Last Updated on March 2025
Years ago, we had a joke that one of the best things to do in Medan was to leave it. But times have changed, and so has our opinion on North Sumatra’s biggest city.
Home to around 2.5 million people (3.4 million if you include the wider urban areas), there’s no denying that Medan has an air of somewhat grubby chaos. But look past the traffic jams and seemingly disorganised streets and you’ll find a metropolis that is very much full of vibrant life, intriguing sights, and yes – rich culture and history!
The best things to do in Medan reflect the diversity of Sumatra: impressive mosques, churches and colourful temples attract worshippers and tourists alike.
Discover grand palaces and mansions that boast historical knowledge as impressive as their architectural designs.
And of course, indulge in some of the incredible cuisine unique to this part of the world.
If you have a spare day to check out some Medan attractions – here are the top places to add to your list.
Contents
Explore Royal Life at the Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun)
10,000IDR per person
Open daily from 8am-5pm
Before Sumatra split into the 9 provinces we know today, it was divided into various kingdoms. One of these kingdoms was the Sultanate of Deli, a 1,820 square km area in east Sumatra. This area was ruled over by the Sultan of Deli.
While the kingdoms are ancient history from hundreds of years ago, the sultanate remains as a nod to the history of Medan City – as does the impressive family palace – Istana Maimun.
Interestingly, the Sultan of Deli and his family still live in the palace, so only restricted parts of it are open to the public.
The gorgeous Maimun/Maimoon Palace was constructed in 1891 and is one of Medan’s best attractions for numerous reasons.
Firstly, it’s the last remaining Melayu palace. The rest were all destroyed during conflicts in the 1940s.
On top of that, it is completely impressive. Thirty opulent rooms cover 2,772 square metres and the design is inspired by Malay, Islamic and Indian architecture.
A visit to the palace is a glimpse into the history of Medan – and wider Sumatra. Explore the reception hall, throne room, living quarters and tower. Browse the historical artifacts and marvel at a kingdom that has faded into the history books.
Even better, get into some cosplay by hiring some of the royal costumes and wandering around the palace fanning yourself and pretending you’re wealthy!
Yes – visitors can pay 90,000 to be clad in royal costumes and pose for pictures throughout the palace. There are outfits for men, women and children. This is certainly one of the most memorable things to do in Medan.
Admire the Grand Mosque of Medan (Masjid Raya Al-Mashun)
Donation to enter the area
You must wear appropriate clothing to enter: that means covered legs and shoulders for men and women, as well as a hair cover for women.
Just across the road from Maimun Palace, you’ll find another of Medan’s top attractions, the enormous Grand Mosque of Medan – locally known as Masjid Raya Al-Mashun.
This beautiful building took three years to build. Completed in 1909, it was originally on the grounds of the Maimun Palace. In fact, the then Sultan of Deli himself commissioned the building.
He wanted to ensure that the Grand Mosque wasn’t overshadowed by his own palace, so no expense was spared in the design and construction of this Medan icon. Another Medan icon, wealthy businessman Tjong A Fie, was a key financier in the project.
The Grand Mosque features marble imported from Germany, Italy, and China, and stained glass for the chandelier from France.
The building itself features elements of Spanish, Indian and Middle Eastern design.
Bear in mind that the Masjid Raya Al-Mashun isn’t just for decoration or tourists: it is an active mosque with regular worship. You may wander around outside whenever you like, but if you wish to go in for a look, you’ll need to dress appropriately and avoid prayer times.
Step Into the Past at Tjong A Fie Mansion
35,000IDR per person
Open daily from 9am to 5pm
As the saying goes, it’s not what you know but WHO you know. And if you’re at all interested in the history of Medan, you need to know about Tjong A Fie. He was THE man in Medan back in the day.
Why? A visit to Tjong A Fie Mansion will tell you all you need to know about this wealthy businessman/philanthropist from 100 years ago.
This house may not be a palace, but it’s definitely semi-palatial. A present from Tjong A Fie to his 3rd wife, the Dutch colonial style home has 35 rooms and combines Chinese and Victorian design styles.
