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Things to Do in Medan (2026)
Begin your Medan journey at the Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun), a 19th-century sultan's palace with distinctive Malay and Mughal architecture. It's open daily fromβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Iconic Landmarks
Begin your Medan journey at the Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun), a 19th-century sultan's palace with distinctive Malay and Mughal architecture. It's open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an entrance fee of around IDR 10,000. Nearby, the Great Mosque of Medan (Masjid Raya Al-Mashun) offers a serene atmosphere and stunning interior, free to enter but dress modestly.
π Eat Like a Local
Medan is a food paradise; don't miss the legendary Mie Aceh at Mie Aceh Seulawah on Jalan Hindu, where the spicy stir-fried noodles cost around IDR 25,000. For dessert, try the creamy durian pancake at Durian House Medan on Jalan Setiabudi, open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Visit the Kesawan Square area in the evening for a street food crawl featuring sate padang and martabak.
πΏ Explore Nature and Lakes
Take a day trip to Lake Toba, about 4 hours from Medan, but if you're short on time, head to Sibolangit Nature Reserve (40 minutes away) for jungle trekking and waterfalls. Entry to Sibolangit is IDR 10,000, and you can hire a guide for around IDR 100,000. For a closer escape, visit the Taman Buaya (Crocodile Park) on Jalan Jamin Ginting, open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a fee of IDR 20,000.
ποΈ Shop at Traditional Markets
Pasar Petisah is Medan's largest traditional market, where you can buy fresh produce, spices, and local snacks like bika ambon. It's busiest from 6:00 AM to noon. For souvenirs, head to Pasar Ikan Lama (Old Fish Market) area, which now sells batik and handicrafts. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price.
πΆ Walk Through Chinatown
Medan's Chinatown around Jalan Semarang and Jalan Bandar is a vibrant area with temples, old shophouses, and excellent food. Visit the Vihara Gunung Timur temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the city, open daily. In the evening, the area transforms into a night market with street food stalls selling kwetiau and bakmi.
ποΈ Discover Art and History
The Museum Negeri Sumatera Utara on Jalan H.M. Joni houses artifacts from North Sumatra's ethnic groups, including Batak and Malay collections. Admission is IDR 5,000, and it's open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For contemporary art, visit the Tjong A Fie Mansion, a restored Chinese merchant's home with guided tours every hour.
π Enjoy the Nightlife
For a relaxed evening, head to the rooftop bar at the JW Marriott Hotel on Jalan Putri Hijau for skyline views and cocktails starting at IDR 100,000. If you prefer live music, check out the cafes along Jalan Palang Merah, such as Coffee First, which stays open until midnight. For a local experience, try the night market at Lapangan Merdeka, where street food and snacks are sold until late.
π Getting Around Medan
Medan's public transport includes angkot (minibuses) and becak (cycle rickshaws), but ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab are more convenient and affordable. A typical ride within the city center costs IDR 10,000 to IDR 20,000. For longer trips, consider renting a car with a driver for around IDR 500,000 per day.
I've lived here for a few years and the guide is solid. One thing I'd add is that the Tjong A Fie Mansion tour is worth the IDR 35,000 fee, the guides tell you stories about the secret tunnels under the house. If you're there on a Sunday morning, walk over to Lapangan Merdeka around 7am, there's a free tai chi class that anyone can join and the old Chinese guys will usually offer you tea after. Also for the night market near Kesawan, try the soto medan from the cart on the corner of Jalan Balai Kota, the lady has been making it for 20 years and she puts a whole boiled egg in for IDR 15,000.
good list, but if you're at maimun palace go early around 8am before the tour buses show up, you'll have the whole place to yourself for photos. also check out the old dutch cemetery nearby on jl. balai kota, it's overgrown and kinda creepy but tells a different side of medan history most tourists skip. for food, de cut mie pangsit on jl. yos sudarso has the best mie pangsit i've found, the broth is clear and rich and they make their own noodles, only idr 20k a bowl
the guide's spot on about mie aceh at seulawah but if u want the real deal go to mie aceh titi bobo on jl. krakatau ujung, it's spicier and they give u more kerupuk. also for bika ambon, skip the market ones and get it fresh from bika ambon zulaikha on jl. selamat, they bake it at 6am and it sells out by 9am so go early. one thing missing is the tip about angkot routes, they're confusing af so just use grab, especially when it rains cause becak drivers will charge u triple
Best Food in Medan (2026)
Medan is famous for its bold, spicy, and coconut-rich cuisine. You cannot leave without trying Mie Aceh, a thick noodle dish stir-fried with seafood and curry spices, or Saksangβ¦ π Must-Try Dishes
Medan is famous for its bold, spicy, and coconut-rich cuisine. You cannot leave without trying Mie Aceh, a thick noodle dish stir-fried with seafood and curry spices, or Saksang, a pork dish cooked in blood and coconut milk. For a sweet treat, seek out Durian Pancake or the creamy Es Campur dessert.
