Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, has been a trading center since the beginning of the sixteenth century. As one of the busiest business cities in Indonesia, Makassar gets plenty of visitors. Though it is overlooked as a tourism destination there are plenty of things to do in Makassar. With its strong historical roots, plenty of tasty food, and also amazing scenery, there are plenty of reasons to make Makassar the candidate for your next holiday spot. Here are a few of the best things to do in Makassar.

Best Things To Do In Makassar

Catch the sunset at Losari Beach

Losari Beach is a popular sunset spot for locals thanks to the dramatic and amazing sunsets. There’s a large public area where you’ll find kids on inline skates, people enjoying the view of the sea and families enjoying the outdoors. It’s a great place to do people watching. Besides the sunset, make sure to visit the Amirul Mukminin Floating Mosque, which is a 5 minutes walk from Losari Beach.

Somba Opu Sultan’s Fort

Somba Opu Sultan’s Fort | Best Things To Do In Makassar

Somba Opu Fort dates back to the same period as Fort Rotterdam. Following the signing of the Bungaya Agreement in 1667 between the Sultanate of Gowa and the Netherlands Somba Opu Fort became the royal quarters for the king.

A visit to the Somba Opu Port is less well maintained than Fort Rotterdam. On the way to Somba Opu Fort you have to pass Gowa Discovery Park (a sort of waterpark). The road to the fort is poorly maintained. When you arrive you will see remnants of the ruins of the fort, cannon, a two-storey museum and also some traditional houses. It’s worth visiting and one of the interesting things to do in Makassar if you plan to be in the city for a few days.

Join in Car Free Day

Every Sunday in Makassar the city holds a car-free day. The car free areas of the city include Losari Beach, Sudirman Street and a few other points as well. The morning is a great chance to take over the busy roads of Makassar and do activities such as jogging, cycling and enjoying an easy culinary tour. Don’t worry if you get hungry, there are many small booths selling a variety of typical dishes of the city.

Water sports at Kodingareng Island

Water sports at Kodingareng Island | Best Things To Do In Makassar

If you are looking for the best things to do in Makassar for relaxing, you should visit Kodingareng Island. The island is a 45-minute boat ride away from Makassar’s Bangkoang Port. There is no public boat to go to the island, so if you want to visit you’ll have to arrange your own boat. It’s easy to arrange this from the port (cost approxiametly Rp 500,000).

On Kodingareng Island you can do water sports like snorkeling, playing on jet skies or just sunbathing. There are also some snorkeling spots 10 minutes away from the island if you want to explore the underwater world.

Malino Tea Plantation

Visit a plantation and drink your tea in the clouds – literally. Once a hill resort for the Dutch, Malino still remains an attraction for many locals and visitors, alike. Located in the highlands, on Mount Malino, the tea plantation comes accompanied by a menagerie, cafes and a mini zoo. The view from the plantation and the clouds are definitely stunning and the cool surrounding mountain breeze is a plus.

Visit Trans Studio Makassar

This integrated mall comes with an indoor theme park, which makes it an exciting place to dine, shop and have lots of fun with the family, without having to deal with the scorching heat! Trans Studio Makassar is probably one of the most modern malls in Makassar and it’s definitely where you will find bigger brand names and franchises. The indoor theme park is also the world’s third-largest indoor theme park, with a lot of interesting rides and activities, so it’s definitely the place to bring your kids along.

Discover Pulau Samalona

Discover Pulau Samalona | Best Things To Do In Makassar

Run by a local community, Pulau Samalona is a frequented island, a 45-minute boat ride from land. Most people go to this island to practice their snorkeling and diving, due to the clear blue water that surrounds the island and Pulau Samalona is popular with the locals as a weekend destination.

Snorkeling here is ideal, due to the assortment of coral and fish. Local beachfront restaurants offer live seafood dishes, cooked in local Makassar style. If you’re not here with a local, do remember to always bargain for cheaper prices!

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