The city of Surabaya has some fascinating places here to explore. The Arab quarter is like a Middle Eastern medina - a warren of narrow lanes with stalls selling prayer beads next to perfume next to dates. Keep following the lanes to the Masjid Ampel, a historic mosque built in 1421.
Surabaya also has one of Indonesia’s largest Chinatowns, Buddhist temples and a roster of impressive, though disintegrating, Dutch buildings. One, the House of Sampoerna, is now a unique clove museum, with women still hand-rolling the cigarettes; the cafe is a great place for authentic Indonesian cuisine in a historic setting.
Just outside of the city, wander through the ruins of the former capital city of the ancient Majapahit Empire at the Trowulan Archaeological Site. The museum shows some of what has been found, artifacts from coins to pottery.
And don’t forget to sample some Indonesian food.
Surabaya, Indonesia At a glance
