Malang is the base in Java for the famous Bromo Tour or East Java Tour. But what to do in Malang? There are still a number of fun things to explore in Malang and its surroundings, such as the beautiful tea fields at Kunneer Hill and the Coban Rondo waterfall. We also have a golden tip for a great restaurant to grab a bite to eat in Malang. In this blog you will discover all 12 things to do in Malang.
Content of this blog:
1. Visit the Bromo volcano
If you want to see the Bromo volcano, Malang is most likely your starting point if you are coming from Yogyakarta. You can do a separate Bromo tour, but it is also possible to do a three-day East Java tour from Malang. You will then visit the Tumpak Sewu waterfall, the Bromo volcano and the Ijen volcano. You can then also be dropped off directly at the ferry to Bali, if you are traveling on to there. During our visit to East Java in 2024, the Ijen volcano was closed due to eruption danger, so unfortunately we could not visit it. That did give us a chance to go to a beautiful other waterfall nearby, you’ll read more about that later. The Bromo Volcano is one of the top attractions in the Malang area and East Java.
How do you get to the Bromo volcano?
To visit the Bromo volcano, you must do so with an organized tour. You cannot go here on your own. We recommend booking this tour if you want to visit it in one day, or go on a multi-day tour with Bengbeng Travel, Travel with Dee or Mador Hostel. In our blog about the Bromo and Ijen East Java tour we give you all the tips.
2. Go to the Tumpak Sewu waterfall
The Tumpak Sewu waterfall is one you already know from the picture perfect Instagram photos. This is the most famous waterfall in Java and actually in all of Indonesia. Many people say it is the most beautiful, but we think otherwise. The view is really fantastic with a kind of round arena of a massive waterfall with the majestic Bromo volcano you can see in the background. Unfortunately, when we were there, it was very cloudy and raining heavily, so we unfortunately did not get to see the view of the Bromo. Hopefully you will have better luck!
The Tumpak Sewu waterfall is a waterfall of up to 120 meters high. The water clatters down with great force, really impressive to see and definitely worth a visit during your itinerary through Java.
Can you visit the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall by yourself?
Yes, you don’t necessarily need an organized tour to visit the Tumpak Sewu waterfall. If you book a combined East Java tour, it always includes the Tumpak Sewu waterfall. You can also choose to book the Bromo tour separately and then go to the Tumpak Sewu waterfall by yourself.
How to get to the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall?
So from Malang you can drive there by yourself. The Tumpak Sewu waterfall is about a two-hour drive from Malang. You can do this by motrbike or car. You can also book a cab via Grab to get to the Tumpak Sewu waterfall. Definitely add this waterfall to your list of things to do in Malang, it is one of the most impressive ones you will ever see.
3. Discover a hidden-gem: the Madakaripura Waterfall
As we just shared with you, we have a different opinion about the most beautiful waterfall in Indonesia. For us, that is absolutely the insanely beautiful Madakaripura Waterfall. The scenery here is indescribably beautiful. The road to the waterfall is SO beautiful. You walk through the impressive and high gorge that is completely overgrown with plants. In addition, this waterfall is also much quieter than Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, for example. This felt like an undiscovered gem in Indonesia, so it is a good idea to add it to your things to do in Malang list. If you want to know more about the Madakaripura Waterfall, read this article.
4. Walk through the colored district in Malang: Jodipan
In Malang itself, there are also a number of things to do. For example, walk through the colorful rainbow district of Jodipan. This old slum of Malang was about to be demolished due to a different zoning plan. The youth who lived in Jodipan came up with the great idea to paint all the houses, streets and other things in the district in all the colors of the rainbow to ensure an influx so that the district would not be demolished. In fact, the Jodipan district can already be seen from the bridge as soon as you travel from Yogyakarta to Malang.
There are also all kinds of decorations hanging in the district and you can spot beautiful street art. A visit to the Jodipan district is a must to do in Malang. Practical tips for you what is handy to know before your visit to the rainbow village: the entrance fee today is IDR 20,000 (€1.20) per person. You don’t need a guide to visit the colored village, you can just walk around on your own.
5. Visit the blue village in Malang: Kampung Biru Arema
Standing on the bridge in Jodipan, you can see the blue village of Kampung Biru Arema on the other side. This one is also very nice to visit whenether you are in Malang and looking for things to do. There will be a lot fewer tourists here than in the rainbow village. The colors are a bit more monotonous, you guessed it: everything is in blue.
6. Explore the surroundings of Malang by motorbike
If you have a day to spare in your itinerary in Java, it is great fun to explore the area around Malang. In fact, on the west side of Malang there are a number of fun activities to do that we will mention in the following points.
7. Tea plantations in Java: Kunneer Hill
Indonesia and Java are mainly known for rice fields, but at Kunneer Hill near Malang, on the contrary, you will find many tea fields. These really look very different from rice fields and are therefore great fun to visit. Tea grows in slightly colder and higher areas than rice, making the climate immediately pleasant. If you enjoy lush green surroundings, a cooler climate, and a bit of hiking, then absolutely add this to your list of things to do in Malang.
A visit to Kunneer Hill is absolutely worth it for a nice walk, a photo shoot and to enjoy the scenery with the Gunung Arjuna volcano in the background. It is truly beautiful. In Kunneer Hill you walk on the wooden decks where you can see the tea fields beautifully.
Kunneer Hill has an entrance fee of a few euros and is about a 40-minute drive from Malang. From Kunneer Hill, you can ride a scenic route by motorbike to the next stop: the Coban Rondo waterfall. Follow this two-hour route on Google maps to drive through the mountains and local villages along the foot of Gunung Arjuna.
8. Coban Rondo Waterfall
The Coban Rondo Waterfall is a beautiful 80-meter-high waterfall in Java that is a 1-hour drive from Malang. You easily walk from the parking lot to the foot of the Coban Rondo waterfall. Visiting the Coban Rono waterfall is fun, but not an absolute must. In fact, you are going to see much more beautiful waterfalls on Java, like the ones we mentioned here before.
9. Find the way out in Coban Rondo Maze
Close to the Coban Rondo waterfall, actually in the same park is a maze: the Coban Rondo Maze. Very fun to add if you’re going to the waterfall anyway. The maze is open from 08:00 to 17:00. An entrance ticket costs about 2 euros.
10. Old timer museum Angkut
If you are a lover of old cars and vintage cars, be sure to visit the Angkut Museum. You will find all kinds of wonderful vintage cars, old crazy vehicles and even old airplanes.
11. Eating out at SaigonSan restaurant
We liked this restaurant so much that we like to name it as a separate activity for things to do in Malang. This restaurant has three beautiful rooms where you can dine very well. Do you go for the Ancient Temple area like we did, the Chinese temple or the beautiful garden?
They serve a mix of Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine here. So if you’re in the mood for real Asian and if you’re tired of the Gado-Gado for a while: this is the place to be to eat out in Malang.
12. Coffee and brunch at Grain Alley
Grain Alley is a super cute and cozy cafe in Malang. The coffee and sandwiches are fantastic, you can put together a lot of your own and you sit there super nice in the garden among the plants. The wifi here is also good, so should you need to further plan your trip or look up other things, you can sit here for an afternoon as well. We even worked here on our laptop and it went perfectly.
Hopefully, you’ve been inspired by plenty of activities for your visit and found an answer to the question: ‘What things to do in Malang?’
Next up? Plan your accommodation in Malang with one of our handpicked suggestions, or explore more tips about Java and Indonesia on our blog.
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