15 Best Places to Visit in Sumatra (Indonesia)

As part of the Sunda Islands, Sumatra is located in western Indonesia. Sumatra, which is made up of several separate provinces, is frequently less frequented by tourists than other of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations, such as Bali or Lombok. Sumatra, which is covered in stunning primary rainforest and home to Sumatran tigers, elephants, and orangutans, offers an entirely different aspect of this large and amazing country. One of Sumatra’s main draws is the variety of experiences it provides tourists. You can visit major cities like Medan or Banda Aceh, unwind on soft sand beaches, or go trekking in some of Indonesia’s most well-known national parks. Sumatra doesn’t fall short when it comes to having a distinctive culture; for example, you can visit Lake Toba to learn about the Batak way of life or Padang to meet the Minangkabau people, who live in a matriarchal society. You can immerse yourself in traditional Indonesian life and culture everywhere you go in Sumatra since there are warm places that are off the beaten tourist path. Here are the top 15 destinations in Sumatra…

Nias

Unfortunately, Bali has taken over as the surfing capital of Indonesia. However, if you’re in Sumatra and in search of waves, head to the island of Nias. You can find a less crowded version of Bali here, and it’s easy to rent surf or diving gear to explore the water around the island. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, be sure to check out this incredible display of athleticism, as the locals of the area are required to clear a high stone in a single jump.

Medan

North Sumatra’s provincial capital, Medan, is the third-largest city in Indonesia. Unfortunately, Medan is frequently only utilized as a gateway for travelers heading to other parts of Sumatra, but skipping a trip to Medan is a mistake. This huge city is the culinary center of Indonesia. You can spend a whole day here eating delicious local dishes like Soto Medan and Nasi Padang. There are also some outstanding cultural sites in this area, such as Istana Maimun, the Sultan’s residence, where you can learn about the history of the royal family and even dress up and take pictures in the elaborate throne chamber. Other places to visit are Mesjid Raya, the magnificent mosque, and the magnificent Tjong A Fie Mansion.

Bukittinggi

The biggest draw to Bukittinggi, which is located in western Sumatra, is the breathtaking environment that surrounds it. The main draw in this area is Lake Maninjau, which is ringed by lush farmland and shimmers with rich emerald waters. This region is home to the Minangkabau people, known for its beautiful architecture. Many of the residences are designed to resemble a buffalo’s horns, so in addition to the river views, you can see them here.

Lake Toba

The most popular tourist destination in Sumatra is without a doubt Lake Toba, which is about a 5-hour drive from Medan. The lake, which is the largest crater lake of its kind in the world, is famous for being the product of a powerful volcanic eruption or, according to local lore, the wish of a magic fish. Regardless of the truth, the lake in the crater of a long-extinct volcano is one of the most beautiful places in all of Indonesia, and you can rent a boat or go swimming to cool off. Visit a cultural community on Samosir’s main island to learn about traditional handicrafts like weaving and see some amazing old-style wooden Batak homes. You can easily get around the Lake Toba area by car or motorcycle, and if you go up into the mountains, you’ll find hot springs and cute villages all over the beautiful landscape.

Bukit Lawang

A little settlement on the fringes of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Bukit Lawang is another of Sumatra’s top tourist destinations. This tract of protected jungle, which runs from Sumatra up into Aceh Province, is home to a wide variety of native vegetation and species. The biggest draw for visitors to this area is the orangutans that call this place home. You may visit their feeding platform twice daily to observe them swinging through the trees in search of bananas. Trekking is a popular activity in this region, and you have the option of going on day walks or longer treks that allow you to stay in the middle of the jungle. You can choose to go tubing down the river that flows through the forest if you don’t feel like making the downward hike back to Bukit Lawang.

Berastagi

Even though it is only a short distance from Medan, the town of Berastagi is located at a higher elevation and has a totally different atmosphere. One of the joys of a trip to Berastagi is to visit one of the fruit farms and select your own fruit, fresh from the trees. Many of the fruits and vegetables that are shipped to Medan are cultivated here. The Karo people call this place home, and you can explore the community’s culture and marvel at the stunning Karo buildings.

