
9. Surabaya Cathedral (Katedral Hati Kudus Yesus)
The seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Surabaya, established on 15 February 1928 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Surabaya, promoted on 16 October 1941 as Apostolic Vicariate of Surabaya, promoted on 3 January 1961 as the Diocese of Surabaya, and renamed as such on 22 August 1973.
Combine it with the other religious architecture in the centre rather than making a separate trip.
10. Gereja Kelahiran Santa Perawan Maria
The oldest Catholic church in Surabaya, with beautiful glass panels and serene surroundings.
It works well as a quiet stop between the central museums and the colonial-era streets.
11. Monumen Jalasveva Jayamahe
A monument on Surabaya's seafront dedicated to the service of the Indonesian Navy.
It is a seafront stop, so pair it with the other waterfront sights rather than crossing the city for it alone.
12. The Suramadu Bridge (Jembatan Suramadu)
Also known as the Surabaya-Madura Bridge, this cable-stayed bridge connects Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura. It has been open to the public since 2009.
If you are heading to Madura, the crossing is part of the journey rather than a detour.
13. Monumen Pers Perjuangan Surabaya
A press monument on Jl. Tunjungan No.100, Genteng.
It sits on Jl. Tunjungan, so fold it into a walk along that street rather than treating it as a standalone stop.
14. Kenjeran Beach (Pantai Kenjeran)
A beach with black sand. There is also a bridge and a water fountain show in the evening.
Time your visit for the evening if you want to see the fountain show.
15. Ekowisata mangrove wonorejo Rungkut - Surabaya (Mangrove Wonorejo Ecotourism)
About a 30-minute boat ride to the seaside with bamboo bridges and shelters, good for a picnic and to chill. Expect to wait for a boat depending on conditions.
It is open 08:00-16:00 with the last boat at 15:30. Adult tickets are Rp 25,000 and child tickets Rp 15,000; from Tugu monument, a car-hailing app costs Rp 80,000-100,000 and a bike Rp 50,000.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Jembatan Merah and walk the surrounding Old Surabaya colonial quarter, then continue to Masjid Ampel and Hok An Kiong Chinese Temple (Klenteng Jalan Coklat), walking westward and north afterwards through the old colonial commercial architecture.
Afternoon: Visit Tugu Pahlawan and the adjacent Museum Sepuluh Nopember, then head to Monumen Kapal Selam (KRI Pasopati (410)) beside the river next to Delta Plaza, where you can watch the short film about the submarine and see the Suroboyo monument near the river.
Evening: Finish at Kenjeran Beach for the black sand, the bridge and the evening water fountain show.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kenjeran Beach?
In the evening, if you want to see the water fountain show in addition to the black-sand beach and the bridge.
How do I get to the Mangrove Wonorejo Ecotourism site, and what does it cost?
From Tugu monument, a car-hailing app costs Rp 80,000-100,000, or Rp 50,000 by bike. Entry is Rp 25,000 for adults and Rp 15,000 for children, and the last boat leaves at 15:30.
Is the House of Sampoerna open to visitors?
No. The stately Dutch colonial-style compound in "old Surabaya", built in 1862 and now a preserved historical site, has been closed since the pandemic.
Can I go inside Grahadi?
No, it is not open to the public. It is the colonial-era residence of the Governor of East Java, and you can watch Reog dance, a vigorous traditional dance, at the nearby Balai Pemuda.
Decide which of these fits your days in East Java, check the opening days for the museums you want, and start mapping your route through the old northern quarter and the waterfront.