32 places to discover
Aceh Museum is the oldest museum in Aceh Province, located in central Banda Aceh near the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. Established in 1915 during the Dutch colonial period, it preserves Acehnese history and culture through archaeological, ethnographic and historical collections. Its most iconic feature is the Rumoh Aceh, a traditional stilt house. The museum serves as a key cultural institution documenting Aceh's heritage from prehistoric times to the present.
The Aceh Tsunami Museum is a memorial and educational museum in Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh, Aceh, commemorating the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Designed by architect Ridwan Kamil and opened in 2009, the building's distinctive curved structure symbolizes resilience. It houses exhibits, photographs, survivor stories, and a memorial hall honoring victims, serving as both a place of remembrance and a disaster education center for visitors to Banda Aceh.
The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is the principal mosque of Banda Aceh, located in the Baiturrahman sub-district in the city centre. Originally built in the 17th century under Sultan Iskandar Muda and rebuilt by the Dutch colonial administration between 1879 and 1881, it features distinctive black domes, white walls and Mughal-inspired architecture. Surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it remains an iconic landmark, active religious centre and symbol of Acehnese Islamic heritage and resilience.
The Banyak Islands are an archipelago of 63 islands in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra, administratively part of Pulau Banyak District in Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province. Known for white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, coral reefs and palm-fringed islets, the group is noted for snorkeling, diving, surfing and sea turtle nesting sites. The main inhabited islands include Pulau Balai, the administrative center, and Pulau Tuangku, the largest island.
Blang Kolam Waterfall is a natural waterfall located in Sidomulyo Village, Kuta Makmur District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia, about 30 km south of Lhokseumawe. The waterfall is approximately 75 meters high with two tiers, surrounded by protected forest and natural pools at its base. It is a popular local recreation site known for its cool water, forested setting, and accessible trekking path, managed as a regional tourist attraction.
Burni Telong is an active stratovolcano in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, on the northern Bukit Barisan range of Sumatra. Rising to about 2,617 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in the area and features a forested cone, crater and fumarolic activity. Notable for its last eruption in 1924 and ongoing solfatara, it is a prominent natural landmark for hiking and panoramic views over the Gayo highlands.
The Cut Nyak Dhien House Museum is a replica of the traditional Acehnese wooden house of national hero Cut Nyak Dhien, located in Lampisang Village, Peukan Bada, Aceh Besar, about 6 km from Banda Aceh. The museum preserves personal belongings, photographs and dioramas related to her life and the Aceh War period. Built as a cultural heritage site, it serves as an educational attraction showcasing Acehnese architecture and history.
Gapang Beach is a white-sand beach on the western coast of Weh Island in Sukajaya District, Sabang City, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Located near Iboih village, it faces the Indian Ocean and is known for calm, clear turquoise water, coral reefs close to shore, and a relaxed setting backed by hills and palm trees. The beach is a popular base for snorkeling and scuba diving, with dive centers and simple accommodations nearby.
Geurutee Peak is a hilltop viewpoint along the Banda Aceh-Meulaboh coastal highway in Jaya District, Aceh Jaya Regency, Aceh. Perched above the Indian Ocean, it offers panoramic views of winding mountain roads, forested hills, and coastline. The site is a popular rest stop for travelers between Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, known for its scenic overlooks, photo spots, and sunset views. It features roadside stalls and viewing platforms.
Gunongan Historical Park is a 17th-century heritage park in Sukaramai, Baiturrahman District, Banda Aceh, Aceh. Built by Sultan Iskandar Muda for his wife Putroe Phang, its centerpiece is a white, mountain-like structure symbolizing a highland landscape. The park also includes the Pintu Khop gate and remnants of the former Darul Isyki palace garden. It is notable as a rare surviving example of Aceh Sultanate garden architecture and a protected cultural heritage site.
Iboih Beach is a white-sand beach located in Iboih Village, Sukakarya District, Sabang City on Weh Island, Aceh, Indonesia. Situated on the island's western coast facing Rubiah Island, it is known for clear turquoise water, vibrant coral reefs and calm shallow waters. The beach is a popular base for snorkeling and diving, offering views of forested hills, traditional boats and easy boat access to nearby Rubiah Marine Park.
