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Sumatra is an elongated landmass spanning a diagonal northwest–southeast axis. The Indian Ocean borders the northwest, west, and southwest coasts of Sumatra, with the island chain of Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, and Enggano off the western coast.
Discover the wild beauty and adventure of Sumatra, an island of volcanoes, jungles and beaches. Find out the best time and places to visit, and read articles from Sumatra experts.
4 days ago · Sumatra, Indonesian island, the second largest (after Borneo) of the Greater Sunda Islands, in the Malay Archipelago. It is separated in the northeast from the Malay Peninsula by the Strait of Malacca and in the south from Java by the Sunda Strait.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- The North and East Coast of Sumatra – Must Visit Places
- West Sumatra – Must Visit Places
- South Sumatra – Must Visit Places
- One Week in Sumatra – A Traveller’s Experience
- How to Get to Sumatra
- Where to Go Next?
Medan:
The capital of Sumatra and the third-largest city in Indonesia has little in the way of attractions for the traveller. Busy, polluted and dirty – most backpackers tend to fly into the city and get a bus straight out! If you do linger around though or end up spending the night here due to a late transfer into the city, probably the best thing about the place is the food, sold at the many food stalls and hawker centres across the city. With a large mix of ethnic minorities in the city from Chin...
Banda Aceh:
The Northern city of Sumatra is strictly Muslim, home to some impressive mosques and some great food! Most backpackers use it as a jumping off point for the island of Pulau Weh (see below) but hang around a while and you’ll discover some unique treasures. Just 15km from Banda Aceh is the off the beaten track surfer’s paradise of Lhok Nga Beach. You can read our full guide to Banda Aceh here.
Pulau Weh:
In the northwest of Sumatra, in the area known as Aceh, you will find the small paradise island of Pulau Weh, surrounded by the Andaman Sea. A protected wildlife area, the island is a haven for nature lovers with its active volcanoes inland and pristine coral reefs. Snorkelling and diving here are some of the best in the whole of Southeast Asia with clean, warm waters and a diverse and rare variety of sea life. Getting to the island from the mainland of Banda Aceh takes two hours. Read our de...
Bukittingi:
Dominated by the massive looming volcanoes of Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Merapi (active – yes active!), Bukittingi is a large town on the west coast of Sumatra. Trekking the volcanoes from the town is possible, as well as rafting, kayaking, caving and even para-gliding – Bukittingi has become somewhat of an adventure playground for the backpacker! Be prepared – the climbs can be tough, starting around midnight in order to reach the summits for sunrise!
Padang:
Although Padang is a place that is generally missed off of traveller itineraries, foodies should not skip it. Padang is the birthplace of Indonesia’s most regional famous dish and there is no better place to try it than here!
Harau Valley:
Also known as the Yosemite of Indonesia, the scenery at Harau Valley is stunning. This area is home to many free-roaming monkeys which make for a truly authentic Indonesian experience. The high rock formations are a photographers dream and those who prefer their days fuelled with adrenaline will relish the rock climbing opportunities there. There are two beautiful waterfalls on the cliffs. Ask the locals where to find Aka Bearayun and Sarasah Bunta for your chance to see them!
Palembang:
The capital city of the South Sumatra province is one of the oldest inhabited parts of Indonesia. Also known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Palembang is a great stop for foodies. As well as the abundance of history to be explored there, the Musi River plays host to a whole range of restaurants on the waterfront which serve local delicacies such as pempek (fishcake with tapioca pearls). Read our recommended Sumatra itinerary here.
Day 1 – Catching the ferry from Georgetown, Penang to Medan
We sat in the monsoon rain on the island of Penang, Malaysiapondering where to go next. My friend and I had been travelling in Southeast Asia for six months. We’d both ticked off the ‘must do adventures’ and had visited the most ‘raved about’ destinations. But now, with only one week left in Asia before my friend caught her flight back home, our next adventure lay before us like the unwritten pages of a journal. But where to go? As my friend leafed through an old guidebook in the hostel her a...
Day 2 – The bus to Berestagi
After a bit of a crazy ride from Medan port on a clapped out, durian smelling bus, filled with betel-nut chewing locals, we arrived at our first destination, Berestagi… Berestagi is a small town surrounded by volcanoes and hot springs that has very little in the way of tourism. We booked ourselves in our first night in Hotel Ginsata, which was basic, but perfectly fine and then headed to the nearest eatery. We ended up in a quirky little place called ‘Raymonds’ chatting with some very interes...
Day 3 – Climbing Gunung Sibayak
The next day, we climbed the volcano “Gunung Sibayak” (2094m) from the town, which took us about three hours through the rainforest canopy to reach the top. The crater was a steaming, eggy-smelling place that was alive with the sound of gases rushing out of holes in the earth’s surface. It was wonderfully atmospheric and even though it last exploded 4456 years ago, you couldn’t help but feel a little nervous that it may spurt again at any moment! The views from the top were fantastic and afte...
By Ferry: Getting to Sumatra from Peninsular Malaysia is easy by ferry from Melaka. It takes around three hours to reach the Sumatran town of Dumai. There is also the option of taking a ferry from Singapore to Batam. From here you can fly to the mainland, or take further ferries to a few different ports on Sumatra. By plane: You can fly into Sumatr...
Melaka, Malaysia: Just a ferry ride from Dumai, Sumatra, Melaka is an atmospheric cultural town with a colonial history, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish influence – and amazing street food! Be sure to check out the interesting Museum of Beauty while you are there. Penang, Malaysia:Mostly famous for its amazing fusion food, Penang is an island that ...
- Gawp at Medan’s historical buildings. Most visitors enter North Sumatra via Medan, a sprawling and crowded city stuffed with architectural gems from its colonial days.
- Visit Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia's most accessible reserve. Northwest from Medan, some three hours by road, a narrow road winds up the Alas River Valley to Gunung Leuser National Park, an 8,000- sq km (5,000-sq mile) park covered in dense jungle that is home to elephants, rhinos, sun bears, tigers, 500 bird species and orangutans.
- Visit Bukit Lawang. Bukit Lawang is a stunning destination located on the island of Sumatra. The town is situated in the heart of the Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
- See the great apes of Bohorok Orangutan Centre. Although it no longer rehabilitates the red great apes, visitors are still welcome to Bohorok Orangutan Centre.
Apr 5, 2022 · Discover Sumatra's wildlife and natural wonders. Encounter diverse species, lush rainforests, and stunning landscapes in Indonesia.
Sumatra (also Sumatera) is a region of Indonesia and the sixth largest island in the world. Wild and rugged, Sumatra has great natural wealth.
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