Makassar or formerly known as Ujung Pandang is the capital of South Sulawesi. Makassar is the biggest city in Sulawesi island and also the 5th biggest city in Indonesia with population around 1.7000.000 people. Because of it's location, it's easy to find flights to Makassar from Kalimantan, Java, Bali and easy to find flights to the eastern part of Indonesia. There are also direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Many travellers come to Makassar because they want to visit Tana Toraja and then But beside Tana Toraja, Makassar has more interesting places to offer and many delicious food to try.
Here are 28 things to di in Makassar and places around Makassar that you can visit as a one day tour.
- Losari Beach
Losari beach is a favourite place for local Makassar people to spend time with families or friends to see the sunset. At the background you can see the 99 domes mosque.There are many food stalls around if you want to enjoy the sunset with some local dessert and drinks. The popular one will be "Pisang Epe" or grilled banana with brown sugar and gratis coconut. You can also find other famous dishes of Makassar from the restaurant around Losari beach.
How to get to Pantai Losari:
Just type "Pantai Losari" on Google Maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Losari Beach entrance fee: Free
- Fort Rotterdam
It was built by the 9th King of Gowa. It has a shape of a turtle if you see from above. After Bongaya treaty, Gowa Kingdom must give this fort to The Dutch and they re built the fort as we can see now. Here you can see some buildings with Portuguese architecture and you can also visit a museum that shows the history of Makassar.
How to get to Fort Rotterdam:
Just type "Benteng Rotterdam Makassar" on Google Maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Fort Rotterdam entrance fee: donation according how much you want to give.
- Paotere Harbour
This harbour starting to use in 1909 and still operating until nowadays. Here you can see many traditional boats that transporting things from Makassar to islands around Makassar. This attracts photograper to hunt some photos here. Beside that you can also see fishermen upload their catch from the boat.
How to get to Paotere Harbour:
Just type "Pelabuhan Paotere" on Google Maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Paotere Harbour entrance fee: Rp. 10.000
- Terong Traditional Market
Starting to operate in 1960, Terong market supplies many provinces in Sulawesi, western part of Indonesia, and eastern part of Indonesia. Here you can see local people selling rice, vegetables, fruits, spices, fishes, meats, and many more.
How to get to Pasar Terong:
Just type "Pasar Terong" on Google Maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Lae-lae Island
Lae-lae island is located 1,5 km from Makassar. This island was inhabited by Japanese soldier during World War 2. Now this island is inhabited by around 2000 people. On this island you can watch sunset, swimming, fishing, etc.
How to get to Lae-lae island:
You can take a shared boat from Kayu Bangkoa Port. It's around Rp. 15.000- Rp. 20.000 one way. To get to Kayu Bangkoa Port, you can just walk from Fort Rotterdam.
- Samalona Island
Samalona island is part of Spermonde Archipelago. It's llocated around 6,9 km from the coast in front of Fort Rotterdam. It takes only around 30 minutes to get to this island, that's why it becomes local people's favourite place for holiday. In the past this island was used as a base to attack Benteng Ujung Pandang or now known as Fort Rotterdam. There are also 7 ship wrecks from World War 2 around this island. Samalona island is inhabited by 7 families.
Here you can swim in the crystal clear water, snorkeling, dive or just sunbathing on the beach. If you are hungry, you can find some food stalls selling fishes, instant noodles, and some snacks. They also provide coffee, tea, and beer. If you want to stay overnight, there are some houses to rent.
How to get to Samalona island:
You can charter a boat from Popsa Port. It's around Rp. 600.000 both ways. To get to Popsa Port, you can just cross the street from Fort Rotterdam.
- Kodingareng Keke Island
Kodingareng Keke one of many islands in Spermonde Archipelago. Located around 14 km from Makassar. This island is uninhabited, but at daytime, many fishermen come to have rest here.
Here you can camp, hang a hammock, snorkeling, swimming, etc. Make sure you bring some food and drink because there are no sellers here.
How to get to Kodingareng Keke island:
You can charter aboat from Popsa Port. It's around Rp. 900.000 both ways. To get to Popsa Port, you can just cross the street from Fort Rotterdam.
