Aceh
Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra, is known for tsunami history, diving off Sabang and coffee grown in the Gayo highlands.
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Aceh is a province at the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia, and Banda Aceh is its capital. The province is known for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which struck its coast with great loss of life. Banda Aceh's tsunami museum tells that story, and parts of the city still show damage from the wave and the rebuilding that followed. Off the northern tip, Weh Island has Sabang, a town known for its coral reefs and diving. Inland, the Gayo highlands around Takengon grow arabica coffee on hillside farms. Aceh applies Sharia-based local regulations, so dress and public behavior follow local norms.
The province suits history-minded travelers, divers and slow overland travelers who do not mind long drives. Roads are slow and distances are long, so choose two areas, such as Banda Aceh with Sabang or Banda Aceh with the Gayo highlands, instead of trying the whole province. A week covers one region well, and two weeks let you combine the coast with the highlands. Dive and boat plans depend on the month, so check conditions before you book.
Aceh in five
- Dress and behave for Aceh's Islamic bylawsAceh applies its own Islamic rules, and visitors are expected to dress modestly, avoid public displays of affection and not expect alcohol on sale. Ask your guesthouse what to wear before you go out.
- Base in Banda Aceh, then add SabangThe capital has the mosque, the tsunami museum and the ferry port to Weh Island, so two or three nights there cover the core. Sabang adds beaches and diving for a few more days.Banda Aceh
- Take the fast ferry to Weh Island earlyBoats cross from Ulee Lheue in roughly an hour, and there are fewer sailings later in the day. Check the current timetable, buy tickets at the terminal and allow time for a rough sea.
- Plan the Gayo highlands as a separate legTakengon, Lake Laut Tawar and the coffee farms sit high in the interior, a full day by road from the coast. Go with a driver and avoid the rains, since slides can close mountain roads.
- Link Aceh to a wider Sumatra routeAceh's border area reaches Gunung Leuser National Park, with orangutan treks from Bukit Lawang on the North Sumatra side. Fly in and out of Banda Aceh and Medan to avoid long road legs.Gunung Leuser National Park
Things to do in Aceh
See all attractions in Aceh
Need to know
- Airport
- Sultan Iskandar Muda (BTJ) serves Banda Aceh
- Getting there
- Flights from Jakarta, Medan and some regional hubs
- Getting around
- Driver, ride-hailing in Banda Aceh and long road legs elsewhere
- Best base
- Banda Aceh for the sights, Sabang for the sea
- Time needed
- 3–4 days for Banda Aceh and Sabang; a week with the highlands
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDrier, hot
- FebruaryDrier, hot
- MarchHot, clear
- AprilHot, showers
- MayShowers
- JuneDrier, windy
- JulyDrier, windy
- AugustDrier, windy
- SeptemberShowers
- OctoberWet
- NovemberWet, floods
- DecemberWet, memorial
Right now in Aceh
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Aceh
03:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°18°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed26°19°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu28°18°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri28°19°100%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat28°19°100%Saturday: Rain. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun27°19°100%Sunday: Rain. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 12:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Sabang on Weh Islandabout 1 hour by fast ferryReefs, white sand and a quiet island at Indonesia's western edge.
- Lampuuk and Lhoknga beachesabout 30–40 min by carSurf and swimming beaches southwest of Banda Aceh.
- Banda Acehcity baseThe mosque, the tsunami museum and memorials in one day.Read the guide
Before you go to Aceh
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Rules for Aceh, checked
- Indonesia's visa rules depend on your passport. Check the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) for visa-on-arrival and e-VOA before you fly.
- Aceh applies Sharia-based local regulations. Dress modestly in public and avoid public displays of affection, especially outside tourist areas.
- Alcohol sales are restricted in Aceh. Check what your hotel and restaurants serve before you arrive.
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering a mosque, including the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.
- Emergency calls: 112 works across Indonesia. Police are 110, and ambulance is 118 or 119.
Plan around Aceh
The capital, the museum and the ferry
Read the guideBanyak IslandsRemote island group off the southwest coast
Read the guideGunung LeuserRainforest park with orangutan treks
Read the guideSumatraThe island and its main routes
Read the guideMedanMain gateway city in North Sumatra
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideAceh FAQ
Is Aceh safe for tourists?
Most visitors report that Aceh is welcoming, but check your government's current travel advice and follow local dress and conduct rules. Take extra care on remote roads and in flood season, and keep insurance that covers medical transfer.
Do you need to cover up in Aceh?
Yes. Expect to dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered. Women are often expected to cover their hair in mosques and some official places. Ask your guesthouse, and carry a light scarf and long layers.
Can you drink alcohol in Aceh?
Not openly. Alcohol is not sold in most places, and public drinking is not accepted. Plan on coffee, tea and juice, and do not bring alcohol into public places.
What is Aceh best known for?
The 2004 tsunami memorials in Banda Aceh, the Baiturrahman Mosque, Sabang's diving and the Gayo highlands' coffee. It is also the gateway to northern Sumatra's rainforests.
How many days do you need in Aceh?
Three or four days for Banda Aceh and Sabang. A week if you add Gayo highlands or a road trip toward North Sumatra. Allow buffer days for ferries and mountain roads.