3 km
from city center 1 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Built atop an existing fort of the Gowa Kingdom, this Dutch fort was built between 1673 and 1679. The fort is surrounded by a 7-metre high wall, with five of the original six bulwarks still visible. Within the fort are 13 buildings, with a church at the centre. The fort was originally square, typical of Portuguese architecture, and then underwent a makeover under Governor General Speelman. A few of the buildings inside the fort have been converted into museums showcasing the history of Makassar.

3 km
from city center 2 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Losari Beach serves as the center of attraction of the Makassar city. One will come across many different food stalls which have been lined up near the beach to indulge in some delicious and yummy snacks. The beach is at a strategic location which is flanked with artificial platforms, buildings, five-star hotels, restaurants and cafes along with huge market to shop to your heart’s desire. Thus, this is easy to access location is one of the most attractive options for many tourists in the city.

49 km
from city center 3 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The village of Malino is around 90 kilometres from Makassar, with the car journey taking around 2 hours. The village is at a high altitude, is surrounded by tea plantations, and sometimes can be seen covered in clouds. While not popular among tourists, the village has numerous beautiful sights travellers can enjoy, such as the Thousand Staircase Waterfall, Lembah Biru, Nittoh Tea Gardens and Takapala Waterfall. In addition, various tropical plants grow on the slopes of the mountains around the village.

4 km
from city center 4 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Paotere Harbour is the oldest harbour in the country, and it used to be a major trading hub in its heyday. It is filled with colourful ships, and tourists can take a ship ride for less than USD 5. It is a beautiful coast to view from a ship, and these ships are filled with friendly locals. A nearby fish market offers all kinds of freshly-caught fish and adds to the charm of Makassar's quaint sea-port.

2 km
from city center 5 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The island of Pasir Putih is a 15-minute boat ride away from Makassar. While not popular among tourists, it is a great diving spot. The island also houses a village with its own little community. The best time to visit the island is between June and September. This island is usually never visited by tourists, for tourists need knowledge of Bahasa Indonesian to bargain and navigate their way through the deals at the island.

6 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Trans Studio is the third largest theme park across the world at the moment and is considered to the best entertainment spot in Indonesia at present. Located in the largest city of Makassar in Eastern Indonesia, it is a great place for relaxing with the family without experiencing the inconvenience of inclement weather as the entire entertainment area is located indoors.

7 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Kayangan Lake in the Philippines is one of the two lakes located in Coron island of Makassar open for public. Geographically, it is situated in the northern end of the Palawan Islands which is towards the southwest of Philippines. Swimming, diving, raft rides, cave visits, and viewpoints should be on your itinerary when you visit Kayangan Lake.

8 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Formed on a cluster of coral, Pulau Samalona or Samalona Island is one of Makassar’s hidden gems. It has beautiful white sand beaches, azure waters, and breathtaking marine life. The island is famous for its snorkelling and diving opportunities that lets one see the colourful coral reefs and fish up close. Pulau Samalona is less than an hour’s boat ride from Makassar, making this little island the ultimate day trip and weekend getaway.

9 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Known as a fortified commercial center of the Gowa Regency in the 16th Century, Somba Opu Fort bears the marks of history situated in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The area surrounding the Benteng Somba Opu (Indonesian for Fort Somba Opu) has been developed into a recreation park (housing relics from the Sowa kingdom), and a museum (displaying historical objects of the Sultanate of Gowa) along with the Gowa Discovery Amusement Park. The Somba Opu Fort is, thus, an ideal place for a day-outing with the young ones in tow.

3 km
from city center 10 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Phinisi Point Mall in Makaddar is spread over four floors. The mall has five zones, themed after London, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and visitors can experience these different locales without actually having to travel to them. Phinisi Point claims to be Indonesia’s first lifestyle mall, with many food and beverage shops spread around it. In addition, there are numerous clothing, wellness and accessories shops and even a play area for children, making it a shopaholic’s paradise. The mall also hosts fun events such as fashion expos and Japanese Cosplay festivals.

17 km
from city center 11 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

About 14 kilometres off the shore of Makassar, Kodingareng Keke Island is one of the several uninhabited islands in the province of South Sulawesi. The beaches are filled with fine white sand, and the waters around the island are clear and blue. The coral reefs underwater make the island a great spot for snorkelling and diving. There are gazebos on the beach to rest under, but visitors should bring their own food and water, as there are no stalls or vendors on this uninhabited island.