- Lego-lego Food Court
Lego-lego food court is located in Center Point of Indonesia. Near 99 domes mosque. Here is not just a place to find food and drinks but also a place to spend time with family because it has big open space and play ground.
How to get to Lego-lego food court:
Just type "Lego-lego Sulsel" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- 99 Domes Mosque
Like it's name, this mosque has 99 domes. Why 99 domes? Because it's inspired by "Asmaul Husna" or God names. In Islam God has 99 names. It's located near the sea in Center Point of Indonesia. Really close to Lego-lego food court. This mosque can host until 13.000 people.
How to get to 99 domes mosque:
Just type "Masjid 99 Kubah CPI Makassar" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
99 domes mosque entrance fee: free
- Pantai Indah Bosowa
Indah Bosowa Beach or Pantai Indah Bosowa is popular for teenagers in Makassar. It's only 6 km from Losari Beach so many people go here. Beside watching sunset, here you can swim, casing, there is also banana boat for max. 5 people. If you are hungry, there are some cafes on the beach area. There are also some huts/ gazebos for rent if you need them.
How to get to Indah Bosowa beach:
Just type "Pantai Indah Bosowa" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Pantai Indah Bosowa entrance fee: Rp. 10.000 (weekdays) / Rp. 15.000 (weekend)
- Akkarena Beach
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| photo by: @nurulshabir |
Akkarena beach is located in Tanjung Bunga areaarea, around 6 km from Losari beach. This beach was opened for public in 1998. Beside swimming, here you can watch sunset while enjoying food or drink in some cafes in the area. You can also do swimming and some water Sport activities.
How to get to Akkarena beach:
Just type "Akkarena Beach Recreation Centre" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Pantai Indah Bosowa entrance fee: .
Rp. 10.000 (weekdays) / Rp. 15.000 (weekend).
- Somba Opu Street
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| photo by: @difoto.ai_ |
Somba Opu street is a popular area to buy souvenirs from Makassar. Makassar is famous with good medicated oils, cajuput oils, snacks, coffee and fabrics. Not just that, you can also buy t-shirts, magnets, Tongkonan house model, Phinisi boat model on this street.
How to get to Somba Opu street:
If you are in Losari beach or Fort Rotterdam then you can walk to Somba Opu street. Just type "Jalan Somba Opu" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Trans Studio Mall
If you are in Makassar and you need to buy some stuffs for your travelling, then Trans Studio Mall is the best options. There are many international brands such as Mango, Uniqlo, Watsons, L'Occitane, Frank & Co. and many more. If you want to work with your laptop, or just spending time at coffeeshop there are some coffeeshop like Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, etc.
How to get to Trans Studio Mall:
Just type "Trans Studio Mall Makassar" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Museum Kota Makassar
Museum Kota Makassar was built in 1918. It was the office of the first mayor of Makassar, Mr. D. J. Hambrink before the government turn it into a museum in 2000. Here you can see cannon, cannonball, photo of Queen Wilhelmina, coins, photos of mayors of Makassar, maps of Makassar in 16th century, and many more.
How to get to Museum Kota Makassar:
Just type "Museum Kota Makassar" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Tallo Kings Cemetery Complex
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| Photo by: Muh Firdaus W |
Tallo Kingdom was founded in the middle of 15th century when The 6th king of Gowa, Tunatangka'lopi died. His son, Batara Gowa Tuminanga ri Paralakkena became the 7th king of Gowa, while his brother Karaeng Loe di Sero ruled part of the region as first king of Tallo kingdom. The two kingdoms of Tallo and Gowa subsequently engaged each other in combat and competition, after an agreement was reached, the two kingdoms reunited and it's called Gowa-Tallo kingdom.
How to get to Tallo King Cemetery Complex:
Just type "Kompleks Makam Raja-Raja Tallo" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Prince Diponegoro Cemetery
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| Photo by: @andikset |
Prince Diponegoro was born in Jogjakarta, 11th of November 1785. His father was Sultan Hamengkubuwono III. He led the war against colonialism in Java from 1825-1830. After his defeat, he was captured and exiled to Manado. After seberapa years in Manado, he was moved to Fort Rotterdam in Makassar. He then died in Makassar at the age of 69 years old.
