Makassar

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 Halal Explorer

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 and 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.

Travel to Makassar

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Makassar

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport IATA Flight Code: UPG Acts as the primary hub for Flights to Eastern Indonesia which encompasses the whole Sulawesi island, Maluku and Papua. There are multiple Flights from Indonesia's capital, Jakarta as well as smaller cities such as Surabaya and Bali. The only international flights are from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore (not daily though).

The airport is well-equipped, with a brand new airport hotel (operated by Ibis Budget), two Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) cafés (beside numerous other shops), various ATMs, and free Wi-Fi.

Reaching Makassar downtown from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport

Taxi is the most feasible option and should cost around Rp 90,000 to the city (as of 2022).

The Airport Bus (operated by Perum Damri) is operating on the lower ground floor, linking the airport to the city. Ticket costs Rp47,000 (as of March 2023). If there is no one on the counter, you can board the bus and pay after the bus departs. The bus should be departing at a 30-min internal. The journey takes about one hour.

Airport bus (downtown) Route: Airport (start) - Jl. P. Kemerdekaan - Jl. Urip Sumoharjo - Jl. G. Bawakaraeng - Jl. Kartini - Jl. Kajoalalido - Jl. Arif Rate - Jl. Sultan Hassanudddin - Jl. Pattimura - Jl. Ujung Pandang - Jl. Ribura'ne (end)

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Makassar

The main port of Makassar is the Soekarno-Hatta Harbor. Makassar is a major port for Pelni ships for Central and Eastern Indonesia. It takes about 16 hours to Balikpapan, 24 to Surabaya, and 30 to Tanjung Priok.

Travel on a Bus in Makassar

Makassar has several bus terminals. One of the most useful bus terminals is Terminal Daya, 200 m from the primary street from Makassar to Pare-Pare (and Rantepao).

The Daya bus terminal is the one that serves Tana Toraja.

Terminal Daya on the primary street towards the airport

The Daya bus terminal has a fairly bad reputation among local residents; although most buses to Tana Toraja do pass there, hardly any passenger embarks or disembarks there. It is strongly advised to buy the ticket, wait for the bus and board the bus directly in the dedicated bus company terminal (e.g. Bintang Prima terminal, Litha terminal). Fares are the same (or cheaper) and the safety is much better.

Terminal Bintang Prima - On the primary street towards the airport (much closer to the downtown than terminal Daya and terminal Bintang Prima). A pete-pete from the downtown to terminal Litha should cost Rp7000.

How to get around in Makassar

By becak

Becak is a trishaw of unique design but minimalist compared to the ones in Java, can accommodate 2 small persons/children, but suitable only for one adult. Fare depends on the distance, usually Rp9,000-15,000 around town.

Best way to travel in Makassar by a Taxi

There's a lot of taxi companies, all have the same fare and all use meters.

By petepete (Angkot)

Petepete is the equivalent to other cities' angkot (angkutan kota/city transportation). A trip in town usually costs Rp7000.

By Trans Mamminasata

Trans Mamminasata (Makassar, Sungguminasa and Takalar) operates with Corridor-2 Trans Studio-Mal Panakukkang. Not as TransJakarta which serve only inside Jakarta, Trans Mamminasata serve also to outside Makassar.

By Transportation Sharing Application

On-demand (online) ojek services such as Go-Jek and Grab are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps, and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance. Payments can be made by cash or using stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk and they are available 24 hours and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers because they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and unnoticeable difference in fares.

Local Language in Makassar

Makassar is a multicultural city, but dominated by ethnic Makassar and Bugis. Therefore and 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) phrasebook|Malay lexicon, Macassarese inflections, and mixed Malay/Macassarese syntax.

What to see in Makassar

Losari Beach - Pantai Losari | 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 Rp7000 for Indonesians, Rp30,000 for foreigners (two buildings, but you just need to paid once).
If you are a foreigner, you will be the attraction for the local residents 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.

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).

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Makassar

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.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Makassar

Makassar has the type of shopping malls you would find in any other major Indonesian city. The largest include:

MTC Karebosi - Makassar Trade Centre Karebosi | 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 GPS -5.153219,119.417410.. Matahari Dept. Store, Gramedia bookstore, Hero supermarket, XXI Cineplex, Breadtalk, Excelso, J.Co, McDonald, Pizzas Hut, KFC, Playground, Some cafes and boutique, etc.
Mall Panakkukang - GPS -5.156972,119.446678.. Mall Panakkukang: Matahari Dept Store, Rimo Dept. Store, Hypermart, Diamond Hypermarket, 21 Cineplex, Excelso, Gramedia, Disctarra, Breadtalk, AW, Sport Shop, Dunkin Donuts, Pizzas 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.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Pisang epe | Pressed grilled banana, served with melted brown sugar. Available with Chocolates and/or Cheese topping, and durian (seasonal) flavor.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Makassar

Makassar - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Makassar, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Makassar. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Makassar and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Makassar. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Makassar. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMakassar: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Makassar.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Makassar: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Makassar, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Makassar.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Makassar, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Makassar, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Makassar and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Makassar, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Makassar, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Makassar without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Makassar is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Makassar.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Makassar is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Makassar, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Makassar Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

POD House. Modern hostel with capsule style dorm. Has a nice cafe in the reception and a terrace, very close to Losari Beach. 80.000 IDR for bed in dorm.

Cope in Makassar

Consulates in Makassar

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

News & References Makassar

Travel Next

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

On land:

Tana Toraja and 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: