4 Best Shopping in Indonesia

For the best shopping experience, stick with the locals by shopping at one of the many markets in town—other than a sprinkling of shops catering to tourists, you won't find much in the way of international shopping in Sabang. Go in the morning, when the locals do, and look for an island specialty called dodol, a sweet composed of palm sugar, flour, and fruit.

Visit Medan's largest textile market, also called the Old Fish Market, to haggle for colorful fabrics to take home. You can also have garments made from the textiles you select.

This is the city's main open-air site for fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, textiles, and practical items like fans, shoes, and cookware.

A traditional Indonesian market, the always-crowded Pasar Rame is a good place to bargain for clothes and household goods, as well as to buy coffee, tea, candied fruit (manisan), and durian. You can also sample the traditional Medan noodle dish mie kangkung belacan at one of the many food stands.