East Java Adventure: 6 Best Things To Do In Sidoarjo, Indonesia

things to do in sidoarjo indonesia
Paolo
Paolo 
Published
| 4 min read

South of Surabaya is the regency known as Sidoarjo. It’s a small town, and you can reach almost all of the restaurants and shopping areas from EF Sidoarjo School on foot. Rickshaws are available if you don’t want to walk around. Sidoarjo is no stranger when it comes to different types of attractions. From historical sites to theme parks, Sidoarjo is sure to give you an unforgettable sightseeing experience. From Surabaya, you can reach the regency easily thanks to the motorway. When you pass through the motorway by car or bus, you will arrive in Sidoarjo in about 30 minutes. So, if you’re still thinking about where to start, then let us assist you. Here are the six best things to do in this East Java gem. Let the exploring begin.

1. Suncity Water Park

Posted by Suncity Waterpark Sidoarjo on Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Opened in 2004, Suncity Water Park is sure to give you and your family an exciting swimming experience. It’s just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the toll gate, and it has attractions for adults and children. Grown-ups should try the famous Dragon slide, which is about 20 meters high (66 feet). You will land in a shallow pool, so no need to worry about safety.

For the kids and kids-at-heart, they can play and have a great time at the foam bath area. What makes the area even more special is that it’s surrounded by picturesque gardens. After all the water adventures, you can check out the entertaining shows featuring live bands, clowns, and gymnastics. The park is also the location of The Sun Hotel, which makes it a perfect option if you want to spend the night.

Suncity Water Park

Address: Jl. Pahlawan No. 1, Lemahputro, Sidokumpul, Kec. Sidoarjo, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur 61213, Indonesia

Price: from 2 USD

Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Phone: +62 318071123

Facebook: Suncity Water Park

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2. Lapindo Mudflow

Smoke on The Water
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ikhlasul Amal used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Since May 2006, the district of Porong has been experiencing one of the largest mud flows in the world. Not only did it destroy villages and left over 40,000 people homeless, but it also took the lives of 20 locals. Some claim the disaster was the result of a strong earthquake that occurred in Yogyakarta while others believe it was the fault of the drilling by a local oil and gas company. Up to now, mud continues to flow and it’s uncertain when it will stop.

Visit Lapindo Mudflow and witness the horrifying effects of the eruption up-close. You will see fragments of the buried villages as well as statues representing the agony of those who used to live there. It’s not for everyone, but if you decide to visit, it will surely be a moving experience. You can hire a local guide for around 2 USD to ensure your safety and to learn more about what happened. The smell of oil can be strong, so make sure you bring a face mask. You can also give donations to help bring the community back to its feet.

Lapindo Mudflow

Address: Porong, Sidoarjo, Indonesia

Price: from 1 USD

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3. Pari Temple


2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northwest of Lapindo Mudflow is Pari Temple, which was built by King Hayam Wuruk back in the 14th-century using Andesite stones. With its red bricks, it’s clear that the Hindu temple’s architecture is influenced by the Cham Towers of Vietnam. As for the roof, it has a distinct Khmer feature. Some locals also believe that Hayam Wuruk constructed the building to commemorate Joko Pandelegan, a popular mythical character. Take pictures of this historical site and be enthralled by its one-of-a-kind design. The surrounding sugar cane plantations will leave you in awe as well. Since it’s far away from the city center, you don’t have to worry too much about the noise of cars passing by.

Pari Temple

Address: Jl. Purbakala, Porong, Candipari, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur 61274, Indonesia

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4. Intako Tanggulangin

Posted by Intako Tanggulangin on Wednesday, 23 April 2014

If you’re into shopping, then you will definitely love this place. Intako Tanggulangin is where you can buy leather products such as bags, wallets, shoes, belts, and hats made by the best craftsmen in town. As a matter of fact, some of the branded items you know are created here. What makes Intako Tanggulangin unique is that unlike the other stores, the products here are much more affordable. You can buy luxurious handbags for around 75 USD only. The store opened in April 1976, and up to now, it continues to attract both locals and tourists. As for the leather items, they were able to reach the United States, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.

Intako Tanggulangin

Address: Jl. Utama Kedensari No. 27, Tanggulangin – Sidoarjo 61272, East Java

Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Monday to Friday); 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (Saturday to Sunday)

Phone: +62 318851887

Facebook: Intako Tanggulangin

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5. Indah Bordir

Posted by Indah Bordir Sidoarjo II on Monday, 21 November 2016

The fun shopping spree continues at Indah Bordir in Pucang. Here, a wide variety of traditional clothes are available for men, women, and children. Prices range from 37 to 75 USD. The most famous is the Kebaya, a dress that originated during the period of the Majapahit Kingdom. Indah Bordir also offers different types of souvenirs such as embroidery fabrics, tablecloths, and motifs. If you’re in the mood to shop, then you can just go for a stroll and marvel at the sight of each colorful item. There’s a parking area not only for cars, but also for motorcycles and bicycles.

Indah Bordir

Address: Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 1-7, Pucang, Kec. Sidoarjo, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur 61219, Indonesia

Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 9:00 pm

Phone: +62 318945151

Website: Indah Bordir (Indonesian Website)

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6. Sumur Temple

#infodarjo #repost 📷 @dicky_k45 . 3rd destination : Candi Sumur This temple is located in Porong sub district about 100m...

Posted by Info Darjo on Saturday, 9 July 2016

About 50 meters (164 feet) south of Pari Temple is another historical spot worth seeing. Sumur Temple’s red bricks are similar to Pari Temple, and in the center, you will see a well. According to legend, the water from the well was used by the villagers for the irrigation of the paddy fields during the ancient times. It’s also believed that if you drop a coin in it, your wishes will come true. There’s a placard outside where you can read three stories about the centuries-old structure. It may not be as a big and well-maintained as Pari Temple, but it’s still a good place to check out if you want to revisit the Majapahit period.

Sumur Temple

Address: Candipari, Porong, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java 61274, Indonesia

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Start your epic journey in Sidoarjo

Sidoarjo is also well-known for its seafood, and some of its specialties include crabs, oysters, milkfish, prawns, and mussels. You can enjoy these dishes to the fullest at the stalls of Mojopahit Street. If you want to go another round of shopping, then you should head to the villages of Jetis, Sekardangan, and Kengongo. These villages offer some of the finest Batiks in the country.

Now that you know what to do in the beautiful regency, it’s time to start your adventure. Explore Sidoarjo and get ready for a memorable time. November and December are usually the hottest months while February is the coldest.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Freelance writer by day, rap artist by night. When he's not making music or joining rap battles, Paolo writes about anything under the sun. Throughout his eight-year experience as a copywriter, he...Read more

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