Makassar

Makassar, formerly called Ujung Pandang, is the capital of South Sulawesi province. It has the largest population of any city on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, and is the fifth largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Medan. The city is on the southwest coast of Sulawesi, facing the Makassar strait. It is regarded as the gateway to the eastern part of Indonesia.

Understand

How to speak dialect like a Makassarian The everyday speech of Makassarian is Makassar Malay Language. The prefix ter- for verbs becomes ta'- The prefix ber- for verbs becomes ma'- The prefix -nya for verbs becomes -na The suffixes -i and -kan turn into -i Suffix letters k, g, t, d are replaced by glottal stops. A short glossary of common Makassarian expressions: no tidak → nda'/tida' I saya/aku → saya you kamu/anda → kita' (polite) you kamu/anda → kau excuse me permisi → tabe' to come up menaik → nai' to take mengambil → ambil to look melihat → lia' to use memakai/menggunakan → pake' to visit mengunjungi → datang what are you doing? kamu sedang apa? → apa kita' bikin? (polite) to pay membayar → bayar how much is it? berapa harganya? → berapa ini?

Makassar was the traditional capital of the Bugis kingdom (Sultanate of Gowa). The Bugis were known throughout the region as proud, fierce warriors and pirates and highly skilled mariners, and before the Dutch defeated them, they had a formidable empire and sphere of influence in what the Europeans called the "Spice Islands". The Bugis also traded throughout the region, and you can find Bugis people today in many other parts of Indonesia and beyond.

Makassarese cuisine, based as you might expect on seafood, is highly prized throughout the region, so make sure to have some while you are here.

Get in

By plane

1 Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is the main airport serving Makassar. Reaching Makassar city center from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport by taxi is the most feasible option and should cost around Rp100,000 to the city (as of 2022). You can use the taxi app Grab. It is well-connected to other major cities in Indonesia, and also served a handful of international flights from Malaysia and Singapore.

The Airport Bus (operated by Perum Damri) is operating on the lower ground floor, linking the airport to the city. Ticket costs Rp27,000 (as of March 2019). If there is no one on the counter, you can board the bus and pay after the bus departs. The bus should be departing at a 30-min internal. The journey takes about one hour.

• 2 Airport bus (city center). 07:00-19:00. Route: Airport (start) - Jl. P. Kemerdekaan - Jl. Urip Sumoharjo - Jl. G. Bawakaraeng - Jl. Kartini - Jl. Kajoalalido - Jl. Arif Rate - Jl. Sultan Hassanuddin - Jl. Pattimura - Jl. Ujung Pandang - Jl. Ribura'ne (end). (updated Sep 2018)

By boat

The main port of Makassar is the Soekarno-Hatta Harbor. Makassar is a major port for Pelni ships for Central and Eastern Indonesia. It takes about 16 hours to Balikpapan, 24 to Surabaya, and 30 to Tanjung Priok.

By bus

Makassar has several bus terminals. One of the most useful bus terminals is Terminal Daya, 200 m from the main road from Makassar to Pare-Pare (and Rantepao). The Daya bus terminal is the one that serves Tana Toraja.

• 3 Terminal Daya (on the main road towards the airport). Rp2000. (updated Jul 2016)

Note: The Daya bus terminal has a fairly bad reputation among locals; although most buses to Tana Toraja do pass there, hardly any passenger embarks or disembarks there. It is strongly advised to buy the ticket, wait for the bus and board the bus directly in the dedicated bus company terminal (e.g. Bintang Prima terminal, Litha terminal). Fares are the same (or cheaper) and the safety is much better.

• 4 Terminal Bintang Prima. (updated Jul 2016)
• 5 Terminal Litha (On the main road towards the airport (much closer to the city center than terminal Daya and terminal Bintang Prima)). A pete-pete from the city center to terminal Litha should cost Rp5000. (updated Jul 2016)

Get around

By becak

Becak is a trishaw of unique design but minimalist compared to the ones in Java, can accommodate 2 small persons/children, but suitable only for one adult. Fare depends on the distance, usually Rp8,000-15,000 around town.

By taxi

There's a lot of taxi companies, all have the same fare and all use meters. You can also use the taxi app Grab.

By petepete (Angkot)

Petepete is the equivalent to other cities' angkot (angkutan kota/city transportation). A trip in town usually costs Rp5000.

By Trans Mamminasata

Trans Mamminasata (Makassar, Sungguminasa and Takalar) operates with Corridor-2 Trans Studio-Mal Panakukkang. Not as TransJakarta which serve only inside Jakarta, Trans Mamminasata serve also to outside Makassar.

