Where to Stay in Makassar
Indonesia
|Pop. 1.4M
|3 neighbourhoods covered
|Updated March 2026
Photo: Florian Wehde / Unsplash
Quick Answer: Best Area to Stay
For most visitors, Losari is the best neighbourhood to stay in Makassar. A bustling waterfront promenade with vibrant street food and sunset views. Ideal for first-timers, foodies, couples. Budget travellers can get by on IDR 350000/day.
Areas to Avoid in Makassar
Safety rated "moderate". See which areas need extra caution and where to stay instead.
Best Neighbourhoods at a Glance
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | Budget | Best For | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losari | A bustling waterfront promenade with vibrant street food and sunset views. | Mid-range | first-timers, foodies | Generally safe during the day with plent... |
| Panakkukang | A commercial and residential hub with shopping malls and local eateries. | Budget | families, budget | Safe during the day, but be mindful of p... |
| Ujung Pandang | The historic heart of Makassar, centered around the Dutch fort and colonial architecture. | Mid-range | culture, history buffs | Generally safe during the day, but some ... |
Losari
Mid-rangeA bustling waterfront promenade with vibrant street food and sunset views.
Generally safe during the day with plenty of people around; at night, stick to w...
Panakkukang
BudgetA commercial and residential hub with shopping malls and local eateries.
Safe during the day, but be mindful of pickpockets in crowded market areas; at n...
Ujung Pandang
Mid-rangeThe historic heart of Makassar, centered around the Dutch fort and colonial architecture.
Generally safe during the day, but some side streets can be deserted at night; s...
Top 3 Areas to Stay in Makassar
Liveliest areas for nightlife, culture, and entertainment
Losari
A bustling waterfront promenade with vibrant street food and sunset views.
Our top picks in Losari
Ujung Pandang
The historic heart of Makassar, centered around the Dutch fort and colonial architecture.
Our top picks in Ujung Pandang
Panakkukang
A commercial and residential hub with shopping malls and local eateries.
Our top picks in Panakkukang
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Things to Do in Makassar
Popular tours, activities, and experiences you can book in advance
🚶Walking Tour
Explore the city on foot with a local guide
🍽️Food Tour
Taste the best local dishes and street food
🚐Day Trip
Discover stunning destinations just outside the city
🏛️Museum & Culture
Skip-the-line access to top museums and galleries
🚌Hop-on Hop-off Bus
See all the highlights from an open-top bus
⛵Boat Tour
See the city skyline from the water
👨🍳Cooking Class
Learn to cook authentic local recipes
🌙Night Tour
Experience the city after dark with a guided tour
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Makassar at a Glance
4 categories
Top Tips for Makassar
Things to know before you go
Local Tip
Try 'Coto Makassar' and 'Pallu Basa' from a reputable local warung (small restaurant) for an authentic culinary experience; look for places with many locals eating there.
Getting Around
Use ride-sharing apps like Grab or Gojek for convenience and to avoid overpaying for taxis.
Watch Out For
Overcharging by unregistered taxi drivers.
Solo Female Travel
Generally safe, but exercise usual precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, dress modestly, and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or deserted areas at night.
Hidden Gems in Makassar
Lesser-known spots the locals love
Pantai Akkarena
This beachfront park offers a more relaxed vibe than the main waterfront, perfect for watching the sunset over the Makassar Strait with locals enjoying street food and local games.
Pasar Malam Toddopuli
FREEExperience the vibrant night market atmosphere, a favorite among locals for its wide array of delicious and affordable street food, from grilled seafood to traditional sweets.
Benteng Somba Opu
FREEExplore the ruins of a historic Sultanate palace, offering a glimpse into Makassar's rich past. It's a fascinating historical site often overlooked by tourists.
Kopi Daeng
A legendary local coffee shop serving potent Toraja coffee and simple, delicious snacks. It's an authentic taste of Makassar's coffee culture.
Taman Losari
FREEWhile the main Losari Beach is famous, explore the adjacent Taman Losari for a more local feel. It's a great spot for an evening stroll and to sample various local snacks from vendors.
Bantimurung National Park
A bit outside the city, this park is known as the 'Kingdom of Butterflies' for its stunning diversity of butterfly species and beautiful waterfalls, a natural escape loved by locals.
Things to Do in Makassar
Popular tours, activities, and experiences you can book in advance
🚶Walking Tour
Explore the city on foot with a local guide
🍽️Food Tour
Taste the best local dishes and street food
🚐Day Trip
Discover stunning destinations just outside the city
🏛️Museum & Culture
Skip-the-line access to top museums and galleries
🚌Hop-on Hop-off Bus
See all the highlights from an open-top bus
⛵Boat Tour
See the city skyline from the water
👨🍳Cooking Class
Learn to cook authentic local recipes
🌙Night Tour
Experience the city after dark with a guided tour
We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep FindYourStay free.
