Medan is the jump-off point for outdoor adventures in Bukit Lawang and Berastagi, which include orangutan treks, white-water rafting, volcano hikes, and hot springs. North Sumatra’s capital is also the gateway to Lake Toba, the world’s largest crater lake. But there are plenty of things to do in Medan itself, including sampling some of Indonesia’s best food. Top sights comprise the 35-room Tjong A Fie’s Mansion, built for a successful Chinese businessman; Maimun Palace, where sultans ruled; and the Marian Shrine of Annai Velangkanni, a church styled like a Tamil Hindu temple.
Medan doesn’t really have a dry season; it’s humid and rainy year-round. October is the wettest month and February is the driest. February through April is a good time to visit if you’re planning on trekking and want to keep reasonably dry—but beware of crowds on the Bukit Lawang trails during the July–August high season. Haze from burning rainforests is less of an issue than it used to be.
Medan has a reasonably efficient city bus system that’s easy to navigate using Google Maps. You can also use taxis, becak pedicabs, and rideshares with Gojek and Grab. The downtown area is surprisingly easy to negotiate on foot and a train links Kualanamu International Airport with the city center.
There’s no better taste of Medan’s Chinese food culture than a bowl of duck noodles topped with decadently rich broth. Bihun Bebek Kumango, a hole in the wall warmed by the steam of simmering soup, has one of the best in town. No visit to Sumatra would be complete without sampling Indonesia’s signature nasi padang (rice with multiple accompaniments). With a heritage dating back around 50 years, a branch of Restaurant Garuda is a great place to start.
