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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.

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.

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.

The Makassar seafront

Losari Beach. 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.
Fort Rotterdam. 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.
Pulau Khayangan. A small island about 20 minutes away by boat from central Makassar.
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).

Losari Beach. 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.

Fort Rotterdam. 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.

Pulau Khayangan. A small island about 20 minutes away by boat from central Makassar.

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).

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.
Makassar Hash: 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.

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.

Makassar Hash: 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.

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

MTC 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.
Mall Karebosi Link.
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.
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.
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.

MTC 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.

Mall Karebosi Link.

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.

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.

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.

Ikan bakar rica (baked fish with hot chillies

Pisang epe, Losari Beach. Pressed grilled banana, served with melted brown sugar. Available with chocolate and/or cheese topping, and durian (seasonal) flavor.
Buroncong, Losari Beach. Early morning breakfast cake. Baked on firewood. It's made of grated coconut, flour, etc.
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 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.
Sop Saudara, Almost everywhere. Traditional South Sulawesi soup, it contains meat, liver, lung, etc. However, you may choose the ingredients you want in your soup.
Pisang Ijo. 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.
Cafe Mama, Jl. Serui. A cozy cafe. They serve traditional cakes, cookies, sweets, and drinks. They also serve home made ice cream.
Coto Makassar, Everywhere. 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. The famous coto restaurants are Coto Gagak on Jl. Gagak, Coto Nusantara on Jl. Nusantara, Coto Daeng on Jl. Karunrung and Jl. Pengayoman, Coto Dewi on Jl. Sunu, Jl. Sultan Alauddin and Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan and Coto Ranggong on Jl. Ranggong
Pangsit Mie (Mie Pangsit Palu), Around Chinatown. Pangsit Mie 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. The famous one is Pangsit Mie Kenangan on Jl. Lombok, Pangsit Mie Toraja on Jl. Sulawesi and Pansit Mie Madya on Jl. Buru
Mie Kanton, Around chinatown. 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). The famous Mie Kanton restaurants are Kios Lombok on Jl. Lombok, Lotus Restaurant on Jl. Lombok, Kios Ateng on Jl. Sangir, Kios Ramayana on Jl. Gunung Lompobattang, etc.
Pallubasa. Makassar style meat soup. The soup is spicy and contains grated coconut. The most famous Pallubasa is on Jl. Serigala, known as Pallubasa Serigala. Note: Avoid lunchtime as it is very difficult to get seats on lunchtime.
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. Yellow rice served with various dishes. One of the most favorite breakfast in Makassar. The most famous one is Nasi Kuning Riburane at the corner of Jl. Sulawesi and Jl. Riburane, or you might want to try Nasi Kuning Popsa, in the Popsa pier on Jl. Penghibur. Some nasi kuning seller sell at night. If you have a midnight hunger, you might take a walk to Jl. Ahmad Yani, there is a nasi kuning seller called Nasi Kuning Emon across the Balaikota Building (Mayor's Office).
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.
Songkolo. 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.
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.

Pisang epe, Losari Beach. Pressed grilled banana, served with melted brown sugar. Available with chocolate and/or cheese topping, and durian (seasonal) flavor.

Buroncong, Losari Beach. Early morning breakfast cake. Baked on firewood. It's made of grated coconut, flour, etc.

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 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.

Sop Saudara, Almost everywhere. Traditional South Sulawesi soup, it contains meat, liver, lung, etc. However, you may choose the ingredients you want in your soup.

Pisang Ijo. 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.

Cafe Mama, Jl. Serui. A cozy cafe. They serve traditional cakes, cookies, sweets, and drinks. They also serve home made ice cream.

Coto Makassar, Everywhere. 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. The famous coto restaurants are Coto Gagak on Jl. Gagak, Coto Nusantara on Jl. Nusantara, Coto Daeng on Jl. Karunrung and Jl. Pengayoman, Coto Dewi on Jl. Sunu, Jl. Sultan Alauddin and Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan and Coto Ranggong on Jl. Ranggong

Pangsit Mie (Mie Pangsit Palu), Around Chinatown. Pangsit Mie 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. The famous one is Pangsit Mie Kenangan on Jl. Lombok, Pangsit Mie Toraja on Jl. Sulawesi and Pansit Mie Madya on Jl. Buru

Mie Kanton, Around chinatown. 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). The famous Mie Kanton restaurants are Kios Lombok on Jl. Lombok, Lotus Restaurant on Jl. Lombok, Kios Ateng on Jl. Sangir, Kios Ramayana on Jl. Gunung Lompobattang, etc.

Pallubasa. Makassar style meat soup. The soup is spicy and contains grated coconut. The most famous Pallubasa is on Jl. Serigala, known as Pallubasa Serigala. Note: Avoid lunchtime as it is very difficult to get seats on lunchtime.

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. Yellow rice served with various dishes. One of the most favorite breakfast in Makassar. The most famous one is Nasi Kuning Riburane at the corner of Jl. Sulawesi and Jl. Riburane, or you might want to try Nasi Kuning Popsa, in the Popsa pier on Jl. Penghibur. Some nasi kuning seller sell at night. If you have a midnight hunger, you might take a walk to Jl. Ahmad Yani, there is a nasi kuning seller called Nasi Kuning Emon across the Balaikota Building (Mayor's Office).

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.

Songkolo. 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.

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.

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.
Kopi Api. Nice café with excellent local coffee (in particular Arabica from Tana Toraja). Many other nice cafés in the same area.

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.

Kopi Api. Nice café with excellent local coffee (in particular Arabica from [[Tana Toraja]]). Many other nice cafés in the same area.

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

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

Rammang-Rammang. Visit this very beautiful karstic site, a UNESCO Biosphere (and tentative World Heritage site); count 1 hr by motorbike from Makassar airport. There, you should rent a boat (Rp200,000 for 4 persons) to reach the site. On land:
Tana Toraja, the famed Land of the Heavenly Kings is an 8-10 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.

Rammang-Rammang. Visit this very beautiful karstic site, a UNESCO Biosphere (and tentative World Heritage site); count 1 hr by motorbike from Makassar airport. There, you should rent a boat (Rp200,000 for 4 persons) to reach the site.