Manado
Manado is the capital city of the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi.
It is the second largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar, with the 2020 census giving a population of 451,916, and the official estimates for mid 2025 showing 462,658 inhabitants, distributed over a land area of 162.35 km2. The Manado metropolitan area had a population of 1,377,815 as of mid 2023. The city is situated on the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area.
Getting to Manado
Manado is quite far from the rest of Indonesia, and most visitors arrive by plane.
- 01Sam Ratulangi International Airport
- 02Terminal Malalayang
Jl.
- 03Terminal Karombasan
Tutuyan or Ratahan Rp 35,000, Langoan Rp 25,000.
- 04Terminal Bis Paal 2
Worth seeing
Manado's attractions are a mixture of waterfront scenery, historic neighbourhoods, religious architecture and everyday city life, rather than a concentration of major monuments. The city's setting is one of its greatest assets: the waterfront looks across Manado Bay towards the distinctive volcanic island of Manado Tua, part of Bunaken National Park, while mountains rise behind the city.
- 01Ban Hin Kiong
The oldest Chinese temple built in Manado during the Qing Dynasty era in China (1644–1911).
- 02Manado Boulevard
Jalan Pierre Tendean, usually known as Manado Boulevard, is the city's principal waterfront road and a popular place for an evening stroll.
- 03Zero Point
Zero Point is a small waterfront public space near the centre of Manado, marked by a monument and surrounded by streets, shops and restaurants.
- 04North Sulawesi Provincial Museum
The North Sulawesi Provincial Museum contains collections relating to the history, archaeology and traditional cultures of North Sulawesi.
- 05Soekarno Bridge
The Soekarno Bridge (Jembatan Soekarno) crosses the mouth of Manado Bay and is one of the city's most prominent modern landmarks.
- 06Pasar Bersehati
Manado's traditional markets provide a lively glimpse of everyday life and the region's distinctive food culture.
Things to do
Day trip to Bunaken: Manado is famous throughout the region for its diving areas. Bunaken is one of the well-known national marine park in Indonesia. 30 minutes boat ride. See its Wikivoyage article for more information. Day trip to Tangkoko Nature Reserve: home of tarsiers and macaques, about 50 km (31 mi) from Manado. 1-2 hours ride. See its Wikivoyage article for more information.
Where to eat
Manadonese food is famous throughout Indonesia for two things: the Minahasa eat absolutely anything, and the flavour of choice is very spicy. Sugar is used little if at all, with flavour added through lemon and herbs. Being Christian, the Minahasa also often marinate meat in alcohol and favour pork.
Getting around Manado the local way
- Get aroundThe main ways of getting around are ojek/ompreng, moped taxis that can be a bit scary, or with Mikrolets (mikros), the blue minibuses that you jump on just standing by the street.
- Get aroundAngkot is the typical Indonesia's cheapest way of transportation inside the city.
- Get aroundMost of cities in Indonesia have this Angkot, along with Manado.
- Get aroundCompared to angkots in other cities in Indonesia that have side-facing seats, the ones in Manado are fitted with all front-facing seats.
- Get aroundManadonese are known for being picky, and would only take the good-looking and full music angkots.
- Get aroundPaal 4 - Taas Banjer Malayang - pasar 45 Ojek is motorcab taxi (pronounced 'O - jack').
- Get aroundOjek is also a typical cheap land transportation in Indonesian cities.
- Get aroundIn Manado, ojek rate is not fixed, and depends on the distance and is by negotiation.
From Wikivoyage: Manado, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.