Writing a blog post about the best things to do in Malang almost does not do the city justice. Its relaxed vibe and rich history are so omnipresent; they cannot be captured in a top five. Once we arrived, we knew there was plenty to do here. From the great restaurants offering the best of Java’s cuisine to the rumbling volcanoes surrounding the city: Malang quickly became one of our favorite cities we had ever visited.
After leaving Singapore and Yogyakarta, we took the train to Malang, where we ended up exploring so much a top five of the best things to do in Malang became necessary. As there is so much to do, it is nice to have a plan. From how to deal with the city’s colonial past, to how to get around, where to stay and what to do in Malang, I have listed it all below, so you will not miss out on these amazing experiences. Let’s get into it!
An Important Note on Colonialism and Tourism
All throughout the city, Malang’s colonial history is tangible. With the colonial villas dotted around and even a cathedral looking like it was copy-pasted from the Dutch city I grew up in, it is easy to get lost in this narrative of ‘colonial heritage.’ While the buildings are part of a colonial history and can be considered pretty, the history is not beautiful.
These buildings tell a story of racial segregation and oppression. They were ordered, by the colonizers, to be built by Indonesian hands, so the colonizers could live their lavish lives in its dancehalls and living rooms. The only way in which the Indonesian populace could enter such a building was under the label of being lesser than the European settler and thus by being an unwanted guest in their own home.
It is important to remember this history when marveling at the impressive architecture, to remember how colonialism tried (and often succeeded) in wiping out the cultures and practices of the Indigenous population. Equally important then, is remembering these cultures. To not only focus on the very apparent ‘colonial heritage,’ but actively try to remember and celebrate the cultures the colonial project so actively tried to erase. Planning your travels and deciding what things to do in Malang in a way that lets you explore the diversity of a post-colonial country – and being respectful while doing so of course – is a manner in which you can help to decolonize the past, present and future.
Malang is ancient, just like the many other cultures that inhabit the massive country of Indonesia. Remnants of human settlements millions of years ago have been found in the area, meaning there is so much more to learn about the place than just our ancestor’s part in it. I would suggest we try to deal with the colonial past the way I have seen the Indonesian people do: recognize and mourn its pain, but also remember its black pages do not define the entire book just like they do not completely define the populations it harmed.
Instead, celebrate the way the country has rebuild itself, recognize and respect the pride they show in having repurposed these colonial buildings into something truly theirs, and listen to their stories of the past, how they remember it. But most importantly: never think you know better, reflect on your own prejudice and listen with open curiosity. Ask questions and remember this is what travel should be about: leaving with a newfound, more nuanced perspective of the world around us and leaving it better than we found it, even if the only thing you did was listen to voices that need to be heard.
If you want to know more about colonialism and (volunteer) tourism, you can read my thesis on the subject here. Let me know in the comments if you want me to write a longer piece on this topic, or if you have any questions! Now, let’s get back to the five best things to do in Malang.
How to Get There
The fastest way to get to Malang is to fly into Yogyakarta and then take the train from there, which is what we did. We flew from Singapore to Yogyakarta with Singapore Airlines, of which the gluten free airplane food was more than decent, and service was great. Moreover, we got the best deal for our tickets on Skyscanner. A year before departure, we knew we would want to travel to Indonesia sometime and thus used their flexible dates option when booking. If you have never used Skyscanner before, I strongly advise you to start using it.
While we got to Malang from Yogyakarta, you can easily take the train from nearly anywhere on Java. Reliable and comfortable, without all the hassle of plane-travel: traveling by train through Java is the best way to see the island. If you are traveling from Bali, for example, you could take the boat to Ketapang and take a train from there. We booked our train tickets through Traveloka, which officially sells KAI railway tickets. Traveling by train is not that expensive depending on the class you book, but you can also check out Omio or 12Go to compare the bus services offering trips to Malang if your budget is tight.