Indra Patra Fort is a historic coastal fort located in Ladong Village, Masjid Raya Sub-district, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh, Indonesia, about 19 kilometers east of Banda Aceh. Believed to have been built in the 7th century during the Hindu Lamuri Kingdom and later strengthened by the Aceh Sultanate under Sultan Iskandar Muda to defend against Portuguese attacks, it is regarded as one of Indonesia's oldest forts and an important example of pre-Islamic heritage on the northern coast of Sumatra.
Indrapuri Old Mosque (Masjid Tua Indrapuri) is a historic mosque in Indrapuri Village, Indrapuri Sub-district, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh, about 25 km from Banda Aceh. Built in the early 17th century during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636) on the foundation of a former 12th-century Hindu temple of the Lamuri Kingdom, it is one of the oldest mosques in Aceh and notable for its blend of Acehnese and pre-Islamic architectural elements.
Japanese Cave Hill, locally known as Bukit Goa Jepang, is a historic hilltop site in Blang Panyang, Muara Satu, Lhokseumawe, Aceh. Built during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, the hill contains a network of man-made caves and bunkers used as military defense and storage. Set on an elevated area with views over the surrounding lowlands and coastline, it is notable as a preserved wartime heritage site and local educational tourism destination.
Ketambe is a small village on the Alas River in Ketambe Sub-district, Aceh Tenggara Regency, Aceh, serving as the main gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. Known for its Ketambe Research Station established in 1971 for orangutan study, it offers semi-wild orangutan viewing and dense lowland rainforest. The area is valued for biodiversity, jungle trekking, and river activities within the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
Lampuuk Beach is a white-sand beach on the western coast of Sumatra in Lampuuk village, Lhoknga sub-district, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh, about 15 km southwest of Banda Aceh. Facing the Indian Ocean, it is known for its long sandy shoreline, lined with casuarina pines, gentle to strong surf waves, and sunset views. Rebuilt after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it is now a popular recreational beach for swimming, surfing and family visits.
Langsa Mangrove Forest is a coastal ecotourism and conservation area located in Kuala Langsa, Langsa Barat, Kota Langsa, Aceh. Covering extensive rehabilitated mangrove woodland along the Malacca Strait coast, it is notable for its wooden boardwalks, biodiversity conservation, and community-based tourism. Managed by the Langsa city government, it serves as an environmental education site and a popular nature recreation destination.
Laut Tawar Lake is a large freshwater tectonic lake in the Gayo Highlands of Aceh Tengah Regency, Aceh, Indonesia, bordering Takengon town in Lut Tawar District. Situated at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Bukit Barisan mountain range, it covers about 5,472 hectares. The lake is notable for its cool highland climate, scenic mountain backdrop, endemic depik fish (Rasbora tawarensis), and central role in the livelihood and culture of the Gayo people.
Lhoknga Beach (Pantai Lhoknga) is a white-sand beach on the Indian Ocean coast in Lhoknga sub-district, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh, about 20 km southwest of Banda Aceh. Backed by green hills and facing open ocean swells, it is notable for consistent surf breaks, scenic sunsets, and its recovery after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The beach is popular for surfing, swimming, and leisure with local food stalls and basic visitor facilities.
Nancala Beach is a long sandy beach located in Nancala village, Teupah Barat District, Simeulue Regency, Aceh, Indonesia, on the eastern coast of Simeulue Island facing the Indian Ocean. Known for its white sand, clear water and consistent surf breaks, it is regarded as one of Simeulue's main surf destinations. The beach offers an open coastline with palm-fringed surroundings and is visited for surfing, swimming and coastal scenery.
Pantan Terong is a hilltop viewpoint located in Bebesen, Aceh Tengah, Aceh, overlooking Takengon town and Danau Laut Tawar. Situated at approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, it is known for panoramic views of the lake, surrounding Gayo highlands and town lights at night. The site is a popular stop for sunrise and sunset viewing and photography, offering cool mountain air and an open viewing area accessible by road from central Takengon.
