Surabaya

Surabaya is the capital of East Java and one of Indonesia's largest and most important port cities. Known as the City of Heroes (Kota Pahlawan), it combines a long trading history with a modern commercial and industrial role.

The city grew from a Majapahit-era coastal settlement into the largest city of the Dutch East Indies and a major hub for the spice trade. The legacy of the 1945 Battle of Surabaya and its colonial-era buildings, such as the old town around Jembatan Merah, remain central to the city's identity.

Key landmarks include the Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan), the House of Sampoerna museum, the Submarine Monument and the lively Arab Quarter around Ampel Mosque, while Chinatown and the old port area reveal the city's multicultural roots. Green spaces such as Bungkul Park and views of the Suramadu Bridge add to everyday life.

As a business and transport centre, Surabaya is home to the busy Port of Tanjung Perak, trade fairs, universities and a growing services sector. Its food scene features local dishes such as rawon, rujak cingur and lontong balap, alongside seafood, street food and modern cafés.

For travellers, Surabaya works both as a destination in its own right and as the main gateway to Mount Bromo, Madura and eastern Java, with Juanda International Airport connecting the city to domestic and regional routes.