How to get to Prince Diponegoro Cemetery:
Just type "Makam Pahlawan Nasional - Pangeran Diponegoro" on Google maps. If you are not in walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Bugis Waterpark
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| Photo by: @bugis.waterpark |
Bugis Waterpark is the biggest waterpark in the eastern part of Indonesia. There are many attractions like Turbolance, Space Boat, Kids Pool, Pinisi Slide, and many more.
How to get to Bugis Waterpark:
Just type "Bugis Waterpark Adventure" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Bugis Waterpark Adventure entrance fee:
Rp. 100.000 - Rp. 200.000.
- Lantebung Mangrove Forest
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| Photo is taken from www.infodesa.online |
Lantebung mangrove forest has a colourful wooden bridge that goes through Mangrove forest until the pier. Here you can enjoy beautifull view of the mangrove forest, the sea, see local people looking for crabs, and hunting good photos.
How to get to Lantebung Mangrove Forest:
Just type "Wisata Mangrove Lantebung" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Lantebung Mangrove Forest entrance fee:
Rp. 5000.
- Somba Opu Fort
Somba Opu fort is located in Daeng Tata street, in Gowa regency. This fort was built by the 9th king of Gowa, Daeng Matanre Tumapa'risi Kallonna and finished under the 14th king of Gowa. In the 16th century, it was a centre for trading spices that was visited by Asian and European traders.
After VOC and alliances attacked in 14th of June 1669 this fort was destroyed and only some walls remaining until now.
Beside Somba Opu Fort, you can also see 24 traditional houses from different ethnic in South Sulawesi.
How to get to Somba Opu Fort:
Just type "Benteng Somba Opu" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
Somba Opu Fort entrance fee:
Rp. 2000.
- Sheikh Yusuf Tomb
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| Photo by: @rannadahlan |
Sheikh Yusuf was born in Gowa, 3rd of July 1626. Sheikh Yusuf started to learn about Islam when he was 15 years old in Cikoang. After got back from Cikoang, he got married and then went to Banten, Aceh, and Yaman to learn more about Islam. After the defeat of Gowa Sultanate, he moved to Banten in 1669. There he helped Sultan Ageng to fight against VOC until he was captured and exiled to Cirebon, then to Srilanka then to Cape of Good Hope, South Africa and died there. Sultan Abdul Jalil, the 18th king of Gowa then negotiated with VOC to bring Sheikh Yusuf body back to Makassar.
How to get to Sheikh Yusuf Tomb:
Just type "Makam Syekh Yusuf Al Makassari" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Kings of Gowa Cemetery Complex
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| Photo is taken from http://visitsulsel.blogspot.com |
Kings of Gowa cemetery complex is located on a hill in Somba Opu district, Gowa. There are 21 cemeteries in this complex including Sultan Alauddin and Sultan Hasanuddin tombs. In this complex you can find 4 types of cemeteries.
How to get to kings of Gowa Cemetery complex:
Just type "Kerkhof van Gowa-Tallo Koninklijke Familie" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Balla Lompoa Museum
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| Photo by: @sakinahparamithaaulia |
Balla Lompoa Museum is located in K. H. Wahid Hasyim street in Gowa. This museum which used to be a palace was built in 1936 by the 31st king of Gowa. After the 36th king of Gowa moved to Makassar, the palace changed its function in to a Museum.
Here you can see historical things from Gowa kingdom since the 10th century such as traditional weapons, traditional costumes, and many other items.
How to get to Balla Lompoa Museum:
Just type "Museum Balla Lompoa" on Google maps. If you are not on walking distance, you can order online taxi with Grab or GO-JEK application or you can rent a car with English speaking driver in Makassar for 12 hours.
- Rammang-rammang
Rammang-rammang is located around 37 km from Makassar. It's an area in the middle of karst mountains in Bantimurung Bulusaraung national park. The best way to explore the area is by a motorized boat. You can visit Kampung Laku stone garden, Kunang-kunang cave, Telaga Bidadari, and the famous Berua village.
