Makassar, Indonesia: travel guide
The largest city in eastern Indonesia and the maritime gateway linking Java and Bali to Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Makassar's Bugis seafaring heritage gives it an outward-facing energy — fresh grilled seafood on the Losari waterfront, colonial Fort Rotterdam, and fast boats departing daily to the dive-paradise islands of Spermonde.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Currency
- IDR
- Time zone
- Asia/Makassar
- Nearest airport
- UPG
Top places to visit in Makassar
Trans Studio Mall Makassar
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 3 h
Huge waterfront mall in Tanjung Bunga with one of the world's largest indoor theme parks.
Losari Beach (Pantai Losari)
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
Makassar's iconic seafront promenade — a 1km waterfront boulevard facing the Makassar Strait, lined with food stalls, the landmark "I Love Makassar" letters, a floating mosque, and benches packed at sunset with locals eating pisang epe…
Fort Rotterdam (Benteng Rotterdam)
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry IDR 20,000
A remarkably well-preserved Dutch star fortress built in 1545 by the Gowa kingdom and expanded by the VOC after 1667. Sixteen buildings within the walls include a history museum (La Galigo Museum), a 16th-century cannon collection, and the…
Maros Karst & Bantimurung Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry IDR 30,000
The Maros-Pangkep karst region northwest of Makassar is home to prehistoric cave paintings (40,000 BC) and the Bantimurung "Kingdom of Butterflies" park with a stunning waterfall. The towering limestone cliffs harbour 250+ butterfly…
Pantai Akkarena Tanjung Bunga
Activity · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · entry IDR 15,000
A modern beach recreation park on the Tanjung Bunga peninsula in southern Makassar — the city's premier family beach destination. Features a clean sandy beach, jet-skiing, banana boats, and a café strip. The surrounding Tanjung Bunga area…
Phinisi Schooner Harbour Makassar
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The traditional Phinisi boat-building yard at Ujung Pandang harbour is one of the last places in the world where these iconic two-masted Buginese sailing vessels are handmade using ironwood and traditional joinery — no blueprints, no power…
Katangka Great Mosque
Mosque · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The oldest surviving mosque in Sulawesi, built in 1605 CE during the reign of Sultan Alauddin of Gowa — the same era when the Makassar Sultanate converted to Islam. The Javanese-influenced three-tiered roof structure is distinct from later…
Masjid Amirul Mukminin (Floating Mosque)
Mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.7 h
Makassar's landmark floating mosque on the sea off Losari Beach, popular at sunset.
Masjid Kubah 99 Asmaul Husna
Mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.7 h
Striking modern "99 Domes" mosque on the Center Point of Indonesia reclamation by the sea.
Akkarena Beach
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry IDR 10,000
Family beach recreation centre in Tanjung Bunga with a jetty, sunset views and water activities.
Benteng Somba Opu
Fort · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry IDR 5,000
Ruins and reconstructed traditional houses of the 16th-century Gowa Sultanate fortress.
Samalona Island
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h
Tiny white-sand island off Makassar with clear water, snorkelling and seafood stalls.
Things to do
- Galesong Beach & Sanrobengi Island Day Trip Outdoor · 7 h · from IDR 400,000 per person
- Losari Sunset Walk & Makassar Street Food Night Tour Culinary · 3 h · from IDR 250,000 per person
- Fort Rotterdam & Losari Sunset Tour Cultural · 3 h · from IDR 200,000 per person
- Coto Makassar & Pallubasa Food Tour Activity · 3 h · from IDR 250,000 per person
- Samalona Island Snorkeling Day Trip Activity · 5 h · from IDR 300,000 per person
- Bantimurung Waterfall & Karst Caves Day Trip Activity · 5 h · from IDR 300,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Makassar Heritage + Losari Sunset + Coto Food Tour 8 h · from IDR 400,000
Where to stay in Makassar
- City Center about IDR 1,800 per night
South Sulawesi city with accommodation
Hotels
- The Rinra Makassar 5-star · IDR 2,000,000 to IDR 7,000,000 per night
- Four Points by Sheraton Makassar 4-star · IDR 700,000 to IDR 1,800,000 per night
- Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center 4-star · IDR 700,000 to IDR 1,800,000 per night
- Aston Inn Pantai Losari Makassar 3-star
- Swiss-Belhotel Makassar 4-star
- Arthama Hotels Losari Makassar 4-star
Where to eat
- Ikan Bakar Cianjur Makassar Indonesian, Seafood · about 120,000 per person
- Coto Makassar Nusantara South Sulawesi, Indonesian · about IDR 30,000 per person
- Pallubasa Serigala South Sulawesi, Indonesian · about IDR 35,000 per person
- Warung Konro Karebosi Makassar, Indonesian · about 75,000 per person
- Lae-Lae Seafood Indonesian, Seafood · about IDR 120,000 per person
- La Piccola Italy - Makassar Italian, Western, Pizza · about IDR 110,000 per person
- RM Ranggong Coto Makassar Indonesian, Bugis-Makassar · about IDR 45,000 per person
- Aroma Coto Gagak Indonesian, Bugis-Makassar · about IDR 45,000 per person
Getting around
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Scooter rental damage claim
Losari Beach scooter rental shops · Fort Rotterdam area guides · Hasanuddin Airport unofficial taxis
Pre-existing damage is invoiced when you return the scooter — often Rp 2–5M.
How to avoid it: Video the scooter on pickup. Rent only via your hotel.