Where to stay in Malang 2024 - 4 best areas
In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Malang.
To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.
Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:
Where to stay in Malang first time?
Where to stay in Malang for nightlife?
Where to stay in Malang with family?
Where to stay in Malang to visit Mount Bromo?
Where to stay in Malang on a budget?
You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.
This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.
Enjoy!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Malang first time
| Name of the area in Malang | Description of the recommended area |
|---|---|
.... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This is the heart of the city where you have access to not only several historical sites but also modern amenities. It’s the ideal area for first-time visitors who prioritize convenience. You don’t have to travel much to have access to attractions, shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. *You can click on the purple link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area. |
.. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Batu is a popular tourist destination near Malang that’s known for its cooler climate and natural attractions, including Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, and the Coban Rondo Waterfall. It’s particularly suitable for families and you can find several family-friendly resorts here. |
. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. | Sukun is a quieter version of Klojen and is ideal for the budget-conscious traveler. Not only are accommodations affordable, but the local eateries here serve delicious food for a bargain too. It’s the ideal area for those seeking a more authentic and local experience. Just keep in mind that Klojen is more convenient and modern. |
... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Lowokwaru is an area that’s home to several educational institutions, which means it’s a youthful area full of student activities. It’s a good option to stay when you’re a younger traveler, to meet like-minded people, and to have good access to Klojen, the heart of the city. |
Where to stay in Malang first time
The best areas to stay in Malang first time are Klojen, Batu, Sukun, and Lowokwaru.
For the majority of tourists, Klojen is the ideal area when visiting Malang as this is the heart of the city where you can find most of the attractions, restaurants, shops, and cafes.
There are three somewhat alternative areas that are worth considering staying at.
The first one is Batu, which is a popular tourist destination just outside Malang and is known for its cooler climate and natural attractions.
Especially families tend to stay in this area.
Sukun is a quieter version of Klojen that is ideal for the budget-minded traveler and is known for its great variety of local eateries.
Lastly, younger travelers should consider staying at Lowokwaru, which is located near the heart of the city and an area that’s known for its educational institutions.
Where to stay in Malang for nightlife?
The best area to stay in Malang for nightlife is Klojen.
Klojen is the heart of the city and, while Malang’s nightlife scene is not extensive at all, it does offer a range of bars dotted over the area.
Where to stay in Malang with family?
The best areas to stay in Malang with family are Batu and Klojen.
Batu is a popular area just outside of Malang that’s known for its cooler climate and natural attractions.
Many resorts and hotels are family-orientated and many families tend to stay here.
If you prioritize convenience, though, Klojen is a better option as this is the heart of Malang.
It’s incredibly easy to visit the (local) attractions, shops, restaurants, and cafes of the city from here, as well as book tours through travel agencies.
Where to stay in Malang to visit Mount Bromo?
The best area to stay in Malang to visit Mount Bromo is Klojen.
Klojen is the most convenient area in the first place, but also a hub for travel agencies who offer you trips to Mount Bromo.
It’s also possible to arrange a tour where you will be dropped off at your next destination, even if that’s the ferry to Bali.
With that being said, you can also easily arrange that at places like Batu, a popular tourist destination near Malang,
Where to stay in Malang on a budget
The best areas to stay in Malang on a budget are Sukun and Lowokwaru.
These two areas are known for being budget-friendly.
Sukun is the quieter version of Klojen where you can find an abundance of affordable food and accommodation options.
Lowokwaru is known for its educational institutions, meaning that it mainly caters to students who usually don’t have a large budget.
With that being said, Malang can be considered in the first place.
You can find many affordable accommodation options in Klojen, the heart of the city.
1. Klojen
In my opinion, Klojen is the best area to stay in Malang when visiting the city for the first time.
It’s the heart of the city and because of that, you’re well-connected to other parts of the city and its attractions.
Alun-Alun Malang (Malang City Square), the Malang City Hall, and the iconic Ijen Boulevard with its beautiful colonial architecture are just a few examples of these highlights that are within easy reach.
The area is also dotted with hotels in all budget classes, making it an area for all types of travelers.
Although nightlife is not extensive in Malang, most of the bars and restaurants are concentrated here, meaning that you can have a wonderful evening too after a day of sightseeing.
Those who plan to visit Mount Bromo can easily arrange a tour via one of the many agencies located in the city center.
Compared to the other areas, Klojen is by far the most convenient area, with many modern amenities (pharmacies, ATMs, banks, convenience stores, etc.), things to do, and shopping malls to stock up.
Now, is there anything not to like about this area?
First of all, it’s also the busiest part of the city with plenty of noise, tourist density, and traffic congestion.
Secondly, being the heart of the city, expect an urban environment.
Families for example, often opt for Batu, a popular tourist destination near Malang that’s known for its natural attractions.
Lastly, although Malang is generally a budget-friendly destination, Klojen offers higher prices compared to budget-friendly areas like Sukun and Lowokwaru.
But as you can see, these are minor flaws, and for more first-time visitors, there is no better and more convenient area than Klojen
Some of the best hotels to stay in Malang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Batu
Batu is an area just outside of Malang and is quite a popular tourist destination.
As you’re surrounded by mountains and beautiful greenery, you can enjoy stunning views of this part of Java.
It also has a much cooler climate, making it the ideal area to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
The area is known for its outdoor activities, with opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring nature.
Mount Panderman and Coban Rondo Waterfall are two examples of great natural attractions.
Batu Night Spectacular is a nighttime amusement park that offers a variety of rides, games, and light shows.
The famous Jatim Park complexes (Jatim Park 1, 2, and 3) are also an attraction that is worth visiting
Combining all of this you understand why so many families choose to stay in this part of Malang.
Is there anything not to like about Batu?
The main drawback is that you have to travel about 20 kilometers in order to reach Malang’s city center.
Also, younger travelers tend to stay near the city center as the nightlife scene takes place there.
But if you’re traveling with kids, then definitely consider staying in Batu!
Some of the best hotels to stay in Malang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Sukun
Sukun is the ideal area to stay in Malang when you’re traveling on a budget or when you’re looking for an authentic experience.
Now, I’m not going to say that you won’t find something affordable or authentic in the city center (Klojen), but Sukun feels far more like an off-the-beaten-path area compared to the heart of the city.
The local markets that you can find here are a great example of this local experience I’m talking about.
Sukun is just a short drive from Malang’s city center, so it’s more convenient than the previously recommended area.
You can find many great local eateries in this area too, making it a great spot for foodies and those who want to taste authentic, Javanese cuisine.
But here is the catch.
Sukun is not as convenient as Klojen, the heart of the city.
There is a very good reason why most tourists tend to stay in Klojen.
And when it comes to affordable accommodation options, Klojen offers plenty of hostels and guesthouses too.
If you prioritize a local experience and more authenticity over convenience, then Sukun is the area you’re looking for.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Malang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Lowokwaru
The last area that I recommend is Lowokwaru.
This area is home to several major educational institutions, including Brawijaya University and Malang State University.
Automatically, it caters mostly to students and this comes with a few benefits for certain travelers.
First of all, the area is well-connected by public transport and you can easily reach the city center from here (which is not far from Lowokwaru).
Secondly, the area is quite an affordable area, with budget-friendly restaurants, cafes, and even bars dotted over the place.
Lastly, the area has a certain community feel.
It’s quite easy to meet like-minded people here.
To be clear, this area is located close to the city center, so for sightseeing purposes, it’s a really good area.
It just doesn’t make much sense to stay here when you’re not a younger traveler.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Malang in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.