Indonesia · 2026 itinerary
Tanjungpinang 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Tanjungpinang: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Two long wooden jetties lined with stilt houses, small shops, and seafood eateries. A working waterfront with ferries and fishing boats.
🕐 Public access anytime; shops open 7am-6pm
Free entry💡 Walk the entire length of Pelantar II before 10am to see fresh fish auctions. Try the fried banana sold from boats—5,000 IDR per skewer.
Hotels near Pelantar I and II →A small public park near the waterfront, named after a local poet. Benches under big trees, a children's play area, and a simple walking path along the sea.
🕐 Open 24 hours
Free entry💡 Best visited at sunset when locals gather and food carts appear nearby. Keep an eye on kids near the open seawall.
Hotels near Taman Gurindam →Takadeli Cake Shop · ££
Sup Tulang Pak Jenggot · ££
Deeper Into Tanjungpinang
A modest maritime museum housed in a colonial building. Exhibits on fishing nets, boat models, and old shipping charts.
🕐 Monday to Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday
💡 Donation-only entry. Ask the caretaker to open the back room—it holds a dusty but interesting collection of old anchors.
A Chinese Buddhist temple complex with ornate statues and a large prayer hall. Dedicated to the bodhisattva of hell beings.
🕐 Daily 7am-6pm
💡 The back courtyard has a small koi pond and meditation benches. On Chinese festival days, free vegetarian snacks are offered.
Ayam Penyet Ria
RM. Selera
Final Favourites & Departure
A historic sultan's island with the grand Sultan Riau Grand Mosque and old royal tombs. Ferries from Tanjungpinang cost about 10,000 IDR each way.
💡 Go early morning to avoid the heat. Climb the spiral stairs of the mosque for a clear view of the straits.
Food point puja sera
Bakso Idola
Getting Around Tanjungpinang
Ojek drivers cluster near the Comforta entrance. Negotiate upfront: a 3km hop should be 10,000–15,000 IDR. Helmets are mandatory – check they provide one. Not for luggage, but great for weaving through Tanjungpinang’s traffic. Haggle in Malay if you can.
Grab is usually cheaper than street taxis but coverage is patchy – reliable in town, less so near the port. The Comforta is on a main road, so pickups are easy. Pay with cash or app. Avoid Gojek; it’s scooters only and not practical for luggage.
The bus is a minibus, not a full-sized coach. Flag it down anywhere along the main road – it stops on request. Comforta is on the route, but the bus can be packed. Pay the conductor exactly 5,000 IDR. No app tracking; just listen for announcements.
Negotiate before getting in. Fixed-price coupons are available from the desk inside the arrivals hall – buy one to avoid haggling. The Comforta is on Jalan A. Yani, roughly 12 km from the airport. If you arrive late, consider Grab instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Tanjungpinang?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Pelantar I and II and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Tanjungpinang?
See our full best time to visit Tanjungpinang guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Pelangi Hotel, Alltrue Hotel, Hotel Citra. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.