Madura

Madura is an island off the coast of East Java.

Madura Halal Explorer

How is the Climate in Madura

This is a very dry and hot island, similar to arid eastern parts of Indonesia.

Tourism information

Madura Regency Tourism Board Office: Jalan dr Sutomo No 5, Sumenep, Madura. ☎ +62 328 667148, Tuesday - Sa, 7AM Monday - 3PM.

Local Language in Madura

The local language is Madurese, but standard Bahasa Indonesia is widely spoken. You will find a little bit of English spoken and understood at some of the hotels and amongst well educated younger people, but that's about it.

Travel to Madura

By plane

Trunojoyo Airport IATA Flight Code: SUP with Wings Air from Surabaya

By road

The Suramadu Bridge (Jembatan Suramadu) was completed in June 2009 after a rather tortured history of stop-start construction, lack of funding and industrial accidents. At 5.5 kilometers it is Indonesia's longest. It connects connects northern Surabaya in Java to Bangkalan in Madura. The road is free. It is perfectly feasible for visitors to cross to Madura independently using a vehicle or motorbike rented in Surabaya. However, you should tell the hire company that you intend to drive the vehicle to Madura.

By ferry

The classic way to get to Madura involves taking a public ferry from Tanjung Perak, north Surabaya, to Kamal which is 10 kilometers south of Bangkalan. Since the opening of the Suramadu Bridge, Muslim travellers are perhaps better off avoiding the ferry altogether, except when Suramadu suspension Bridge is closed for hours due to strong wind or person who carry big rugsack sometimes prefer to use ferry.

Privately-operated ferries have been withdrawn, and now only some of the government-subsidised ferries of Angkutan Sungai Dan Penyeberangan (ASDP) are operating. These have a limited timetable, departing daily from about 08:00 to 20:00. On January 1, 2015 ASDP increase the ticket and made more difficult to compete with Suramadu Bridge. The new tariff is: Rp 7,000 for person only, Rp 60,000 for vehicle and Rp 8,000 for motorcycle with the driver, and become Rp 22,000 if there are second person in the back seat.

For the adventurous and there is another ferry route into Madura from Jangkar in the Situbondo regency of north eastern Java. The crossing takes about 5 hours and the schedules are weather dependent and by no means certain. This ferry service arrives in Kalianget, about 10 kilometers south east of Sumenep in eastern Madura and it makes sense if you are coming from the Baluran National Park area.

Travel on a Bus in Madura

Buses from Bungurasih terminal in Surabaya and executive buses from Tangerang/Jakarta run frequently to Bangkalan/Sampang/Sumenep over the Suramadu bridge.

How to get around in Madura

Shuttle buses (locally called colts) ply the main south coast and north coast routes from the port at Kamal and the bridge exit point. They run all day from dawn until about 10PM.

What to see in Madura

Bukit Jaddih, located at Bangkalan area and the place is open place with some area acting as open pool. Originally its an lime hill excavation, but now a tourist area. Beware that some thugs also operating around these area, hence avoid this place after dark
Arosbaya, also located at Bangkalan area and the lime stone is redder than Bikut Jaddih, due to iron content and its more secluded with high cliff

Bull Racing - Kerapan Sapi - This is the most famous attraction in Madura. Every August and September towns and villages across Madura hold races and the winners compete for the Presidential Trophy in the grand finals in Pamekasan in late September. Races take place over a 100-metre course and are over in about 10 seconds. The jockey is usually a young boy who shows great control of the large bulls while balanced almost impossibly on a simple wooden sled. This is a major event in Madura and it is taken very seriously indeed with all sorts of intrigue surrounding the raising of champion bulls, use of mysterious herbal tonics and the harnessing of dark magic to cripple opponents. A very exotic and colourful affair.
The hills of Madura and marvel at the skill of local farmers who find a living here. Traditional crops you will see are corn, tobacco and cloves. A good area to head for is the central road which links Pagantenan (about 15 kilometers north of Pamekasan) and Gulukguluk (the centre of tobacco growing).

Sumenep Palace - Keraton Sumenep - This is the modern day office of the Bupati (administrative head of the regency) of Sumenep and also houses the Royal Carriage House Museum. The palace was built in 1762. Very notable are the huge original teak pillars. Lots to see here including palanquins, weapons, Chinese porcelain, wooden handicrafts and beautifully carved furniture. The single best place to get a real handle on Madurese cultural history.

Masjid Jamik Sumenep - Masjid Agung Sumenep is an 18th-century mosque with interesting architecture. Located near the Sumenep Palace.

Benteng VOC Kalimo'ok is a Dutch fort dating from 1785, about four kilometers from the town on the way to Kalianget. Poorly preserved, it is now used for animal husbandry.

The Sembilangan lighthouse was brought out in sections from Holland and assembled here. It is a fine structure. It is sometimes feasible to enter inside and climb up to the top for great views.

