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Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh province, on Sumatra's northwestern tip, known for the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque and memorials to the 2004 tsunami.

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Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city of Aceh province, on the northwestern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia. It was the seat of the Sultanate of Aceh, described as the oldest Islamic city in Southeast Asia. Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia once stopped here by sea on their way to Mecca, which is why the city is still called the porch of Mecca. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami destroyed more than 60% of the city's buildings, so tsunami memorials such as the Tsunami Museum are worth a visit.

Come for the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, the history and the tsunami sites. The mosque was rebuilt in 1875 after it burned in the Aceh war. Islamic law applies in Aceh province, so dress modestly, especially at mosques. Most sights are in the city center, about 13.5 km from Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport. Beaches such as Lhôk Nga can be reached by car or motorbike, but check tsunami warnings first. The climate is tropical with near-constant temperatures. June to August is the driest period, and October to December is the rainiest.

Banda Aceh in five

Allow time for the Tsunami Museum and memorialsThe museum, the stranded PLTD Apung generator ship and the memorial sites are sobering. Visit with respect, keep voices low and allow half a day, including time to sit between stops.
Dress modestly at the mosque and in the cityThe Grand Mosque welcomes visitors outside prayer times, and city rules ask for modest dress. Wear long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt, and carry a scarf for women.
Catch the Sabang ferry from Ulee LheueFast boats to Weh Island leave from Ulee Lheue port on the coast, and sailings are fewer later in the day. Buy tickets at the port, allow time for sea conditions and keep a flexible plan.Aceh guide
Eat at an Acehnese coffee shopCoffee houses are the social heart of the city, serving strong local coffee and snacks. Try mie Aceh, a spicy noodle dish, and ask before photographing people.
Plan around prayer times and FridaysShops and sights can pause around midday prayer, especially on Fridays. Keep your sightseeing for the morning and late afternoon, and check opening times before you go.

Things to do in Banda Aceh

See all attractions in Banda Aceh

a group of people riding motorcycles down a street

Historic site · Banda AcehTaman Sari Gunongan

Museum · Banda AcehMuseum PLTD ApungBuy tickets in advance, as the site recommends.

Museum · Banda AcehMuseum Aceh

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Banda AcehPut the places you like in Banda Aceh on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Sultan Iskandar Muda (BTJ), about 30–45 min from the center
Getting there: Flights from Jakarta and Medan; long roads from North Sumatra
Getting around: Ride-hailing, taxis and local minibuses; sights are spread out
Best base: Central Banda Aceh near the mosque
Time needed: 1–2 days; 3–4 with Sabang

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Drier
FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Drier
MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, clear
AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Showers
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Drier, windy
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Drier, windy
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Drier, windy
SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Wet
NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Wet
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dec 26 memorial

Average daily high and low in Banda Aceh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Banda Aceh

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 73%

Banda Aceh

03:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today30°24°73%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
Wed30°24°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
Thu29°24°94%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Fri29°24°94%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Sat29°24°96%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun29°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon28°24°100%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 11:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR

Amount

Converted to

IDR · Indonesian Rupiah

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sabang on Weh Islandabout 1 hour by fast ferryBeaches, reefs and a quiet island at the country's western tip.
Lampuuk beachabout 30–40 min by carWide beach and mosque ruins southwest of the city.
Aceh highlandsa full day by roadCoffee and mountain scenery around Takengon; allow a night.Read the guide

Before you go to Banda Aceh

Tsunami sites and city toursGuided half-day with a driverCompare tours

Hotels in Banda AcehCentral hotels and guesthousesCheck availability

eSIM for northern SumatraData for ride-hailing and ferry timesRead the guide

Travel insurance for IndonesiaMedical cover and trip changesRead the guide

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Rules for Banda Aceh, checked

Islamic law applies in Aceh and the Wilayatul Hisbah religious police enforce it, so dress modestly, especially at mosques.
Check Indonesia's visa and entry rules on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly, as they depend on your passport nationality.
Check tsunami warnings and evacuation routes on the coast with BMKG, Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency, before you visit the beaches.
Dial 112 for emergencies anywhere in Indonesia.

Plan around Banda Aceh

Aceh

The province, Sabang and the highlands

Read the guide Banyak Islands

A long journey for a remote island group

Read the guide Medan

The main connection city for Sumatra

Read the guide Sumatra

Plan a wider island route

Read the guide Getting around Indonesia

Flights, ferries and long-distance roads

Read the guide All of Indonesia

Entry rules, money and islands

Read the guide

Banda Aceh FAQ

Is Banda Aceh worth visiting?

Yes for the tsunami museum and memorials, the Grand Mosque and a gateway to Sabang. It is more reflective than relaxing, so give it one or two days, then move to the beach or the highlands.

What should I wear in Banda Aceh?

Cover shoulders and knees and avoid tight clothing. Women often cover their hair in mosques and official buildings. Carry a light scarf, a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers or skirt, and follow guidance at each site.

How do you get to Sabang from Banda Aceh?

By fast ferry from Ulee Lheue in about an hour. Check the timetable and tickets at the port, allow for rough seas and arrive early. There is also a slower ferry with more flexible timing.

Is Banda Aceh safe?

It is generally calm for visitors, but follow local conduct rules and your government's travel advice. Keep valuables out of sight, avoid unlit roads at night and ride in licensed taxis or ride-hailing.

What do you eat in Banda Aceh?

Try mie Aceh, a spicy noodle dish, and martabak, plus strong Acehnese coffee at a local coffee house. Ask for halal-certified dishes if you want to be sure, and avoid pork and alcohol.