Top things to do

Gunung Sibayak (2094m) is one of Indonesia’s most accessible volcanoes. A guide is only really essential if taking the route through the jungle, but if you’re trekking alone it’s still a very good idea as the weathe…

Housed in a striking traditional building, this museum has a well-presented collection ranging from early North Sumatran civilisations and Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic periods to Dutch colonial-era and military histo…

Tucked away between the Amartoba Hotel and Rodeo guesthouse, Maruba is well worth seeking out for its peerless Batak dishes cooked by the talented proprietress. Freshwater lobster, na neura (raw fish marinated with …

Jenny’s has long been a standout on the northern edge of Tuk Tuk, with all kinds of breakfasts, noodles, curries and rice dishes. But the one dish that really shines is the lake fish grilled on charcoal right in fro…

Located 5km southeast of Tuk Tuk, near the Tomok ferry terminal, are a complex of royal Batak tombs. At the entrance you'll pass sarcophagi of royal members and family, but to find the tomb of King Sidabutar you'll …

The grand, 30-room Maimoon Palace was built by the Sultan of Deli in 1888 and features Malay, Mughal and Italian influences. Only the main room, which features the lavish inauguration throne, is open to the public. …

Located between Berastagi and Danau Toba, this impressive, well-tended palace complex sits on the edge of the village of Pematang Purba. It was the home of the Simalungan Batak chiefs until the last one died in 1947…

While today it's one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, remarkably Gunung Sinabung lay dormant for over 400 years until its dramatic eruption in 2010. At the time of research it remains strictly off limits …

The most visited of the villages around Berastagi, Lingga, a few kilometres northwest of Kabanjahe, has just a couple of traditional houses with characteristic soaring thatched roofs topped with cattle horns. There'…

One for nostalgia buffs, here at this colonial-era relic only the prices have changed. Medan's oldest restaurant dates to 1934 and is great for a taste of bygone imperialism, with its regal white-uniformed waiters s…