Summer in Medan, Indonesia, is more than just tropical heat and the hum of city life. While most travelers flock to familiar landmarks like Maimun Palace or the bustling Kesawan Square, the city quietly harbors a tapestry of overlooked experiences waiting for the curious adventurer. From secret nature escapes to cultural quirks that will surprise even seasoned explorers, Medan is full of surprises that defy conventional tourist advice. If you’re willing to step off the beaten path, here 15 remarkable—and almost never recommended—things to do in Medan during summer that will elevate your visit beyond the ordinary.
1. Explore Tjong A Fie Mansion at Dusk
Tjong A Fie Mansion, with its ornate Chinese-Indonesian architecture, is a known landmark, but most visitors only glimpse its exterior or rush through daytime tours. Visiting at dusk transforms the mansion into an entirely different experience. The fading sunlight filters through the stained glass, casting vibrant shadows across the antique furniture and intricate carvings. The atmosphere feels almost cinematic, especially with the distant hum of Medan’s evening traffic. Bring a camera, but be prepared to put it down occasionally—the mood is best savored without distraction.
2. Discover Forgotten Cafés in Petisah
Petisah is often overlooked in favor of Medan’s modern cafes in the city center, but it harbors quaint, decades-old coffee houses where time feels suspended. These hidden cafés often serve locally roasted coffee or exotic herbal drinks like bandrek and jahe panas (spiced ginger tea), which are perfect for combating the summer heat. You might find yourself sipping coffee on a worn wooden bench surrounded by vintage photographs, watching locals play chess or gather for afternoon gossip. The charm here is the lived-in authenticity—Instagram-perfect, yet untouched by commercialism.
3. Wander the Cemeteries of Medan Marelan
It may sound morbid, but Medan Marelan’s older cemeteries hold an unexpected fascination. Unlike tourist-heavy sites, these resting places are filled with ornate gravestones, crypts, and intricate carvings reflecting the city’s diverse ethnic history—from Batak Christian families to Chinese merchant lineages. Walking here, you gain a sense of Medan’s layered past and the stories of the people who built the city. Local caretakers sometimes share myths or historical anecdotes that can make your stroll feel like stepping into a forgotten novel.
4. Kayak Through Deli River at Sunrise
The Deli River often gets a bad rap for pollution, which is why few recommend venturing out on it. Yet early in the morning, before the city fully awakens, the waterway reveals a surprising serenity. Kayaking here provides a unique vantage point to watch life unfold along the riverbanks—fishermen casting nets, egrets soaring overhead, and old wooden stilt houses reflecting in the water. Bring insect repellent, an early morning spirit, and a sense of adventure. The payoff is seeing Medan from a perspective few ever experience.
5. Attend a Traditional Batak Funeral Ceremony
This one is delicate and not for the faint-hearted, but witnessing a Batak funeral (with permission, of course) is profoundly moving. Unlike Western funerals, Batak ceremonies are vibrant displays of music, chanting, and ritual, lasting several days. Summer, being a peak period for local gatherings, increases the chance of stumbling upon a public portion of such ceremonies. The experience is visceral, filled with communal grief and celebration of life—a raw glimpse into Medan’s cultural heartbeat that tourists rarely encounter.
6. Hunt for Street Art in Medan Selayang
Medan isn’t usually associated with street art, but Medan Selayang surprises visitors with an underground art scene that blends political satire, folklore, and bold graffiti. The works are scattered across alleyways, abandoned buildings, and even market walls. Unlike the curated street art tours of Jakarta or Bali, here, each discovery feels like a personal treasure. Summer’s long daylight hours give you ample time to explore the labyrinthine streets and photograph pieces that are often temporary, fading under the tropical sun.
7. Try Durian at Local Farmers’ Stalls
Durian is polarizing, and the mainstream markets rarely give you the freshest, ripest options. Venturing slightly outside the city to small farmers’ stalls allows you to taste durians picked the same morning. Some stalls even let you try varieties unknown outside North Sumatra. The aroma can be overwhelming, but the creamy, custard-like flavor is unforgettable. For a truly local summer experience, pair your durian with a fresh sip of iced teh talua (egg tea) sold at roadside stands.
8. Participate in a Floating Market on Titi Kuning Lake
While floating markets are often associated with Thailand, Medan has its own lesser-known version at Titi Kuning Lake, just a short drive from the city center. Locals paddle small boats brimming with fruits, snacks, and handmade crafts. Tourists are rare, making interactions authentic and personal. Summer’s calm waters mirror the sky, and bargaining with vendors from your own small boat adds a playful challenge. It’s an immersive, almost cinematic experience that doesn’t appear in most guidebooks.