By Transportation Sharing Application

On-demand (online) ojek services such as Go-Jek and Grab are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps, and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance. Payments can be made by cash or using stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available 24 hours and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers because they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and unnoticeable difference in fares.

Talk

Makassar is a multicultural city, but dominated by ethnic Makassar and Bugis. Therefore, they have a lingua franca language that is, Makassar Malay Language (Logat Makassar) or can be called Indonesian Language dialect of Makassar. Macassar Malay is not a creole, but a mixed Malay–Macassarese language, with Malay lexicon, Macassarese inflections, and mixed Malay/Macassarese syntax.

See

The Makassar seafront

• 1 Losari Beach (Pantai Losari). The long stretch of waterfront in the middle of the city. A very nice sunset view. Food stalls set up every night here. This is a hangout place. Do not expect an actual sandy beach. (updated Sep 2018)
• 2 Fort Rotterdam, No.Road, Jl. Ujung Pandang, Bulo Gading, Kec. Ujung Pandang, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90171, Indonesia. An old fortress from Dutch colonial days. Free entrance (they will insist you sign a guestbook). You will be requested to give a small donation, but you do not need to (the money will go to the guards and not to the site). The entrance fee for the Museum (Museum La Galigo) is Rp5000 for Indonesians, Rp10,000 for foreigners (two buildings, but you just need to paid once).
  If you are a foreigner, you will be the attraction for the locals there, some people may ask you to take photo with them. The friendly attitude makes this experience quite fun, and you can learn a lot about Sulawesi as well from it. Free entrance to main fort. (updated Sep 2018)
• 3 Pulau Khayangan. A small island about 20 minutes away by boat from central Makassar.  
• 4 Pulau Samalona. A beautiful white sandy island with good diving. Trip from Makassar takes 30-45 minutes, and costs Rp600,000-800,000 (1 boat can carry 2-8 people).  
• 5 99 Domes Mosque Makassar (Masjid 99 Kubah Makasar). This mosque with a very beautiful and interesting architecture is included in the list of 30 most unique mosques in the world. (updated Oct 2022)
• Paotere port (Paotere port). Makassar's main port and home to many of its ships, including traditional "Phinisi" boats. Locals are friendly and you might even get invited to have a look inside the ship. You need to pay 10000 rupiah to get inside and then you're free to explore. Be aware that it's not a tourist destination but actual port. Expect to have lots of attention, locals taking photos with you, becak drivers and curious kids following you etc. (updated Dec 2023)

Do

• 1 Trans Studio. The largest indoor theme park in the world. Having more than 20 games and equipped with facilities such as shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and marina. (updated Oct 2022)
• Makassar Hash: Local Hash House Harriers, for those who love jogging, running or hiking with a great view, in the jungle, river, or just adventure, this is your group. Makassar Hash gather every week at Kios Semarang, a restaurant in front of Losari Beach, and the group will take you to various places every Saturday.

Buy

Makassar has the type of shopping malls you would find in any other major Indonesian city, nothing very inspiring. The largest include:

• 1 MTC Karebosi (Makassar Trade Centre Karebosi), Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.1, Pattunuang, Wajo, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90113. IT Centre (electronic, mobile, and computer), Carrefour Express, local shops, cafés, playground, CFC, etc. (updated Sep 2018)
• 2 Mall Karebosi Link (MTC Karebosi).  
• 3 Mall Ratu Indah, Jl. Dr. Ratulangi No.35, Mamajang Luar, Mamajang, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90114. Matahari Dept. Store, Gramedia bookstore, Hero supermarket, XXI Cineplex, Breadtalk, Excelso, J.Co, McDonald, Pizza Hut, KFC, Playground, Some cafes and boutique, etc. (updated Sep 2018)
• 4 Mall Panakkukang. Mall Panakkukang: Matahari Dept Store, Rimo Dept. Store, Hypermart, Diamond Hypermarket, 21 Cineplex, Excelso, Gramedia, Disctarra, Breadtalk, AW, Sport Shop, Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, Rotiboy, Jco, some cafes, boutiques, playgrounds, etc. (updated Sep 2018)
• 5 Trans Studio Mall. Hugo Boss, Guess, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Giorgi Armani, and many other international brand store, Metro Dept Store, Gramedia Bookstore, ME Gallery (Apple authorised reseller), Pizza Hut and Crocs.  

