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Explore Old Town Surabaya! A living museum of colonial architecture, trade history, and cultural heritage. Discover its iconic landmarks, hidden stories, and why a tour here is unlike anywhere else in Indonesia.
Planning a trip to Surabaya? Make sure the old town is on your list. Old Town Surabaya, known locally as Kota Lama Surabaya is where the city’s long and layered history comes to life, from Dutch colonial architecture to landmarks tied to Indonesia’s independence struggle.
Surabaya might be Indonesia’s second-largest city, but its old town district carries stories that rival any European heritage quarter. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a travel photographer, or simply someone who likes to wander with purpose, an Old Town Surabaya tour will leave you with more than just great photos!
Let’s get into it.
A Brief History of Old Town Surabaya
The story of Old Town Surabaya goes back centuries. Surabaya itself is considered one of Indonesia’s oldest cities, with records dating the settlement to around the 13th century. Its name is believed to come from the Javanese words sura (shark) and baya (crocodile).
By the 17th century, the Dutch VOC (the East India Company, basically the original multinational corporation) had set its sights on the city’s strategic harbor. Surabaya became one of the busiest trading ports in the Dutch East Indies, and the old town grew as a commercial and administrative center. Warehouses, trading houses, and colonial mansions went up quickly, many of which still stand today.
After Indonesian independence in 1945, a declaration that Surabaya fiercely defended in the legendary Battle of Surabaya on November 10th (now celebrated as National Heroes’ Day) the city entered a new chapter, though its colonial-era architecture remained largely intact.
Walking through Kota Lama Surabaya today feels like reading a layered history book. Dutch, Javanese, Arab, and Chinese influences all coexist here, sometimes on the same block.
Iconic Landmarks on Your Old Town Surabaya Tour
House of Sampoerna
If you only visit one place during your Old Town Surabaya tour, make it the House of Sampoerna. Housed in a beautifully restored Dutch colonial building from 1862, this was once an orphanage before it became the birthplace of one of Indonesia’s most iconic clove cigarette (kretek) brands.
Today it functions as a museum, art gallery, and café. You can watch workers hand-rolling cigarettes through a glass window, a tradition that has continued for generations. The building itself is gorgeous, with its red-brick facade and shady courtyard. Free entry, great coffee. Win-win.
Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge)
Few places in Kota Lama Surabaya carry as much historical weight as Jembatan Merah. This Dutch-built iron bridge over the Kalimas River was, in the colonial era, the heart of Surabaya’s commercial district. Merchants crossed it daily heading to the nearby warehouses and trading posts.
During the Battle of Surabaya in 1945, the bridge became a pivotal and violent battleground. British Brigadier General Mallaby was killed near here on October 30, 1945, an event that escalated the conflict and cemented the bridge’s place in Indonesian national memory. Today it’s been painted a striking red (hence the name), and stands as both a landmark and a memorial to those turbulent days.
Kya-Kya Kembang Jepun (Chinatown Street)
Just a short walk from the Red Bridge, Kembang Jepun is the old Chinese commercial district of Surabaya, one of the oldest in the country. The name “Kembang Jepun” which translates to “Japanese flower” has an interesting backstory. The area was once home to many inns and small establishments run by Japanese women, known for their beauty and working as karayuki-san (entertainers). Over time, the street took on their name as a local landmark.
As for “Kya-Kya,” that comes from the Hokkien dialect, simply meaning “to stroll around” which is exactly what you should do when you’re here. Today the street transforms into a lively food street at night, a great reminder that Old Town Surabaya was always a melting pot of cultures.
Gedung Internatio (Internatio Building)
One of the most photogenic stops on any Old Town Surabaya walk, the Internatio Building was constructed in 1910 as the headquarters of the Internatio trading company. Its grand neoclassical facade columns, arched windows, the works makes it look like it belongs somewhere along Amsterdam’s canals.
It’s situated right at the corner of Jembatan Merah plaza, so it’s easy to find. The building has had various uses over the decades and is now recognized as one of Surabaya’s heritage landmarks.
De Javasche Bank (The Bank of Indonesia Museum)
If you love stunning architecture and air conditioning which is highly recommended in Surabaya’s tropical climate, this building is a mandatory stop. Built in 1910, De Javasche Bank features gorgeous Neo-Renaissance architecture combined with local Javanese influences designed to handle the tropical heat.
Inside, the building has been beautifully preserved as a museum. You can explore old bank vaults, view ancient currencies, and see the heavy, antique safes that once held the colony’s riches. It is arguably one of the most photogenic interiors in the entire city.
What Can You Do in Old Town Surabaya?
Beyond just sightseeing, Kota Lama Surabaya offers a range of experiences:
- Join a Heritage Walking Tour — Several local tour operators run guided walking tours through the old town, complete with historical context and stories that Google Maps simply can’t provide.
- Photography — The mix of Dutch colonial, Chinese, and Javanese architectural styles makes this one of the most photogenic areas in East Java. Golden hour here is chef’s kiss.
- Eat your way through the district — From street-side soto ayam (chicken soup) to traditional Chinese dim sum, the food around Old Town Surabaya is exceptional.
- Visit the Surabaya City Museum — Located in a Dutch-era building, the museum houses artifacts and documents tracing Surabaya’s history from its early days to independence.
- Shop for batik and antiques — Small shops throughout the old town sell local crafts, antiques, and vintage items. A decent souvenir hunt is basically guaranteed.
Tips Before You Go
- Best time to visit: Early morning (before 9 AM) to beat the heat and the crowds. Surabaya can get genuinely warm and stay hydrated!
- Getting around: The old town is compact and very walkable. You can also rent a becak (cycle rickshaw) for a more local experience.
Most international visitors to Java head straight for Yogyakarta or Bali which are wonderful, obviously but Old Town Surabaya remains somewhat under the radar. That’s actually part of its charm. You won’t find the same tourist infrastructure or souvenir-shop saturation here. What you will find is a genuine, lived-in historic district that locals actually use and care for.
The city of Surabaya has been investing in the area’s revitalization in recent years, restoring facades, improving pedestrian access, and developing it as a cultural tourism destination. It’s the kind of place that rewards the curious traveler who wants to go beyond the usual itinerary.
Traveling through a place like Old Town Surabaya is so much richer when you can actually speak the language not just order food, but ask a local shopkeeper about the building his grandfather used to run, or understand what the tour guide just said that made everyone laugh.
That’s where BASANTARA comes in. BASANTARA is an Indonesian language institution dedicated to helping internationals (travelers, expats, researchers, and professionals) learn Bahasa Indonesia in a way that’s practical, engaging, and genuinely fun. Whether you’re planning a short trip or building a longer life in Indonesia, speaking even basic Indonesian opens doors (and conversations) that translation apps simply can’t.
Ready to go beyond “terima kasih”? Reach out to the BASANTARA team:
- WhatsApp: +62 852 1396 8601
- Website: basantara.net
Your Old Town Surabaya tour will feel completely different when you can read the plaques, chat with the locals, and truly connect with the history around you. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)
