Must-see attractions in Aceh

  • Top Choice
    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…

  • Top Choice
    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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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 Negeri Banda Aceh

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

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Pulau Tailana

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

  • Pulau Laman

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

  • Pulau Asok

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

  • 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…

  • 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…