4 Best Sights in Surabaya, Indonesia

Even nonsmokers will appreciate the architecture of this historic colonial building, constructed in 1862 by the Dutch and originally used as an orphanage before being purchased in 1932 for use as a clove cigarette production facility. Today it houses a museum with displays about the founding family, and if you visit during weekday mornings you can see women speedily hand-rolling cigarettes. The café is a fine choice for a lunch in historic surroundings (and does include a nonsmoking section).

The oldest mosque in Surabaya, constructed in 1421, warrants a stop if only to wander the surrounding streets filled with interesting stalls selling local goods. Women are not permitted to enter the mosque itself, though men are allowed outside of prayer times.

The longest bridge in Indonesia, which opened in 2009, connects Surabaya with Bangkalan on Madura Island. It's worth driving across at night when the bridge is fully lit. On the Madura side, you'll find plenty of souvenir stands to buy T-shirts and the like.

About a 90-minute drive from the Surabaya port you'll reach the ancient ruins of the former capital city of the Majapahit Empire. It's worth visiting the Trowulan Museum before or after the ruins to see the artifacts recovered from the site, including coins and pottery. Note the early times of the museum's opening and closing.