Batusangkar

One of the most significant locations in Sumatra’s culture is known on the home market as Batusangkar, which translates to “stone cage” in Indonesian. In the Tanah Datar Regency in the west of Sumatra, Batusangkar is home to a number of historical landmarks, including Fort van der Capellen, a former Dutch outpost. A traditional celebration called pacu jawi, which is essentially cow racing in the muddy fields outside of the city, is one of the most well-known in Batusangkar. If you are here at the right moment, you should not miss this wonderful experience where jockeys grasp onto a set of reins tied to the cow and skate over the fields on top of the mud. It is recommended to check locally to find out when the next competition will be held because the calendar varies from year to year.

Gunung Sibayak

Even though Gunung Sibayak is a dormant volcano, it is one of the easier ones to climb if you are nearby. It is one of several volcanoes in Sumatra. Located close to the town of Berastagi, Gunung Sibayak still has gas and smoke erupting from the crater from time to time, and you will also find some soothing hot springs on the side of the volcano that are said to have medicinal properties thanks to the volcanic minerals found within. Depending on your level of fitness, the seven-kilometer trek to the summit of Gunung Sibayak should take you about three hours. Even though it’s not required, a guide is a good idea, especially if you haven’t hiked before.

Belitung

The larger Bangka-Belitung Islands include the island of Belitung, which is located in the Java Sea off the east coast of Sumatra. Tanjung Tinggi Beach and Tanjung Kelayang Beach are two of the key beaches that should not be overlooked. Another major draw is the opportunity to explore the coves and islets. Cobalt blue oceans, sandy beaches, and a variety of rugged granite rock formations that soar out of the water may all be expected on a trip here. Snorkeling, swimming, and picturesque boat rides are among the popular activities here.

Banda Aceh

The capital of Aceh Province, Banda Aceh, is perhaps best known for the terrible tsunami that struck the city in 2004. But now that much of the city has been rebuilt, you can learn more about the catastrophe by visiting places like the Tsunami Museum. One of the most beautiful religious buildings in Indonesia is the Grand Mosque in Aceh. Other highlights of the city include a large ship that washed ashore and is now a permanent museum, which is a chilling reminder of the tsunami. Make sure to stop by Aceh’s most well-known coffee shop, Warung Kopi Solong, to enjoy a cup since it is also well-known throughout the nation for its coffee.

Mentawai Islands

If you like to surf, you have to go to the Mentawai Islands, which are a group of more than 70 small islands off the coast of Padang in West Sumatra. People who know what they’re doing usually go to Bali first, then to the Mentawais for the rest of the surf season, because the Mentawais are said to have some of the best surfing conditions in Indonesia. Swimming, water sports, and trekking are other activities you can enjoy on the Mentawai Islands because many of the islands are covered in undeveloped rainforest.

Weh Island

It makes sense to stop at Weh Island, which is located right off the shore, if you are traveling up into Aceh Province. Weh Island in Sumatra is a bit of a well-kept secret. It has miles of beautiful sand and some of the cleanest water in the area, which makes it a great place to go diving or snorkeling. You will find a good range of guesthouses here as well as some beachside cafes that are the perfect spot to watch the sunset, and you can also easily hire surfing or diving equipment here.

Palembang

Palembang has a long and interesting history. It is the provincial capital of South Sumatra and one of the oldest cities in Indonesia. It sits in a picturesque location on the magnificent Musi River and would have served as the strategic hub of the vast Srivijaya Kingdom in earlier times. Due to the abundance of tiny boats that double as restaurants along the coastline, this river is actually one of the primary attractions in Palembang. On these boats, you can eat delicious regional dishes while looking at the water.

Lampung

Lampung Province doesn’t get many tourists from other countries because it is one of the best-kept secrets in the area. If you make the trip to Kiluan, where Pasir Putih Beach—which translates to “White Sands Beach” in Indonesian—is located, you may even go dolphin spotting and take in the beauty of the beautiful animals that swim in these waters. Lampung’s Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is another place you can go hiking and see a wide range of native plants and animals. Since the Sumatran rainforests are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best things about a trip to this part of Indonesia is that you can enjoy the natural scenery.

Padang

Even though Padang in West Sumatra is a popular destination for domestic tourists, few foreign visitors ever make it there. Since this is the birthplace of Nasi Padang, possibly the most well-known regional cuisine in Indonesia, many Indonesians come here for the meal. There is no better venue to enjoy nasi Padang, which is rice served with a variety of curries and side dishes, than the location where it was first invented. You will need to spend the night in Padang if you want to continue on to the Mentawai Islands to go surfing, and it is well worth stopping by for a day or two to explore the city’s restaurants before continuing.