Lampuuk Beach lies west of Banda Aceh, outside the city proper but close enough for an easy half-day escape. It is a long, open stretch of sand backed by low hills, with simple seafood places and a calmer mood than the city centre.
The surf and currents can be strong, so ask locally before swimming. The beach is best in the late afternoon, when the heat drops and the light turns warm across the Indian Ocean. It also makes a useful reminder that Aceh's coast is beautiful as well as historically bruised.