Camplong beach

Islands of Madura

Labak island -7.2035, 114.0464 Exotic small island in Sumenep regency

Kangean Islands - The Kangeans are an archipelago of about 30 islands 120 kilometers to east-north-east of Madura. These are relatively little known but with far better boat transport options than used to be the case and the islands are accessible for the adventurous traveller. The largest island is Kangean itself at about 490 sqkm. Others are as small as 1,800 sqm. The key attraction here is marine life and there is good snorkelling close to shore off many of the islands. As a general rule and the western coast lines here tend to be white sand while the eastern coasts are often covered with mangrove forest. Some Bali-based dive operators offer formal dive excursions to this archipelago, and there are irregular boats servicing the Kangeans from Sangsit nr Singaraja in North Bali. The only formal accommodation option in the island group is a fairly terrible government rest house (pasanggrahan) in Arjasa on main Kangean. As an alternative, you should also be able to find lodging with a family by approaching a local head of village (kepala desa). Both public ferries (ASDP) and private boats service Batu Guluk ,which is about 12 kilometers from Arjasa the capital of main Kangean. These leave from Kalianget just 6 kilometers south-east of Sumenep, and the crossing takes anything from 6 to 10 hours.

The north coast

The north coast road of Madura is very much worth driving and is quite unlike anywhere else in the region. It almost recalls dry Adriatic islands with shallow, crystal clear waters contrasting with the arid white stoned terrain. You can drive this road in either direction between Bangkalan and Sumenep. Fishing villages are scattered all along the north coast and you will see lots of attractive little outrigger boats called perahu. There are ancient royal tombs just to the north of both cities.

Air mata cemetery ancient graves of East Madura’s royal family

Lombang beach -6.9187, 114.0651
Slopeng beach -6.8858, 113.7924
Asta Tinggi Tombs is located on a hill 4 kilometers north of Sumenep on the road to the villages of Manding and Dasok. It was built in 1644 as a royal cemetery. Do note that visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering the cemetery complex.

Air Terjun Toroan

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Madura

Snorkel off the north coast or in glorious isolation on the Kangean Islands.
Pick mangoes. During the right season you will find hundreds of mangoes under the trees. They are great. Enjoy them.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Madura

Madura is famous for its batik of deep blue, red and Gold. You will find outlets in Sumenep (especially) and Bangkalan.
Jamu Madura. Traditional herbal aphrodisiacs for men and women. Many streetside outlets, you cannot miss them.

Halal Restaurants in Madura

Simple Halal warungs and street-side vendors are the go in Madura. Whether you are looking for a seated restaurant or happy with street stalls and the key is to follow the local crowds.

The Madura-style satay is probably the most popular satay variant in Indonesia. Madurese dishes are often saltier than other East Javanese foods. Specialities include:

Soto MaduraA spicy beef soup with Rice.
Sate ayam Madura (Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce)
Satay Madura (a spicy goat satay). You may hear of dog or other substitutions being made instead of the normal goat Meat.
Rujak is made by mixing vegetables such as cucumber, green peanuts with peanut Sauces and cassava chips. For people living on Java, it's simply "Indonesian salad".

Sumenep probably has the best selection of Halal warungs and simple restaurants on the island.

Kaldu Kokot - A soup or broth - A thick beef soup with beef bones cooked together with green peanuts. It is served with "lontong", a white steamed Rice wrapped by banana leaf, it is normally quite spicy.

Bebek Songkem Pak Salim restaurant famous for its Bebek goreng (fried duck).

Drink Water and plenty of it. This is a harsh, hot and dry climate.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Madura

Madura - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Madura, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Madura. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Madura and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Madura. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Madura. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMadura: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Madura.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Madura: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Madura, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Madura.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Madura, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Madura, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Madura and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Madura, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Madura, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Madura without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Madura is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Madura.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Madura is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Madura, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Madura Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Madura

Bangkalan

Ningrat - Probably was the best hotel on the island but that is a relative statement(!). The air con "VIP" rooms are much nicer and decorated in traditional bright Madurese colours.

Melati Hotel - A rather shabby place but it is cheaper than the Ningrat and used by budget travellers for that reason alone.

Pamekasan

Garuda Hotel - A converted old colonial building and the rooms are very large. A charming property in its own way and one of the better options on the whole island.

Gatra Hotel - A newer hotel built in the mid 1990s with a good restaurant and helpful staff.

Sampang

Hotel Rahmat - Decent, clean property with a range of room and prices all with private bathrooms. Fan coooled rooms are much cheaper than the large air con rooms.

PKPN Hotel - Probably the best known hotel in Sampang but it is tired. In a good convenient location and efficiently run though.

Sumenep

Baitul Kamul Hotel - Probably the best option for visitors to Sumenep. Friendly and helpful staff.

Safari Hotel - A bit more spacious than other hotel options here and just out of the town centre.

Wijaya I - The preferred hotel of business visitors and for that reason it is clean and efficient.

Mitra Land Hotel - Good value for money except it is two kilometers south of the Sumenep town centre. Near pick-up and drop-off point for out-of-town buses.

Local Customs in Madura

If you make an effort to understand and respect the Madurese, you will find them welcoming and people with a finely developed sense of humour.

Telecommunications in Madura

The island of Madura has four telephone area codes.

Bangkalan 031 (same as Surabaya)
Pamekasan 0324
Sampang 0323
Sumenep 0328

News & References Madura

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Madura

Back to Surabaya and access to the main areas of interest in the East Java region.
A really adventurous option is to travel 6-10 hours by boat to the Kangean Islands, with the hope of passage from there to North Bali.