Top Things to do in Sumenep
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Sumenep, Indonesia
Discover the best top things to do in Sumenep, Indonesia including Gili Labak Island, Great Mosque, Sumenep, Sumenep Palace and Museum, Sumenep Tomb of the Kings, Gili Iyang, Mahakarya Cave, Pulau Giliyang, Adipura Park, Ropet Beach, Tulang Ikan Paus.
Restaurants in Sumenep
1. Gili Labak Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By AirinAld - Jakarta, Indonesia
Me and my girls take an overnight trip to Gili Labak. I met this humbly tour guide (@keastjava) whom took us there from Terminal Bungur (Surabaya) at 1 AM. From Surabaya to Sumenep takes approximately 3 hours by car (Thankfully I take my sleeping pills). Then after Subuh pray (05.30 AM) we sail accros the Madura Strait with a big fishing boat (around 30 ppl on board!).
An exotic virgin island with blue sapphire ocean and divine white sand will spoiled your eyes. As soon as you get there, you'll feel the urgeness of submerging yourself into the ocean. As we arrived there, we took an hour to stroll around the island and then dozing off in the shore. The beach view here are instagramable and photograph-able. The island consists of less than 50 inhabitants. Only a few island shacks and huts. But you could stay overnight here. The electricity only stand until dawn (around 6 PM). So it will be less crowded after dawn.
The snorkeling part is always exciting for me. But here, the view isn't as amazing as I expected. Some of the coral are ruined due to the lack of education of some fishermen. And the snorkeling spot are too deep for me. But I enjoyed it so much, until I forgot I already on the beach shore!! *LOL
We part ourselves with the island at 12 PM.
A little tips from me:
1. Take a seat in the deck if you want a less muzzy trip (seeing the ocean while sailing help you ease your seasick).
2. Wear a highly uv protection suncreen (SPF 50 or more) repeatedly.
3. Watch out for the corals
4. A wireless / bluetooth speaker is a must
2. Great Mosque, Sumenep
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Erlan2013 - Bogor, Indonesia
I wonder why many people come to Surabaya and around but do not visit Madura, especially Sumenep, the most interesting place in Madura. They have BATIK, Historical Places, splendid beach that still natural, etc. Maybe there is no promotion from local government and also lack of infra structure. But now they have SURAMADU that connecting Java and Madura Island. So, any time you visit Surabaya, do not forgat to spend your time to Sumenep, about 3-4 hours from Surabaya.
3. Sumenep Palace and Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Raymond W - Chengdu, China
Situated at the eastern island of the dry, barren island of Madura, Sumenep is, without a doubt, the island's finest town. Though it is not the largest settlement on the island today, Sumenep trumps all other towns in history, culture and allure. There are only a few more charming towns on Java itself.
This small city has a history dating back to the Hindu kingdoms which flourished in Java more than five hundred years ago. Its aristocrats occasionally make an appearance in the royal histories of the great Javanese empires, often playing a part in palace intrigues. Though Madurese royalty no longer holds even ceremonial power, Sumenep Palace remains as a testimony to this long historical legacy. The guides are extremely welcoming, as they rarely see foreign visitors. Highlights include some Hindu-era statues and a bathing pool with a 'fountain of eternal youth' reputation.
4. Sumenep Tomb of the Kings
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Nano-Kach - Da Nang, Vietnam
The cemetery of the kings of ancient Sumenep, when we visited this place, the atmosphere feels very magical and solemn, especially when it has entered the area of the cemetery. A quiet place, because it is rather in the suburbs the city center.
