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3 Days in Makassar: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Fort Rotterdam (Jl. Ujung Pandang), a 17th-century Dutch fort housing the La Galigo Museum. Admission is IDR 10,000, and it opens at 8:00β¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Fort Rotterdam & Old Town
Start your morning at Fort Rotterdam (Jl. Ujung Pandang), a 17th-century Dutch fort housing the La Galigo Museum. Admission is IDR 10,000, and it opens at 8:00 AM. Spend about two hours exploring the grounds and museum exhibits.
π΅ Getting Around Makassar
Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab are widely available and affordable. A short trip within the city center costs around IDR 15,000-30,000. For longer distances, consider renting a scooter for about IDR 70,000 per day.
π Lunch at Pasar Ikan
Head to Pasar Ikan (Jl. Penghibur) for fresh seafood grilled right in front of you. A meal of ikan bakar with rice and sambal costs around IDR 30,000-50,000. The market is busiest from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
ποΈ Day 2: Losari Beach & Islands
Spend the morning at Losari Beach (Jl. Penghibur), a waterfront promenade perfect for a stroll. From there, take a 30-minute ferry to Samalona Island (departing from Pelabuhan Paotere) for snorkeling; round-trip tickets are IDR 100,000 per person.
ποΈ Day 3: Culture & Shopping
Visit the Trans Studio Makassar (Jl. Metro Tanjung Bunga), one of the largest indoor theme parks in Indonesia, open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Tickets start at IDR 200,000. In the afternoon, shop for souvenirs at Mall Ratu Indah (Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim).
π Best Evening Spots
End your day at Pantai Akkarena (Jl. Tanjung Bunga), a beachfront area with food stalls and live music. Alternatively, watch the sunset from the rooftop bar at Hotel Claro (Jl. A.P. Pettarani) for a panoramic view of the city.
π° Local Prices & Tips
A budget of IDR 300,000-500,000 per day covers meals, transport, and one attraction. Street food like coto makassar costs around IDR 20,000 per bowl. Always carry cash, as many small vendors do not accept cards.
solid itinerary for a first timer, covers the classics well. if you have an extra hour on day 1, walk from fort rotterdam to the old china town area around jalan somba opu, there are some cool old shophouses and a few hidden cafes like kopi luwak yang sebenarnya serving proper local brew
for day 2, skip the main ferry schedule if you can and negotiate directly with a boatman at paotere for a private trip to kayangan island instead. it's quieter than samalona, the snorkeling is just as good, and you can often get a return trip for around 150k per person if you haggle a little. also try pisang epe from the carts along losari beach at night, they grill the bananas and smash them flat, costs like 5k each and hits different with the sunset breeze
You've got a good mix of things here, I'd just swap out Trans Studio for a morning at the Paotere harbor itself before you hop on the boat. The wooden phinisi schooners being loaded with cargo are a real sight, and the fish auction there around 6 AM is chaotic but worth seeing if you're an early riser. For dinner on day 3, skip the mall food court and walk over to Rumah Makan Nelayan on Jalan Sungai Saddang, their kepiting saus padang is some of the best I've had in the city and runs about 80k for a big plate.
honestly this is a really good starting point, i've done this loop a few times and it holds up. one thing the guide doesn't mention is that the fort rotterdam museum is closed on mondays, i made that mistake once and ended up just walking around the outer walls which is still cool but not the same
for day 2 if you're doing samalona bring your own snorkel gear if you have it, the rental stuff on the island is pretty beat up and the masks fog up instantly. also the ferry back to the city usually leaves around 3pm so don't get too comfy on the beach or you'll be stuck waiting for a random fishing boat like i was
ngl i'd skip trans studio unless you're traveling with kids or really into indoor theme parks. it's fine but it's a generic mall attraction. instead spend that day 3 morning walking around jalan somba opu like the other comment said, then grab lunch at pisang ijo khas makassar on jalan kartini for the legit version of that dessert. it's like 15k for a plate and way better than the touristy versions
Things to Do in Makassar (2026)
Begin your Makassar journey at Fort Rotterdam, a 17th-century Dutch fortress that now houses the La Galigo Museum. Located at Jalan Ujung Pandang, it's open daily from 8β¦ ποΈ Start at Fort Rotterdam
Begin your Makassar journey at Fort Rotterdam, a 17th-century Dutch fortress that now houses the La Galigo Museum. Located at Jalan Ujung Pandang, it's open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an entrance fee of around IDR 10,000. The museum offers a deep dive into South Sulawesi's history, including Bugis-Makassar artifacts and maritime heritage.