PLTD Apung is a 2,600-ton floating diesel power plant vessel preserved as a tsunami monument in Punge Blang Cut, Jaya Baru, Banda Aceh, Aceh. Swept about 5 kilometers inland from Ulee Lheue by the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the ship now rests in a residential area and serves as a memorial, educational site and major tourist attraction symbolizing the disaster and resilience of Banda Aceh.
Putri Pukes Cave is a natural limestone cave located in Mendale village, Kebayakan District, Aceh Tengah Regency, Aceh, on the shore of Lake Laut Tawar near Takengon. The cave is known for its stalactites, stalagmites and a rock formation linked to local folklore about a princess. It is a popular stop for visitors touring the lake area, offering short cave exploration, views of the lake and insight into Gayo cultural legends.
Rubiah Island (Pulau Rubiah) is a small uninhabited island off the northwest coast of Weh Island in Sabang City, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Located within the Sabang marine conservation area near Iboih Beach, it is renowned for its clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Accessible only by short boat ride, the island is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving and is protected as a marine tourism park.
Samudera Pasai Museum, also known as Museum Islam Samudera Pasai, is a history museum in Gampong Beuringen, Samudera District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh. It is dedicated to the Samudera Pasai Sultanate (13th to 16th century), recognized as the first Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia. Located near the sultanate's archaeological sites, the museum preserves and displays replicas of inscribed tombstones, ancient coins, ceramics, manuscripts and dioramas related to early Islamic history and maritime trade.
Seumadu Island (Pulau Seumadu) is a small coastal island located off Ujong Blang in Muara Satu District, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh, Indonesia. Connected to the mainland by a wooden pedestrian bridge, it is known for its sandy beach, calm waters, and pine and mangrove surroundings. The island serves as a local recreation area offering beach activities, photography spots, and views of the Malacca Strait, and is one of Lhokseumawe's most visited coastal attractions.
Sumur Tiga Beach is a white-sand beach located in Sukajaya District, Sabang City on Weh Island, Aceh, Indonesia. Situated about 3 kilometers from Sabang city center, it is known for its long stretch of soft white sand, clear turquoise water and calm waves. The beach is named after three freshwater wells near the shore. Lined with coconut palms and resorts, it is one of Sabang's most accessible and popular beaches for swimming and relaxation.
Tapak Tuan is the capital town of South Aceh Regency on the southwest coast of Aceh, Sumatra, facing the Indian Ocean. It is best known for Pantai Tapak Tuan Tapa, a beach featuring a large footprint-shaped rock formation linked to the folklore of Tuan Tapa. The town serves as a coastal gateway with scenic beaches, small offshore islands, and surrounding hills, combining natural coastal scenery with a well-known local legend.
Ujong Blang Beach is a coastal attraction in Ujong Blang village, Banda Sakti District, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh Province, on the northern coast of Sumatra facing the Strait of Malacca. The beach features a long stretch of dark sandy shoreline with fishing boats, calm waves and views of the open sea. It is known as a local recreation area for residents, offering sunset views, seafood stalls and proximity to the city center.
Ulee Lheue Beach is an urban coastal beach in Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province, Indonesia, located about 3 km northwest of the city center on the northern tip of Sumatra facing the Indian Ocean. It is known for its dark sandy shoreline, fishing port, sunset views, and as a recreational area for residents. The beach was heavily affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and is now a restored public beach with food stalls and memorial areas.
The Ulee Lheue Mass Grave is a large tsunami memorial burial site located in Ulee Lheue village, Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia. It is the final resting place for more than 14,000 victims of the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The open grassy field is marked by simple memorial stones and inscriptions, serving as a solemn place of remembrance and pilgrimage near the coast where the disaster struck.
The Zero Kilometer Monument (Tugu Nol Kilometer) marks Indonesia's westernmost point on Weh Island in Iboih, Sukakarya, Sabang, Aceh. Located at the northern tip of Sumatra, the monument symbolizes the western end of the archipelago from Sabang to Merauke. Featuring a distinctive white monument with inscriptions and Garuda emblem, it overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers panoramic coastal views, serving as a popular landmark for visitors seeking a certificate of arrival.