Sumenep Travel Guide

Sumenep is a small town and regency on the East Javan island of Madura. It is a good looking town with plenty of history and culture and also boasts nearby beaches.

Worth It?
Not really, unless you're already on Madura Island.
What to Do
swimming on the nearby beaches, seeing Fort Sumenep.
Best Time to Go
April through to October for the best weather.
How Long?
A couple of days in Sumenep are fine.
Trivia
Sumenep town shares its name with the regency, Sumenep Regency.

Lombang and Slopeng beaches are the main attraction in Sumenep Regency for many visitors. Both beaches are very pretty, as well as being large, quiet and supremely clean. They are, however, a fair way from the town of Sumenep itself.

The main attraction in Sumenep for history buffs is Sumenep Fort. It is a Dutch fort built in the 18th century, at the time that most forts were going up in Java. The fort was pretty big, measuring 150m by 100m and featuring four large bastions. Sumenep Fort also had many large cannons. The perimeter wall, two gateways, and a jail house remain.

The Dutch fort is located in Kalimook village, a few kilometers out of town and seven kilometers from Sumenep palace. Other reasons for visiting Sumenep are the museum, bull racing, and mask dancing.

Travel to Sumenep - Getting There

The best way to Sumenep is to ferry it across from Surabaya to Madura Island, (30 to 40 minutes), from where buses run from the port to Sumenep in about 4 hours. Ferries also run from Jangkar Port in Situbondo to Sumenep when coming from Bali. Surabaya-Juanda Airport is the closest major airport at 150kms away and receives flights from all over the region.

Sumenep Things to Do

Sumenep Attractions

Fort Sumenep
the main sight near to Sumenep is a large structure that was built by the Dutch in 1785.

Side trips from Sumenep

Lombang and Slopeng beaches
two substantial beaches within reach of Sumenep - Lombang being the largest and cleanest.

Events

Madura Bull Racing
a fun traditional festival in Sumenep and the rest of Madura in August and September, where jockeys race bulls.
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