Things to Do in Makassar: From Exquisite Cuisines to Breathtaking Islands

Makassar is not just the capital of South Sulawesi, but it’s more than that. The history of this city stretches back hundreds of years. And today, this city has inevitably transformed into many forms, from a trader’s town to a business town, from a hub to a tourist town. With its many potentials, a visit to Makassar always leaves you wanting more. One stop is never enough. From indulging in all the foods by touring the city on a culinary journey to enriching your knowledge by visiting historical sites and many others.

You can say that Makassar is a complete package you can visit in eastern Indonesia. Let’s get to know more about Makassar!

Traveling to Makassar? Get to Know Them First.

Makassar Cuisines Leave You Craving More

Makassar is inarguably a sanctuary for beef lovers. From Konro to Coto Makassar to Pallubasa, they are culinary icons of the city formerly known as Ujung Pandang. As a coastal town, Makassar also offers a variety of delectable seafood dishes.

Konro, in the local language, literally translates to ribs. There are many ways to enjoy these beef ribs, from fried, sou[, or even the infamous grilled konro. Suppose you’re up for some ribs, caveman style. You can try them at Sop Konro & Iga Bakar Karebosi and Sop Konro Bawakaraeng.

Another culinary highlight of Makassar is the Pallubasa Serigala. Even though Serigala literally means wolf, don’t worry because no wolves are harmed in making this dish. Its name is due to its location in Jalan Serigala, Makassar. A portion of Pallubasa contains chunks of buffalo and beef meats and innards doused with spice-infused broth, fried coconut shreds, and egg yolk. Yum!

Get to Know Makassar, Better Through a Journey of History

Known as one of the largest cities in Eastern Indonesia for centuries, Makassar has many historical traces. The existence of this city dates to November 9, 1607, later commemorated as the Anniversary of Makassar City.

A visit to Makassar isn’t complete without a stop at Fort Rotterdam and La Galigo Museum. Located not far from Losari Beach, the tourist epicenter, this place hosts endless stories and the city’s traces of past glories.

If you’re into history, you can briefly stop at Makassar City Museum, Prince Diponegoro Cemetery Complex, and Cemetery Complex of the Tallo Kings that once ruled Makassar.

Enjoy the Makassar Coastal Life 

Take your time for a snap or two at the coastal part of Makassar, where the infamous Losari Beach is. Not only is this place perfect for enjoying the sunset, but Losari is also home to the unique and beautiful floating mosque named Masjid Amirul Mukminin.

If you have more free time, you can sail to Samalona Island. This exotic island can be reached with a 30 minutes boat ride from the dock not far from Losar Beach. Despite its small size, Samalona has a considerably complete facility, from food stalls to diving equipment rentals.

Hunt for Quintessential Makassar Gifts and Souvenirs in Somba Opu

Malioboro is to Yogyakarta, Somba Opu is to Makassar. Somba Opu is a stretch of road inadvertently designated as a place to hunt for souvenirs. You can easily find stores and stalls that sell souvenirs, mainly snacks and handicrafts typical to South Sulawesi.

Various color choices of Sengkang woven fabrics and Bugis sarongs are among the best souvenirs. For snacks, you can choose kacang disco, kacang sembunyi, bannang-bannang cake, bagea, or DHT syrup.

Makassar, in the past, was well-known as a port city for traders. Fast forward hundreds of years later, Makassar has become a hub for those going on an adventure to eastern Indonesia. Makassar has also grown into a business center that has many visits on business trips.

Whatever your reason for visiting the Anging Mamiri CIty, Makassar is still one of the best destinations that you can visit. Going to the city's outskirts won’t be necessary because this town has it all. Even so, you still need a proper transportation arrangement to navigate this city conveniently. Entrust your way around the town with car rental Makassar from TRAC, a trusted car and bus rental service provider with coverage throughout Indonesia.

With TRAC, you can choose the vehicle you need, from simple city cars to powerful SUVs, with a driver or driving yourself. Choosing a designated driver will suit your trip better if this is your visit. Enjoy this city's beauty without worrying about navigating your way around or wasting your time looking for a parking spot. This option also works best for anyone who wants to explore the city comfortably.

You can make a reservation for cars or buses from TRAC anywhere at any time, right from your smartphone, via the TRACtoGo application. You can feel the ease of renting a car by downloading the TRACtoGo application from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store according to your device. In addition, you can also make reservations from TRAC’s representative offices you can find all over Indonesia.

For more information, you can contact TRAC’s Customer Assistance Center at 1500009. Follow TRAC’s social media accounts for the latest information on Instagram @trac_astra, Facebook TRAC-Astra Rent a Car; and Twitter @TRACastra.