Top 10 Must Visit Places in Sumatra

The island of Sumatra, located west of Java, is home to rich landscapes, blustering volcanoes, and unique culture. It is fascinating, if under-visited, to stop on the tourist trail. The tourism infrastructure is more basic in Sumatra than in other areas. Still, a trip across this diverse island is a rewarding experience for those who make the journey. Some of the highlights include tropical islands, limpid crater lakes, enchanting wildlife, and bustling cities, to name but a few.

Here we look at the Top 10 Places to Visit in Sumatra.

Mentawai Islands

Just off the coast of West Sumatra lie a cluster of volcanic islands that make up the Mentawai Islands, a hidden gem perfect for those who want some surf and sand firmly off the beaten track. Travel here is not too arduous if you take a ferry from Padang to the largest of the islands, Siberut, and from there, you can venture on to smaller islands that boast better surf breaks, like Pulau Sipora.

Medan

The largest city in Sumatra, Medan, is often maligned as a tourist spot and only used as an entry and exit point for the nearby Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang, although to miss Medan altogether is to miss a trick. Internationally it may not be well known, but within Indonesia, it is considered one of the country’s premium foodie destinations, particularly in neighboring Java, and visitors flock here to eat and drink their way around the city. If you are using Medan as your main entry point to other things in Indonesia, then at least try to sample some of its culinary delights before you leave, such as Soto Medan, a spicy coconut milk-based soup often eaten for breakfast, and Mie Aceh, curried fried noodles.

Lake Toba

As you move around North Sumatra, one of the premium attractions here is Lake Toba, which has the claim to fame of being the largest crater lake in the world, having been formed by a massive eruption of a now dormant volcano, or, if you believe the local legend, by a magic fish. Lake Toba is known for being the home of the Batak, one of the main indigenous groups in Sumatra, and the tombs of Batak kings of old and traditional Batak-style houses can all be visited at Lake Toba.

Padang

Padang is yet another place in Sumatra that is raved about by domestic travelers and largely ignored by international tourists. One of the main reasons foreign tourists go to Padang is to move on to other places like the Mentawai Islands, and so the city has a wide range of accommodation options and facilities, but the biggest draw here is the food. Widely touted as the best food in the whole of Indonesia (a lofty claim in a county with over 17,000 islands) Padang food comes in the form of the ubiquitous Nasi Padang, a range of small plates of vegetables, curries, and accompaniments like tofu or tempeh (compressed soybeans) served with rice.

Bukit Lawang

To the north of Medan, you will find Bukit Lawang, most well known for its Orang Utan sanctuary that aims to rehabilitate these precious primates and reintroduce them into the wild. Bukit Lawang lies at the beginning of Gunung Leuser National Park, a protected area of jungle that stretches up into Aceh Province. Due to its unspoiled charms, it is a great place to go trekking and check out some of the local flora and fauna.

Pulau Weh

Pulau Weh is arguably one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia, but unfortunately, most visitors never make the trip up there to find out. Located off the coast of Aceh Province, Pulau Weh has some of the best diving and snorkeling in Indonesia and is far less crowded than other beach locations while still having just enough visitors to ensure that tourists will be well catered for.

Banda Aceh

The capital of Aceh Province, Banda Aceh, has sadly become synonymous with the devastating tsunami of 2004. However, a trip here also offers a glimpse into a very different way of life from the rest of Indonesia. The Tsunami Museum, in particular, is an extremely moving experience. The majestic Grand Mosque is an example of the beauty of Islamic architecture and is also well worth a visit to learn more about this conservative corner of the country. As Aceh is also famous for its coffee, visitors shouldn’t miss a trip to one of Banda Aceh’s most famous coffee shops, Warung Kopi Solong.

Nias

Bali may claim it has the best surfing in Indonesia, but Nias has a well-established surf scene for those in the know. The island of Nias is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds at Kuta. There is just the right mix of facilities, like guesthouses with a serene and unhurried atmosphere that is often lost in frenetic Bali. Aside from surfing, Nias has some amazing local rituals, such as stone jumping.

Bukittinggi

The best thing about Bukittinggi may not be the city itself but the surrounding areas, particularly the gorgeous Lake Maninjau, which ripples with clear emerald waters and is firmly off the tourist trail. Located in West Sumatra, Bukittinggi is home to the Minangkabau, the indigenous people of the area, so it’s also a great place to find sweeping unique Minangkabau architecture and learn more about this matriarchal society.

Palembang

The capital of South Sumatra, Palembang’s claim to fame is that it is one of the oldest cities of Indonesia, as well as being the center of the Srivijaya Kingdom in the days of yore. Palembang is a worthy stop in Sumatra because of its status as a port town and its position on the Musi River. Many of the city’s main attractions are located along the river, and there are also quaint floating restaurants on local wooden boats that serve some of the best food in Palembang.

Even though still under the radar of Indonesia’s tourists, Sumatra has many exciting tourist attractions. Do you have another must-visit place in Sumatra? Share with us so that we can learn more about what Sumatra has to offer.

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