Batam · Riau Islands · Indonesia
Seafood by the water, quiet island resorts and the places locals love.
A short ferry ride from Singapore and Johor.
870
places mapped
312
places to eat
193
places to stay
15
in-depth guides
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Editors' shortlist
Hand-picked by our editors. Start somewhere a little different.
Worth the FerryLandmark · Barelang
A chain of six bridges linking Batam, Rempang and Galang, Barelang is the island's signature landmark and the gateway to its quieter southern islands. Most visitors pair the photo stop with a seafood lunch further along the route.
Hidden GemHeritage site · Barelang
From 1979 to 1996 this camp on Galang Island sheltered roughly 250,000 refugees. Today visitors walk among a cemetery, an unfinished church, a museum of camp artefacts and a replica of a refugee boat, all managed by the Batam Authority.
Worth the FerrySeafood · Bengkong
A long-running seafood restaurant built over the water in Bengkong, and a regular stop for visitors from Singapore and Malaysia. Diners come for crab and prawns cooked several ways, priced at market rates.
Signature collection
Hidden Gem is an editorial call, not a review count. Somewhere that rewards the effort of getting there — and that most visitors walk straight past.
See the collectionHidden GemHeritage site · Barelang
From 1979 to 1996 this camp on Galang Island sheltered roughly 250,000 refugees. Today visitors walk among a cemetery, an unfinished church, a museum of camp artefacts and a replica of a refugee boat, all managed by the Batam Authority.
Hidden GemMosque · Bengkong
This mosque honours Admiral Cheng Ho, the Muslim explorer. Its red, gold and green design blends traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic details.
Hidden GemMosque · Nagoya
A modern mosque and community centre in the Nagoya shopping district, with a library and a halal cafe. Its 'Sky View Point' minaret gives a 360-degree view of the Batam skyline.
Signature collection
The places we'd cross the strait for, from Singapore or Johor. Not the closest, not the cheapest: the ones that make the trip.
See the collectionWorth the FerryLandmark · Barelang
A chain of six bridges linking Batam, Rempang and Galang, Barelang is the island's signature landmark and the gateway to its quieter southern islands. Most visitors pair the photo stop with a seafood lunch further along the route.
Hidden GemHeritage site · Barelang
From 1979 to 1996 this camp on Galang Island sheltered roughly 250,000 refugees. Today visitors walk among a cemetery, an unfinished church, a museum of camp artefacts and a replica of a refugee boat, all managed by the Batam Authority.
Worth the FerrySeafood · Bengkong
A long-running seafood restaurant built over the water in Bengkong, and a regular stop for visitors from Singapore and Malaysia. Diners come for crab and prawns cooked several ways, priced at market rates.
2D1N · First time in Batam
48 Hours in Batam
Itineraries
Plans built around how Batam actually works — save one, reorder it, share it.
Batam Centre or Harbour Bay are the easiest terminals for the city.
Something local and unhurried near the terminal.
Shophouse streets, markets and malls.
Drop bags and cool off.
Book ahead on weekends.
Waterfront tables fill up fast — arrive early.
End the day by the water.
Explore by neighbourhood
The old downtown: markets, malls and late-night food.
Waterfront dining steps from the ferry.
Ferry gateway, malls and the city's civic heart.
Quiet coast, resorts and mangroves in the north-east.
The west side, facing the Singapore Strait.
Bridges, islands and long drives south.
Neighbourhood food where locals actually eat.
Eat
Seafood by the water, suppers on plastic stools, and the dishes Batam does best.
Worth the FerrySeafood · Bengkong
A long-running seafood restaurant built over the water in Bengkong, and a regular stop for visitors from Singapore and Malaysia. Diners come for crab and prawns cooked several ways, priced at market rates.
Seafood · Harbour Bay
A waterfront seafood restaurant on the Harbour Bay promenade, with sea views and live entertainment in the evenings. It is close to the Harbour Bay ferry terminal.
Seafood · Batam Centre
A seafood restaurant in Batam Centre known for chilli crab and salted-egg prawns at modest prices.
Seafood · Barelang
A seafood restaurant on the Trans Barelang road near the bridge, where fresh seafood is sold by weight. It is the natural lunch stop on a Barelang drive.
Stay
From waterfront hotels steps from the ferry to slow resort weekends in Nongsa.
Worth the FerryResort · Nongsa
A beachfront villa resort on the Singapore Strait with nine room types, from pool studios for two to five-bedroom residences. It also has a wellness village and water sports.
Resort · Nongsa
A garden resort on a white-sand stretch of the Nongsa coast, with a water-sports club, a spa and a bar for sunset. It is about a five-minute drive from Nongsapura Ferry Terminal.
Resort · Nongsa
A Mediterranean-style resort built around a natural cove and a working marina, with rooms and chalets, a pool, a spa and water activities.
Family PickResort · Sekupang
An IHG resort at Waterfront City on the west coast, with a pool, a spa, several restaurants and family-friendly facilities.
Just arrived?
Pick where you land and see what's close. Always check your operator for live schedules.
Batam Centre
The busiest terminal, next to the city's main malls and offices.
What's nearbyHarbour Bay
Right on the waterfront — dinner is a short walk from the gangway.
What's nearbySekupang
On the west coast, a quieter arrival point.
What's nearbyNongsa
Closest to the Nongsa resorts and golf courses.
What's nearbyGuides
Practical, honest guides for travellers from Singapore, Malaysia and beyond.
Trip inspiration
New places, honest guides and weekend ideas — follow along and be the first to know.
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