29 places to discover
Al-Mashun Grand Mosque is a historic mosque located in Medan Maimun, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Built between 1906 and 1909 by Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alam of the Deli Sultanate, it is one of Medan's most iconic landmarks. The mosque is notable for its distinctive architecture blending Moorish, Mughal, Spanish and Malay styles, its octagonal layout, and its status as a symbol of the city's Islamic heritage.
Bahal Temple Complex is a Vajrayana Buddhist temple complex located in Bahal Village, Portibi, Padang Lawas Utara, North Sumatra. It comprises three main brick temples known as Bahal I, Bahal II and Bahal III, built between the 11th and 13th centuries during the Pannai Kingdom period. Notable for its red-brick architecture, ornate carvings and Buddhist statues, it is the largest and best-preserved temple complex in the Padang Lawas archaeological area.
Bawomataluo Traditional Village is a historic hilltop settlement in Fanayama, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Perched about 400 meters above sea level, it is renowned as one of the best-preserved Nias traditional villages. The village is noted for its rows of traditional wooden houses (omo hada), megalithic stone monuments, and the iconic Omo Sebua chief's house, and is on UNESCO's Tentative List.
Bukit Lawang is a small ecotourism village on the eastern edge of Gunung Leuser National Park in Bahorok, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated along the Bahorok River, it is internationally known as a gateway for observing critically endangered Sumatran orangutans in the wild. Formerly an orangutan rehabilitation centre from 1973, it now offers guided jungle trekking within the UNESCO-listed Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni is a Catholic shrine and church located in Tanjung Selamat, Medan Tuntungan, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Built between 2001 and 2005 and inaugurated in October 2005, it is dedicated to Our Lady of Velankanni. Notable for its distinctive Indo-Mogul architecture with domes and minaret-like towers, the two-storey building serves as a pilgrimage site and is known for its Tamil-Indian design influences and serene grounds.
Gundaling Hill (Bukit Gundaling) is a prominent viewpoint hill located in Berastagi, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated about 1 km from central Berastagi at approximately 1,575 meters above sea level, it offers panoramic views of Mount Sinabung and Mount Sibayak, the Karo highlands and Berastagi town. The hill is a well-established tourist destination known for its cool climate, open grassy summit, and accessible vantage point for photography and sightseeing.
Huta Siallagan is a preserved traditional Batak village located in Ambarita, Simanindo District, Samosir Regency on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra. Once the fortified settlement and seat of the Siallagan clan, it is notable for its stone-walled compound, traditional Rumah Bolon houses, and the historic Batu Parsidangan stone chairs where tribal justice was administered. The site offers insight into Batak Toba architecture, customs, and heritage.
Lagundri Beach is a well-known coastal attraction located in Lagundri village, Teluk Dalam District, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated on the southern tip of Nias Island facing the Indian Ocean, it is internationally recognized as a world-class surfing destination alongside neighboring Sorake Beach. The beach features a long sandy shoreline, consistent waves, and scenic bay views, attracting surfers and leisure visitors.
Lake Toba is a large natural volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia, centered in Samosir Regency. Formed by a supervolcanic eruption approximately 74,000 years ago, it is the largest volcanic lake in the world and the largest lake in Southeast Asia. The lake contains Samosir Island at its center and is renowned for its scenic mountain surroundings, cool climate, and significance as the cultural heartland of the Batak people.
Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun) is the former royal palace of the Deli Sultanate located in Medan Maimun District, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Built between 1887 and 1891 during the reign of Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamyah, it is renowned for its distinctive yellow facade blending Malay, Mughal, Spanish, Italian and Islamic architectural styles. The palace remains a cultural landmark and museum showcasing royal heritage, throne room and historical artifacts.
Mount Sibayak is an active stratovolcano in Merdeka, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, near Berastagi town. Rising to about 2,212 meters above sea level, it is part of the Barisan Mountains and one of Indonesia's most accessible volcanoes. It is notable for its active crater, sulfur vents, fumaroles and geothermal activity, plus panoramic views over the Karo Highlands and Mount Sinabung. It is popular for sunrise hikes and nearby hot springs.
Mount Sinabung is an active stratovolcano in Naman Teran Sub-district, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, part of the Barisan Mountains. Rising to about 2,460 meters, it is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes after reawakening in 2010 following centuries of dormancy. Notable for its frequent eruptions and dramatic landscape, it is monitored by volcanology authorities and typically viewed from designated safe distances in the Karo Highlands near Berastagi.
Mursala Island (Pulau Mursala) is an uninhabited 8,000-hectare island in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of North Sumatra, administratively part of Tapian Nauli District in Tapanuli Tengah Regency. It is notable for its tropical rainforest, granite hills, white-sand beaches, and a waterfall that flows directly into the sea. The island gained international recognition as a filming location for the 2005 film King Kong and is visited for its natural scenery and marine environment.
Museum Karo Lingga is a cultural museum located in Lingga Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Housed in and around traditional Karo houses, it preserves and displays artifacts related to Karo Batak culture, including traditional tools, textiles, household items, and historical photographs. The museum is notable for its authentic Siwaluh Jabu traditional house architecture and its role as a community-based center for Karo heritage preservation and education.
