The perfect daytrip destination for those spending time in the city of Pontianak, the quiet town of Sambas is a good place to take a break.
Most visitors to this region of Indonesia spare Sambas little more than a passing glance as it has little to offer tourists aside from the chance to take a break from traveling and a new place to explore. There are few real attractions here although the Sultanate’s palace does make an interesting diversion.
However, there are plenty of places to stay in the town, with various prices to suit all budgets. Sambas is well known for its traditional home cooking, and this is a good place to find a decent meal, whether you want to eat cheaply at the local market place or dine in style at lone of the town’s lavish restaurants.
Getting There & Away
The best way to get to Sambas is from Pontianak, where there is an airport with regular flights to Jakarta (2 hours) and Kuching (1 hour). There is a regular bus service connecting Pontianak with Sambas (1 hour) and buses also run to Sambas from places such as Kuching.
Things to Do
Sambas Attractions
- Sultan’s Palace
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The former residence of the sultanate of sambas, this magnificent building contains many weird and wonderful artifacts, including gifts presented to the sultanate by visiting dignitaries.