Eat

Ikan bakar rica (baked fish with hot chillies

Pisang epe can be found at Losari Beach. It is a pressed grilled banana, served with melted brown sugar. Available with chocolate and/or cheese topping, and durian (seasonal) flavor. Buroncong, an early morning breakfast cake, can be found at Losari Beach. Baked on firewood. It's made of grated coconut, flour, etc. Sop Saudara, a traditional South Sulawesi soup, can be found almost anywhere. It contains meat, liver, lung, etc. However, you may choose the ingredients you want in your soup. Pisang Ijo is a banana wrapped in thick green rice flour layer, served with condensed coconut milk and syrup. The most famous one is made by Bravo Restaurant on Jl. Andalas, but it can also be found at Nyuk Nyan restaurant on Jl. Irian and Jl. Bali, sometimes hotels serve Pisang Ijo as well. Coto Makassar is a traditional makassar soup. Quite similar to Sop Saudara, but has different taste. Usually served with rice cake. It's very easy to be found around Makassar. Pangsit Mie (Mie Pangsit Palu) is noodle served with BBQ pork, chicken and wontons. Easy to be found around the Chinatown (Jl. Sulawesi, Jl Lombok, Jl. Sangir and surrounding area). They usually available only until lunch time. Mie Kanton is a Cantonese-style fried noodle. It's deep fried or usually grilled noodle, served with condensed soup containing vegetables, fried meatball, and pork meat. Can be found around Chinatown (as mentioned above). Pallubasa is a Makassar style meat soup. The soup is spicy and contains grated coconut. Nasi Kuning is yellow rice served with various dishes. One of the most favorite breakfast in Makassar. Some nasi kuning seller sell at night. Songkolo is stirred glutinous rice, served with fried grated coconut, salted fish and sambal (traditional chili sauce). It's quite difficult to find songkolo around Makassar nowadays. It's usually available at the traditional market or traditional food seller. Try Bacan Market (Pasar Bacan) in the morning if you want to have songkolo.

• Nyuk Nyang, Jl. Bali. Chinese style pork meatballs. Served in tasty pork broth. 
• Restoran Nelayan, Jl Alimalaka. Famous seafood restaurant. They serve various fish, shrimp, squid, lobster (sometimes), chicken, traditional vegetables, etc. There are other similar restaurants around the city, you might want to try Dinar or Ratu Gurih, both on Jl. Lamadukelleng. 

Sop konro with water buffalo neck bones; this soup is often made with beef

• Sop Konro Karebosi, Jl. Lompobattang. One of the most famous Sop Konro restaurants. They serve Sop Konro (beef ribs in traditional dark soup) and Konro Bakar (grilled beef ribs, served with tasty peanut sauce). There are some other Sop Konro restaurants. 
• Cafe Mama, Jl. Serui. A cozy cafe. They serve traditional cakes, cookies, sweets, and drinks. They also serve home made ice cream. 
• 1 Coto Gagak, Jl. Gagak. Serves Coto Makassar. (updated May 2020)
• 2 Coto Nusantara, Jl. Nusantara. Serves Coto Makassar. (updated May 2020)
• Coto Daeng, Jl. Karunrung and Jl. Pengayoman. Serves Coto Makassar. (updated May 2020)
• 3 Coto Dewi, Jl. Sunu, Jl. Sultan Alauddin and Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan. Serves Coto Makassar. (updated May 2020)
• 4 Coto Ranggong, Jl. Ranggong. Serves Coto Makassar. (updated May 2020)
• Pangsit Mie Kenangan, Jl. Lombok. (updated Sep 2018)
• 5 Pangsit Mie Toraja, Jl. Sulawesi. (updated May 2020)
• Pansit Mie Madya, Jl. Buru. (updated May 2020)
• Kios Lombok, Jl. Lombok. Serves Mie Kanton. 
• Lotus Restaurant, Jl. Lombok. Serves Mie Kanton. (updated May 2020)
• Kios Ateng, Jl. Sangir. (updated May 2020)
• Kios Ramayana, Jl. Gunung Lompobattang. Serves Mie Kanton. (updated May 2020)
• 6 Pallubasa Serigala, Jl. Serigala. The most famous Pallubasa. Note: Avoid lunchtime as it is very difficult to get seats on lunchtime. (updated Oct 2022)
• Surya Restaurant, Jl. Nusakambangan. One of the biggest Chinese food restaurant in Makassar. They are famous for their crab dishes. Ask for the female crab (it might cost more than the male crabs), female crabs have the delicious crabs egg inside them. 
• Nasi Kuning Riburane, at the corner of Jl. Sulawesi and Jl. Riburane. (updated May 2020)
• Nasi Kuning Popsa, in the Popsa pier on Jl. Penghibur. (updated May 2020)
• Nasi Kuning Emon, Jl. Ahmad Yani (across the Balaikota Building (Mayor's Office)). If you have a midnight hunger, you might take a walk to this place. (updated May 2020)
• Ikan Bakar Paotere, Paotere. Famous seafood restaurant, they are famous for their grilled milkfish served with peanut sauce and coconut milk soup. Other seafood restaurant also sell grilled milkfish, but this one is remarkable. 
• R.M. Ramayana, Jalan Gunung Lompobattang no 109, ☏ +62-411-311618, +62-411-3611618. 09:00-23:00. Traditional restaurant offering mixed Indo-Chinese food in Makassar. They are famous for variety of food such as Mie Hokkian, Mie Kuah, Makassar Fried Rice, Bakpao (Makassar signature Pork Meat Bun), Healthy Soy Drink. They have many local and tourist customers especially during peak seasons. Rp4,000-30,000. 
• Krispi Kriuk - Donald Bakmi, Jl. Boulevard, depan BCA, Panakukkang Mas, ☏ +62 411 430933. Krispi Kriuk - Donald Bakmi serves Ayam Goreng 'Kampung' and Bebek Goreng with local spices and serve on Banana leaves, Kakap Fillet, Lele Goreng,and Crispy Fried Shrimp, which all serve on Banana Leaves. They also serve Makassar favorite noodle 'Mie Pangsit' and many more noodle dishes and dessert like Es Sarang Burung, which is mix fresh fruits serving in coconut. And fresh local fruit Juices like soursop, avocado, jack fruit, terong belanda. Prices are affordable. 
• Pizza Ria Kafe, Jl. Latimojong 152, ☏ +62 411 313575. 08:00-22:00. 
• Rumah Makan Makassar Kuliner, Jl. Lanto Daeng Pasewang. Famous for its local traditional food and various of seafood. Located near Sahid Hotel and MARI mall. 
• 7 Mie Titi Panakkukang, Jl. Boulevard Ruko Ruby No.25, Masale, Panakkukang. 11:00-02:00. Offering Chinese-Makassarese noodle dish, Mie kering Makassar. The dish is dry noodles with seafood and thick savory sauce. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

