Berastagi, North Sumatra Travel Guide

Panoramic view of the quiet and peaceful Berastagi town

Three things spring to mind whenever Berastagi is mentioned: Chilly weather, horse-drawn carriages, and the sweet, sweet smell of corn. The highland is also famous for the breathtaking view it provides of the active volcanoes surrounding it - Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung.

Gorengan, or fritters sold in a rather unpleasant-looking stall by the street on the way to Berastagi

Within the town, tourists can spend their time touring the famous flower and fruit market while enjoying the cool breeze. Fresh produce isn't the only thing sold here - You can also find pets, clothing, and colorful souvenirs to bring home.

Tens of stalls selling every type of fruit imaginable

Rabbits, dogs, hamsters - everything. Who even buys them?!

Across the street from the market, you can revel in grilled corn on the cob and the freshest sugar cane drink which will complete your whole Berastagi experience:

Most of the tourists here are locals seeking for a quick getaway from the scorching city sun. They seem to enjoy taking a ride on a horse for sightseeing around the town.

Street performances, horses, good weather and good food. What an experience!

My first time trying bakso - Indonesian meat balls served with savory soup. Cheap and yummy!

The tourist centers in Berastagi were all closed down when I was there. I could not find a map, so I've decided to go on a little adventure. I climbed stairs, trespassed gardens and private properties, and harassed young children by continuously waving and winking at them. After about an hour of aimless walking, I was rewarded with the most amazing view ever:

Just how amazing is that view? :)

How to Get to Berastagi

I obviously did not do a good job researching so I ended up going to Pulau Samosir before heading to Berastagi. Berastagi is a usual stop for those en route to Samosir, so make sure you don't make the same mistakes that I did.

The route I took:

1. Parapat - Pematangsiantar (1 hour - shared cab - 25000 IDR)
2. Pematangsiantar - Kabanjahe (3 hours - van)
3. Kabanjahe - Berastagi (20 minutes - angkut-  10000 IDR)

Van from Pematangsiantar to Kabanjahe. The 3-hour ride wasn't comfortable at all - people kept coming onto the van despite it being full to the brim. I ended up being in the van with 21 other people. It was insane.

Angkut (a mini van) from Kabanjahe to Berastagi. Be ready to travel with baskets of vegetables and livestock.

Traveling cheap is always exciting. Here's the rest of my North Sumatera itinerary