Aceh

Sumatra's northernmost province, Aceh is both a fiercely proud and prosperous region. It's blessed with rainforests that feature incredible biodiversity, as well as pristine islands popular with beachgoers, divers and surfers alike. However, over the years, this western tip of the Indonesian archipelago has grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons. Earthquakes, tsunamis, civil war and sharia law are the main associations people have with Sumatra’s northernmost state. With the reconstruction from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami long completed, post-tsunami Aceh is slowly healing the social wounds incurred by the natural disaster and the previous civil war. Still, while the guns have been laid down and a degree of autonomy has been granted to the province, there are occasional blips on the road to peace, and a prevailing belief in the rest of Sumatra that the people of Aceh are keen to spread their conservative Islamic ways across the whole country.

Explore Aceh

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Aceh.

  • Mosque

    Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman

    With its brilliant-white walls, ebony-black domes and towering minaret, this 19th-century mosque is a dazzling sight. The best time to visit is during…

  • Museum

    Tsunami Museum

    A visit to this beautifully designed, hard-hitting museum commences with a walk through a dark, dripping tunnel that symbolises the 2004 tsunami waves…

  • Museum

    Rumah Aceh

    In the same compound as the Museum Negeri Banda Aceh, the Rumah Aceh is a fine example of traditional Acehnese architecture, built without nails and held…

  • Island

    Pulau Sikandang

    This largish island with pristine beaches takes a couple of hours to walk around. It's one of the most popular places to stay with several guesthouses set…

  • Historic Building

    Gunongan

    All that remains of Aceh’s powerful sultanates today is on view at Gunongan. Built by Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607–36) as a gift for his Malay princess wife…

  • Island

    Pulau Bangkaru

    The second-largest of the Banyak Islands, Pulau Bangkaru is home to a turtle conservation project, so visits are strictly controlled and you’re only…

  • Museum

    Museum Negeri Banda Aceh

    This state museum displays Acehnese weaponry, household furnishings, ceremonial costumes, everyday clothing, gold jewellery, calligraphy and some…

  • Island

    Pulau Tuangku

    Covered in dense jungle, Pulau Tuangku is the largest of the Banyak Islands. Surfers head to Ujung Lolok, the headland at the south of the island,…

  • Monument

    Kilometer Nol

    At the hilltop viewpoint reached by following the road 8km north of Iboih through the forest reserve, a gaudy 44m-high globe-shaped monument marks the…

  • Cemetery

    Kherkhof

    The Kherkhof is the last resting place of more than 2000 Dutch and Indonesian soldiers who died fighting the Acehnese. The entrance is around 50m west of…

  • Memorial

    PLTD Apung I

    PLTD Apung I is the 2500-tonne power-generator vessel that was carried almost 5km inland by the 2004 tsunami wave. It's now preserved as a memorial about…

  • Island

    Pulau Palambak Besar

    Rather out of the way, this medium-sized island is covered in coconut trees, and has a couple of jungle paths you can walk and a gorgeous stretch of beach…

  • Memorial

    Lampulo Boat

    The most famous of the 2004 tsunami sights is the fishing boat resting on the house in Lampulo village, about 2km north of Banda Aceh and 1km from where…

  • Volcano

    Gunung Merapi

    Worthy of a stop when touring the island are the volcanic sulphuric fumaroles that steam and bubble from the rocky landscape on the side of Gunung Merapi…

  • Waterfall

    Pria Lot Falls

    Signposted off the main road about 8km from Gapang are the Pria Lot Falls. It's a five-minute scramble over rocks to reach the beautiful waterfall, but…

  • Island

    Pulau Tailana

    The small island of Pulau Tailana is renowned for reefs that are waves of colour. The island has a popular guesthouse.

  • Island

    Pulau Laman

    There’s good snorkelling between Pulau Laman and Pulau Laureh, with some remarkable growths of vivid blue coral.

  • Island

    Pulau Asok

    A crescent-shaped, uninhabited island with pristine beaches on either side as well as excellent snorkelling.

  • Island

    Pulau Balai

    One of two inhabited islands in the Banyaks, connected to the mainland by frequent public boats. It has no attractions of its own, but has a mellow…

  • Beach

    Keuneukai Beach

    Keuneukai has a nice beach in the south of Pulau Weh; however, given it's a conservative village, females will need to cover up if going for a swim. Give…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Aceh.

  • Activities