Bromo volcano at Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java, Indonesia

Things to do in  East Java

A smoking-hot cup of Java

Just a mile or so across the strait from Bali (at its narrowest point), East Java is a different world. A host of towering volcanoes punctuate rugged forest and timeless rice fields—most famously the Ijen crater—where sulfur miners labor amid eerie blue flames, and Mt. Bromo, stranded in a sea of whispering sand. But there are more things to do in East Java than visit volcanoes: World-class surfing and waterfalls await, alongside the vibrant cities of Malang and Surabaya, and the ruins of Trowulan, a medieval Hindu-Buddhist city.

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Top 1 attractions in East Java

#1

Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen)

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An East Java highlight, the Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) towers above the Ijen Plateau. A highly acidic crater lake yields sulfur for local miners, while burning gases emit an eerie blue glow at night. Views of Java’s most perfect volcanoes, including Mount Merapi and Mount Raung, make the summit worth bagging.More
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Top activities in East Java

3D2N - Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu, Kawah Ijen Crater start from Malang or Surabaya

3D2N - Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu, Kawah Ijen Crater start from Malang or Surabaya

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$252.64
Surabaya - Mount Bromo – Tumpak Sewu Waterfall – Ijen Bluefire Tour - Bali 4d3n

Surabaya - Mount Bromo – Tumpak Sewu Waterfall – Ijen Bluefire Tour - Bali 4d3n

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$450.00
3Days - Tumpaksewu Bromo Ijen Adventure via Malang

3Days - Tumpaksewu Bromo Ijen Adventure via Malang

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$267.00
Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya or Malang - 1 Day

Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya or Malang - 1 Day

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$138.97
1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00

1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00

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$42.73
Active Volcanoes Bromo and Ijen - Start Surabaya 3 Days and 2 Nights

Active Volcanoes Bromo and Ijen - Start Surabaya 3 Days and 2 Nights

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$325.00
1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing Trip)

1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing Trip)

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$44.80
Bromo Sunrise & Madakaripura Waterfall from Surabaya or Malang

Bromo Sunrise & Madakaripura Waterfall from Surabaya or Malang

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$149.32
2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00

2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00

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$173.82
1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30

1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30

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$54.07
Bali Beaches Hopping - Uluwatu Temple

Bali Beaches Hopping - Uluwatu Temple

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$32.00
3 Days Private Tour in Bromo and Ijen from Surabaya

3 Days Private Tour in Bromo and Ijen from Surabaya

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$275.00
Ijen Crater Tour

Ijen Crater Tour

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$65.00
Ijen Blue Fire Trekking

Ijen Blue Fire Trekking

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$69.00
1 Day Bromo Private Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall

1 Day Bromo Private Tour with Madakaripura Waterfall

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$118.00
Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Experience from Malang or Surabaya

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Experience from Malang or Surabaya

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$60.82
Day Tour - Ijen Blue Flame via Banyuwangi

Day Tour - Ijen Blue Flame via Banyuwangi

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$75.00
Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang - Depart Midnight

Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang - Depart Midnight

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$52.30
Waterfalls Tour

Waterfalls Tour

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$62.75
Ijen Crater Sharing Tour

Ijen Crater Sharing Tour

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$34.50
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All about East Java

When to visit

If sunrise volcano hikes are on your East Java agenda, the dry season offers the best chance of clear skies and decent views. East Java’s rainy season runs roughly mid-November to mid-April, with the driest months generally being June through mid-October. You’ll find better prices in May, June, September, and October than over the July-August peak. Bring layers for a night at Mt. Bromo: Temperatures in Cemoro Lawang can drop to 59°F (15°C).

Getting around

Reliable trains run across the island from Ketapang port, where Bali ferries arrive, with stops including Malang, Surabaya, and Probolinggo, the nearest city to Mt. Bromo. Executive class seats are much more comfortable than the slow and often crowded intercity buses. The minibus networks that link smaller towns can be hard to penetrate, so many travelers join tours or arrange private drivers. The Grab and Gojek apps deliver 2-wheel and 4-wheel rideshares in cities, with Bluebird metered taxis in Surabaya.

Traveler tips

The Sarkies Brothers, four siblings of Armenian heritage, left an outsize mark on Asia’s—and the world’s—hotel scene, founding heritage hotels that include the original Raffles in Singapore and the Eastern & Oriental in Penang. A younger member of the dynasty created what’s today called the Majapahit Hotel in Surabaya back in 1910: if you’re passing through the city, it’s a central and surprisingly affordable place to stay.

Local Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Time Zone
WIB (UTC +7)
Country Code
+62
Language(s)
Indonesian
Attractions
1
Tours
349
Reviews
3,326
EN
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People Also Ask

Is East Java worth visiting?

Yes. East Java offers lively cities, great surfing, and many natural wonders—particularly Mt. Bromo volcano, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, and Ijen crater with its blue fire and sulfur lake. There are also heritage sites including Trowulan and Ampel Mosque. It’s your first stop on an overland journey from Bali across Java.

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What is East Java famous for?

Most travelers know East Java for two volcanoes: The Ijen crater has a lake where combusting sulfur fumes yield billows of blue fire, and Mt. Bromo sits amid a sea of sand. The Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is one of Indonesia’s best cascades, while dynamic Surabaya is the nation’s second city.

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How long should I spend in East Java?

East Java deserves at least a week, particularly if you want to tour ruins and temples: Mt. Bromo and Ijen are night climbs, which demand recovery time. However, 4-day tour packages let time-pressed travelers explore Surabaya or Malang and then hit the Ijen Crater, Mt. Bromo, and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall.

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What language do they speak in East Java?

Almost everyone in Indonesia speaks Indonesian, the national language, but there are hundreds of local languages. Javanese is what you’re likely to hear in East Java, alongside Indonesian, but you may also hear Madurese and Sundanese. English isn’t as widely spoken as in Bali, but tourism contacts will speak some.

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Is it easy to travel in Java?

Not exactly. By northern hemisphere standards, travel in Java is fairly difficult: self-driving is dangerous, roads are slow, and most public transit won’t show up on your map app. By Indonesian standards, travel in Java is relatively easy, with trains, intercity buses, and a wide range of short-hop options, too.

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Is Java cheaper than Bali?

It depends. Jakarta, the capital of Java, is more expensive than Bali. In the rest of Java, including East Java, food and transport costs are lower than in Bali. Accommodation can be cheaper, too, but bargain basement digs for travelers in Java may have less appeal than Bali’s more international accommodations.

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