Happy TravellerWelcome to Berastagi, a picturesque town located in the Karo Regency of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Situated on a crossroads on the main route linking the Karo highlands to the coastal city of Medan, Berastagi is a popular stopover for tourists on their way to Lake Toba. The town is located around 66 km (41 mi) south of Medan and about 1,300 m (4,265 ft) above sea level. Berastagi rose to significance when Dutch settlers in Sumatra opened a boarding school there in the 1920s. Today, the town is famous for its passion fruit and colorful fruit and vegetable market.
Berastagi is a nature lover’s paradise, with two active volcanoes, Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung, dominating the skyline. Each mountain can be climbed in one day, but a guide is needed. Mount Sibayak is known for its hot springs, while Mount Sinabung is known for its stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The Barisan Mountains area, where Berastagi is located, has a mean annual temperature of 18 °C (64 °F). During the day, the temperature rises over 25 °C (77 °F), but at night to early morning, it could drop to as low as 12 to 16 °C (54 to 61 °F), and it could also reach 9 °C (48 °F) during the rainy season. The weather can be fair and sunny during the day but may become foggy around dusk to night.
Berastagi is a small town with a population of around 48,244 as of 2020. The dominant ethnic and linguistic group is Karo Batak, but there is also a substantial amount of Toba Batak, Javanese, and Chinese living in Berastagi. The town is ethnically diverse with many migrants from adjacent regions. 97% of primary-age children attend school, but only 77% of high-school-age children. There are 26 primary schools, 8 intermediate schools, and 9 high schools within the district.
Berastagi’s economy centers on agriculture and tourism. Agriculture is much less important in Berastagi than in the rest of Karo Regency, with crops including scallions, common beans, peas, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, Chinese cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, and chayote. Fruit grown include oranges, passionfruit, kaki, and avocados. The town’s main economic activities center on the colorful fruit and vegetable market, as well as tourism. Due to its close distance from Medan, Berastagi was developed initially as an upper-class hill station for the European population in the plantation district around Medan. Today, Berastagi attracts a large amount of local as well as national and international tourists. Many investors developed several tourism sites, hotels, and lodges to attract visitors from Medan and elsewhere.
Berastagi has many places of interest for tourists. Gundaling, a hill located in the town center, with a height of more than 80 m (262 ft), offers visitors an overview of Berastagi. Miki Holiday Hotel and Funland, a hotel with an amusement park inside, is located in Sempajaya village. Lumbini Natural Park is a Theravāda style Buddhist temple that is similar to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, built in 2010. Bukit Kubu (Kubu Hill), a greeny hill area with a hotel inside suitable for picnics. Berastagi Fruit Market, a regionally famous traditional market selling local fruits souvenirs. Milk Pasteurization factory, a factory that sells local pasteurized milk. Visitors can also observe the procedure of making the product. Tahura, abbreviated of Taman Hutan Raya (Forest park), is a forest with various types of trees. Located near the town’s entry gate. Kebun Madu Efi, located above 1400 masl, this honey apiary provides Boutique Cabins, Camping area featuring tent rentals, flower gardens, buffet dining & picturesque mountain and hill views.
Berastagi is a small town with a big heart, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a taste of local life, Berastagi has something for everyone. Come and discover the hidden gem of Northern Sumatra today!
