Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
2.4M
Population
607 km2
Area
75 Mbps
Internet
Asia/Jakarta
Timezone
MES (3km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Medan's chaotic charm unfolds in Sumatra's steamy lowlands, blending Malay, Indian, and Chinese flavors through endless street food stalls and spice-scented markets. Digital nomads love the dirt-cheap costs, buzzing co-working scenes, and quick flights to remote islands, all under a hot equatorial sun.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Indonesia
Region
South-Eastern Asia
Population
2.4M
Timezone
Asia/Jakarta
Currency
IDR
Language
Indonesian
Airport
MES
GPS
3.58, 98.67
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
75 Mbps internet — adequate for most digital work
Travel
MES airport just 3 km from the city center
Climate
Year-round average of 26C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
3,732 total POIs
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
411
Cafes
183
Bars
16
Fast Food
120
Shopping
Supermarkets
65
Convenience
103
Shopping Malls
32
Healthcare
Hospitals
66
Clinics
138
Pharmacies
67
Education
Schools
426
Universities
107
Libraries
6
Recreation
Parks
69
Playgrounds
5
Sports
109
Cinemas
4
Museums
15
Theatres
1
Transport
Bus Stops
29
Train Stations
3
Fuel Stations
83
Services
Banks
174
ATMs
100
Post Offices
12
Police
23
Fire Stations
2
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
75 Mbps
Download
66 Mbps
Upload
16ms
Latency
92,078
Tests
29,191
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec
26°
J
26°
F
26°
M
26°
A
26°
M
26°
J
26°
J
26°
A
26°
S
26°
O
26°
N
26°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 26 C Range: 25.7 - 26.3 C Rain: 5,014 mm/year Sunshine: 2,951 h/year
CITY SCORES
91.2
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
62.8
Overall
AIRPORT
MES
Soewondo Air Force Base
3 km from center
Very close — ~5 min ride
FUN FACTS
Medan ( meh-DAHN, Indonesian: [ˈmɛdan] , Batak: ᯔᯩᯑᯉ᯳) is the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of North Sumatra.
About 60% of the economy in North Sumatra is backed by trading, agriculture, and processing industries, including exports from its 4 million acres of palm oil plantations.
In terms of population, it is the most populous city in Indonesia outside of the island of Java.
Its population as of 2024 is approximately equal to the country of Moldova.
When the surrounding urban area is included, the population is over 3.4 million, making it the fourth largest urban area in Indonesia.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Medan known for?
Medan's chaotic charm unfolds in Sumatra's steamy lowlands, blending Malay, Indian, and Chinese flavors through endless street food stalls and spice-scented markets. Digital nomads love the dirt-cheap costs, buzzing co-working scenes, and quick flights to remote islands, all under a hot equatorial sun.
How fast is the internet in Medan?
Medan has an average download speed of 75 Mbps and upload speed of 66 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Medan?
Medan has an average year-round temperature of approximately 26 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Medan?
Medan is served by MES (Soewondo Air Force Base), approximately 3 km from the city center.
What is the population of Medan?
The population of Medan is approximately 2.4M.
What infrastructure does Medan have?
Medan has 3,732 mapped points of interest, including 411 restaurants, 66 hospitals, 426 schools.
What country is Medan in?
Medan is located in Indonesia.