Arriving after a forty minute hop from Penang, that took a bit longer due to a go around landing, myself expecting to land any minute and suddenly being thrust upward and back over the sea, no explanation! Some people seem to be down on Medan, saying don’t bother, or simply it’s shit. What I found was a typical indonesian city, having hung round a little in Yogyakarta 9 years ago, I didn’t see anything different here, perhaps better food, a couple of decent museums, and obscene shopping malls to cool down in, and buy a replacement pair of Eiger hiking sandals to replace my stinking, decrepit Merrells.
I like Medan, and yes it’s nothing special to write about, but worth a stopover before you head in to the island, the food is good, and I’d say definitely check out the Great Mosque of Medan. You can go inside when outside prayer hours, and remember to dress accordingly and be respectful, not like some attention seeking instagrammer.