π Visit the Floating Mosque
The 99 Domes Mosque, also known as the Floating Mosque, sits on the coast of Losari Beach and appears to float at high tide. Located at Jalan Penghibur, it's open 24 hours for visitors, but non-Muslims should dress modestly and avoid prayer times. The best time to visit is during sunset, when the golden light reflects off the water and the domes.
π Taste Coto Makassar
No trip to Makassar is complete without trying Coto Makassar, a rich beef soup with offal and spices. Head to Coto Nusantara at Jalan Nusantara No. 1, open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, where a bowl costs around IDR 35,000. Pair it with ketupat and a side of burasa, a coconut rice cake wrapped in banana leaves.
ποΈ Relax at Losari Beach
Losari Beach is the city's iconic waterfront promenade, perfect for an evening stroll or people-watching. Located along Jalan Penghibur, it's free to access and comes alive after 4:00 PM with food stalls selling pisang epe (grilled banana) and pallubutung (sweet sticky rice). The beach offers stunning views of the sunset over the Makassar Strait.
β°οΈ Explore Bantimurung Park
About an hour's drive from the city center, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park is known for its waterfalls and butterfly sanctuary. Entrance is IDR 30,000 for adults, and the park is open from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can hike to the waterfall, swim in the natural pools, or visit the butterfly museum to see rare species.
ποΈ Shop at Somba Opu
Jalan Somba Opu is the go-to street for traditional souvenirs, including songket fabrics, silverware, and wood carvings. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the quoted price. Most shops open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and you can find unique items like the phinisi ship miniatures that reflect Makassar's seafaring culture.
π’ Take a Ferry to Samalona
For a quick island escape, catch a public ferry from Kayu Bangkoa Port to Samalona Island, a 20-minute ride costing around IDR 50,000 round trip. The island has white sand beaches and excellent snorkeling spots with coral reefs just offshore. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it on the island for about IDR 30,000.
π Enjoy Nightlife at Pantai Losari
After dark, the area around Pantai Losari transforms into a lively hub with street musicians, food carts, and local hangouts. Try the iconic pallubutung at a stall near the Anjungan Pantai Losari, or sip fresh coconut water while watching the lights of the city. It's a safe and family-friendly spot to experience Makassar's evening energy.
Solid list, I've lived here a few years and this covers most of the hits. One thing I'd throw in is the morning market at Pasar Terong, it's a total sensory overload but worth it if you want to see how locals actually shop. Go around 6 AM when the fish auction is happening, you'll see tuna bigger than your torso being haggled over right on the concrete floor. Grab a bowl of coto from the stall near the main entrance while you're there, it's dirt cheap and the broth is smoky from the open fire.
Also, if you're hitting Bantimurung, skip the main waterfall area on weekends unless you like crowds. Go on a weekday and hike further up to the second waterfall, it's quieter and the water is cleaner for swimming. The butterfly museum is cool but honestly the real magic is just walking the trails and spotting them wild.
The guide covers the big spots well, but one thing I'd add is a morning walk through the old port at Paotere. It's about 15 minutes north of Fort Rotterdam, and you'll see the traditional phinisi schooners being loaded and unloaded by hand. The boatbuilders at Paotere are still active and will show you their work for a small tip, though they might not speak much English. It's a raw, authentic slice of Makassar's maritime life that most tourists miss.
Also, if you're at Somba Opu for souvenirs, stop by the warung at the corner of Jalan Masjid Raya for a bowl of coto with extra jeroan. It's not as famous as Coto Nusantara but the broth is deeper and the locals queue there for a reason.
ngl the losari beach section is right but they undersell how good the pisang epe is there. the best vendor is the one near the south end of the anjungan, old guy with a cart that has a dented metal grill. he presses the banana flat with a brick, it's caramelized on the outside and still soft inside. way better than the ones closer to the mosque that are just grilled and forgotten.
also if you have a free morning try renting a scooter and heading up to the Bawakaraeng viewpoint, it's about 40 minutes from the city center. the road gets rough past the last village so you'll want a bike with some ground clearance, but the view over the valley and the coast is insane. bring water and go early before the clouds roll in around 10 AM.