Sumatra Travel Guide

Sumatra, among the largest islands in the world, is a landscape of tropical rainforests, perfect coned-shaped volcanoes and pristine beaches. Located in the northwestern corner of Indonesia, Sumatra’s wealth of natural beauty, long history and mix of ethnicities make it a destination for eye-opening exploration.

Medan is the capital of the island and an excellent entry-exit point to the rest of Sumatra. Its Dutch influenced architecture combined with strong Sumatran culture gives way to a certain sense of surrealism. Here you will find numerous street stalls and restaurants offering the best of spicy Indonesian cuisine. For the perfect gift to take home, visit Jin Jend A Yani, the main shopping area, offering a range of local crafts from paintings to carvings.

The strikingly picturesque city of Berastagi, dominated by two towering volcano peaks, is home to the fascinating Karo Batak people who showcase their long history of unique heritage in full and proud view. To explore the wealth of wildlife in the area, Leuser National Park is the perfect place for trekking enthusiasts. Farther north, Aceh is home to the Orang-utan Rehabilitation Center, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The northern region is also a popular destination for surfers, boasting large ocean waves, while the sandy beaches are the perfect setting to sit back, relax and lap up the sun.

Sumatra Attractions

Lake Toba: located amid tropical jungles, this is one of the most idyllic spots in the region and one of Sumatra’s main attractions.

Mesjid Raya: located in Medan, this stately building offers beautiful design features from around the world, including Italian marble and Chinese stained-glass windows. 

Medan: a bustling port town with everything from crowded local markets to wide tree-lined avenues and upmarket hotels and restaurants.

Palembang: built on the longest river in Sumatra, the city is known as the ‘Venice of the East’. The city offers a range of museums and relaxing boat trips along the Musi River.

National parks: there are over two million hectares of tropical rainforest in Sumatra and herein lie three separate national parks: Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barasan Selatan.