• Kafebuku, Jl.Tentara Pelajar no. 141, ☏ +62 411 336 108. A small cafe-library near the harbor and is a good place for coffee and some Indonesian literature. There are also some books in English. 
• 1 Kopi Api. Nice café with excellent local coffee (in particular Arabica from Tana Toraja). Many other nice cafés in the same area. (updated Jul 2016)
• 2 Kopi Ujung, Jl. Somba OPU No.36, Bulo Gading, ☏ +62 411 3618004. 08:00-22:00. Excellent locally blended coffee made by award-winning barista. (updated Sep 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Aston Hotel Makassar, Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin 10, ☏ +62 411 3623222. TV, AC, hot shower, free breakfast and Wi-Fi.  
• 2 Favor Hotel, Jalan Lasinrang no.15, Makassar, 90113, ☏ +62 411 8111 805. Check-out: 12:00. Swimming pool. From Rp295,000 (including breakfast). (updated Jul 2016)
• 3 ibis Makassar City Center, Jl Maipa No 8, 90112 Makassar, ☏ +62 411 834888, fax: +62 411 834777, reservation@ibis-makassar-citycenter.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. From Rp358,000. (updated Jul 2016)
• New Legend Hostel, Jl. Jampea 5A, ☏ +62 411 313777. Helpful English-speaking staff. Central location. Price includes breakfast. Rp95,000-125,000. 
• Wisma Jampea, Jl. Jampea No. 2, ☏ +62 411 317895. TV, AC, hot shower, free breakfast and Wi-Fi. Very clean. Rp200,000. 
• 4 Citadines Royal Bay Makassar, Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin No. 24, ☏ +62 411 3690 999, enquiry.makassar@the-ascott.com. The property offers 186 studio apartments with complimentary breakfast. Facilities included are meeting rooms, a business corner and a swimming pool. (updated Nov 2017)
• POD House. Modern hostel with capsule style dorm. Has a nice cafe in the reception and a terrace, very close to Losari Beach. Rp80,000 for bed in dorm. 

Stay healthy

Hospitals

• RS Umum Daerah Haji Makassar, ☏ +62 411 855934.  

Cope

Consulates

• Japan Consulate General, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 31, Makassar, ☏ +62 411 871-030, +62 411 872-323, +62 411 851-882. 

Go next

On land:

• Malino - the nearest popular highland in South Sulawesi. 2-hour drive.
• Tana Toraja, the famed Land of the Heavenly Kings is an 8- to 10-hour drive or 1-hour flight to the north.
• Tanjung Bira - a popular beach community on the south-eastern tip

By boat:

• Balikpapan
• Surabaya
• Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta