Things to do in Kota Padang

My sister is staying with us at the moment (yay!).

For the last few days we’ve been tied to Kota Padang for various reasons, which has given us a great opportunity to spend time exploring some of the places right on our doorstep which often get overlooked.

So here it is, a quick guide to our favorite places in (or very close to) Padang city;

1. Gunung Padang/ Padang Mountain

Gunung Padang is the remains of an old Dutch fort, on a hilltop at the south end of the city. There is a local legend of a pair of lovers throwing themselves off of the top in desperation, but I’ll leave the details for you to find out when you visit!

The walk to the top is a little steep, but with partially paved walkways and plenty of places to stop for a break it’s manageable, even by Indonesian standards (-the proof being that I’ve never seen a motorbike at the top…yet)! The view is definitely worth the effort, particularly around sunset when you can see the sky lit with beautiful colours above the clear ocean on one side, and city come to life after dark on the other.

Gunung Padang is a place that I would (and sometimes do), have great pleasure sitting for a while, watching the world go by or reading a book. It is an unhurried, unstressful, beautiful place to spend some time.

There is an entrance fee of 5,000 rupiah which is to be paid at the bottom before ascent – don’t worry about looking out for someone to pay, they’ll find you! You may also find yourself accompanied by monkeys and goats during your trip; both are pretty disinterested in people, so nothing to worry about. Although I would hasten to add, in order to keep it this way, please don’t feel tempted to feed/taunt the monkeys!

Gunung Padang is easily found by crossing jambatan Sitinurbaya (the bridge close to China Town) and following the road around to the left.

2. Jambatan Sitinurbaya

Okay, so it’s the bridge that you cross to get to Gunung Padang. But it is also a great place to hang out with friends, or snap a few photos. During the day the views from the bridge are beautiful, from both sides, and at night food sellers spring up to sell some tasty treats, making the bridge a popular hang out for the locals.

The offerings available include barbecued corn on the cob (be sure to ask for the corn to be cut from the cob for a less messy snack..), or barbecued bananas. Both come served with either a chili sauce, or chocolate and cheese combination (surprisingly tasty).

Jambatan Sitinurbaya is a nice place to grab a quick bite, take some photos and hang out with friends, in true Indonesian fashion.

3. Pantai Air Manis

If you like surfing, Pantai Air Manis, or ‘sweet water beach’ is the place for you. A short drive from the city center (in the direction of Teluk Bayur) lies this small surfing haven – there has actually been a new road completed connecting the beach to the city center via Gunung Padang; just follow the road past, enjoy the views and look for signs down to the beach. Catch some waves, or simply chill out on the beach with a book and some fresh coconut water from one of the stalls along the front, Air Manis is a great place to spend a day on the beach.

Please be aware that this is a local beach and as such, sorry ladies, you’ll need to be respectfully covered at all times. We advise against bikinis and swimsuits, unless covered by a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Also, as a popular beach for local tourists, it can get very, very littered at times.

4. Teluk Bayur

If you spend the day at the beach, why not head out a little further to Teluk Bayur for dinner? Teluk Bayur is a shipping port. There are numerous cafe’s, restaurants and food stalls lining the street, all offering beautiful views across the bay, which is lit up after dark. Peaceful, unhurried and beautiful. The fresh seafood here is hard to beat, too.

5. Padang Beach

Located in central Padang, Padang beach is a long stretch of beach, with various food options and activities (particularly for children), close to many shops and a couple of parks, too.

Exploring the area around Padang beach can throw up some wonderful surprises, and time spent here is never wasted.

6. Pasar Raya

Love hunting for a bargain? The central market in Padang is the place to find anything and everything and is an experience in itself. Spend some time wondering through the many stalls and stumble across a trove of hidden treasure and tat in equal measure.

Always haggle and keep an eye on your bag.

7. Night Life

Okay, so Sumatra is majority Muslim, so going out in the evenings often means going to a coffee shop rather than a bar. However, if you’re after a beer, head to Chinatown. Our favorite place is the Bat and Arrow; hidden down a tiny side street by the river, this venue is magical. A health and safety nightmare that would never be allowed back home, this gutted warehouse/ruin is the most atmospheric place in town to enjoy a Bintang after dark.

Complete with giant swing benches, candlelight, artistic graffiti, [‘don’t forget the proper toilets’ – Sister] and an open roof, perfect for stargazing, the Bat and Arrow is not to be missed.

Thanks Tess for a great week in Padang!

How about you? What are your favorite hang outs in Kota Padang? Comment below with your top picks, or any questions about the places listed above, or others, in Padang City.

Jen

Jen is an English girl who found herself in Sumatra one day and never went back. A wife, mother, traveler and book worm, she has lived in Padang long enough to speak the language and unearth plenty of useful hints and tips for the weary traveler…