Since it's not really far from Makassar, you can do this trip as a one day trip.
How to get to Rammang-rammang:
You can check our article about how to get to Rammang-rammang here.
- Bantimurung Waterfall
Bantimurung waterfall is located in Bantimurung district, Maros. Around 40 km or one hour from Makassar. Bantimurung waterfall is located not far from Leang-leang prehistoric cave and Rammang-rammang, so you can visit these places on a one day tour.
British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace was in Maros between July-November 1857. He visited Bantimurung waterfall by horse around September and found 6 species of butterfly around Bantimurung.
Beside waterfall, you can also see butterflies, two caves, and a hanging bridge.
How to get to Bantimurung:
Grab/ Gojek services is not available in this area so if you want to go by online taxi, make sure to negotiate with the driver for both ways. Just type "Air Terjun Bantimurung" in the online taxi application. Another way is to rent a car with English speaking driver then you can visit Rammang-rammang, Leang-leang, and Bantimurung in one day.
Bantimurung waterfall entrance fee:
Rp. 255.000 (foreign tourist price).
- Leang-leang Archeological Park
Leang-leang archeological park is located around 45 km from Makassar. Leang-leang means caves in Makassar language. Here there are two caves and were found by H. R. van Heekeren. In those caves you can see a pig painting and some hand stencills. These paintings estimated to be 5000 years old.
How to get to Leang-leang archeological park:
Grab/ Gojek services is not available in this area so if you want to go by online taxi, make sure to negotiate with the driver for both ways. Just type "Taman Arkeologi Leang-leang" in the online taxi application. Another way is to rent a car with English speaking driver then you can visit Leang-leang, Rammang-rammang, and Bantimurung in one day.
Leang-leang archeological park entrance fee:
Rp. 30.000 (foreign tourist price).
- Takapala Waterfall
Takapala waterfall is located in Tinggimoncong district, Gowa Regency. It's around 75 km from Makassar so you can still do it as an excursion. Near Takapala waterfall, there are many things to visit such as Ketemu Jodoh waterfall, pine forest, Malino traditional market, and Malino highlands.
How to get to Takapala waterfall:
Grab/ Gojek services is not available in this area so if you want to go by online taxi, make sure to negotiate with the driver for both ways. Just type "Air Terjun Takapala" in the online taxi application. Another way is to rent a car with English speaking driver then you can visit Takapala waterfall, Ketemu Jodoh waterfall, pine forest, and Malino Highlands in one day.
Takapala waterfall entrance fee:
Rp. 5000.
- Ketemu Jodoh Waterfall
Also located in Tinggimoncong district in Gowa Regency, Ketemu Jodoh waterfall hasil two story and each story is around 10 meters height. This waterfall is close to Takapala waterfall.
How to get to Ketemu Jodoh waterfall:
Grab/ Gojek services is not available in this area so if you want to go by online taxi, make sure to negotiate with the driver for both ways. Just type "Air Terjun Ketemu Jodoh" in the online taxi application. Another way is to rent a car with English speaking driver then you can visit Ketemu Jodoh waterfall, Takapala waterfall, pine forest, and Malino Highlands in one day.
Ketemu Jodoh waterfall entrance fee:
Rp. 5000.
- Malino Highlands
Malino Highlands is located around 80 km from Makassar. Malino Highlands offers a beautifull scenery of tea plantation and mountains at 1200 meters from sea level. Here you can also see mini zoo, and garden with many different flowers. Another thing to do is riding a horse and enjoying a cup of hot tea at Green Pekoe cafe.
How to get to Malino Highlands:
Grab/ Gojek services is not available in this area so if you want to go by online taxi, make sure to negotiate with the driver for both ways. Just type "Malino Highlands" in the online taxi application. Another way is to rent a car with English speaking driver then you can visit Malino Highlands, Ketemu Jodoh waterfall, Takapala waterfall, and pine forest in one day.
Malino Highlands entrance fee:
Rp. 50000 - 65.000.