Top-rated Makassar tours and activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided walking tours, food experiences, and day trips. Reserve now, pay later; free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
We earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
What It Costs in Makassar
Daily budget per person in IDR
💡One of the cheapest destinations worldwide
IDR 350000/day
IDR 700000/day
IDR 1500000/day
Where to Stay in Makassar
Honest neighborhood guide: where to stay and where to avoid
Best for
Walk to
- Fort Rotterdam20 min
- Trans Studio Mall25 min
Pros
- +Iconic sunset views
- +Abundant street food options
- +Central location
Cons
- -Can be very crowded, especially evenings
- -Traffic congestion
Top stays in Losari
Hotel Makassar Golden
$$Offers comfortable rooms with good access to the waterfront.
Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center
$$$Modern hotel with excellent amenities and city views.
Hotel Harper Perintis by ASTON
$$Conveniently located with good facilities for both business and leisure travelers.
The Rinra Makassar
$$$Luxury option with stunning sea views and a rooftop pool.
Best for
Walk to
- Panakkukang Mall10 min
- Mall Ratu Indah15 min
Pros
- +Good shopping and dining options
- +More local feel than Losari
- +Generally more affordable accommodation
Cons
- -Can be noisy due to traffic
- -Less tourist-oriented attractions within walking distance
Best for
Walk to
- Fort Rotterdam5 min
- Paotere Harbour15 min
- Losari Beach25 min
Pros
- +Rich historical sites
- +Charming colonial atmosphere
- +Good access to the harbor
Cons
- -Limited modern amenities
- -Can feel quiet at night
Areas to be cautious
- Some very narrow backstreets in older residential areas: Can be poorly lit and feel isolated at night, increasing petty crime risk.
Insider tip: Try 'Coto Makassar' and 'Pallu Basa' from a reputable local warung (small restaurant) for an authentic culinary experience; look for places with many locals eating there.
Where to Stay in Makassar
Compare hotel deals across the best neighbourhoods on Expedia.
Stay in Losari
A bustling waterfront promenade with vibrant street food and sunset views.
Stay in Panakkukang
A commercial and residential hub with shopping malls and local eateries.
Stay in Ujung Pandang
The historic heart of Makassar, centered around the Dutch fort and colonial architecture.
We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep FindYourStay free.
Places to Stay in Makassar
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List Your PropertySafety in Makassar
ModerateSolo Female Travel
Generally safe, but exercise usual precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, dress modestly, and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or deserted areas at night.
At Night
Stick to well-lit, populated areas like major roads or busy promenades. Avoid isolated streets. Be cautious of opportunistic petty crime.
Emergency
112
Common Scams to Watch For
- 1Overcharging by unregistered taxi drivers.
- 2Street vendors selling counterfeit goods.
- 3Requests for money or 'donations' from persistent individuals.
Compare hotel deals in Makassar
See today's prices across hundreds of hotels. Free cancellation on most bookings, so you can lock in a great rate risk-free.
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Travel Insurance for Makassar
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. Medical cover from $45/month, designed for travellers. 10% back if unused.
Stay Connected in Indonesia
Skip expensive roaming. Get an eSIM for Indonesia and have data the moment you land.
Get an eSIMGetting Around Makassar
Transport, connectivity, and costs
✈️
Airport to City
Damri bus (approx. 30-45 mins, 35,000 IDR); Taxi/Rideshare (approx. 30-45 mins, 100,000-150,000 IDR).
🎫
Day Pass
Not applicable for Angkots, but taxi/rideshare day hires can be negotiated.
Single: Angkot rides are very cheap (around 5,000 IDR), taxis/rideshares start from 15,000-20,000 IDR.
🚶
Walkability
Good TransitGrab, Gojek
📶
WiFi
Good15-25 Mbps
Public Transport
Angkot (minibuses) are common but can be confusing for tourists; taxis and ride-sharing apps are more convenient.
Ride-share
Grab and Gojek are widely available and recommended; typical short rides cost 15,000-30,000 IDR.
Transport Tip
Use ride-sharing apps like Grab or Gojek for convenience and to avoid overpaying for taxis.
WiFi & Remote Work
Free WiFi
Shopping malls, cafes, some hotels.
Coworking
Limited dedicated coworking spaces; cafes with good wifi are the best bet. Some hotels offer business centers.
Rent a Car in Makassar
Compare prices from top rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
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Weather & Best Time to Visit
Best months to visit: Jul, Aug, Sep
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Hotels & Accommodation in Makassar
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Who Is Makassar Best For?
Matched recommendations for different traveller types
First-timers
It's the most iconic area with the famous sunset and plenty of food options to introduce you to Makassar's flavors.
Foodies
The waterfront is a hub for street food stalls offering local delicacies like Coto Makassar and seafood.
Culture Enthusiasts
This historic area is home to Fort Rotterdam and colonial remnants, offering a deep dive into the city's past.
Budget Travelers
Offers a wider range of more affordable accommodation and local eateries compared to more tourist-centric areas.
Families
Proximity to large shopping malls like Panakkukang Mall and Mall Ratu Indah provides entertainment and dining options.
About Makassar
Makassar, formerly Ujung Pandang, is the capital of the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi. It is the largest city in the region of Eastern Indonesia and the country's fifth-largest urban center after Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bandung. The city is located on the southwest coast of the island of Sulawesi, facing the Makassar Strait.
Frequently Asked Questions About Makassar
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