What to do in Malang

We loved visiting Malang! It’s a busy pace but offers so much to do that you’ll never be bored, here’s the best experiences.

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Where to stay in Malang?

The Whiz Hotel best all rounder hotel, great location and clean.

The Shalimar Boutique Hotel beautiful hotel, great quality and location.

How many days for Malang

You could easily spend a comfortable 4 days in Malang, longer if you have the time. We stayed 3 nights and needed at least 1 of 2 more days!

How to get around Malang?

Hire a driver for a day is the easiest way to get around. They know the roads and the activities are usually started early am. The driver can rest in the car while you explore, then you rest while the drive! For Tumpak Sewu we recommend getting in touch with Indira: +628999743533 on WhatsApp. She can organise a driver for fair pricing to visit Tumpak Sewu and Kapas Biru on the same day, which we highly recommend. Tell her Passport Nomads sent you!

You can take a tour for Mt Bromo which will include a tour guide and be completely organised for you. This is the one we did: Private Bromo Tour start from Malang – 1D – This is the trip we did and loved it! Start in Malang about 00.30AM. This is private tour not share with other participant. This package is more comfortable and you have more flexible time as it is private. Finish at your hotel around lunchtime.

Mt Bromo sunrise

Mt Bromo is famous in Java and is a must visit! We loved our Mt Bromo Sunrise Tour, you can read all about it on my Bromo blog here. To book one for yourself, check these out-

Private Bromo Tour start from Malang – 1D – This is the trip we did and loved it! Start in Malang about 00.30AM. This is private tour not share with other participant. This package is more comfortable and you have more flexible time as it is private. Finish at your hotel around lunchtime.

From Malang: 1-Day Mount Bromo Shared Trip – Explore the beauty of Mount Bromo and admire the natural landscapes along the way with a shared transfer from Malang to Bromo.

From Surabaya or Malang: Mount Bromo Sunrise 1-Day Trip – Get picked up from your hotel in Surabaya or Malang and witness the breathtaking sight of the golden sunrise rising behind Mount Bromo with sulfur steam and the Sea of Sand stretching out around you.

Surabaya or Malang: 3D2N Tumpak Sewu Bromo Ijen -Trekking to the bottom of a huge waterfall, hike up 2 volcanoes to overlooks its smokey crater, enjoy the morning with the beauty of sun arising will show you the amazing mountains in surrounding.

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu waterfall has been on Mikes travel Wishlist for years and we finally visited! It’s the most awe inspiring sight. Honestly it’s the biggest waterfall, with hundreds of different waterfalls running over the edge of a lush green cliff.

Until we visited I almost didn’t believe it was real….but it is and it’s incredible. Read about our experience here on our Tumpak Sewu blog, it’s definitely not to be missed!

You can book a tour to visit Tumpak Sewu from Malang, it is such a great day trip! This is the best tour from Malang to Tumpak Sewu.

Kappas Biru Waterfall

Kappas Biru was a little side excursion after Tumpak Sewu. We decided to do it while in the area and were really glad we did. I think it’s the most truly beautiful waterfall we’ve ever seen.

It’s not an easy walk in. We were told about half and hour and it’s definitely not a walk you can rush. You’ll climb over trees roots, down a makeshift ladder, cross streams and walk about 1.5km up and down hills, through the forests of Java! It’s a beautiful but not easy.

This is part of the charm, because anything that has you second guessing going is seaworthy if..and let me tell you, walking along the last moments of the trail and coming up over the crest where the waterfall reveals itself is a sight I’ll never forget. The most breathtaking beautiful sight. To witness what feels like a secret amongst a few locals and us in this perfect moment was so special.

What we entered was the most perfectly created lush gardens, palm trees, bamboo and bright green ferns all positioned around a majestic waterfall. It was like something out of the jungle book and truly a must visit!

Take a picnic and enjoy it for longer, we think it’s the prettiest waterfall in Indonesia. Entry is 20k and 10k for parking.

Jodipan Village

This bright and colourful village is right along the train tracks, in fact that’s how it got its fame. Tourists saw the colours from the train and began visiting. What you will find at Jodian is a community full of life. Walk the colourful paths and find your favourite viewpoint. There will be children running around and playing, going on their merry way and sometimes stopping for a high 5 if they feel like it.

There are two entrances that we saw, we paid 10k at one and the after crossing the yellow bridge has to pay 10k again to go to the other section. This is not a lot of money, we saw some tourists turning and walking away. Please remember that what is not much to you could be a lot to someone else, spending your money here helps to support a community in need.

The Blue Village

Crossing over the busy road from the colourful village you’ll see a blue village. It’s much less visited and free to enter. Any locals will come out of their homes to smile at you, take the time to say hello, they are so happy to interact.

There’s such a gentle sweetness in the blue village, it’s not full of tourists and worth going to have a genuine interaction.

Coffee Stop

Just around the corner from the blue village entry is Coffee Stop. It’s a great coffee shop with a balcony overlooking the blue town. We had an iced coffee here which was the perfect pick me up!

Kajoetangan Heritage Village

The historic village is a must see. Full of little old buildings, well preserved and turned into cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. This is a place you could spend hours in, wandering and eating your way through every twist and turn. A must visit here is the Portrait Box where for 25k a younge girl sketches your image. It’s really cute and a nice way to support a local youth.

Stop at the ice cream shop to try a soft serve and then to our favourite coffee spot at——. The iced lattes here is next level and so are the donuts!

Tip-in Java make sure to ask for sugar syrup if you want a sweet coffee!

Haven Light Clinic Spa

We treated ourselves to a massage here and it was the perfect thing after a long day sightseeing! Try the 60 minute Javanese massage, it is so relaxing and the perfect way to spend an hour!

Wodosari Tea Plantation

This tea plantation is a great spot to visit only 40 minutes from Malang. You can get a tour out here, hire a driver or rent a scooter. You’ll pay to enter at Woodsari and then walk up the hill where you’ll pay to enter the hilltop.

Where to Eat in Malang

Madame Wangs Secret garden

Madame Wangs Secret Garden is my favourite restaurant in Malang. It’s tucked away in a lovely street and serves the best food! You’ll enter through the light conservatory and walk through countless pretty seating options! It’s such an aestheticly pleasing place! We found our favourite spot amongst the gardens but each room was so stunning you could eat in a different area each day and find new views.

We loved the ayam which was a perfectly cooked piece of chicken with rice and chilli. It was really delicious. You also have to try their zesty and refreshing lime squash, which pairs perfectly with the chicken. Finally for dessert we had the cutest menu item! The puppy mousse was such a treat! Shaped just like a little puppy it was so hard to bring myself to eat it, it was just too cute!

Meals start at about 25k, the puppy mousse is 25k and a must try! You’ll also find a clothing store attached. Madame Wangs pieces are seen by hand and you can feel the quality. From intricate embroidery to batik fabric there is something for everyone. I fell in love with so many pieces!