Destinations in Surabaya to Squeeze in Between Your Business Trip

Surabaya is the second-largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta. As a metropolitan port city, Surabaya witnesses countless different business and trade activities going around daily. Hence, many people come here on a business trip. If you’re ever around the city for a business trip, don’t waste your time just coming and going from hotels to meetings to the airport. There are many tourist destinations in Surabaya that you can visit, even if only for a short time.

Business trips are exhausting most of the time. Going from one meeting to another, business activities indeed drain your energy and can be mind-consuming. So, the next time you’re around, why not take a break and squeeze in some of the ‘more fun’ activities in between your exhausting trip.

Opt to visit one, if not all of these tourist spots during your Surabaya trip.

Five places to visit in Surabaya during your business trip

1. Become a crewman in Monkasel, one of Surabaya’s travel icons

For those who like watching submarine action movies like “Hunter Killer” or “Steel Rain” and want to experience how it feels to be in a submarine, you must visit the Submarine Monument, aka Monkasel. This monument is situated inside a whiskey class submarine KRI Pasopati 410 which Indonesia bought from Russia in 1952. The ship is flat in the front; it looks like a giant machete or a sperm whale at first glance.

With the entry ticket costing you only Rp15.000, you can access various ship parts. From the crew and captain's cabin, engine room, and torpedo launch room to the command room with a periscope to spy on the sea surface.

2. Sail across the strait or cross the Suramadu Bridge to Madura

No trip to Surabaya is complete without crossing the Suramadu Bridge. This 5.4-kilometer-long bridge connects the islands of Java and Madura. This iconic bridge gets so windy in the middle of the sea that traversing the bridge by motorbike is not recommended. You are also forbidden to stop at the bridge to take photos. If you just want to take pictures of the Suramadu Bridge at sunrise or sunset, look for Suramadu View Point on Google Maps. Rindu Beach can also be a perfect vantage point from the Madura side.

3. The heavenly Bebek Sinjay

Already in Madura? Then the legendary Bebek Sinjay is one not to miss. Located on Jl. Raya Ketengah No. 45, Bangkalan, the fried duck is famous for its crispy skin and tender meat. A portion of Bebek Sinjay is served with sliced cucumber, basil leaves, and young mango sauce with a spicy-sour taste. This restaurant is filled to the brim most of the time. People coming here don’t just dine in; many also choose to take away or bring the fried duck home for souvenirs. If you don't have time to go to Madura, visit one of the branches on Jl. Dharmahusada 160 B, Surabaya.

4. Friday prayers at Ampel Mosque or Cheng Hoo Mosque

If you are in Surabaya on Friday and want to offer your Friday prayer, try the Ampel Mosque located on Jl. Nyamplungan. This ancient mosque was founded in 1421 by Sunan Ampel, one of the nine Wali responsible for spreading Islam in Surabaya. Behind the mosque is the tomb complex of Sunan Ampel, which is always full of pilgrims. Meanwhile, in front and south of the mosque, souvenir shops and stalls are serving Middle Eastern menus worth a try.

Another option is Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque on Jl. Ivory. This is not a mosque founded by Admiral Cheng Hoo but a new building built in 2002. Its architecture is similar to the mosques in Beijing, dominated by red, yellow, and green colors. The entrance is in the shape of a pagoda, and there are reliefs of dragons and lions and beautiful red lanterns.

5. Travel in time at the House of Sampoerna Museum

Don't worry; this place doesn't offer you cigarettes here. This museum, however, offers histories that have become part of the city of Surabaya. The main building is a colonial-style building with four distinctive large pillars. Here you can learn about various types of tobacco, the brands of cigarettes produced, label printing machines, and kretek cigarette rolling machines. Behind the museum are an art gallery, gift shop, and cafe. The museum also provides a free bus tour around Surabaya 3 times a day. Entrance to the museum is also free. You only need to show your ID card.

Those are the 5 tourist destinations that you can visit briefly in between your business trip in Surabaya. For an easier get around in Surabaya, make sure you rent a car from TRAC. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, TRAC focuses on implementing health and safety protocol. Thus, the launch of our initiative called the SMART Protocol which includes:

1. Disinfecting all units before and after duty
2. Providing hand sanitizer in all units on duty
3. Social distancing in all units on duty
4. Installation of fiber-made barrier between the driver and passengers
5. All drivers on duty are required to undergo a series of health checks
6. All drivers on duty are required to wear a mask and gloves
7. Drivers are not allowed to make physical contact with passengers

For more information on TRAC’s car rental service, reach our Customer Assistance Center at 1500009 or email rco.nasional@trac.astra.co.id. Download the TRACtoGo application from Google Playstore or Apple App Store to make a reservation. In this application, you can also receive exciting offers and promos.