Medan City, the capital of North Sumatra, is only 2 hours away by plane from Jakarta. Makes it a good weekend getaway destination for me as a Jakartan. I can fly in on Saturday and fly back on Sunday! Below are several things to do in Medan that I recommend you to do. 🙂 You’re welcome!
* Get on the ARS (Airport Railink Services) from Kualanamu Airport to the City Center
I love taking the Airport Railink Services from the airport to get to the city center. It is fast, jam-free, clean, and comfortable. If you think that it’s expensive, there are several promo bound with the airlines or with the credit cards. Last time I took Airport Railink Services with mom, it was FREE under the promo of one bank. 😀
* Visit Tjong A Fie Mansion
Housing a great collection of the legendary Tjong A Fie, this mansion is an example of a good heritage restoration. The ticket you pay (IDR35.000 as per May 2015) already includes guide explanation so you can go to one room to the other while listening to the explanation given about Tjong A Fie, his succes, as well as Medan in old era.
* Eat at Tip Top Restaurant
A great restaurant, Tip Top Restaurant has been opened since 1934 and kept its originality in recipe and restaurant ambiance. Go have ice cream, sit at the outside area and enjoy the memories. Or opt for the Ox Tongue Biefstuk and sit in the nook seating inside. Ah memories. <3
* Go around on Betor
Local unique transportation in the mode of becak (tricycle) and motorcycle joint together, betor is a must try transportation in Medan. Plus point: it’s affordable! 😀
* Visit Maimoon Palace
A royal palace of Sultanate of Deli, in this palace, you can rent a traditional royal costume and take pictures around the Maimoon Palace. Fun!
* Visit Great Mosque of Medan
The Great Mosque of Medan was built in 1906 and completed in 1909. It has octagonal shape and unique architecture, combination of Middle East, India, and Spain.
* Eat assorted satay sold by street vendor
Oh, where do I start. Flavored quail egg, mussels, shrimp, and other yummeh protein in a skewer? Why not?
* Eat soto at Sinar Pagi
There are two famous soto in Medan: Soto Kesawan (which is a ghost soto cus two times I’ve been to Medan and at both times, it’s not open) or Soto Sinar Pagi. Located at the end of Sei Deli, this place is really packed at lunch time. It tastes oh so good but ….. it’s quite pricey. Hahahaha. Anyway, a must try when you’re in Medan.
* Eat durian at Ucok Durian
My betor driver said that your coming to Medan is incomplete without having durian! And best place to have it is at Ucok Durian where the King of Fruit is available throughout the season. 😀
* Visit Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni
A Catholic Temple. Yes, a church, not a temple. 😀 Built in Indo-Mogul style, this church is unique because of its architecture.
* Eat Kaya Bread at kopitiam
When I went to Medan the last time, I took Bujendral (my mom) to one of the kopitiam (coffee shop) at the corner of Pasar Hindu. Enjoying Tea Tarik and the famous Kaya Bread while chatting and looking at people, a great morning indeed. 🙂
* Eat at Seafood Waringin
I know about Seafood Waringin from Perfectelle blogpost here. Located in Jalan Mayang, Seafood Waringin opens in the afternoon until late night. Many recommend the Black Pepper Crab, but I find it just okay. Not special, just okay. One particular grilled fish that I had, surprisingly tastes good! I would want to recommend that grilled fish to you but unfortunately, I forget the name of the fish! Hahahaha. Just find a specifically unique name of a fish in the list and ordered it grilled. I promise, if I remember the name later, I will update it here. LOL.
* Hang out at Merdeka Walk
Filled with many restaurants, Merdeka Walk is the place to go to hang out at night. If you’re a fan of one football club, check with the local FC if there is any joint-watch. Must be fun to scream and feel the glory or loss together! 😛
Those are things to do in Medan, go plan your weekend getaway and enjoy a full day doing this things to do in Medan list! If you’ve been to Medan before, share what you like the most from this city and needs to be included in this things to do in Medan list! 😀
Senyum dulu ah.. 🙂
11 thoughts on “Things to do in Medan”
Waringin tuh yang luar biasa ngantrinya
Ahahaha.. Kemarin nggak ngantri lho pas aku ke sana. 😀
Pengen naek keretanyaaa, duh Jakarta kapan ada kereta kyk gitu 🙁
Hopefully tidak lama lagi ya Dita, amin amin!! 😀
durennya bikin ngecessss
Hahaha. Langsung ke Medan!! 😀
Catet dulu ah. Udah lama banget ingin ke Medan.
Ahey!! Laksanakan! 😀 Terima kasih sudah membaca.
Aku tambahin ya, kak :
1. Noodles..noodles..noodles. Mau yang halal, mau yang non-halal ada buanyaak pilihan genrenya. Yg halal ada Mie ayam akong/acim di Kesawan atau Bihun Ikan Gabus (goreng atau rebus) buat malem & Bihun Bebek Asie kalo pagi (dan bihunnya bisa diganti mie lainnya). Ada Bihun Kari Tabona juga yang buka dari pagi-sore . Kalo yang non halal ada genre Mie Hokkien, Bakmi Khek, Mie Bagan, (some of) Bihun Bebek…yang kiosnya tersebar di mana-mana (mostly in eastern part of Medan)
2. Ngopi manjah di downtown.
Banyak rumah-rumah tua yang udah direnovasi untuk jadi cafe-cafe seru di area pusat kota sekitaran rumah-rumah lama seperti Sam’s, Gourmand, Bel Mondo, & bahkan Bakerzin yang merk luar juga ada cabang stand-alone di ex-old mansion
3. Piknik ke Cemara Asri
perumahan di perbatasan Medan-Deli Serdang ini sering didatangi orang2 lokal untuk duduk2 sore di sekitar danaunya menunggu ratusan burung2 yang pulang sembari ngemil2 jajanan seperti Mbok2 pecel yg sepedaan sampe martabak manis yang lagi hits atau taiyaki isi macem2 dari kacang merah sampe nutella. Ada vihara besar juga yang pengunjungnya lintas agama. Sementara penghuninya suka bawa2 anjing berjalan2 di boulevard sekitar danau dan bundarannya di pagi atau sore hari
Asiiik!! Siap Kak. Aku cataaat. Sebagai hadiah, aku berikan kamu kesempatan menraktir aku Bihun Bebek.
Terima kasih Kak Ari!!