Ulee Lheue is the west-side waterfront area and ferry gateway to Pulau Weh. The beach itself is not a tropical showpiece, but it is a good place to watch Banda Aceh relax in the late afternoon, with families gathering along the water and ferries moving in and out of the terminal.
Come here for sunset rather than swimming. The area was badly hit in 2004, so even an ordinary seaside walk carries a layer of memory. If you are catching the fast boat to Sabang Island, it is worth arriving a little early and looking around.