From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This museum highlights the past rule of the Sultanate of Ternate and is housed in the actual palace built for the sultan in 1813. No shorts allowed; must remove shoes at entrance.
Fort Oranje
The largest fort in Ternate island. It has thick walls that are, despite frequent earthquakes, still in good conditions. It represented the heart of Dutch operations in the Spice Islands until that era ended and Dutch interests moved on to Batavia. One of the buildings houses a small branch of the National Indonesian archive (Arsip) that can be visited free of charge.
Portuguese fort constructed in 1512 that has, over the years, also seen occupation by the Dutch, British, and a Sultanate. Abandoned in 1864 and then the focus of renovation efforts in 1996, it has a nice phallic shape.
Fort Kalamata
Fort Kalamata is a Portuguese star fort that was built in 1540 and also later saw occupation by Dutch and British forces and then subsequent restoration by Indonesia in 1994. It was originally called Santa Lucia and offers a good view of Tidore from its ramparts.
One of those grandiose mosques dominates the skyline, but it particularly stands out with the way it kind of hangs precariously to the shoreline. In fact, apparently, some minarets were previously jutting out of the sea until the sea decided to claim them. No entry for non-Muslims.
Danau Tolire Besar
Crater lake with green water that supposedly hosts a small crocodile population with Mount Gamalama in the background. Trails to rim of lake. There is a wild legend associated with the lake which is explained in the Wikipedia article.
Observation area of old lahar from Mount Gamalama, picnic area, the viewpoint of other islands of Maluku. Small admission fee.
Danau Ngade
Another lake with majestic views of Tidore Island and Mount Kiematabu.
Pantai Falajawa
Dive to see endemic species of walking shark (Hemiscyllum halmahera) or hiu berjalan (in Indonesian).
A park in a hilly area to see the view of the downtown of Ternate. It is good to go there in the afternoon or evening.
Seaside park with promenade and benches for viewing the great expanse of land and sea. Also, don't miss the Ternate Landmark — there's a monument to either Vasco da Gama or Magellan— immediately to the south for great selfie and sunrise viewing opportunities.
Pantai Sulamadaha
Pretty black sand beach surrounded by trees with clear calm waters good for snorkeling.
Pantai Kastela
This is a nice beach for watching sunsets.
Pantai Jikomalamo
Another nice beach for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Pantai Bobane Ici
A beautiful beach, It has 2 pools and a cafe.
Exercise caution in climbing in consideration of its volcanic volatility and its past eruption in 2011.
Famous for its delicious satay.
Nasi Kuning Salero
Nasi kuning is a cheap food for breakfast. It is a plate of yellow rice with some side dishes like fish and egg.
Great place to eat fish especially in the evening.
Try grilled bubara (giant trevally).
Try Gohu ikan is known as Sashimi of Ternate.
A pizza place.
Try ketam kenari (coconut crab) cooked in padang sauce or oyster sauce.
There are many food stalls or hawkers beside the coastline which sell traditional Ternate ginger drinks called air guraka. It is served with some snacks including fried anchovy, fried peanuts, banana chips called pisang mulu bebe, and sambal roa.
Hotel Vista is a neat hotel with plenty of rooms right in the center. A simple breakfast is delivered to the hotel room early in the morning.
It has balcony room with the view of Mount Gamalama, Fort Oranje, city beaches and island of Halmahera. There is also a supermarket on first floor.
rebrand from Grand Dafam Bela Ternate
The 4-star hotel in Ternate.
An economical homestay option. A/C and smoke-free. Lounge with viewing area of surroundings.
By boat
There are ships from various parts of Indonesia only serviced by PELNI. Schedules and reservations can be checked at PELNI office or by PELNI app.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ternate · Regional · TTE
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Ternate and Indonesia.
Full 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Complete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Explore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Full 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.