Things To Do
in Gubeng
Gubeng is a bustling urban subdistrict in Surabaya, East Java, known for its mix of residential neighborhoods, markets, and easy transport links. The area sits close to major rail and road connections, making it a practical base for exploring Surabaya and nearby East Java attractions. Gubeng combines everyday city life—local eateries, small shops, and mosques—with access to larger malls, museums, and green pockets.
Visitors who like authentic urban Indonesian life will find convenience, lively street food, and friendly neighborhoods here.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day at Gubeng Market, where you can experience the hustle and bustle of local trade. Browse through fresh produce, spices, and traditional Indonesian snacks. Engage with friendly vendors and learn about daily life in Gubeng.
Enjoy a traditional Indonesian lunch at a nearby warung, sampling dishes like nasi campur and satay. Take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood to admire colonial architecture and vibrant street art. Visit local shops to pick up unique handmade crafts.
Head to a cozy café to unwind with a cup of Indonesian coffee while watching the sunset. Experience the lively atmosphere of Gubeng's night market, tasting street food delicacies and enjoying live music. End your day with a peaceful stroll around the illuminated streets.
Begin your morning with a refreshing walk or jog in Taman Bungkul Park, enjoying the lush greenery and fresh air. Participate in a local yoga or tai chi session if available. Observe the morning activities of locals, including children playing and vendors setting up stalls.
Have lunch at a nearby restaurant featuring traditional Javanese cuisine. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the park’s playground or rent a bicycle to explore the area further. Visit the park's cultural corner to learn about the history of Surabaya and Gubeng.
Watch performers and street artists who often entertain visitors during the evening. Try local snacks and desserts sold by vendors within the park. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you take in the city lights contrasting with the natural surrounds.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍽️Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $2-4 |
| ☕Coffee at a café | $1.50-3 |
| 🚌Local bus or short ojek/angkot ride | $0.50-2 |
| 🚕Taxi / ride-hailing short trip | $3-8 |
| 🏨Budget hotel per night | $15-45 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Convenient transport links and practical base for East Java excursions.
- Authentic city atmosphere with plentiful street food and markets.
- Lower cost of living compared with larger Indonesian cities.
- Access to cultural sites and nearby natural attractions like mangroves and volcanoes.
- Urban traffic and occasional flooding during heavy rains.
- Limited nightlife compared with bigger metropolitan cities.
- Air quality and heat can be uncomfortable during peak dry season.
- Some language barriers outside tourist-focused businesses.
- "Halo" - Hello
- "Terima kasih" - Thank you
- "Tolong" - Please / Help
- "Berapa harganya?" - How much does this cost?
- "Di mana kamar kecil?" - Where is the restroom?
- "Saya tidak makan daging/saya vegetarian" - I don't eat meat / I am vegetarian
Places to Visit in Gubeng
Visit one of these nice places.
Scenes of commuter life, colonial-era station architecture and passing trains make for evocative urban photography (observe safety and private property).
Wooden boardwalks, mangrove roots and sunrise/sunset light provide natural landscape and birdlife opportunities within the city’s eastern edge.
A restored Dutch colonial complex with museum exhibits and photogenic courtyards that capture Surabaya’s tobacco industry history.
Vibrant street scenes, colorful shopfronts and historic buildings—best at golden hour or during evening food activity.
Food in Gubeng
Gubeng Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A rich black beef soup flavored with keluak (black nut); hearty and widely available at traditional restaurants and warungs around Surabaya.
Must-Try!
A Surabaya specialty of sliced vegetables and fruit mixed with petis (fermented shrimp paste) and slices of boiled cow snout; best tried at local rujak stalls.
A classic East Javanese rice cake dish with tofu, bean sprouts and savory broth; commonly served from street carts and small eateries.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Daily market ideal for breakfast snacks, fresh fruit, and traditional street food; try local lontong, fried tempeh, and kopi tubruk from morning stalls.
Evening food clusters near main roads and residential streets offer skewers (sate), fried noodles, and sweet treats—great for tasting multiple small dishes.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
A friendly 'salam' (hello) or handshake is common; when meeting elders, a slight nod or allowing them to extend a hand first is polite.
Modest clothing is recommended, especially when visiting religious sites—women may be asked to cover shoulders or hair at mosques.
Always remove shoes before entering someone’s home and many prayer spaces or small shops with low-floor seating.
Avoid loud displays of affection and be mindful during Ramadan; pointing with an open hand is more polite than a direct index finger.
Safety
Tipping in Gubeng
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not mandatory; rounding up bills or leaving small change for good service is appreciated in local settings. In higher-end restaurants or hotels a 5–10% tip or checking whether service is included is common but not required.
Cash (Indonesian rupiah) is widely used for markets and small shops. Credit/debit cards are accepted in malls and many restaurants; mobile e-wallets like GoPay and OVO are increasingly popular in urban areas.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Generally drier and sunnier with lower humidity and less rain—good for walking and outdoor photography, though temperatures can be hot mid-day.
Expect frequent heavy showers, higher humidity and occasional localized flooding after intense storms; carry a lightweight rain jacket and flexible plans.
During the fasting month, daytime eateries may be quieter but evenings come alive after iftar; be respectful of those fasting and patient with altered business hours.
Gubeng at Night
Hiking in Gubeng
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A relatively accessible hike with historical temples and terraces; suitable for a day trip from Surabaya and offers panoramic views.
Iconic volcanic landscape famous for sunrise views and sea of sand—requires a 3–4 hour drive from Surabaya and is best experienced with an early-morning jeep tour.
For more experienced hikers, these peaks offer multi-day trekking routes with diverse terrain and cooler mountain climates; access from Malang or Pasuruan regions.
Airports
How to reach Gubeng by plane.
Main airport serving Surabaya, about 20–45 minutes from Gubeng depending on traffic; offers domestic and some international flights with easy taxi or ride-hailing access.
Located in Malang (~1.5–2.5 hours by car), useful for regional flights and a gateway if you plan to visit Malang or the southern parts of East Java.
Juanda also handles cargo and regional connections—useful if combining logistics or multi-leg travel in East Java.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The majority ethnic group in Gubeng and Surabaya, with Javanese language and cultural practices common in daily life.
A significant minority in Surabaya with strong cultural presence, particularly in trade and certain neighborhoods.
Long-established Chinese-Indonesian families contribute to commerce, cuisine and community life—Chinatown areas reflect this heritage.
Gubeng hosts students and young workers due to its transport links and proximity to universities, creating a lively daytime economy.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Football is the most popular sport, with local support for Surabaya clubs and frequent community matches and stadium events.
Badminton is played widely at clubs and public courts; it’s a common recreational sport for all ages.
Traditional Southeast Asian sports like sepak takraw and pencak silat (Indonesian martial art) are practiced recreationally and at organized events.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Gubeng.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but may be limited at traditional warungs where dishes are meat- or fish-based; ask for sayur (vegetable) dishes, tofu/tempeh options, and specify no ikan/sambal with shrimp paste.
Vegan choices are available in cafés and larger restaurants; communicate clearly (in Indonesian if possible) that you avoid animal products and fish-based pastes like terasi/petis.
Most food in Gubeng is halal or easily found as halal; look for halal signs in restaurants and avoid places that advertise pork dishes.
Cross-contamination is common; if you have severe allergies, bring an allergy card in Indonesian and confirm ingredients—especially peanuts, shellfish, and soy.