2 km
from city center 12 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Grand Mosque of Makassar is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mosques, able to hold 10,000 people. There are two 66-metre tall minarets adjacent to the mosque, as well as the library and offices of the Indonesia Ulema Council. The mosque was constructed in 1949 and renovated in 1999. The Grand Mosque also was the site for the first-ever Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran, a Quran Recitation Competition.

6 km
from city center 13 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The black sands of Akkarena Beach are a great place to enjoy a day out with your family or friends. About 10 minutes from the centre of Makassar, the beach also has playgrounds complete with swing sets and seesaws, restaurants, and a park. The park, the Akkarena Tanjung Bunga, is open from 7 AM until midnight, and the restaurants and vendors within it serve a variety of local as well as international cuisines. In addition, visitors to the beach can enjoy water sports like jet skiing and banana boat rides, along with ATV rides on the beach.

7 km
from city center 14 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Visitors can enjoy over 20 water rides at Bugis Waterpark, with attractions for both adults and children. The rides include whirlpools, lazy boat rides, rafting and slides, and there are large swimming pools as well. The park is divided into three sections - Kampong Rilau or Fisherman’s Village, Alabuang or Port, and Batu Kalibampa Cave or Butterfly Cave, with each section having its own theme and its own set of rides.

84 km
from city center 15 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Balla Lompoa Museum is a reconstruction of the Palace of the Gowa Kingdom and is built on stilts made of ironwood. The museum building has two parts, the main room with private chambers for the king and storage for objects of historical significance, and a smaller terrace or reception room. On display in the museum are a variety of traditional weapons from Bugis and Makassar, such as machetes, spears, and a type of dagger known as a badik. Exhibits also include ceramic ware, earthenware, kettles, candlesticks and the like, as well as royal cannons and flags. The museum is 12 kilometres to the south of Makassar.

56 km
from city center 16 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Two hours away from Makassar at Lengkese village, Lake Tanralili is located at the foot of Mount Bawakaraeng. Trekkers will love the challenging 3-hour trek through rugged terrain to get to the lake. The lake is set in the middle of a lush green valley, with glorious mountains around it. The valley's greenery is a welcome sight for eyes sore from city life.

17 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Around Makassar are numerous islands part of the Spermonde Archipelago, located in the Makassar Strait. Among the numerous islands around Makassar is Samalona Island, consisting of coral reefs and white sands. In addition, Kodingareng Keke Island is a preservation centre for a diverse range of coral reefs and is a great diving spot as well. Island hopping tours around Makassar typically last for around 10 hours.

58 km
from city center 18 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park is located in Maros, 50 kilometres from Makassar, and covers three ecosystems over its 43,750 hectares. The karst ecosystem, with its valleys and tropical vegetation, makes the park an ideal spot for endemic butterfly species, and there also is a butterfly museum within the complex. The park also features a lowland forest ecosystem and a lower montane forest ecosystem. Visitors can marvel at crystalline stalagmite and stalactite formations in the caves in the complex and enjoy hikes to get to them and to the 15-metre high Bantimurung Waterfall.

27 km
from city center 19 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Stone Forest, located in Maros to the north of Makassar, is part of the karst ecosystem of the region. The stone forest is set amidst gigantic interconnected stone cliffs, with cave formations and tunnels within the cliff. This stone forest also serves as a source of water for surrounding villages and communities.

78 km
from city center 20 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Celebes Canyon, located in Libureng Village, never dries out, even in the dry season. This 200-metre-long canyon has sedimentary rock formations running along it, as well as three mini waterfalls. The clear water of the canyon comes from the Ule river. The canyon is 3 hours away from Makassar city and has a minimal entrance fee.

3 km
from city center 21 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

The Javanese prince Diponegoro was exiled to Makassar, and his tomb lies in the city. Diponegoro’s struggle against the Dutch occupation of Java is a source of inspiration for Indonesian citizens even today. His tomb, located in the middle of a market, is a popular tourist attraction. The caretaker of the tomb is a descendant of the prince and willingly describes the family tree to interested visitors. While there is no entrance fee, visitors are expected to offer a donation for the upkeep of the tomb.

22 out of 22
Things To Do in Makassar

Makassar’s cuisine is unique to the region, unseen in other parts of Indonesia. The place is known for meat stews, and visitors must try the Pallubasa, a stew made from cattle offals. Vendors by the street also sell a variety of seafood, including fish soup and otak otak or fish cake wrapped in banana leaf. Rice-based puttu cakes are common by the roadside, as well as the sweet dish of es pisang ijo, served with condensed milk, vanilla syrup and tapioca.