Makassar, Indonesia's Top Things to Do and See

A few days in Makassar in South Sulawesi,​ Indonesia reveals a city with a hidden wealth of things to do and see.

As the main port of entry to the island of Sulawesi, Makassar tends to be seen mainly as a stopover to Tana Toraja and the rest of Sulawesi's hotspots. But leaving immediately is a mistake: there's more to do and see around Makassar if you give it more than a day's stay.

Extend your trip by a few days, and take time to do these five things that make this South Sulawesi town so special.

The islands off Makassar call for a whole day's worth of lazing at the beach, snorkeling to see the fish and sea urchins, and one last beachside picnic before heading back to the city.

You just need two islands for the trip: the  Kodingareng Keke sandbar, whose fine white sand is (to this writer anyway) equal to any you'll find at any top-rated beach around the world; and Samalona Island, a favorite getaway for locals who love to picnic by the sea, or rent a house on the island for overnight visits.

An island-hopping trip to Kodingareng Keke and Samalona can easily be arranged at the Bangkoa fisherman's port on Makassar. Once you're paid up, you can take your rented boat to the islands in the Makassar Strait, where you can swim and sun to your heart's content. Don't get too much sun, though – remember to bring your sunscreen before you go!

Karst landscapes are always magical to behold, and the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung river system near Makassar is no exception. The karst outcrops in Bantimurung are not quite as spectacular as those found in South China or Malaysia, but what you'll find here still quickens the pulse.

Its key attraction, a gently descending waterfall, provides a spectacular backdrop for picnickers and thrillseekers. The former gather around tables set around the waterfall and the ensuing river, while the latter ride inflated tire inner tubes down the waterfall. The ride is short but sweet, and riders climb back to make multiple trips down.

A series of concrete steps take visitors up to the gently meandering river that feeds the waterfall. The paved path leads to the entrance to the Goa Mimpi (Dream Cave), one of 200-odd caves in the entire Bantimurung karst system.

If you're lucky, you'll find some of Bantimurung's butterflies flitting about around the waterfall or the walkway to the cave;...MORE their numbers have dropped as visitor numbers rose, and visiting the tiny butterfly enclosure onsite is only reliable way to see these colorful beauties in the flesh.

After 1667, when the Dutch conquered the Gowa Kingdom that ruled over South Sulawesi, they cemented their rule by destroying the Gowa King's existing fortifications and building a Dutch star-shaped fort over the ruins.

The fort served as a nucleus around which the city of Ujung Pandang, later Makassar, grew over the centuries. When the Dutch ruled Indonesia, their authorities governed from Fort Rotterdam; its dungeons housed political prisoners such as the exiled Javanese Prince Diponegoro.

After independence, Fort Rotterdam became a repository for ancient documents and relics. Many of them can be seen on a tour of the La Galigo Museum, housed in two buildings within the fort. Allot about an hour and a half to take the museum tour, there's plenty of ground to cover – including depictions of Makassar's legendary history; weapons and clothing from South Sulawesi's diverse peoples; and models of boats from Sulawesi's many seafaring tribes. 

To see Makassar at its most spontaneous and fun, visit Pantai Losari just before the sunset hours. The Pantai Losari seaside promenade is a favorite stop for locals and a tried-and-true magnet for local atmosphere.

In an hour or so just chilling out at Pantai Losari, we saw friends gathering for selfies, photographers jostling to get the best shot of the sunset, cartoon mascots trading snapshots for cash, and even reptile fanciers swapping snake-care tips!

After the sun sinks completely below the horizon, walk north up Jalan Penghibur for an early dinner at the kaki lima (food stalls) lining the sidewalk. These places sell easy-to-cook Makassar favorites like pisang epe (roast banana) and buroncong (roast cakes made of flour and grated coconut).  

The aforementioned kaki lima only scratch the surface of the endless food possibilities in Makassar. The city's resident Makassarese and Buginese peoples are avid fishermen, and even more avid eaters – they've taken the larder they've been given by nature, and transformed it into a range of dishes that will dazzle even the most demanding gourmand.

Start with their ample seafood menu, like the ikan parape (grilled milkfish with spices) that you can eat with a fresh green mango condiment on the side. Then proceed at your own pace through Makassar's other food must-haves, like the rich beef stew called coto Makassar, and the decadent banana-based dessert called pisang ijo.

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