5 Best Things to Do in Malang, Indonesia
Are you looking for the best things to do in Malang, Indonesia? This is the best base for exploring the sights of East Java, so you can’t miss it in your Java Itinerary.
Wondering what to do in Malang, Indonesia? Take a Mount Bromo tour, see the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, explore Blue Village & Jodipan Colorful Village, and visit the Batu Flower Garden.
This ultimate guide to visiting Malang includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Malang, Indonesia.
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Best things to do in Malang, Java (Indonesia)
Malang is a popular destination in East Java, which is easily accessible from other cities and a perfect base for visiting Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Jodipan Colorful Village, and the famous Mount Bromo volcano.
We are glad we decided to visit this city during our trip to Java, as we loved it. So let’s explore the best things to do in Malang.
1. Take a Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour
Mount Bromo is one of the most active and popular volcanoes in Indonesia. A visit to Mount Bromo Volcano is the highlight of every East Java Itinerary, and it was our favorite experience in Malang. During your tour, you can see the beautiful sunrise and take the epic crater rim walk.
We wanted to make the most of our visit to Bromo Volcano, so we booked an organized sunrise tour.
Group tours included hotel pick-up and drop-off, a jeep ride, a professional English-speaking tour guide, the Bromo National Park entry ticket, bottled water, coffee/tea, and breakfast. The pick-up time started around midnight.
Book your sunrise tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.
Once you arrive at the jeep parking lot, you can walk to the Penanjakan Bromo viewpoint, where most people watch the sunrise. But if you want to get the most epic view of Mt. Bromo, we recommend hiking up King Kong Hill.
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After visiting the volcano, you can stop at Coban Pelangi Waterfall on the way to Malang.
We have a detailed post about Mount Bromo that includes everything you need to know before you visit.
2. Jodipan Colorful Village, Malang
One of the best things to do in Malang is to walk around the Jodipan Rainbow Village and explore its colorful streets and hidden corners. If you have a drone, bring it with you because the views from above are stunningly beautiful.
The entrance fee to the Jodipan Village is 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD) per person. You can support the locals by buying snacks or souvenirs.
As the village of Jodipan is not so crowded, you can visit at any time of day and explore the streets, find the best photo spots, and talk with locals. From Jodipan, you can easily get to the Blue Village on the other side of the bridge.
3. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
Looking for the best things to do near Malang? Tumpak Sewu is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Java and is located about 2.5-3 hours from the city.
The best way to visit the waterfall is to join an organized tour. Alternatively, you can get there by renting a motorbike or hiring a private driver. We rented a motorbike in the city and drove there. But honestly, it wasn’t a good idea, the round trip was exhausting, and it wasn’t comfortable to travel on a scooter.
From the parking lot, you can reach the impressive viewpoint in about 10 minutes and enjoy a fantastic view of the waterfall. After that, a challenging hike leads to the waterfall, and depending on your fitness level, the tour takes at least 45 minutes.
You can book a 3-day, 2-night tour that includes visits to the stunning Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Mount Bromo, and Kawah Ijen Volcano.
Read the full post → How to Visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfall
4. Batu Flower Garden & Coban Rais
The Batu Flower Garden is one of the most popular places due to its many Instagrammable spots. With plenty to do and photo opportunities, the park is ideal for couples and families. There are different ticket packages, so choose the best one upon arrival.
The Batu Flower Garden is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Coban Rais Waterfall is located 3 km from the entrance, about a 30-40 minute walk away, or you can pay for a motorbike taxi. There are also several photo spots in the park where you can take fantastic pictures, but you have to pay extra for each.
We recommend taking a day trip to Batu Flower Garden, then combining your visit with the nearby Coban Putri Waterfall and Museum Angkut.
5. Coban Rondo Waterfall
Air Terjun Coban Rondo is a beautiful waterfall just 1 hour from Malang. This stunning waterfall is 84 meters high and is just a few minutes from the parking lot. The parking fee is 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) for motorbikes and 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD) for cars.
Coban Rondo Waterfall & Taman Labirin Coban Rondo are open from 8 AM to 4 PM.
The entrance fee is 75,000 IDR (4,50 USD) for foreigners and 35,000 IDR for locals. The ticket gives you access to all the attractions.
Allow plenty of time to explore the park’s attractions. You can see the waterfall, try archery, rent an ATV, and get lost in the Coban Rondo Labyrinth. Since this is a popular place, it is worth avoiding weekends.
Where to Stay in Malang
The city offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Malang
- Luxury: The Shalimar Boutique Hotel
- Mid-Range: Harris Hotel or Hotel Tugu
- Budget: Ibis Styles
How to Get to Malang, Indonesia
To get to the city, you first need to travel to Java Island, Indonesia. Flying is the most convenient and fastest way to get to the island.
Java has several airports. There are many international flights from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and domestic flights from other parts of Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bali.
Malang has a small airport with domestic flights only, the Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (airport code MLG). The flight from Jakarta takes only 1.5 hours.
The nearest major city to Malang is Surabaya, which is easily accessible by flight or train. The distance between the two cities is 90 km, and the travel time is approximately 2 hours.
From Bali, you can fly to Surabaya from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS). The flight takes just 1 hour, and plane tickets start from 30 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Java, Indonesia.
We have a detailed post on how to get to Java with all the information you need.
If you’re already in Java, you can easily get to the city by train from Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Probolinggo, or Banyuwangi. We arrived by train from Banyuwangi, and the journey took 7 hours.
How to Get Around
The best ways to get around are to rent a scooter, use Gojek (similar to Uber), or hire a private driver. Alternatively, you can join an organized shared or private tour that includes transportation.
Book this excellent 3-day, 2-night tour that includes visits to the stunning Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Mount Bromo, and Kawah Ijen Volcano.
Scooter rental costs around 60,000 IDR (4 USD) to 80,000 IDR (5 USD) for 24 hours.
Best Restaurants & Cafés
In the city, you can find many local restaurants (warungs), vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets.
- SaigonSan Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace (Vietnamese and Thai dishes)
- Melati Restaurant (Our favorite place to eat)
- Madame Wang Secret Garden (Great vegetarian restaurant)
- Java Dancer Coffee Roaster (Best coffee and delicious food)
- Ayam Goreng Tenes (Tasty fried chicken)
Best Time to Visit Malang, Java
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Java is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Malang is during the dry season, from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring Java’s attractions.
In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
The rainy season in Java runs from November to April.
Java Island has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. However, we recommend packing some warm clothes for your Bromo and Kawah Ijen volcano tour.
How many Days do you Need in Malang, Indonesia?
We recommend staying for at least 3 days to enjoy the best things to do in Malang. Then, travel to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, or Banyuwangi.
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If you have more time, explore the tea plantations (Wonosari Tea Plantation & Kuneer Hill) and visit the Kidal or Badut Temple.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Malang will help you plan your next trip to Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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