Museum Pusaka Nias is a cultural heritage museum located in Gunungsitoli on Nias Island, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Established by Capuchin priest Johannes M. Hämmerle to preserve Nias heritage, it houses extensive collections of traditional artifacts, megalithic stonework, wooden sculptures, textiles, and models of traditional houses. The museum is notable for documenting Nias architecture, rituals, and daily life, serving as the main center for research and education on Nias culture.
Pandan Beach (Pantai Pandan) is a sandy coastal attraction located in Pandan District, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, facing the Indian Ocean near Sibolga. Known for its relatively calm waves, light-colored sand and views of nearby small islands, it is a popular family recreation area for local residents and visitors. The beach offers open shoreline, fishing boats, and basic visitor facilities along the western coast of North Sumatra.
Pusuk Buhit is a 1,972-meter mountain on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, within Sianjur Mula Mula District, Samosir Regency. Revered as the ancestral origin place of the Batak people, it holds deep cultural importance. The mountain offers panoramic views of Lake Toba and surrounding highlands, forested slopes, and hiking trails. It is a prominent natural and cultural landmark attracting trekkers, cultural visitors, and sightseers.
Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery is a natural history museum in Medan Baru, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Founded by conservation enthusiast Rahmat Shah, it houses one of Indonesia's largest taxidermy collections with thousands of preserved specimens from around the world. Located on Jalan S. Parman, the museum displays mammals, birds, insects and marine life in dioramas, emphasizing wildlife education and conservation awareness.
Salib Kasih (Cross of Love) is a prominent Christian monument and pilgrimage site located on Dolok Siatas Barita hill in Siatas Barita District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. Erected in 1933 to honor German missionary Dr. Ingwer Ludwig Nommensen, it features a large white cross overlooking Tarutung town. The site is notable for its religious importance to the Batak Christian community, panoramic valley views, and its role as a major religious tourism destination in North Sumatra.
Sigura-gura Waterfall is a tall waterfall on the Asahan River in Pintu Pohan Meranti, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, near the outflow of Lake Toba. Standing approximately 250 meters high, it is considered one of Indonesia's tallest waterfalls. The falls are closely linked to the Sigura-gura Dam and hydroelectric power station. Surrounded by forested hills and a steep river valley, it is notable for its powerful cascade and scenic natural setting.
Simarjarunjung Hill is a hilltop viewpoint in Dolok Pardamean, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, on the western ridge above Lake Toba. It is notable for its panoramic views over Lake Toba and surrounding highlands. The site is developed as a managed tourist viewpoint with constructed photo spots, viewing platforms and stalls, and is a popular stop on the route between Pematang Siantar and Parapat.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall is a 120-metre plunge waterfall located in Tongging Village, Merek District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, on the northern rim of Lake Toba caldera. Formed by an underground river on the Karo Plateau, it is one of Indonesia's tallest waterfalls. The site is notable for its narrow vertical drop, panoramic views over Lake Toba, and its location within the highlands near Berastagi and Kabanjahe.
Sipoholon Hot Spring is a natural geothermal attraction in Sipoholon District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, about 10 km north of Tarutung. It is notable for its warm sulfur-rich waters and white-yellow travertine terraces formed by mineral deposits. The site features tiered natural pools where visitors can soak and bathe. Surrounded by hills and rice fields, it is a popular local bathing and relaxation spot linked to the region's volcanic activity.
Sorake Beach is a renowned surf beach located in Botohili Sorake village, Teluk Dalam District, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated on Lagundri Bay on the southern tip of Nias Island, it is internationally known for its consistent, world-class waves. The beach features a sandy shoreline with reef breaks and has hosted international surfing competitions, making it a central destination for surfers and beach visitors in the region.
Taman Alam Lumbini is a Buddhist religious park located in Desa Dolat Rayat, Dolat Rayat District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, near Berastagi. It is notable for its 42-meter-high replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar, covered in gold, which is the tallest pagoda in Indonesia. Built between 2007 and 2010, the complex includes gardens, Buddha statues and meditation areas and serves as a pilgrimage and tourism site.
Tangkahan is a community-based ecotourism area located in Batang Serangan, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, at the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. Known as 'The Hidden Paradise,' it is centered on the confluence of the Buluh and Batang Rivers surrounded by lowland rainforest. It is notable for its Sumatran elephant conservation program, jungle trekking, river tubing, and former illegal logging area transformed into a sustainable tourism model.
TB Silalahi Center Museum is a Batak cultural museum located on a hill in Balige, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, overlooking Lake Toba. Established by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Tiopan Bernhard Silalahi, it was inaugurated in 2006-2007. The museum preserves and showcases Batak history, heritage and artifacts, featuring personal collections, dioramas, and cultural exhibits within a complex that also includes conference and outdoor facilities.
Tjong A Fie Mansion is a historic two-storey mansion in Kesawan, Medan Barat, Medan, North Sumatra. Built between 1895 and 1900 for Tjong A Fie, a prominent Hakka Chinese businessman and community leader, it blends Chinese, Malay and European architectural styles. Now operated as a heritage museum, it preserves original furnishings, family memorabilia and photographs, offering insight into Medan's multicultural history and early 20th-century elite life.
Tomok Village is a traditional Batak Toba village on the eastern shore of Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, within Simanindo District, Samosir Regency. It is one of the island's main cultural tourism centers, known for its well-preserved Batak houses, the ancient Tomb of King Sidabutar, Sigale-gale wooden puppet performances, and a bustling souvenir market selling ulos textiles and wood carvings, set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Toba.