Pekanbaru
Capital and largest city of Riau, Indonesia
Pekanbaru is the capital city of the Indonesian province of Riau, and a major economic center on the eastern side of Sumatra Island with its name derived from the Malay (Indonesian) word for 'new market' . It has an area of 632.26 km2 (244.12 sq mi), with a population of 897,767 at the 2010 Census, and 983,356 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 1,167,599. It is located on the banks of the Siak River, which flows into the Strait of Malacca, Pekanbaru has direct access to the busy strait and has long been known as a trading port.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 983,356
- Coordinates
- 0.517, 101.442
- Timezone
- Asia/Jakarta
- Elevation
- 12 m
Overview of Pekanbaru
Pekanbaru is the kind of large city you find in Indonesia. Records put its population near 983,356. And that scale sets the rhythm of a stay. The local offer centres on culture, sports and family. It lies in the northern hemisphere, which drives its seasonal calendar.
Things to do in Pekanbaru
Culture in Pekanbaru
(5)For culture, expect Castles, Mines, Monuments, Mosques and Statues. Each one is worth building half a day around. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Pekanbaru.
Sports in Pekanbaru
(2)Pekanbaru records Running and Slopes under sports. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Pekanbaru. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Family in Pekanbaru
(1)For family, expect Aquariums. Easy to slot into a wider itinerary. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Pekanbaru.
Wellness in Pekanbaru
(1)On the wellness side, Pekanbaru offers Farms. It is a direct read of Pekanbaru's activity profile. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Getting there & around
Pekanbaru works as a gateway: long-distance arrivals, then buses, trams or metro on the ground. Set your clock to Asia/Jakarta on arrival.
Similar destinations
Places near Pekanbaru that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pekanbaru known for?
- Travellers associate Pekanbaru with culture, sports and family. It sits in Indonesia and counts about 983,356 residents.
- What can you do in Pekanbaru?
- Pekanbaru is tagged with Castles, Mines, Monuments, Mosques and Statues, which is enough to structure a first visit.
- Where is Pekanbaru located?
- Pekanbaru belongs to Indonesia, so it pairs naturally with other stops in the same area.
Personal notes
Loading…