There are hand-painted ceilings, an open-air courtyard, lavish bedrooms and even a ballroom.
But even more intriguing than the mansion is the story of the man who built it. At 17 years of age, Tjong A Fie left his very humble family home to find his fortune in Sumatra. And boy did he ever find it!
He and his brother started businesses and rapidly became successful, accumulating wealth via real estate, mining, banking, railroads, coconut, tobacco, tea, rubber, palm oil and sugar plantations. So he really had a finger in ALL of the pies!
But Tjong A Fie also used his wealth and connections for good. He set out to unite the multiple ethnic groups living in Medan, promoting peace and cooperation. He gave back to the Medan community without prejudice, funding everything from temples, mosques and churches to schools and hospitals.
The mansion now mostly functions as a museum (although some areas are still lived-in and remain off-limits). It’s beautifully set up and well worth a visit for history buffs.
If you’d like to get the full experience, we highly recommend hiring one of the guides working at Tjong A Fie – their depth of knowledge will really make this one of the most interesting things to do in Medan, Sumatra.
Explore Sumatran Culture at the Museum of North Sumatra (Museum Negeri Sumatera Utara)
30,000 IDR per person
Open daily 8:30 to16:00
Escape the stifling humidity of the city by entering the clean, crisp, air-conditioned interiors of Medan’s Museum of North Sumatra.
North Sumatra is home to a range of different cultures – and this is a great place to learn a little more about them before heading off to see them in “real life.”
You’ll find a wide variety of displays here – from fossils and dioramas reflecting early Sumatran life to artefacts and artwork from various cultural groups.
There are stone and wood carvings from Nias, textiles from the Batak tribes (like you’ll find in Lake Toba), remnants of the Dutch colonial era and much more to discover.
Go Wild at Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery
150,000 IDR per person
Open daily from 9 am-5 pm
The next thing to do in Medan isn’t really our cup of tea, but it is a popular Medan attraction that may appeal to you – so it has made the list!
Marketed as a natural history museum, this building houses around 5000 stuffed animals representing a massive 2,500 species (many of them endangered).
Owned by avid conservationist/sports-hunter Rahmat Shah (who also happens to be the head of the Indonesian Zoo Association), the Rahmat Wildlife Museum apparently exists to inspire people to love and appreciate the diversity of nature.
Here, you’ll wander through various rooms featuring a range of stuffed and mounted animals. There is some information on the animals and a little focus on conservation.
If you have time to kill in Medan and would like to get up close to a tiger or a lion, this is your spot.
However, if you are more interested in seeing your wildlife alive and enjoying the jungle, we recommend making the four-hour trip to one of the jungle villages bordering the Gunung Leuser National Park to admire them from a respectful distance! Find out more here:
Drop in to See Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni (Our Lady of Good Health Church)
North Sumatra has a sizeable Christian population, so there is no shortage of churches throughout the province. But none of them is as eye-catching as the Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni – also known as Our Lady of Good Health Church.
This isn’t just any old Catholic church – it’s a Marian shrine with a seven-floor tower designed in a uniquely Indonesian style. And it’s a key pilgrimage site for worshippers all over Asia.
In the spirit of diversity, the church’s founder wanted the building’s design to be welcoming to all races and religions. That’s why it’s decidedly un-church-like, with aspects of mosque and temple design features.
Even the scripture quotes on the walls are written in Indonesian, Tamil, English and Chinese to cater to the various ethnic groups in Medan.
While not the grandest building in Medan, the Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni is an interesting addition to your Medan things-to-do list.
Marvel at Maha Vihara Maitreya Cemara Asri
You’ve probably heard of Borobudur – the mindblowing Buddhist temple located in Java – but have you heard of Maha Vihara Maitreya Cemara Asri?
This Medan attraction may not be quite as impressive, but it is said to be the largest modern Buddhist temple in Indonesia – and it’s certainly one of the largest in Medan.
Set on a sprawling 4.5 hectares the temple grounds feature a pond, a convention hall, a vegetarian restaurant and various sculptures.
