Why go
- Capital and largest city of North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Served by Soewondo Air Force Base (MES).
History
Medan is the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of North Sumatra. The nearby Strait of Malacca, Port of Belawan, and Kualanamu International Airport make Medan a regional hub and multicultural metropolis, acting as a financial centre for Sumatra and a gateway to the western part of Indonesia. About 60% of the economy in North Sumatra is backed by trading, agriculture, and processing industries, including exports from its 4 million acres of palm oil plantations. The National Development Planning Agency listed Medan as one of the four main central cities in Indonesia, alongside Jakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar. In terms of population, it is the most populous city in Indonesia outside of the island of Java. Its population, as of 2024, is approximately equal to the country of Moldova.
Where to stay
Jl. Putri Hijau No.10, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, Indonesia · marriott.com
Jl. Tembakau Deli No.1, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, Indonesia · thereizsuitesmedan.com
Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim No.53 / 72, Babura, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20154, Indonesia · wahidhasyimmedan.harperhotels.com
Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro No.8, Petisah Tengah, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20112, Indonesia · adimuliahotel.com
Jl. S. Parman No.313A, Petisah Hulu, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20152, Indonesia · medan.favehotels.com
Jl. Gajah Mada No.49, Babura, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20154, Indonesia · swiss-belhotel.com
Jl. S. Parman No.217, Petisah Tengah, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20152, Indonesia · membership.cambridgehotelmedan.co.id
Jl. Kapten Maulana Lubis No.7, Petisah Tengah, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, Indonesia · mysantika.com
Jl. Kapten Maulana Lubis No.8, Petisah Tengah, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20112, Indonesia · aryaduta.com
Jl. KL. Yos Sudarso No.1, Silalas, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20235, Indonesia · emeraldgardenhotel.com
Jl. Dr. Mansyur No.169, Tj. Rejo, Kec. Medan Sunggal, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20122, Indonesia · grandhika-hotel.com
Jl. Pattimura No.442, Darat, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20153, Indonesia · all.accor.com
Jl. Timor No Blok J No.I-IV Blok J, Gang Buntu, Medan Timur, Medan City, North Sumatra 20231, Indonesia · karibiaboutiquehotel.com
Jl. Setia Budi No.159, Tj. Rejo, Kec. Medan Sunggal, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20154, Indonesia · grandimpressionhotel.com
Jl. Pemuda No.22, A U R, Kec. Medan Maimun, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20151, Indonesia · hermeshotelmedan.com
Jl. Imam Bonjol No.17, Madras Hulu, Kec. Medan Polonia, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20112, Indonesia · hoteldanautoba.com
Jl. Balai Kota No.2, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, Indonesia · hig.id
Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.328, Siti Rejo I, Kec. Medan Kota, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20216, Indonesia · hotelgrandantares.com
Komp. Center Point, Jl. Jawa No.1 Blok D, Gg. Buntu, Kec. Medan Tim., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20231, Indonesia · desatuhotel.com
Jl. H. Adam Malik No.5, Sekip, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera, Utara, Sekip, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sulawesi Utara 20114, Indonesia
Jl. Danau Marsabut No.90, Sei Agul, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20114, Indonesia
Jl. Prof. H. M. Yamin No.41, Perintis, Kec. Medan Tim., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20234, Indonesia
Jl. Sei Belutu, Padang Bulan Selayang I, Kec. Medan Selayang, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20153, Indonesia
Restaurants & places to go
Cafe · agen play1628 terbaik di Indonesia, khususnya kota medan Opening hours: 24/7 · 88 Jalan Nibung II, Medan · agenplay1628.org
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-24:00 Features: takeaway · Jalan Gajah Mada, Medan, 20152 · bk.com
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · SPBU14.201.1121 Jalan Gagak Hitam, 20133 · dunkindonuts.co.id
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 · 19 Jalan Gajah Mada, Medan, 20151 · pizzahut.co.id
Indonesian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 · 14 Jalan Adam Malik, Medan, 20133 · restorangaruda.com
