Medan, A Home to Exquisite Destinations and Cuisine

When you think about destinations in Medan, we bet the first thing that pops right into your mind is the beautiful Lake Toba. There’s no denying that the iconic landmark of North Sumatra is so alluring to domestic and foreign tourists alike.

The 1,145-square-meter volcanogenic lake offers breathtaking panoramic views with girdling hills that soothe the eyes. The lake's charming beauty has been dubbed as one of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s Five Super Priority Destinations in Indonesia alongside Borobudur, Likupang, Mandalika, and Labuan Bajo.

But don’t hold your breath because it’ll take some extra effort to get there, given that it’s 90 kilometers away from Medan City, and that’s why you need to take a 3 to 4-hour road trip.

But, don’t worry! If you just survived a tiring flight but need to make it to Lake Toba, you can visit these destinations first in North Sumatra.

Before continuing your journey to Lake Toba, you can stop by at the first two of these popular tourist destinations below in North Sumatra’s capital while having some rest. With its deep roots in Malay culture and rich history, the city is a treasure trove of must-visit historic buildings.

If this is your first-time settling foot in Medan, renting a car from TRAC is the best choice to get around. Want even greater convenience when visiting these destinations? We recommend opting for a chauffeured rental service. And that way, you don’t have to waste your energy driving.

3 Top Destinations in Medan

The Maimun Palace

According to several sources, the Maimun Palace is a majestic and grand piece of architecture. This legacy of the Sultanate of Deli was commissioned in 1888 by Ma’mun Al Rasyid, the reigning sultan of the era.

The interesting feature of the palace is its architecture, which combines Malay, Arab, and European influences. It was designed by a renowned Dutch architect, Theodoor van Erp.

The building, which once became the seat of the sultanate’s government, has stood the test of timeand it has been repurposed as a publicly accessible museum. Ready to discover its beauty?

The Tjong A Fie Mansion

This mansion, which also houses a museum, was formerly the house of Tjong A Fie, a wealthy Chinese merchant. Located at Jalan Ahmad Yani 105, Kesawan, the impressively designed Tjong A Fie Mansionalways attracts many visitors when they visit the city.

The mansion is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to mesmerize yourself with this marvel, you’ll only need to pay IDR 35,000 for the ticket per person.

R-Zoo & Park

Unlike the two historic sites mentioned earlier, R-Zoo & Park is a perfect destination for the whole family.

Occupying no less than 20 hectares of land, this outdoor attraction has a lot going for it, from a zoo specially designed for children with 364 Indonesian endemic species to various unique spots where you can take great pictures.

Situated in Bengabing Village, Pegajahan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, R-Zoo & Park can be visited daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket costs only IDR 15,000 per person.

3 Authentic Medan Traditional Foods 

When you’re done visiting top tourist destinations in Medan, treat yourself to some of the region’s authentic, flavorsome cuisine. “Which one should I try first?” you ask. Well, here are our recommendations.

Mi Gomak

This noodle dish is native to Toba Batak regions, such as Sibolga and Tapanuli. Like any noodle dish, Medan’s mi gomak is served fried or with soup.

What sets it apart is the type of noodles used. The noodles are thicker and served with peanut sauce, usually with lontong (cylinder-shaped compressed rice cake wrapped inside banana leaf). Since the food is very popular in Medan, you shouldn’t miss it when you visit the city.

Lemang

The next on the list is lemang, a dish originated in Tebing Tinggi. It is one of the region’s most-beloved foods. So, it’s not surprising that this food is the most sought-after gift for folks back at home.

Lemang is a glutinous rice cake wrapped inside a banana leaf and inserted into an appropriately sized bamboo tube. Together with the bamboo, the rice cake is then cooked over a fire and then served hot.

Kari Bihun

This last dish in our recommendation is also popular among tourists. The main ingredient, rice vermicelli, is cooked with various condiments and spices, including cumin, cinnamon, and coriander, giving it a piquant smell.

A bowl of kari bihun combines that vermicelli with slices of meat and curry soup, resulting in a dish that tastes like no other. You’ll be coming back for more!

Can’t wait any longer for a beautiful adventure out in Medan? Schedule your trip now and prepare yourself for the region’s wonders. Also, you can get around Medan more conveniently in a rental car from TRAC.

For easier booking, you can use the TRACtoGo app. Get the app now from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Don’t forget to join the membership program and enjoy all the convenience of TRAC products.

To stay up to date on the latest news from TRAC, be sure to follow @trac_astra on Instagram, TRAC-Astra Rent a Car on Facebook, and @TRACastra on Twitter.