This is an interesting thing to do in Medan as it’s located on the outskirts of the city in a residential complex known to be the culinary centre of Medan. Take your time to look around, then go try out one of the many restaurants in the area.
Sample the King of Fruits at Ucok Durian
Free entry
Open 24 hours
Have you REALLY visited Sumatra if you haven’t sampled the King of Fruits – aka the durian? The pungent flesh of these exotic fruits is safely stored away in a very spiky shell, and there are many different varieties.
While durian can be an acquired taste for newbies, they are an absolute treat for most locals, who eagerly await durian season to chow down on the custardy flesh.
If you don’t have time to wait for durian season (which varies across Sumatra), then a visit to Ucok Durian to sample some is essential. They always have plenty of stock and are open 24 hours, so there’s no excuse to miss out!
When you arrive, the fantastic staff will escort you to a table and give you one of these enormous fruits to try. Some are sweeter, some more bitter, but the well-trained “tukang durian” can tell exactly what the taste will be just by looking at the outside.
Hit the Shops at one of Medan’s Fancy Malls
The best things to do in Medan don’t have to be all about culture and history: if you’re into a spot of shopping, there are plenty of shiny, air-conditioned malls to wander around.
Help the kids burn some energy at the fun and games of the arcade at the Centre Point Mall. Wander around the 400+ shops or catch a movie at Sun Plaza, indulge in the Foodcourt at fancy DeliPark Mall… the choice is yours!
There’s also Plaza Medan Fair, Cambridge City Square, and the more locally-oriented Medan Mall.
With so many Medan malls to choose from, there’s bound to be one close to your hotel. Even if you just want to window shop, it’s a great way to escape the heat of the streets for a while and indulge in some familiar comfort food at a Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonald’s or KFC.
Treat Yourself to a 5-Star Hotel Stay
Sumatra may attract its fair share of budget backpackers, but there are some fantastic options for those who like a bit of luxury from time to time!
After a few days sleeping on the floor of the jungle, we think one of the best things to do in Medan is check into one of the fancy 5-star hotels and treat yourself to a hot bath, a massage, and a buffet breakfast.
Our absolute favourite 5-star hotel in Medan is the swanky JW Marriott. The service is exceptional, the rooms are luxuriant, and the food is top-notch.
Plus, it’s only around a 10-minute drive from the JW Marriott Medan to some of the top attractions on our list, such as Tjong A Fie Mansion, Maimun Palace and the Grand Mosque.
It’s also just up the road from one of Medan’s best malls – DeliPark Mall.
Have a look here at the JW Marriott Medan.
Or check out the other Medan accommodation options in our excellent blog: Best Hotels in Medan.
Get the Medan Foodie Experience
Medan’s multicultural population makes it a heaven for foodies. Not only are there all those mouthwatering Indonesian dishes (and a few Sumatran specialities), but you’ve also got a range of cuisines to sample, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian.
There’s something for anyone – from no-frills yet authentically delicious street food stalls all over the city to ornately decorated sit-down restaurants and funky coffee shops. Hit the streets and see what appeals or make your way to one of these famously recommended foot spots
- TipTop Restaurant, Bakery and Cake Shop – first opened in 1929 and retains an air of historical dignity
- Garuda Restaurant – famous for its Nasi Padang dishes
- Soto Kesawan – famous for (unsurprisingly) Soto, a traditional Indonesian soup/broth
- Bihun Bebek Kumango – famous for duck vermicelli topped with vegetables and fried garlic
- BPK Ola Kisat – famous for authentic Batak-syle BBQ pork
- Wajir Seafood – one of Medan’s most popular seafood restaurants
Where to Stay in Medan?
Want to spend a night or two in Medan but not sure where to stay? We’ve got all the best Medan hotel recommendations for you.
Whether you’re looking for cheap but cheerful Medan hostels, 5-star Medan hotels or the best places to stay near to the airport, our up-to-date hotel blog has it all.
Need some help planning your North Sumatra trip?
Check out our incredible North Sumatra Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner – packed full or insider info and guidance to create your dream trip.
And have a read of our blogs below for more excellent travel inspiration.
