Stand on the deck of a boat on the Mahakam at dusk and the city shows you its working face: timber barges, ferries crossing between the north and south banks, and the lights of the Islamic Center Mosque coming on across the water. Samarinda is a river city, and most of what is worth your time is either on the water or within a short ride of it.
This guide suits travellers who are passing through East Kalimantan, or using Samarinda as a base before heading further up the Mahakam. It is not a city of ticketed attractions; it is a city of markets, river crossings, craft workshops and one very large mosque.
Below are the places and experiences worth building a day around, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most often.
Top things to do in Samarinda
1. Mahakam River boat trips
These depart from Dermaga Pasar Pagi Samarinda and run only on weekends, Saturday and Sunday, in a single scheduled departure. The trip takes about three hours, from 17:00 to 20:00 WITA, and costs Rp70,000.
This is the best way to understand the city, because the Mahakam is why Samarinda exists. Time your evening around the 17:00 departure and eat at the market before or after.
2. Islamic Center Mosque (Masjid Islamic Center Samarinda)
On Jl. Slamet Riyadi No.1 in Teluk Lerong Ulu, this mosque was inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Turkey and opened in 2008. It is a major attraction in the city.
Pair it with a walk along the riverfront, since it sits close to the water and is at its most striking in the late afternoon light.
3. Pampang Cultural Village (Desa Budaya Pampang)
In Pampang, about 24 km from Samarinda, this village hosts a Dayak tribe cultural show on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.
Because the show runs only on Sunday afternoons, plan your weekend around it rather than trying to fit it into a weekday.
4. Baqa village (Kampung Tenun)
On Gg. Pertenunan Jl. Hos Cokro Aminoto in Rapak Dalam, Samarinda Seberang, this is the centre of traditional weaving of the sarong known as Sarung Samarinda.
Combine it with a crossing to the south bank of the Mahakam, and go on a weekday if you want to see the looms actually working.
5. Monumen Pesut
On Jl. Gajah Mada in Jawa, Samarinda Ulu, near the provincial government office of East Kalimantan, this monument celebrates the Mahakam river dolphin, the icon of Samarinda.
It is a quick stop rather than a destination in itself, so fold it into a ride through the city centre.
6. Pela village (Desa Wisata Pela)
In Liang Ulu, Kotabangun, roughly 110 km west of Samarinda, this village is where you go to watch Mahakam dolphins, known locally as Pesut Mahakam.
It is a full-day commitment given the distance, so treat it as a separate trip rather than an add-on to a city day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Cross to Samarinda Seberang and visit Baqa village (Kampung Tenun) to see where Sarung Samarinda is woven.
Afternoon: Return to the north bank and visit the Islamic Center Mosque (Masjid Islamic Center Samarinda) on Jl. Slamet Riyadi, stopping at Monumen Pesut on Jl. Gajah Mada on the way.
Evening: Head to Dermaga Pasar Pagi Samarinda for the Mahakam River boat trip, which runs from 17:00 to 20:00 on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
When can I take a Mahakam River boat trip?
Only on weekends, Saturday or Sunday, in one scheduled departure. The trip runs from 17:00 to 20:00 WITA and costs Rp70,000.
When is the cultural show at Pampang Cultural Village?
The Dayak tribe cultural show runs on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm. Pampang is about 24 km from Samarinda.
Where can I see Mahakam dolphins?
At Pela village (Desa Wisata Pela) in Liang Ulu, Kotabangun, about 110 km west of Samarinda, where the dolphins are known locally as Pesut Mahakam.
Where do I buy Sarung Samarinda?
Go to Baqa village (Kampung Tenun) on Gg. Pertenunan Jl. Hos Cokro Aminoto in Rapak Dalam, Samarinda Seberang, the centre of traditional weaving for this cloth.
Check the weekend dates first, since the river trip and the Pampang show both run on fixed schedules, then build the rest of your time in Samarinda around them.