Getting Around
Like I mentioned in my blogpost on Yogyakarta, we found Grab the easiest way to travel short distances, and it thus made sure we could do all of the best things to do in Malang. You can find Grab stands at nearly every train station or airport, which is how we got another discount while traveling to our hotel in Malang. However, to use the app you do need reliable internet, which is why we started using Airalo during this trip, a company that offers you e-sim data bundles from over 200 countries. Setting up the app and installing the e-sim was super easy, plus, it made sure we could use Grab any time we needed to.
The 5 Best Things to Do in Malang
1. Stay at the Shalimar Boutique Hotel
Staying at the Shalimar is one of the best things to do in Malang. While most Malang travel guides start with the best sights to see, I needed to put this on number one. First of all, because the Shalimar itself is beautiful and has both a dark and captivating history. While walking around Malang, you will immediately notice the former colonial residencies and buildings scattered around the city, all of which stands in stark contrasts to the poorer neighborhoods.
As a Dutch woman visiting Indonesia, staying at the Shalimar in Malang put me in a confrontational space of learning, where I gained more understanding about the colonial past my country forced upon the people of Indonesia, and how they deal with that past now (read my note on colonialism and tourism at the top of this article).
The Shalimar used to be a dance hall of the Sociëteit, a member’s club for elite Dutch colonists where they used to get together and socialize (read: party). Ever since its build in the 1930s it has known many other purposes, most notably and extensively as one of the headquarters of the Indonesian Republican Radio. In 1993 it was bought by the current owner who renovated it into what is now the most gorgeous hotel.
Besides having the most comfortable rooms and a splendid pool, what makes this hotel so beautiful are the people that work there. The first two mornings we did not have breakfast at the hotel. Only on the morning we were meant to leave for Surabaya did we figure out that this is one of the best things to do in Malang.
As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by Maria, the hostess of the hotel. She was very excited to show us the traditional Javanese breakfast and told us we should skip the European and American buffet, as we ate too much bread at home already. We tried some soto ayam, a wide array of curries, and my personal favorite: brown bean rice porridge with syrup and nuts. After I told her about Amber Eats Abroad, she insisted on a photoshoot, of which you can see the results below.
After breakfast, she took us on a tour through the hotel, telling us about the building’s history and how they have renovated, offering jobs to the local people of Malang. Maria’s pride and joy in what they had achieved at the hotel was infectious, making sure we had to come back here someday. She was as sad as us that we had to leave, making it worse when she showed us the hidden speakeasy behind the wine cabinet of their Italian restaurant. If we only had known beforehand!
Still, our stay here was magnificent, so I was very thankful for my high Genius status on Booking.com, which made sure we got the best deal and even a free room upgrade. I hope I have convinced you that booking a stay at the Shalimar is one of the best things to do in Malang. And if you did book that luxe hotel room, when you are there, make sure to say hi to Maria from us!
2. Jodipan: The Rainbow Village
When we were not having breakfast at the hotel, we were wandering around Jodipan, also known as the rainbow village. Once a slum, it was turned into a tourist attraction by the area’s youth in 2016. This community service project involved painting the entire village in bright colors, including the most magnificent murals, and adding artworks in every nook and cranny. The goal? Change its image from slum to tourist destination and generate funds that can be reinvested in the community of Jodipan itself.
They definitely succeeded. Jodipan can be found in every Malang travel guide and is by far one of the best things to do in Malang. There is one official entrance to the neighborhood where you can buy a ticket for approximately 3500 IDR (bought in 2024). Some travel guides suggest another entrance where you can skip the entrance fee, but I beg you not to do that: fifty cents should be doable for any tourist and is for a large part what keeps the people of Jodipan on their feet.
3. Kampung Biru Arema: Blue Village
Right next to Jodipan on the other side of the bridge is Kampung Biru Arema, also known as the blue village. This area was the second phase of the community service project, and painted in 2018. But, why only blue, you might ask? If you have been to Indonesia, you might have learned that soccer is a huge part of their culture. Any time we would mention we were from the Netherlands, people would start naming our most famous clubs and players. Kampung Biru Arema, therefore, is painted in the color of their local soccer club: Arema F.C. Additionally, you will find many painted lions, the mascot of the club.
