Medan Indonesia – Top-10 Tourist Attractions and Things to Do

Medan is predominantly known as a jumping off point to the well-known attractions and sights in Sumatra, that is why most travellers do not spend time any significant time in Medan and generally leave almost immediately.

Being that this city is largely unspoiled by mass tourism and crowds of tourists, travellers who crave a more authentic and local experience would do well to stay on for a day or two. Medan is mostly known as being a culinary goldmine and so foodies the world over would take great pleasure in sampling the delicious, local fare on offer and trying out the local eateries, bustling food stalls and strolling the grounds of the lively food markets. The food is a fascinating blend of the different cultures that have come to call Medan home. Chinese-Indonesian, local Batak, and Malaysia influences permeate the dishes and the flavours of the majority of the dishes and snacks are a wonderful delight to the senses. Be sure to head to the al fresco dining strip on Merdeka Walk where hungry travellers can try everything from a fast-food burger to a traditional durian pancake.

Aside from the culinary tourism, Medan has a host of attractions and activities that any culture buff would be interested in. Museums, religious sites and stunning architecture are the foundation of Medan’s charms and attractions and cultural aficionados and photographers would enjoy exploring the city with very few other tourists. Below are our top ten attractions and activities to see and do while in Medan.

1. Feast on a culinary feast at Garuda Restaurant.

For those wanting to sample quintessential Medan food then the famous local, restaurant chain called Garuda Restaurant is a must visit. With a few of these restaurants scattered around Medan, locals and tourists flock here to devour the delicious Nasi Padang that the chain is so popular for. Translated directly to ‘Padang rice’ the restaurant is known for bringing over twenty dishes to each table and then charging you for what you choose to eat. Select from a variety of flavoursome curries, fish dishes, vegetables, sauces and of course an array of rice dishes. Be sure to try some of Garuda’s highlights, such as the beef gulai, the fried chicken, chili eggplant and the potato cakes.

2. Savour the nightlife of Café Raya

A stunning mismatch of colonial-style buildings standing side by side with olden-day Indonesian food stalls contribute to the vibrant nightlife scene that comes alive at Café Raya once the sun goes down. Due to the no-alcohol laws in most restaurants in Medan, many locals, travellers and expatriates flock to Café Raya for a cold beer and a tasty local or international dish after a long day. Located in the heart of town, Café Raya is the ideal spot to unwind before turning in for the night.

3. Pay a visit to the Mesjid Raya Al Mashun

The Mesjid Raya Al Mashun or the Great Mosque of Medan is a wonderous sight to behold and is one of the oldest mosques in the city. The mosque was constructed in 1906 and formed a part of the Maimun Palace Complex which was used for royalty here in the city. The architectural design and style of the mosque has Middle Eastern, Turkish, Moroccan, Spanish and Indian influences and what makes the building structure so fascinating is the octagonal shape. The mosque is a stunning fusion of materials from all over the world and makes for a very striking first impression. Those with an eye for architecture and design might find it interesting to know that the gorgeous stained-glass from the chandelier is from France, and the gorgeous marble is from China, Germany and Italy.

4. Marvel the sights at Istana Maimoon

Now serving as a museum and a recognized landmark in Medan, the Maimoon was once a royal palace with thirty rooms that belonged to the Sultanate of Deli. This architectural masterpiece is a famous tourist attraction in the city for its unique and breathtaking interior design and its rich historical status. The palace is a wonderous blend of various elements from Malay, Islamic, Indian, Spanish and Italian; and is the ideal outing for anyone who enjoys stepping back in time and learning more about the history of Medan. Entrance is a mere IDR 10,000 and after strolling around the palace and garden travelers might enjoy stopping for a bite to eat at the scattering of local eateries or buying a souvenir at the tourist stores.

5. Stroll around Tjong A Fie Mansion

Tjong A Fie was a very successful Chinese banker and businessman who constructed and owned a massive plantation business in Sumatra. This mansion serves as an embodiment of his mass wealth, family lineage and history. The mansion is gorgeous and spacious with light streaming in and is filled with antiques and collectables that have been carefully preserved for tourism purposes. Situated on Keswan Street, the mansion is an intricate fusion of Malay, Tionghoa and European influences. The mansion consists of two floors and is made up of forty rooms each floored with hand-painted tiles from Italy. The walls of the rooms all depict elaborate scenes of life in China and visitors will have no shortage of things to look at during their visit to this cultural heritage landmark. Travelers interested in history, design and architecture and the finer things in life would enjoy walking around the grounds of the Tjong A Fie Mansion.

6. Spend a quiet afternoon at the Museum of North Sumatra

All travelers who wish to learn more about the culture, arts and crafts, and history of the city and of the region in general, will have an excellent time at the Museum of North Sumatra. The museum contains galleries that depict the lifestyle of different periods of North Sumatran history that take museum-goers on a visual journey through the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and even the Dutch colonial era. A treasure trove of ancient weaponry, artworks, textiles, farming equipment, carved wooden coffins, fossil replicas of early humans, and depictions of prehistoric life, this museum is a must-see.

7. Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery

One of the city’s quirkiest attractions, this natural history museum has a massive collection of preserved animals in various displays from the very smallest critter to the largest beast. The stuffed animals are grouped and categorized according to habitat and invites the viewer to better appreciate and recognize the diversity of wildlife that occurs throughout the world and to acknowledge their significance. This is a good way for those interested in Indonesia’s indigenous animals to learn a bit more about the unique wildlife, creatures and critters that walk these lands.

8. Visit Vihara Maha Maitreya

Being one of the biggest Buddhist temples in all of Indonesia, this temple is a great spot to come for those interested in learning more about Medan’s religious background, beliefs and traditions. Vihara Maha Maitreya also offers reprieve from the hustle and bustle and the lovely pools and grounds make for a relaxing afternoon spent strolling leisurely around the building. The walls of the temple are beautifully decorated with reliefs of dragons, a phoenix and other mythical creatures which makes for pretty photographs. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the unusual floating teapot fountain too. This spot is also ideal for vegetarians as there is a canteen on site that sells delicious vegetarian dishes at lunchtime.

9. Explore the sights at Marian Shrine of Annai Velangkanni

This unique and interesting church comes highly recommended as one of Medan’s best sights and attractions. The architecture and design of the building itself is striking and imposing and grabs the attention of pedestrians even from the main road. The building is made up of two bigger levels at the foundation, and a smaller tower that consists of seven Indonesian-style stories on top. The grounds are well-maintained, the detail of the building a work of art, and all in all a visit to this temple is a humbling and memorable experience. Opening hours are from 6am until 11pm.

10. Stroll through Kampung Keling

Walking through the colorful stalls selling ornate saris, Indian jewelry and a plethora of Indian eateries that make up Kumpung Keling, you’d believe that you might in fact be in India rather than the city of Medan. Ideal for those craving a bit of culture and flair, these streets are the traditionally Tamil areas of Medan and even the roofs of the buildings have beautiful, ornate carvings. Keep your camera out and your eyes peeled for the vibrant Sri Mariamman Temple that is located here too.