Center City of Eastern Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island! 3 Recommended Tourist Spots in Makassar

Makassar, located on the southwestern tip of Sulawesi Island east of Kalimantan, Indonesia, has long flourished through the maritime spice trade. Today, its population exceeds 1.3 million, and it is the largest port city on the island with modern shopping facilities being constructed one after another. Often called the "Singapore of Eastern Indonesia," Makassar is also popular as a base for visiting nearby tourist destinations. In this article, we introduce 3 popular tourist spots in Makassar that you’ll want to visit.

1. Fort Rotterdam

Fort Rotterdam was built in 1545 by the Gowa Kingdom, which flourished from the 13th to 17th centuries, and is now the top tourist attraction in Makassar. The Gowa Kingdom is said to have built more than 10 forts along the coastline, including in Makassar. However, in 1667, the fort was destroyed by the Dutch, and when Makassar was colonized, it was rebuilt as Fort Rotterdam. The fort became a facility for politics and trade, and during World War II it was occupied by the Japanese. During the period of Japanese rule, it served as a research institute and language school related to the governance and development of the southern region.

Buildings that were once used as powder magazines, churches, and prisons have been preserved in their original state. Characterized by its colonial style dating back to the colonial period, parts of the fort are now open to the public as an ethnic museum and a historical research institute. Inside, you can learn about the traditional cultures, history, agriculture, and maritime lifestyles of various ethnic groups such as the Bugis, Makassarese, and Toraja from the Dutch colonial era.

2. Bantimurung

Heading north from Makassar, if you drive for about an hour through lush rural landscapes, you will reach the Bantimurung Valley, also known as "Butterfly Valley." The main attractions here are two large waterfalls, limestone caves, and butterflies—the namesake of the valley. In addition, this nature reserve is home to tropical plants, wild birds, and monkeys, and has developed into a tourist destination lined with souvenir shops and snack stalls.

British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace discovered several new species of butterflies here between 1856 and 1857, which catapulted Bantimurung into the spotlight as a habitat for rare butterflies. Approximately 270 species of butterflies have been recorded here, but due to environmental destruction, pesticide use, and illegal butterfly collection, only 143 species have been confirmed to date. Although there is a walking trail, the footing is not very stable, so be sure to wear comfortable, athletic shoes when visiting.

3. Leang Leang Prehistoric Park

Leang Leang Prehistoric Park features wall paintings and handprints dating back approximately 40,000 years. Until recently, these paintings and handprints were thought to be 5,000 to 10,000 years old, but in 2014 it was confirmed that they are at least 39,900 years old. They are now known to be almost contemporary with the cave paintings in Europe, such as those in the Altamira Cave, which were long regarded as the oldest in the world.

When visiting, you must be accompanied by a guide. As you explore the surroundings, you will see sheer cliffs and limestone caves reminiscent of a former sea. The park contains 53 caves, but it is difficult to see them all, so choose those in good condition. On the walls, you’ll find negative handprints—created by placing a hand on the wall and spraying pigment over it so that only the outline remains. Next to these, there are also depictions of animals resembling wild boars, with many handprint motifs covering the surrounding area.

The footing is not very good here either, so be sure to avoid high-heeled shoes when visiting.

◎ Summary

Makassar is not only the largest city on Sulawesi Island but is also known as the "Singapore of Eastern Indonesia." It is famous for its gourmet cuisine—featuring signature dishes such as nasi goreng and deep-fried shrimp known as udang goreng—and many other delicious seafood dishes. After enjoying sightseeing and shopping, be sure to relax at a seaside café or restaurant, savoring exquisite seafood while watching the sunset.

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Center City of Eastern Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island! 3 Recommended Tourist Spots in Makassar