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Indonesian, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 Features: vegetarian options · 2 Jalan Cut Mutia · monkscoffeeroasters.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery · 30-32 Jalan K. H. Wahid Hasyim, Kota Medan, 20154 · ucokdurian.id
Dumplings, Restaurant · Features: takeaway, delivery, halal · 89 Jalan Karya Jaya, Medan, 20143 · dimsumjuara.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: takeaway · starbucks.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, air conditioning · Jalan Gunung Krakatau, Medan, 20236 · texaschicken.co.id
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · 80-82 Jalan Taruma, Petisah Tengah, Kecamatan Petisah Tengah, Medan, 20151 · ikkousha.co.id
Noodle, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24 Jam · No. 70 Jalan Raya Medan-Binjai Km. 12, Deli Serdang, 20351 · orion.mitrabalisukses.com
Daerahregional, Asian, Chicken, Ayam Penyet, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 88-B Jalan Sei Mencirim No. 88-B, Medan Krio,…
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-15:00,18:00-22:00 Features: air conditioning · Jalan Timor Baru, Medan, 20231
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Features: takeaway
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-15:00, Su 07:30-13:00 · 3 Jalan Pertempuran, Medan, 20116
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00 Features: halal · Komplek Barakuda Blok DD 05, Medan, 20241
Sup, Telur Dadar, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-16:00 · Jalan Teuku Cik Ditiro, Medan, 20152
Fish, Breakfast, Tea, Local, Asian, Coffee Shop, Indonesian, Deli, Diner, Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 · Jalan Listrik
Asian, American, Restaurant · Asian/American restaurant · sohocapitalmedan.com
Brunch, Coffee Shop, Diner, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · No.17 Jalan Cut Mutia, Medan, 20151
Indian, Restaurant · Features: vegan options · Jalan Teuku Cik Ditiro, Medan, 20152
Seafood, Restaurant · Features: halal
Kebab, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway
Coffee, Toast, Cafe · Coffee/Toast cafe
Minang, Restaurant · Minang restaurant
French, Restaurant · French restaurant · No. 66 Jalan Sei Belutu, Medan, 20145
Juice, Fast Food · Juice fast food · Jalan K.L. Yos Sudarso, Medan
Arsik (Tempat Makan Pak SBY RI), Restaurant · Arsik (Tempat Makan Pak SBY RI) restaurant · Jenggala, Medan, 20152
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Barbecue, Steak House, Restaurant · Barbecue/Steak House restaurant
Food Court · food court · 26 Jalan Cut Meutiah, Medan, 20151 · mutia.garden
Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Ice Cream · ice cream
Cafe · Food, beer and coffees Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 · Jalan Palang Merah, Medan
Burger, Tea, Coffee Shop, Indonesian, Diner, Chicken, Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-24:00 · 52 I Jalan Sekip, 20113
Donut, Cake, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 13:30-20:00 Features: halal · Jalan Garu II A, Medan, 20147 · instagram.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Indonesian, Fusion, Western, Snack, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery, halal, air conditioning · 257 Jalan Karya,… · locatecafe.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, air conditioning · Jalan Pandu (simpang Pegadaian), Medan · linktr.ee
Coffee Shop, Diner, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · Jalan Abdul Hakim, Medan · instagram.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · Jalan Listrik, Medan, 20222
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · izumiya.id
Noodle, Non-Halal, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-22:00 · 20 Jalan S. Parman Kompleks MBC Blok A, Medan
354 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) 23 km to the centre
Beringin, SU, ID — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather.
Alas Leuser Airport (LSR) 92 km to the centre
Kutacane, AC, ID — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Helvetia Airport 11 km to the centre
Medan, SU, ID
Tebing Tinggi Airport 55 km to the centre
Tabbing Tinggi-Sumatra Island, SU, ID
Getting there by ferry
Ferry Jakarta → Medan
Ferry route · Pelni
Ferry Medan → Jakarta
Ferry route · Pelni
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Soewondo Air Force Base (MES); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: ferry routes serve the area; routes include Ferry Jakarta → Medan, Ferry Medan → Jakarta.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Medan (Sumatra), Indonesia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing