Makassar

Makassar is the largest city in Eastern Indonesia and the main city of Sulawesi. Visit Fort Rotterdam, the pinisi boats at Paotere harbor and the evening snacks on Losari Beach.

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Makassar is the capital of South Sulawesi province, on the southwest coast of Sulawesi island, facing the Makassar Strait. It is the largest city in Eastern Indonesia and the main urban centre of Sulawesi, with about 1.48 million residents in mid-2025 estimates. The Tallo, Jeneberang and Pampang rivers flow into the city, which is why it is often called the Waterfront City. Go for Fort Rotterdam, where Prince Diponegoro was exiled until his death in 1855, the traditional pinisi and lambo boats at Paotere harbor, about 5 km from the centre, and the snacks sold along Losari Beach in the evening.

The climate is tropical monsoon and warm all year, with average highs around 32.5°C and lows around 22.5°C. The wet season runs roughly from November to March, with heavy rain especially from December to February. The drier months run roughly from May to September, and August is usually the driest month. Plan one or two days for the fort, the harbor and the waterfront.

Makassar in five

See Fort Rotterdam in the morningThe Dutch-era fort and its museum are quieter before the heat. Then walk to the waterfront for sunset over Losari Bay, a local gathering place in the evening.
Visit Paotere harbor earlyPinisi schooners, Indonesia's traditional wooden trading ships, load at the harbor in the morning. Go with a local guide or driver, and ask before photographing people at work.
Eat coto and konroCoto Makassar is a rich beef soup, and konro is a meaty rib soup or grilled rib plate. Both are local dishes that show up on most menus, along with grilled fish from the harbor.
Add Rammang-Rammang karstA boat ride and short walks in the Maros karst make a half-day trip about an hour from the city. It suits travelers who like landscapes more than museums.
Plan Toraja before you arriveTana Toraja is a long drive, usually 8 hours or so by road, or a flight on a smaller plane when available. Book an overnight bus or a driver in advance, and allow a night in Makassar on the way back.Tana Toraja

Things to do in Makassar

See all attractions in Makassar

Sight · MakassarPulau Kayangan

Museum · MakassarLa Galigo Museum

Sight · MakassarPaotere Harbour

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MakassarPut the places you like in Makassar on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG), about 45–60 min by road from the center
Getting there: Flights from Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya; a hub for eastern Indonesia
Getting around: Ride-hailing, taxis and a driver for day trips
Best base: Near Losari Bay or Fort Rotterdam
Time needed: 1–2 days; more with Tana Toraja

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet, humid
FebruaryRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet
MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rainy
AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rain easing
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Drier
JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, best
AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Dry, hot
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, hot
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, dry
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Showers
DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wet, humid

Average daily high and low in Makassar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Makassar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Makassar

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today32°25°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed33°26°43%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 43%.
Thu31°26°65%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 65%.
Fri31°26°81%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 81%.
Sat31°25°94%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
Sun31°25°83%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 83%.
Mon32°25°84%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.

Updated 12:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR

Amount

Converted to

IDR · Indonesian Rupiah

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Tana Torajaabout 8 hours by roadHighland villages with traditional houses and ceremonies, best as a multi-day trip.Read the guide
Rammang-Rammangabout 1 hour by road plus a boatLimestone towers and river channels in the Maros karst.
Samalona Islandabout 30 min by boatA small island for snorkeling and beaches, a half-day escape from the city.

Before you go to Makassar

Day trips from MakassarKarst, islands and food walksCompare day trips

Hotels near Losari BayCity base before TorajaCheck availability

eSIM for SulawesiMaps and ride apps in a big port cityRead the guide

Cover for long road tripsDelays and medical billsRead the guide

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Rules for Makassar, checked

Check whether you need a visa or visa on arrival for Indonesia on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly.
Sultan Hasanuddin airport lies in Maros Regency, outside the city. Use official airport taxis, which charge fares by destination. Unlicensed 'dark' taxis also approach arriving passengers.
Dress modestly in the city. Since 2007, city rules have required schoolgirls' skirts to fall below the knee.

Plan around Makassar

Tana Toraja

Highland ceremonies and rock tombs

Read the guide South Sulawesi

The wider region around Makassar

Read the guide Sulawesi

Dive towns, highlands and long roads

Read the guide Labuan Bajo

A short flight east for Komodo boats

Read the guide Manado

Sulawesi's northern dive gateway

Read the guide All of Indonesia

Entry, money and where to go next

Read the guide

Makassar FAQ

Is Makassar worth visiting?

For one day, yes: Fort Rotterdam, the pinisi harbor and the seafood are distinctive, and it is the practical gateway to Tana Toraja. It is not a long-stay destination on its own.

How many days do you need in Makassar?

One full day covers the fort, Paotere harbor and dinner. Two days lets you add Rammang-Rammang or Samalona Island. Allow a night before and after a trip to Toraja.

How do you get from Makassar to Tana Toraja?

By road, around eight hours by overnight bus or private driver, or a short flight on a smaller aircraft when available. Check the current options and book ahead for festival periods.

What should I eat in Makassar?

Coto Makassar and konro for local classics, and grilled fish at the waterfront. Ask where local people eat, and avoid anything that has been sitting uncovered in the heat.

When is the best time to visit Makassar?

Roughly June to September, when it is driest. The wet season brings heavy afternoon rain from about December to March, which can affect road trips to the highlands.