5. Gili Iyang
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Febryan P
Even though gili iyang not as famous as gili labak but gili iyang also a good place to visit. There are several place to see, for the transportation in the island use (they called it) odong odong
6. Mahakarya Cave
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Budiono S - Surabaya, Indonesia
Goa Mahakarya ini lumayan sulit dijangkau. Tapi menarik untuk dikunjungi. Sebaiknya membawa guide warga sekitar karena goa ini cukup panjang dan dalam, kuatir kesasar. Pemandangan dalam goa sungguh indah dengan stalagtit dan stalagmit yang menawan
7. Pulau Giliyang
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Budiono S - Surabaya, Indonesia
Pulau ini dikenal dengan sebutan PULAU OKSIGEN karena menurut penelitian, kandungan oksigennya nomor 2 tertinggi di dunia. Makanan warga sekitar selalu mengandung daun kelor yang penuh vitamin. Tidak ada jalan raya di sini. Jalan paving mengelilingi pulau dibangun oleh BPWS
8. Adipura Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Vincent M - New Orleans, Louisiana
Taman Adipura is the Central Park of Sumenep (though the one in NYC is a lot bigger). Center of town, across from the great masjid. And the one place that everyone gathers as the sun goes down, replacing sweltering day with re-invigorating evening.
No one in Sumenep actually calls it Taman Adipura. i could find no Indonesian translation of the word so I suppose it's Adipura Park, with Adipura being some politician or businessman. There are large signs up proudly proclaiming its official name. But to no avail. People still call it Taman Bunga, the Flower Garden. Even the corner police station is the Taman Bunga Station, not Adipura. And it truly is a garden, although flowers and shade trees are supplemented by park benches, swings, and a central Fountain. At night the Garden is illuminated and rimmed with colorful rides shaped like various fabulous animals. Street vendors are on all sides of the square.
Sumerep is both a small city--70,000 citizens--and a remote one, on the eastern tip of Madura. So I suppose everyone knows everyone, and meeting friends, relatives, neighbors and fellow mosque-goers is a pleasant and natural thing to do, a municipal custom. I should note that many towns and villages on Madura have a distinctly Sicilian atmosphere to them: old-whitewashed houses with red tile roofs, palms but also hard arid places, and the Mediterranean-colored waters of Madura Strait. Sumenep is a bit more colorful than the all-whitewashed towns, having lemon yellow and lime green and pale blue houses, but there's still something intangibly Sicilian to the city, and the nightly gathering of townspeople in Taman Bunga would make many an Italian remember childhood back home.
Until Sumenep somehow is "discovered" the odds are you'll be the only non-Indonesian in town: even Surabayans rarely come here. Particularly if you're a Bule, a Westerner, you'll create a bit of a sensation. Folks who know a word or two of English will show off their expertise by calling out things like "Hello," "How are you" and "Good morn-ning" (even if it's evening.) A call back of "I am good, terima kasih!" will make their day. Teenagers who have studied English will come forward nervously and ask to speak to you. I talked at length about acwide range of subjects, with one gentleman who spoke quite good English, having travelled in his day.
The great white-and-yellow gate of the mosque is illuminated across the jalan. There's a relaxed carnival atmosphere. Sumerep certainly doesn't have the night life of, say, Jakarta. But I doubt anyone in Sumerep would want it: drugs and alcohol, KTV, violent street crime. Instead, friendly folk meet and greet neighbors, and the occasional strangers, in the Flower Garden. (See photos).
The Taman Bunga is between the royal palace and the mosque. The masjid was part of the royal complex, so I'm guessing the Flower Garden dates from at least the late 18th century, when the mosque and most of the palace was built. I suppose you could say that the sultan's complex was the brain of the city, and the mosque was the soul of it. And every evening Taman Bunga, now Adipura, is the heart of Sumenep.
9. Ropet Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Budiono S - Surabaya, Indonesia
Pantai Ropet ini ada di Pulau Gili Iyang (atau biasa disebut Giliyang saja). Pantainya berupa partai karang yang terjal dengan air yang jernih dan ombak yang tenang. Di pinggir Pantai Ropet terdapat banyak tanaman siwalan
10. Tulang Ikan Paus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Budiono S - Surabaya, Indonesia
Tulang ikan paus ini ada di pinggir pantai. Sayang sekali kurang terawat. Pantainya pantai karang yang sangat terjal. Di sekitar sini ada pohon siwalan yang bisa diambil niranya dan dibuat minuman yang lezat
