Parapat is a major tourist resort on the eastern shore of Indonesia's Lake Toba. It is mostly inhabited by Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun peoples, who are known for their lively and sentimental love songs.

Activities, such as swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing and golf are all available in Parapat and in combination with the cool climate, it is an excellent place to relax.

Parapat is also the main place for ferries across the lake to the island of Samosir.

Point of interest include Batu Gantung (Hanging Stone), the residence of former president Sukarno and Parapat Ferry Harbour.

There are countless hotels, bungalows, villas and guesthouses in town, as well as numerous restaurants and bars. Parapat is about 105 km south of Medan and 1,290 km northwest of Jakarta. The bus trip from Medan to Parapat takes about 4 hours.

View over Lake Toba ©Edwin Petrus

View over Lake Toba ©Edwin Petrus