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Capital and largest city of North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Photo: en:Wihelmin, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Manado is the largest and capital city in, and main gateway to Northern Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara), Indonesia.
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The oldest Chinese temple built in Manado during the Qing Dynasty era in China (1644–1911). It is a house of worship for the Tridharma followers from Manado and the region. This Temple is located at D.I. Panjaitan Street in Manado, which is the centre of the city's China Town. There are some shrines and temples, homes and interesting shops run by Chinese. The temple is easily reached by public transport, by mikrolet or taxis. Visitors can also rent a car or motorcycle to tour China Town.
Jalan Pierre Tendean, usually known as Manado Boulevard, is the city's principal waterfront road and a popular place for an evening stroll. The road runs along the bay past restaurants, cafés and shopping areas, with views towards Manado Tua. At sunset and after dark it becomes one of the liveliest parts of the city.
Titik Nol Manado
Zero Point is a small waterfront public space near the centre of Manado, marked by a monument and surrounded by streets, shops and restaurants. It is a popular meeting place and a convenient starting point for exploring the older central part of the city. The waterfront provides views across Manado Bay and towards the surrounding mountains.
The North Sulawesi Provincial Museum contains collections relating to the history, archaeology and traditional cultures of North Sulawesi. Exhibits include archaeological objects, traditional weapons, textiles, household objects and material associated with the region's diverse ethnic groups. It is a useful introduction to the Minahasa and other cultures encountered elsewhere in the province.
The Soekarno Bridge (Jembatan Soekarno) crosses the mouth of Manado Bay and is one of the city's most prominent modern landmarks. The long cable-stayed bridge provides elevated views over the waterfront, harbour and surrounding mountains. It is particularly photogenic around sunset and when illuminated after dark.
Manado's traditional markets provide a lively glimpse of everyday life and the region's distinctive food culture. Pasar Bersehati, near the waterfront, is one of the city's principal traditional markets and is particularly active in the morning. Other markets around the city sell vegetables, fruit, spices, household goods and prepared food. Visitors interested in local culture should go early, when the markets are busiest.
Try Miedal and Tinutuan.
Offering Rahang tuna (grilled Tuna jaw). It is served with Sambal dabu-dabu (spicy condiment commonly found in Manado cuisine).
Nasi kuning manado (Manado yellow rice dish) is yellow rice with cakalang pampis (skipjack tuna-like floss) wrapped in woka palm leaf.
Multiples cafés and restaurants (bar n bar ramen, the flamb...) and many street food stalls in the evenings.
Well-known locally for grilled and fried fish, and also offers a variety of seafood dishes.
Indonesian food.
Seafood restaurant with 'Oci' as speciality fish.
Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on satays and barbequed seafood.
A seafood restaurant at Bahu Mall Bay street cafe. Local seafood with panoramic sea views.
The usual pizza from a well-known chain.
海的味道
Very good place for seafood like wild lobster, crabs, shellfish, and barbecued fishes, with a lower price than some other places. Beach front and with a wonderful view of the sunset, Bunaken and Manado Tua islands.
Good place for coffee and light snacks.
Stuffy, unappealing, dilapidated. Double room w/out air-con and with stuffy shared bathroom, but cheap.
Located on the quiet side of the river, this popular place has good-value single rooms at Rp 120,000 (outside bathroom) and doubles Rp 180,000 (inside bathroom), both include breakfast. Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, Rp 10,000 one-time fee for the duration of your stay.
Very basic room. Staff can help you arranging transport to Gorontalo or Pulau Bunaken.
Located in the city centre where suitable for budget or backpacked travellers that need to lay back and enjoy the city. The rooms have a bed, air-con and bathroom.
Opened in 2004, the sheen of newness is fading fast, but the rooms are clean and functional with air-con and hot water.
A nice family-run place on Sam Ratulangi. They are used to tourists, as well as being the main place that academics in the area stay in, so you are apt to meet someone who could really fill you in on the local scene. The drawback is the monotonous breakfasts.
Big rooms with AC, TV, and bathrooms with hot water. The best option on this street of Lonely Planet recommended cheapies.
Another popular business hotel. All rooms have AC, hot shower, and TV, the difference in room quality is really a matter of the size of the room, the date of the furniture and the size of the bed.
Homestay with nice views.
Aston Manado
Enjoy a beautiful hotel in the very heart of Manado that combines exceptional service and attention to detail to ensure a most memorable stay. The delightful Aston Manado City Hotel offers over 100 rooms and suite with dramatic views of the city skyline. Experience the best restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, as well as the city’s fines attraction, all within easy walking of the hotel.
In the centre of the city with 65 rooms priced from Rp 350,000.
In the heart of the city. Featuring 150 spacious and modern superior rooms, studios, corner suites, deluxe suites, sintesa suites and a presidential suite.
Was perhaps a 5-star resort 20 years ago. It is 20 minutes drive from Manado city. Some rooms feature view of the sea, others the garden. While it has been through a downward phase, it is under new management and is very nice. They provide good access to Bunakin via a 30 minute boat ride. It is up to 3-4 stars now, and with more business, looks like it will continue to improve.
Often cited as the only resort facing Bunaken island, offers a wide range of accommodation options ranging from deluxe, bungalow and suite, all overlooking the beautiful sea.
former 'Ritzy Hotel'
Offer rooms equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, coffee/tea maker, and internet access. Some of its facilities and services include the Cakrawala Coffee Shop, a swimming pool, the lobby lounge, massage and room services.
Gran Puri
Shabby, tired and out of the way.
A short walk from the Mega Mall with restaurant and bar services, wonderful staff and rooms.
Located on Kalasey beach, 30 minutes from the airport. Boutique resort in a beautiful tropical garden resort with Indonesian / Italian cuisine. Diving operated by Celebes Divers as on the sister location Onong Resort on Siladen Island. Both resorts have 24/7 electrical power and all cottages are air-conditioned.
locally abrreviated 'Mantos'
Opened in 2006, the biggest shopping centre in Manado. You can find various western stuff here.
locally abrreviated 'MTC'
The shopping place for electronics and bulk purchase. Similar to Mangga Dua ITC in Jakarta or Makassar Trade Centre.
Shopping centre with two blocks, connected by a bridge.
By plane
There are also frequent flights to Jakarta (Garuda, Lion Air 3 hr, from Rp 600,000) and Makassar (1½ hr).
By bus
By boat
By taxi
There are several taxi operators here: Bluebird, Taxi Kokapura, Trust, Celebrity.
By Angkot (Angkutan Kota)
Also known as mikrolets or bemos. Angkot is the typical Indonesia's cheapest way of transportation inside the city. Most of cities in Indonesia have this Angkot, along with Manado.
By rental car
By ojek
Ojek is motorcab taxi (pronounced 'O - jack'). Ojek is also a typical cheap land transportation in Indonesian cities.
By transportation-sharing app
Transportation sharing app like Grab and Go-Jek are already a commonplace in Manado.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Manado · International · MDC
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