Makassar brings together cultural history, coastal views and regional specialties. Fort Rotterdam evokes the Sultanate of Gowa and the 17th century; at Pantai Losari, walks, sea views and sunsets take center stage. There are also two distinct banana dishes and nearby Samalona Island. If you’re looking for hotels in Makassar, you can plan your stay around whether history, life by the water, local cuisine or a coral reef appeals to you most.

Fort Rotterdam and the La Galigo Museum

Fort Rotterdam is a well-preserved bastion from the Sultanate of Gowa, dating back to the 17th century. The complex is also home to the La Galigo Museum. Its collections cover the history of South Sulawesi, the culture of the Bugis-Makassar people and their maritime traditions. This brings a historic structure and various themes from regional history together in one complex. The bastion anchors the site in the history of the Sultanate of Gowa; the museum complements this perspective with cultural and maritime themes.

Pantai Losari and local cuisine

At Pantai Losari, visitors can take a walk, enjoy the sea views and watch the sunset. The area includes a dining zone and open spaces from which to enjoy the coastal scenery. Walks, views and sunsets offer different ways to enjoy a stay by the water, while Fort Rotterdam and the La Galigo Museum appeal to those interested in cultural history.

The local banana dishes also differ in how they are prepared. Pisang Epe is a banana-and-chocolate snack available at Losari Beach; offerings may vary by vendor. Es Pisang Ijo is considered typical of Makassar: a banana is wrapped in thin green dough and served with shaved ice, a little syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Together, a local snack and a dessert with several sweet toppings offer different culinary experiences.

Samalona Island: Beach and Coral Reef

Those interested in coastal scenery can also visit Samalona Island. The nearby island is about seven kilometers from Makassar. It has a white-sand beach surrounded by coral reefs; the reef on the north side is particularly well suited to snorkeling. Compared with Pantai Losari, the focus here is on the beach, reef and snorkeling, while there it is on walks, sea views and sunsets. The two places therefore offer different ways to plan your time by the water.

Getting there via Hasanuddin Airport

Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar is an important air transport hub. Many Indonesian airlines connect it with major cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, as well as Bali. Makassar serves both as a final destination and as a connecting airport. Check connections for your travel dates, as airlines and routes may change. This helps you align your travel plans with the cultural, culinary and coastal interests you have for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Balikpapan, Batuampar, Lagoi, Tegallalang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali Ubud, Pasirputih.

For the main travel overview: Indonesia.