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    Manado
    City

    Manado

    Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi and a gateway to Bunaken, Lembeh, and the Minahasa Highlands. The predominantly Christian city is known for its spicy cuisine and views of Manado Tua volcano.

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    9. Manado
    Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi and a gateway to Bunaken, Lembeh, and the Minahasa Highlands. The predominantly Christian city is known for its spicy cuisine and views of Manado Tua volcano.
    Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi and has approximately half a million inhabitants. The city is located on Manado Bay, opposite which rises the volcanic cone of Manado Tua island. For most travelers, it serves as a transit point on the way to Bunaken, the Lembeh Strait, or the Minahasa Highlands. In the evening, the waterfront boulevard with food stalls is a good spot. On a hill in the south stands a large Christ statue. Within the city, you can get around by Mikrolet minibuses, Grab, or Gojek.
    The center is situated by the harbor and the boulevard. Boats for Bunaken leave from the harbor near Bersehati Market.

    Sights in Manado

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Monument of Jesus' Blessing
    Attraction

    1Monument of Jesus' Blessing

    A large Christ statue on a hill in the city's south, seemingly hovering over Manado. From the viewpoint, you look out over the bay.
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    North Sulawesi State Museum
    Museum

    2North Sulawesi State Museum

    Provincial museum with folk costumes, weapons, household items, and models of traditional Minahasa houses.
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    Restaurants in Manado

    1

    Raja Oci

    Fish restaurant for grilled fish with Rica and Dabu-Dabu Sambal.
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    2

    Tinoor Jaya

    Restaurant on the road to Tomohon with valley views and Minahasa cuisine.
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    Food and Beverages

    Minahasa cuisine is very spicy; say "tidak pedas" if you prefer it milder.

    Tinutuan

    Porridge of rice, pumpkin, corn, and vegetables, typical breakfast, especially in Wakeke Street.

    Ikan Bakar Rica

    Grilled fish with spicy chili paste, on the boulevard and in fish restaurants.

    Klappertaart

    Coconut cake originating from the Netherlands, a popular souvenir.

    Spirit

    Manado is a predominantly Christian city with many churches, a Chinese community featuring the old Ban Hin Kiong temple, and Muslim quarters. The Provincial Museum displays Minahasa culture and history. The city is known for its relaxed atmosphere and its love for spicy food.

    Getting Here & Around

    Getting ThereSam Ratulangi Airport is located approximately 13 km north of the city center.ConnectionsBunaken: Public boats depart from the harbor in the afternoon, taking 45 to 60 minutes, not on Sundays. Otherwise, charter a boat; many dive resorts offer guest pick-up.Tomohon: Approx. 30 km, 30 to 60 minutes by Mikrolet, Grab or car.Lembeh: To Bitung, approx. 2 hours, then approx. 15 minutes by boat.

    Day Trips

    Bunaken

    Marine park with wall reefs, reachable by boat in about 45 minutes.

    Tomohon

    Highland city between the volcanoes Lokon and Mahawu, with flower gardens and crater lakes.

    Tangkoko

    Nature reserve with tarsiers and crested macaques near Bitung.

    Accommodations in Manado

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    Nearby

    Tomohon

    Tomohon

    Tomohon is located in the Minahasa Highlands between the Lokon and Mahawu volcanoes. This small town is cooler than Manado, famous for its floriculture and a base for crater hikes and Lake Linow.
    Bunaken
    Niek van Son / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Bunaken

    Bunaken is a small island off Manado and the core of the Bunaken Marine National Park. The coral walls drop steeply into the deep offshore; turtles and reef fish are already seen while snorkeling.
    North Sulawesi

    North Sulawesi

    North Sulawesi is primarily a diver's paradise: Bunaken's sheer walls and the macrofauna-rich Lembeh Strait are among Southeast Asia's best-known dive sites. Inland, volcanoes and the Tangkoko Rainforest lure with tarsiers and crested macaques.
    Lembeh Strait
    Sakurai Midori / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5

    Lembeh Strait

    The Lembeh Strait, between the port city of Bitung and Lembeh Island, is considered one of the world's best sites for macro diving. On dark volcanic sand live octopus species, frogfish, and nudibranchs that are rarely seen elsewhere.
    Wayag-Inseln

    Wayag-Inseln

    The Wayag Islands in the northwest of Raja Ampat are a labyrinth of forested karst cones in turquoise lagoons. The view from the summit of one of the rocks is the iconic view of Raja Ampat.