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What to See in Banda Aceh, Sumatra | Complete Guide
Banda Aceh, on the island of Sumatra, is often a stopover site on the way to Pulau woeBut if you have the opportunity, we recommend saidcarat least half a dayThis city was marked by the 2004 tsunami, but also by centuries of commercial history and Islamic tradition.
If you are thinking of making a stop, keep reading because we will tell you everything What to see in Banda Aceh, how to get there and where to stay.
How to get to to Banda Aceh
Virtually everyone who visits Banda Aceh does so on their way to Pulau Weh, taking advantage of the fact that the city's airport has good connections with Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur with low-cost airlines. You could also arrive from other regions of Sumatra such as Kutacane (a place from which to make a Trekking with orangutans in Ketambe) or Sinabang with the light aircraft company Susi Air.
Alternatively arrive by land on a bus journey 15 hours from Medan, the main gateway for tourists visiting Sumatra. Once in Banda Aceh, you can get around the city on foot or use travel apps. Grab and Gojek.
If you are stopping over in Kuala Lumpur, be sure to visit the city, It is one of our favorites in Southeast AsiaWe tell you everything you need to know in What to see in Kuala Lumpur in 1 day.
✹ Don't forget to read... These two ideas of Sumatra itinerary in 15 days.
Where to stay in Banda Aceh
The central area of Banda Aceh is located around the Raya Baiturrahman Mosque, so we recommend staying in that area if you want to visit some of the city's interesting sights. Although it's a bit far from the port, getting there via Gojek from the city center is very affordable.
We spent two nights in the Collection O Peunayong, does not have the best grade in Booking but it is very economical, the location is perfect, it has air conditioner and it was clean.
Two other highly recommended accommodations and frequented by international travelers In Banda Aceh they are the Lala Hostel and the Mulia Homestay, but the location is not that central and you will need to use Gojek to visit any site in the city.
What to see in Banda Aceh, Sumatra
Now then! Let's get to what to see in Banda Aceh. It's not a very touristy city, but there are several interesting places to visit. Most of them have relationship with the catastrophic tsunami of 2004, and Banda Aceh was the worst affected city, with more than 60 people dying.
PLTD Apung Museum
Although it is not the main museum in the city, we wanted to start with this recommendation because it is one of the most striking examples of the force of the tsunami that devastated Banda Aceh. The PLTD Apung is a huge ship weighing more than 2.600 tons that was dragged several kilometers into the city center.
It remains in the same place where it was stranded, a reminder of the power of the ocean and the tragedy the city endured. You can currently board and walk around the area to see the ship from different angles.
Boat on the roof in Lampulo
Another of the most symbolic places in Banda Aceh is a fishing boat on the roof of a house in the Lampulo neighborhood, on the outskirts of Banda Aceh. Its story is quite surprising: during the tsunami, the sea swept this boat into a residential area, where it became lodged against a house. Dozens of people took advantage of the boat to take refuge inside and were able to save their lives.
Today it has become a small memorial site. Although it is far from the city center, it can be reached quickly by Gojek. Access is free and you can see the ship up close and enter the interior of the ruined house where there are photos of the disaster, some explanatory panels and a commemorative plaque.
What to see in Banda Aceh: Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
La Baiturrahman Grand Mosque It is the most impressive building in Banda Aceh and one of the few tourist sites not directly related to the tsunami, although it also has something to do with it. The mosque stands out for its large black domes which contrast with the white columns. Also striking are the modern awnings that provide shade for visitors (closed in the photo).
Originally built in the 19th century during the Dutch occupation, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The most surprising thing is that survived the tsunami and many people took refuge here, since then, it is seen as a symbol of protection of the cityIn the small exhibition of the roof ship in Lampulo, we saw a shocking image of how it remained intact with all the surroundings destroyed.
Tsunami Museum
The Tsunami Museum, located in the city center, is one of the most important places to visit in Banda Aceh. It opened in 2009 as a commemorative and educational space dedicated to the tsunami that caused more than 200.000 deaths in the region and brought about many social changes. For example, it halted an armed conflict demanding independence for the Aceh region.
During the tour you will access several rooms with photographs, videos, interactive maps, survivor testimonies, and geological explanations about how the earthquake and subsequent tsunami occurred. There's also a room with the names of the victims and a model showing the magnitude of the disaster. Although the building could do with some maintenance, the visit is still shocking.
Aceh Museum
The Aceh Museum is one of the few places to visit in Banda Aceh that is not related to the tsunami. It is located in a traditional house wooden structure raised on stilts, founded in 1914.
Inside are archaeological artifacts, traditional weapons, jewelry, ceremonial vestments, and even a large bronze bell that was a gift from the Ming Emperor in the 15th century. There's also an area dedicated to local flora and fauna and another that explains the history of the Acehnese Sultanate.
We hope that this little guide will help you What to see in Banda Aceh helped you prepare your route and encouraged you to dedicatecarspend a day in the city within your Sumatra itinerary. Happy journey!