πͺ Top Street Food Spots
Head to Jalan Selat Panjang (also known as Jalan Semarang) for an evening food walk with dozens of stalls. Try the legendary Mie Aceh at Mie Aceh Seulawah, located at Jalan Selat Panjang No. 12, open from 6 PM to midnight. Another must-visit is the Sate Padang stall at Jalan Karya Wisata, where skewers cost around IDR 20,000 per portion.
π½οΈ Iconic Restaurants
For a sit-down meal, visit Garuda Restaurant at Jalan Pemuda No. 6, known for its authentic Padang food served in the classic nasi kapau style. Another institution is Tip Top Restaurant at Jalan Ahmad Yani No. 92, a colonial-era spot serving Indonesian and Western dishes since 1934. Expect to spend around IDR 50,000, 100,000 per person.
π₯ Where to Find Bakmi
Bakmi (noodles) is a Medan staple. Bakmi Aloi at Jalan K.H. Zainul Arifin No. 8 serves springy noodles with char siu and wontons for about IDR 35,000. For a legendary bowl, try Bakmi Hock Seng at Jalan Sisingamangaraja No. 45, open from 7 AM to 2 PM, where the queue often stretches down the block.
π¨ Best Desserts and Drinks
Cool down with Es Campur Sari at Jalan Hindu No. 12, a shaved ice dessert with coconut, jackfruit, and condensed milk for IDR 15,000. For a unique drink, order Teh Susu Jahe (ginger milk tea) from a street vendor near Lapangan Merdeka. Durian lovers should visit Durian House at Jalan Setia Budi No. 88 for fresh durian and durian pancakes.
π Neighborhood Food Tours
Explore the Kesawan area around Jalan Ahmad Yani for a mix of Chinese and Malay food stalls. The area around Merdeka Square is great for evening street food, especially the grilled fish and satay. For a more local experience, visit the Pasar Petisah market in the morning to sample fresh soto and lontong.
π΅ Price Guide and Tips
Street food portions typically cost IDR 10,000, 30,000, while restaurant meals range from IDR 40,000, 100,000. Bring cash as many stalls do not accept cards. Most street food vendors operate from late afternoon until midnight, so plan your food crawl accordingly.
I've been to that Mie Aceh Seulawah spot a few times and can confirm it's worth the wait. The curry broth there is thicker than most places in Medan, almost like a gravy, and they don't skimp on the crab or shrimp. If you go on a Friday night, get there by 7 PM or you'll be standing in line for 40 minutes.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is the nasi goreng kambing at the stalls near Lapangan Merdeka around midnight. There's a guy with a blue cart who fries the rice with goat meat and a heavy dose of cumin, costs about IDR 25,000. It's a different beast from the usual nasi goreng, much more aromatic and greasy in the best way.
For durian, I'd skip Durian House and walk to the corner of Jalan Setia Budi and Jalan Kapten Maulana Lubis instead. There's a guy with a pickup truck who sells Medan durian for half the price, around IDR 40,000 per fruit, and he'll crack it open for you right there. The quality varies but when it's good, it's better than anything in the air-conditioned shops.
solid guide, captures most of the essentials. one thing i'd add is the bika ambon from jalan semarang, not the tourist packs but the fresh ones from the little shop near the intersection with jalan kuala. they sell it warm, straight from the oven, and the texture is way better than the cold stuff you get at souvenir stalls, about IDR 35,000 for a tray.
if you're at pasar petisah in the morning, look for the old lady selling soto medan near the fish section. it's a small bowl with shredded chicken, perkedel, and a ton of fried shallots on top, costs around IDR 20,000. the broth has a turmeric kick that's different from the soto elsewhere, and she's been there for at least 15 years from what i remember.
for the bakmi spots, bakmi aloi is great but i actually prefer the one at jalan sukamulia, no name on the storefront, just a red banner. the noodles are thinner and the char siu has a smokier char, same price range around IDR 35,000 but opens at 10 AM and closes by 2 PM. worth the detour if you're near the center.
The Bakmi Hock Seng mention is spot on, but you have to be strategic about timing. I showed up at 8:30 AM on a Tuesday and still waited 25 minutes, the line moves fast though because they're efficient. The char siu there is the standout, it has this caramelized edge that most places in Medan don't get right.
One thing missing from the guide is the nasi padang at Nasi Kapau Uni Etek on Jalan Thamrin. It's a small place with no sign, just a woman behind a mountain of plates, and she'll pile your plate with rendang, ayam pop, and sambal hijau for about IDR 30,000. It's not fancy but the rendang there is drier and more intense than Garuda's, which I actually prefer.