9. Discover Hidden Waterfalls in Sibolangit
Everyone hears about the more famous Bukit Lawang, but Sibolangit’s secret waterfalls remain mostly undiscovered. A short trek through lush rainforest leads to cascading waters where the air is cooler, and the usual tourist crowds are absent. Locals sometimes refer to these spots by names that don’t appear on any map. Summer makes the trek warmer but also allows the waterfall pools to swell, creating perfect natural pools for swimming. Bring proper footwear, and be prepared to get muddy—this is adventure travel at its rawest.
10. Explore the Spice Plantations of Berastagi
Berastagi is known for its volcanic landscapes and fruit markets, but very few travelers visit the spice plantations tucked between the hills. Here, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and exotic herbs grow under the tropical sun. Walking through these plantations, you not only smell the intoxicating mix of spices but also learn about traditional cultivation methods from local farmers. Summer is ideal because the plants are thriving, the air is fragrant, and you can even pick certain spices yourself, making for an extraordinary hands-on experience.
11. Join a Traditional Batik Workshop in Medan Timur
Most travelers only buy batik as souvenirs, but participating in a hands-on workshop in Medan Timur reveals the meticulous process behind the textile art. Local artisans, often from families that have preserved these techniques for generations, guide visitors through dyeing, wax-resist painting, and pattern creation. Summer provides longer daylight for the detailed work, and the slow pace of the workshop contrasts sharply with the city’s bustling streets. By the end, you leave not just with a piece of art, but with a deeper appreciation for Medan’s creative heritage.
12. Experience Medan’s Hidden Night Markets
Kesawan Square and Sun Plaza get the bulk of night-time attention, but summer nights are perfect for exploring smaller, shadowy markets scattered across residential neighborhoods. Here, vendors sell homemade snacks, traditional sweets, quirky trinkets, and sometimes even live performances of regional music. The crowds are local, friendly, and often curious about your presence, making interactions more genuine. Sampling foods like martabak telur mini or keripik balado under flickering streetlights can turn a simple evening into a multi-sensory adventure.
13. Take a Photography Tour of Colonial-Era Bridges
Medan’s colonial past is often glimpsed only in Maimun Palace or the old post office. But the city’s old bridges—like the iconic Amal Bridge and smaller ironwork crossings—tell a story of trade, migration, and urban growth. Summer light, particularly during the golden hour, accentuates the rusty textures and faded paint. Walking or biking across these bridges offers dynamic photographic opportunities and a sense of quiet reflection amid the city’s bustle. Few guidebooks even mention them, making discovery feel like uncovering a secret history.
14. Witness Traditional Puppet Performances
Traditional Batak or Malay puppet shows (wayang kulit) survive in only a handful of Medan neighborhoods. Unlike commercial performances aimed at tourists, these shows are intimate, often held in community centers or even private homes. The puppeteers skillfully combine storytelling, shadow play, and local music. Summer evenings, with the doors open and the soft glow of lamps, enhance the magical experience. Attending these shows allows you to appreciate Indonesia’s rich oral traditions in a context rarely available to outsiders.
15. Seek Out Hidden Rooftop Gardens
Medan’s rooftops are more than just utilitarian spaces—they’re thriving gardens cultivated by locals growing vegetables, flowers, and even small fruit trees. Many are tucked behind narrow alleys or atop older shophouses. Summer is peak growth season, making the gardens lush and full of color. With permission, visiting a rooftop garden provides not only stunning city views but also a serene escape from the heat and chaos below. It’s an oasis few tourists ever stumble upon.
Medan in Summer
Summer in Medan is an invitation to look closer, move slower, and embrace the unexpected. While most visitors focus on conventional landmarks, the city’s hidden corners offer experiences that are tactile, sensory, and deeply human. From secret waterfalls and spice plantations to intimate cultural encounters and overlooked urban gems, each of these adventures reframes what it means to explore Medan.
Traveling here requires curiosity and a willingness to go beyond comfort zones—yet the rewards are unmatched. The city reveals itself in layers: the vibrant pulse of its streets, the quiet wisdom of its elders, the scent of spices in morning air, and the stories etched into its architecture. For those who take the path less traveled, Medan in summer isn’t just a destination—it’s a discovery of endless, unexpected stories waiting to be lived.
If you enjoyed Summer, why don’t you check what you could do in Autumn, or maybe next Winter, what if you missed something amazing you could have done in Spring?
Maybe there is another city in Indonesia that could surprise you.