There was no entrance fee for the blue village, but make sure to buy a small souvenir or just a bottle of water to support the locals.
4. Bukit Kuneer
Another famous point on many Malang Travel Guides is Bukit Kuneer, or Kuneer Hill, a tea plantation to the north of Malang. Located at the fertile foot of the Gunung Arjuno volcano, the tea plantation is a tranquil escape from city-life in Malang. Only an hour ride away, it provides the perfect backdrop for your Instagram pictures. With the volcano in the distance and the perfectly trimmed bushes: it looks like something out of a fairytale.
We unfortunately only had an hour there, as our taxi driver was waiting for us, which meant we had to run up the hill and could not find the famous bridge over the fields. We did see many of the lovely tree huts, however, where we could enjoy a panoramic view of Malang and the volcano. So, besides our lack of time, we could see why the plantation is one of the best things to do in Malang.
However, if you want to make sure not to get lost like we did and miss the bridge, make sure to spend at least a couple of hours at the plantation. Besides a walkway through the fields, the park has a tea house with a restaurant where you can try both the tea of Bukit Kuneer and local dishes. Another interesting building is the tea factory, which is still in use. The costs of entering the park are 12,000 IDR (€0,71 in 2025), but if you want to visit the walkway with the bridge and the tree huts you will be expected to pay an additional 10,000 IDR (€0,60 in 2025).
5. Bromo Volcano
The five best things to do in Malang are not a top five, as I think I saved the best for last! While you should not visit Malang just for the Bromo volcano, it is something you should not miss. It is located on a two-hour ride from the city in what is called the ‘Sea of Sand’: a sandy plane that has been a nature reserve since the start of the twentieth century. The mountain itself is a holy site: named after the Hindu god Brahma, it is a place to worship both him and Ganesha!
While most Malang travel guides will solely mention the Bromo, most people do not know you actually get to see three volcanoes, of which the Bromo is the smallest and most active. Looking at the sunrise picture below, you will find the smoky Bromo on the left, the larger cone-shaped volcano Batok to its right and the even bigger Semeru volcano in the distance behind it.
We visited the reserve with touring company SmartwayID, who took us to seven different spots, on a tour that cost us about €40 per person (2024). As we booked their sunrise tour, they picked us up at 00:30 at night so we could see the daybreak over the three volcanoes. The sunrise was magnificent: the sky turned purple and pink, the Bromo was rumbling and soon we were cast in a golden glow. Although it was very cold, I would not have missed it for the world. However, you should make sure to bring gloves, some thermals and a winter jacket as you will have to wait for quite some time until the sun has fully risen.
After the sunrise it was time to see the rest of the tour. SmartwayID took us to the Sea of Sands, where we watched the jeeps race each other, led us to the crater rim of the volcano and showed us the Teletubbies Mountains. We personally loved our tour with SmartwayID: the guides were super knowledgeable and hospitable, making sure we had everything we needed. If you are not an early bird, however, you can also choose their afternoon tour. And if you loved their Bromo tour so much, or would like to do something else, they offer a couple of other tours that bring you to destinations like the Tumpak Sewu waterfall and Ijen crater.
Where to Eat
One of the best things to do in Malang is eat at one of their amazing restaurants. While you can read my full Gluten Free Malang guide here, I thought I would mention one of my absolute favorites that should not be missed. Javanine is a must visit on any trip to Malang: a restaurant frequented by locals that offers top-notch Javanese food. Their menu is extensive and has gluten free options. We had satay, gado gado and much more delicious things on our visit there. If you want to try authentic Javanese food, this is the place to go!
Final Thoughts
We loved Malang. It was one of our favorite cities that we have visited in Indonesia as there was so much to see and taste, while still having a relaxed feel to it. I would want to come back here, even if it was just for Maria at the Shalimar! But the Malang content is not finished yet. Make sure to read my Gluten Free Malang Guide and stick around for the ultimate Guide to the Bromo Volcano. Do not want to miss my latest travel news? Then make sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Instagram. In the meantime, check out my latest articles below to get your extra dose of travel inspiration.
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