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District in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Photo: Sylphar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Berastagi is a town in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It is home to two famous volcanoes, Sibayak and Sinabung, the latter of which has been erupting quite frequently since 2013.
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Taman Hutan Raya Bukit Barisan
Popular among locals for picnicking and camping, especially on weekends. The forest is poorly managed and in poor condition, though.
Bukit Gundaling
A small hill that give panorama view of nearby Sibayak and Sinabung. Sadly, it's packed with many small stalls around. You can take a picture with Sinabung with its volcanic plume as your background on a very clear day. Or you can ride a horse or horse carriage around Gundaling. Skyview at "Jembatan kaca puncak gundaling berastagi" for Rp20,000.
A large Buddhist temple complex and park. The main temple is a replica from Shewadgon Pagoda in Yangon. Dress code is applied; alcohol and cigarettes are forbidden to bring inside, a security checkpoint will ensure visitors comply before entering. Food stalls sell only vegan foods. temple has a park up/down hill next to it, has a bridge (closed at Mar 2024).
Pemandian air panas Lau Debuk Debuk
Take a dip in the hot springs on the foot of Gunung Sibayak while enjoying the view of the mountain. Feels so good, especially after having just climbed the volcano. There are now many places to choose from and some have rooms for rent also. You can purchase a small pack of sulfur powder and rub it in your skin before your soak. The powder is supposedly very good for skin. In late afternoon the springs become crowded with local families.
Gunung Sibayak
A climb of Gunung Sibayak is a must. Guides are available if you're so inclined, but there's even a road that motorcycles can use almost to the top, so a guide is definitely not necessary. The guides know many alternative paths to the top depending on the weather and your fitness level or time. Students from Medan like to camp at the top on weekends. There are two common starting points - Pertamina power plant at Lau Debuk Debuk (Semangat Gunung village) from the south east or Pos Lestari from the west. Don't take the route known as The Steps unless you have strong shoes and love mud! That route hasn't been maintained for about 30 years and is not for the faint of heart.
Gunung Sinabung
Sinabung erupts every now and then, sometimes spewing poisonous gases, and is presently (2026) off limits. The area around Gunung Sinabung (including Danau Kawar) may be a no-man zone. Consult with local authority before heading to there. Older info: You can also climb Gunung Sinabung. The easiest way is to take a minibus to Danau Kawar (a lake at the foot of the volcano) and then hike up (you should ask for directions as the beginning is not obvious). After the initial pass through the farms the path is impossible to miss (although the usual stories about lost/dead tourists exist and are listed at the tourist information office in Berastagi), so no guide should be necessary. Good views from the top and excellent walk through the jungle.
Air Terjun Dua Warna
This waterfall's source origin from Gunung Sibayak and to reach it will need long trekking through rainforest. Guide is necessary. Start point trekking usually is from Sibolangit camp, but several other routes exist. The waterfall is uninspiring, but the trekking is quite adventurous.
The largest theme parks with many varieties of attractions. Always packed full with people, especially on weekend. Check for promotion.
Specialty is BPK, options are lemak (pork belly, very juicy!) or merah (loin or leg, without the fat). If you want mix of both, just ask for campur. Served with cooked cassava leaves and pork soup.
Western dishes. They use mainly fresh ingredients. They have also European quality natural yoghurt. Be prepared to wait as it takes time to prepare meals from fresh ingredients.
A backpacker favorite for decades, this friendly source of banana pancake trail eats is not to be missed. It's moved around the town several times over the years, but Raymond's is still dishing up huge portions of delicious food for Westerners and locals. They also rent motorbikes and Juli is a great source for info on the local area. Vegetarian menu available.
Rumah Makan Ayam Pecak Dio
Free wifi.
Located at the historic site of Djakarta Lloyd resort house (old Dutch colonial resort), dated from 1922. It is nestled on top of a small hill with nice view and breezy wind. Next to old Bukit Kubu park. This hotel is excellent for budget traveler. Usually only open on weekends and public holidays. Will also open for group booking on weekdays.
Single/double room with breakfast.
Hotel with a restaurant. Services provided by the hotel include free Wi-Fi, hot shower, car rental and tourist information. Better not eat there, food does not taste at all.
Double room with shared bathroom.
Double room with own hot water bathroom.
Decades running budget favorite, well run, well maintained, and friendly. Cheaper rooms are in a quiet courtyard, with shared toilets/cold showers. Hot showers are available for Rp 10,000. There are also new motel style rooms with inside facilities. Wifi, restaurant and tourist info.
private bathroom, towel, soap, wifi, breakfast included (banana pancake, scramble eggs, or fried rice, fried noodle), offer trek activities (sunrise volcano/mount sibayak east peak 2212 m high +260 m elevated steep, hot spring 04:30-10:30, Rp 200,000), opened in 2018, very clean, very friendly and knowledgeable owner.
A large hotel by Sumatran standards, with one main building facing the main road (reception and restaurant are here) and three detached buildings encircling the swimming pool. 3-star plus. Rooms have hot showers. No AC in the ground-floor room, but there was a TV set with several Indonesian programs. Large dining hall; seems to be popular for family parties and group meetings. A rather basic breakfast is included in the room price.
Formerly Horison Hotel
72 rooms equipped with Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerator, sofa and table. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and room service. Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, garden, and views of the mountains.
Most expensive hotel around Berastagi with a swimming pool, a mini zoo, large parks, bamboo forest, and ponds. Hillpark is the only nearest attraction. To Berastagi town will need about 30 - 45 minutes, nearest Bandar Baru village is a viable option for local cuisine.
A four-star property on the road leading up to Gundaling Hills which is the scenic point for viewing the two volcanoes : Sibayak and Sinabung. The hotel has 112 rooms divided into several types including cottages. Facilities include heated swimming pool, restaurant, lounge, pub, karaoke and business center with internet access. The decor is mostly wooden with ornamental colours of the local Batak tribe. It is the only starred-hotel within walking distance (5 minutes) of the traditional fruits and vegetables market of Berastagi. A good discount on the already low published rate is readily given if you ask for it, barring peak holiday seasons of Muslim New Year or Christmas-New Year.
A big five-star hotel just besides Mikie Holiday. It's a complete opposite of bustling Mikie Holiday (due to its nearby Funland), the mood here is peaceful. If you want seclusion, this is the place.
Offers 172 rooms in categories of superior, deluxe, family, 4 theme rooms, 4 floral theme rooms, 2 suites and a presidential suite. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi access. Also serves international and local food. The resort provides a heated pool, a game room and private karaoke rooms. If you stay in the hotel, you can enter Funland free.
Pasar buah
The Berastagi area supplies Medan and in part also Singapore with local fruits and vegetable. The wet market is famous for selling fresh fruits, vegetables, potted flowers and decorative shrubs. Prices are generally acceptable but possibly higher than the more local Pusat Pasar market. Haggle is recommended.
Gundaling Farm
A dairy farm that sell fresh pasteurized-milk and yogurts. Come early as it sold out very fast.
The nearest airport is Medan's Kuala Namu International Airport. A taxi direct from the airport takes around 3 hours. Buses also go right from the airport to Kabanjahe via Berastagi (Rp 40,000).
Read in the guideBy foot
Berastagi is a small city and walking around is possible if you stay at the city. You can cover the whole city in less than an hour. Walking to surrounding villages, though, is not recommended.
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Beringin · International · KNO
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