Things to Do in Batam: The Best Experiences Across the Island

The best things to do in Batam are the Barelang bridges and Galang for a day out, a seafood dinner over the water, the island's temples and mosques, and its malls and spas for an easy afternoon. Add an island-hopping trip if you have a long weekend. Here are the highlights by mood.

Landmarks and day trips

1. Drive the Barelang bridges

A chain of six bridges linking Batam with Rempang and Galang. The first, Tengku Fisabilillah, is a 642m cable-stayed bridge and Batam's signature view. The full chain is about 50km. Our Barelang day-trip guide has the plan.

2. Visit Galang's former refugee camp

From 1979 to 1996 a UNHCR-run camp on Galang sheltered Vietnamese refugees. Today it has a museum, refugee boats, a church, a pagoda and a cemetery. It is moving and unlike anywhere else near Singapore.

3. Photograph the "Welcome to Batam" sign

A hilltop landmark with large letters and city views, listed by Grab among Batam's top attractions.

Temples, mosques and heritage

4. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya

One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, set across about 4.5 hectares with prayer halls, koi ponds and a vegetarian canteen. Entry is free, according to Things To Do In Batam. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes in the prayer hall.

5. Tua Pek Kong Temple

Described by Grab as the oldest Chinese temple on Batam, with dragon-adorned rooftops. It is an active place of worship that welcomes visitors.

6. Masjid Sultan Mahmud Riayat Syah

Opened in 2019, this is one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, with a 99-metre tower and umbrella canopies reminiscent of Masjid Nabawi.

7. Masjid Muhammad Cheng Ho

A red Chinese-style mosque in Bengkong, opened in 2015, with no conventional dome. See our halal food guide for more on mosques.

Food experiences

8. Seafood over the water

Batam's classic night out. Try Golden Prawn 933 in Bengkong, Kelong Baba in Tiban with views towards Singapore, or Love Seafood Piayu in Nongsa, with seating over the water.

9. Eat gonggong

The Riau Islands' signature sea snail, boiled and dipped in sambal. See what to eat in Batam.

10. A local breakfast run

Mie tarempa, luti gendang and kopi in Nagoya or Sekupang. Go early; popular spots get busy.

Shopping and city time

11. Nagoya Hill and the downtown malls

Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is the largest in the Nagoya district. Nearby Grand Batam Mall has international brands and the KidZilla play zone; BCS Mall has a bowling alley.

12. Mega Mall and One Batam Mall

Mega Mall connects to Batam Centre ferry terminal by bridge. One Batam Mall on Jalan Engku Putri is described as the largest shopping centre in the Riau Islands, according to BatamFast.

13. A spa afternoon

If you want a massage, ask your hotel to recommend a reputable spa, and agree the treatment and price in advance.

Islands and the coast

14. Island hopping south of Batam

Grab lists Pulau Abang, known for clear water and coral reefs, and Ranoh Island, with a white-sand beach, snorkelling, kayaking and glamping. Ranoh is reached by a short boat ride and is usually booked as a package. Check what is included before you pay.

15. A Nongsa resort day

Turi Beach Resort offers water sports such as wakeboarding, jet skiing and parasailing through its Cabana Club, according to the resort. Ask about day-use if you are not staying.

Family favourites

• Ocarina in Bengkong: fun-fair rides, a Ferris wheel and waterfront space.
• The ILLusion Batam: 28 rooms of optical-illusion art.
• Panbil Nature Reserve: animal feeding and bird zones.

See Batam with kids for details.

By interest

• Architecture and photography: Barelang's first bridge, the Sultan Mahmud Riayat Syah mosque and the Cheng Ho mosque.
• History: the Galang refugee camp museum.
• Food: gonggong, a seafood dinner over the water and a breakfast noodle run.
• Relaxation: a Nongsa resort day and a spa afternoon.
• Shopping: Nagoya Hill, Grand Batam Mall, Mega Mall and One Batam Mall.
• Families: Ocarina, The ILLusion and Panbil Nature Reserve.

Rainy-day options

Keep these indoor options in your back pocket:

• Grand Batam Mall's Fun World and KidZilla, or Mega Mall's Timezone and indoor playground
• The ILLusion's 28 rooms of 3D art
• A cinema: CGV has screens at Grand Batam Mall and Park Avenue Mall, and K-Square has a Cinépolis cinema
• A long lunch and a massage

Best sunset spots

• The first Barelang bridge, Tengku Fisabilillah, a favourite at dusk.
• Kelong Baba in Tiban, with views towards Singapore over dinner.
• Ocarina, on the waterfront, where Grab notes views of the Singapore skyline.

Planning tips

• Group by area. Batam is spread out: do Barelang and Galang together, Nagoya and Bengkong together, Nongsa on its own.
• Use a driver for the south. Apps are fine in town; Barelang is easier with a car on hand.
• Start early. Mornings are cooler and quieter.
• Check hours and fees on the day. Opening times change, and we only list prices we can verify.
• Mind the ferry. Leave a buffer before your sailing home; see our ferry guide.

Getting there

Most visitors arrive by fast ferry from Singapore's HarbourFront or Tanah Merah terminals, or from Johor's Stulang Laut and Puteri Harbour. Malaysians in the Klang Valley can fly direct from Kuala Lumpur. See our ferry guide and Malaysia to Batam guide.

A perfect weekend in three lines

• Saturday: arrive at Harbour Bay, lunch in Nagoya, spa, seafood dinner.
• Sunday morning: Barelang bridges and Galang with a driver.
• Sunday afternoon: layer cakes and snacks, then the ferry home.

Our weekend guide puts it all together.