Top sight
Top sight
City guide · Updated June 2026
AsiaIndonesia-5.1° · 119.4°
Makassar,Indonesia.
East Indonesia's bold port capital — where Dutch forts, ancient cave art, and legendary seafood collide.
Makassar · ID
MakassarIndonesia
★
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG)NEAREST AIRPORT
Population
1,371,342
Total residents
Global rank
#192
Wanderlust index
Best time
Dry season, May to September…
Peak window
Time zone
Asia/Makassar
Local time
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Money in use
Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Buginese and Makassarese also spoken locally
Spoken locally
01 · Overview
About Makassar
East Indonesia's bold port capital — where Dutch forts, ancient cave art, and legendary seafood collide.
Makassar is the largest city in Eastern Indonesia and the economic and cultural capital of South Sulawesi, serving as the primary gateway to Sulawesi and the wider eastern archipelago. The city blends a rich maritime history — rooted in the Bugis and Gowa kingdoms and later Dutch colonial trade — with a vibrant modern energy, world-class seafood, and access to extraordinary natural wonders. Within easy reach are some of the world's oldest cave paintings at Leang-Leang, the dramatic Rammang-Rammang karst landscapes, and the coral-fringed islands of the Spermonde Archipelago. Visitors who linger discover a city of genuine warmth, distinctive cuisine, and authentic Indonesian culture well off the typical tourist trail.
02 · Wanderlust scorecard
How Makassar scores
Ratings run 0 to 5 unless marked. They come from our AI-assisted research and are refreshed on a rolling basis.
5
/ 5
Cost of living
Affordability, 0–5. Higher means cheaper.
3
/ 5
Leisure
Leisure rating, 0–5.
17
Mbps
Connectivity
Median internet speed.
4
/ 5
Safety
Safety rating, 0–5. Higher is safer.
3
/ 5
Overall livability
Overall rating, 0–5.
4
/ 5
Air quality
Air-quality rating, 0–5. Higher is cleaner.
7.6
index
Index score
Wanderlust ranking, 0–10: overall, safety, internet, cost, leisure and air quality, weighted.
03 · Weather & when to go
Best time to visit Makassar
Current weather and the forecast, and the months our research rates best for a visit.
Month by month
Best months Either side Other months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sweet spot: Dry season, May to September, with June–August offering the most sunshine and least rain..
More cities for these months: Where to go in May · Where to go in June · Where to go in July · Where to go in August · Where to go in September
04 · Things to do
Things to do in Makassar
Top sights from our AI-assisted research, and other places we have photos of.
Top sight
Top sight
Losari Beach
Top sight
Top sight
99 Dome Mosque (Masjid 99 Kubah)
Top sight
Top sight
Rammang-Rammang Karst Landscapes
Top sight
Top sight
Leang-Leang Cave Paintings
Top sight
Top sight
Samalona Island (Spermonde Archipelago)
Top sight
Top sight
Trans Studio Makassar
Top sight
Top sight
Paotere Harbour (Pelabuhan Paotere)
05 · Monthly cost of living
Cost of living in Makassar
Estimated monthly totals in USD from our AI-assisted research, one per profile. Treat them as a starting point for a budget, not a quote.
$657
estimated monthly spend · USDProfileExpat
Price references — vs. profile benchmarks
Nomadmonthly spend · USD
$800
+22%
Expatmonthly spend · USD
$657
baseline
Familymonthly spend · USD
$2,074
+216%
Localmonthly spend · USD
$478.6
-27%
Median fiber speeddownload · Mbps
17
Mbps
06 · Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Makassar
Neighborhoods our AI-assisted research lists as popular with visitors.
Losari
Panakkukang
Ujung Pandang
Rappocini
07 · Insider tips
Sights and neighbourhoods, with a tip each.
Practical tips on places from this Makassar guide, written with AI. One is free; Pro members see the rest. Double-check details before you go.
Insider tips · Wanderlust Pro
Practical tips on the sights and neighbourhoods in this Makassarguide — when to go, what most visitors miss. Written with AI about the guide's own places; double-check details before you go. Pro members see every tip.
08 · Practical notes
Practical information for Makassar
The essentials from this guide's data, in one place.
01
Getting there
- Nearest airport — Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG)
02
Money
- Currency — Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Affordability — 5/5 on the Wanderlust index (higher is cheaper)
03
Internet
- Median speed — 17 Mbps
- Internet score — 4.3/5
04
Safety
- Safety score — 4/5 from our AI-assisted research
05
Language
- Primary language — Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Buginese and Makassarese also spoken locally
06
Timing
- Best window — Dry season, May to September, with June–August offering the most sunshine and least rain.
- Time zone — Asia/Makassar
Questions
Frequently asked, plainly answered.
The quick answers travelers want before they commit to flights, neighborhoods, and how long to stay.
Is Makassar safe for travelers?+
Makassar has a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
What is the best time to visit Makassar?+
The best time to visit Makassar is Dry season, May to September, with June–August offering the most sunshine and least rain..
How expensive is Makassar?+
Makassar has an affordability score of 5 out of 5, where 5 is most affordable.
What is the internet speed in Makassar?+
Makassar has an average internet speed of 17 Mbps.
What currency does Makassar use?+
The currency used in Makassar is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
What language is spoken in Makassar?+
The primary language spoken in Makassar is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Buginese and Makassarese also spoken locally.
Researched city guide
Getting there, getting around and when to go
Written with AI-assisted web research. Where we have sources, they are listed under each part.
