Top places to visit in Makassar

• Trans Studio Mall Makassar

  indoor theme park · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Huge waterfront mall in Tanjung Bunga with one of the world's largest indoor theme parks.

• Losari Beach (Pantai Losari)

  urban waterfront · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  colonial fort · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  karst cave · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  Beach Recreation · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  Traditional Boatyard · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  historic mosque · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 Rp10,000 (≈ ₹53)

  Family beach recreation centre in Tanjung Bunga with a jetty, sunset views and water activities.

• Benteng Somba Opu

  historic fort · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry Rp5,000 (≈ ₹27)

  Ruins and reconstructed traditional houses of the 16th-century Gowa Sultanate fortress.

• Samalona Island

  island · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Makassar

Airport: Makassar (UPG)

How visitors arrive in Makassar

• Fly into Sultan Hasanuddin Airport By air · common

  The main airport is well connected to major Indonesian cities, with a few flights from Malaysia and Singapore. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Pelni ship to Soekarno-Hatta Harbor By ferry from Eastern Indonesia · possible

  The main port is a major stop for Pelni ships serving central and eastern Indonesia. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from other towns By road from South Sulawesi · possible

  Several bus terminals serve the city, including routes from Tana Toraja. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Metered taxi from Sultan Hasanuddin

  Taxis use meters and are the most practical option from the airport to the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• DAMRI airport bus unconfirmed

  DAMRI runs buses from the airport into Makassar city. Ask at the DAMRI counter or check its app for the current boarding point and stops before you rely on a specific spot. Source: kompas.tv

• Grab

  The Grab app works for ride-hailing from the airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Ride Hail

  Gojek and Grab motorbike and car rides can be booked by app in Makassar, and Lady Jek offers female drivers.

  Get the Grab app

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Makassar

• Jan 31°C
• Feb 31°C
• Mar 32°C
• Apr 32°C
• May 32°C
• Jun 32°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 33°C
• Oct 33°C
• Nov 33°C
• Dec 31°C

More in Indonesia

• Jakarta
• Bali
• Yogyakarta
• Bandung
• Surabaya
• Labuan Bajo

Frequently asked questions about Makassar

How many days do you need in Makassar?

A typical trip to Makassar is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Makassar?

The highest-rated places in our Makassar guide are Masjid Amirul Mukminin (Floating Mosque), Masjid Kubah 99 Asmaul Husna, Trans Studio Mall Makassar, Fort Rotterdam (Benteng Rotterdam), Losari Beach (Pantai Losari).

Where should I stay in Makassar?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Makassar: City Center.

How do I get around Makassar?

Ways to get around Makassar covered in our guide: Ride-hailing app, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Makassar?

Scams reported to us for Makassar include Scooter rental damage claim. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Makassar?

Average daytime highs in Makassar run from 31°C in Jan to 33°C in Oct.

Which airport is nearest to Makassar?

The nearest airport to Makassar has the code UPG.