What works
- Extremely affordable cost of living — one of Indonesia's best-value cities
- Spectacular day trips: Rammang-Rammang karsts, 50,000-year-old cave paintings, and island-hopping
- World-class local cuisine — Coto Makassar, Konro Bakar, fresh Spermonde seafood
- Authentic, uncrowded Indonesian culture with warm, welcoming locals
- Well-connected airport serving as the hub for all of Eastern Indonesia
- Rich Bugis and Gowa Sultanate history visible across the city
What to weigh
- Limited coworking infrastructure — still developing for digital nomads
- Traffic congestion can be severe, especially during peak hours
- Tropical heat and high humidity year-round
- Public transport is not well-suited for reaching major out-of-city attractions
- English proficiency is lower than in Bali or Yogyakarta
Getting in
How to arrive
Makassar is served by Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG), located approximately 19–20 km northeast of the city centre. The airport has direct connections to Jakarta (multiple airlines including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink, and Super Air Jet), Bali, Surabaya, and a handful of international routes from Malaysia and Singapore. From the airport, the most affordable option is the DAMRI bus (IDR 25,000/person, ~$1.50 USD), which operates from the airport from 08:30–24:00 WITA and drops passengers at key points in the city centre; the journey takes approximately one hour. Official metered taxis run 24/7 on a zone-based fare system: Zone 1 (city centre) costs around IDR 133,000 (~$8 USD), Zone 2 IDR 175,000, and Zone 3 IDR 205,000. Ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek are also available at the airport for competitive fares.
Getting around
Moving through the city
Makassar's most characterful local transit option is the pete-pete (locally known as Angkot), colour-coded minibuses with around 4,000 units operating throughout the city on fixed routes. Becak (cycle rickshaws) are available at tourist spots and suit short hops, with fares typically starting at IDR 20,000–50,000 negotiated upfront. Ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek are the most convenient option for visitors — fast, transparent pricing, and widely available. For day trips to Rammang-Rammang, Leang-Leang, or the Malino Highlands, renting a car or hiring a private driver is the most practical choice, as public transit does not reliably reach these destinations. Taxis with metered fares are also plentiful in the city centre.
When to go
Timing your trip
Makassar has a tropical monsoon climate with temperatures hovering between 26°C and 32°C (79°F–90°F) year-round and humidity consistently between 75–90%. The dry season runs from May to October, with June through August delivering the most reliable sunshine and the fewest rain days (as few as zero to four days of precipitation per month) — ideal for island-hopping in the Spermonde Archipelago, trekking the Rammang-Rammang karst, or exploring the Leang-Leang caves. August is peak season, so expect higher accommodation prices and more visitors. The rainy season (November to April) brings heavy downpours, especially December through February, but showers rarely last all day and the lush scenery and smaller crowds can be rewarding. Culture-seekers should note that the Fort Rotterdam Festival takes place in mid-October, sitting neatly at the tail end of the dry season.
Plan your trip
3 days in Makassar: a sample itinerary
A ready-made starting point. Make it your own — clone it into an editable journey and reshape every stop.
Day 01
Day 1: Colonial History & Waterfront
Morning
Start at Fort Rotterdam, the beautifully preserved 17th-century Dutch fortress housing a museum on Sulawesi's history. Explore its ramparts and colonial-era buildings at a relaxed pace.
Afternoon
Head to the nearby Paotere Harbour to see traditional Bugis Phinisi schooners moored at Makassar's working port, then walk along the Losari Beach promenade. Try pisang epe (grilled banana with palm sugar) from a street vendor.
Evening
Watch the sunset over the Makassar Strait from the Losari waterfront, then dine on fresh grilled seafood at one of the open-air restaurants along the foreshore.
Day 02
Day 2: Ancient Caves & Karst Landscapes
Morning
Take an early departure by car or hired driver north to Rammang-Rammang Village in the Maros district, roughly 45 minutes from the city. Explore the dramatic limestone karst towers and traditional village by boat along the river.
Afternoon
Continue to the nearby Leang-Leang caves to see ancient hand-stencil paintings dated to more than 50,000 years ago — among the oldest known cave art in the world. Return to the city by late afternoon.
Evening
Recover with a bowl of Coto Makassar — a rich, spiced beef offal soup considered the city's signature dish — at a traditional warung in the city centre.
Day 03
Day 3: Island Hopping & the 99 Dome Mosque
Morning
Catch a morning boat from Paotere or Pelabuhan Rakyat harbour to Samalona Island in the Spermonde Archipelago (30–45 minutes). Snorkel over coral reefs and relax on white sand beaches.
Afternoon
Return to Makassar city and visit the striking 99 Dome Mosque (Masjid 99 Kubah), one of Eastern Indonesia's most architecturally impressive modern mosques, especially beautiful in afternoon light.
Evening
End the trip at Trans Studio Makassar for entertainment, or browse souvenirs at a local market. Finish with Konro Bakar (grilled beef ribs) or Mi Titi (Makassar crispy noodles) for a final taste of the city.
Work-ready layer
Coworking spots and laptop-friendly anchors.
Real coworking spaces, laptop-friendly cafés, and libraries mapped near the center of the city — the closest, best-rated desks first.
Spots surfaced0
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Mapped0
No coworking-ready spots surfaced for this city yet.
Map pending
No mapped workspace points yet.
Pick a different category or check back once we’ve indexed more desks for this city.
Concierge
Ask the Makassar concierge.
Share your travel style, must-see spots, or work schedule and the concierge will help turn this guide into something personal.
Personal trip brief
Tell it what kind of trip you're trying to have, and it will tighten the plan.
01
Travel style
Ask for cafés, quiet neighborhoods, date-night spots, or a first 48-hour plan.
02
Work constraints
Mention calls, Wi-Fi needs, or how much of the day has to stay laptop-friendly.
03
Real tradeoffs
Get faster answers on where to stay, when to move neighborhoods, and what to skip.
Traveler reviews
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