Historic Landmark
World Peace Gong
Large gong with the flags of many countries at its center, erected as a sign of reconciliation after the conflict around the year 2000.
City
Ambon
Ambon is the capital of the Moluccas and a hub for trips to the Banda Islands. The city on a deep bay offers colonial traces, beaches, and dive sites right on its doorstep.
Ambon is the capital of the Moluccas and a hub for trips to the Banda Islands. The city on a deep bay offers colonial traces, beaches, and dive sites right on its doorstep.
With around 350,000 inhabitants, Ambon is the largest city in the Moluccas and lies on a deep bay on Ambon Island. It was once a center of the spice trade, particularly cloves, first under Portuguese, then under Dutch rule. In the city, Fort Nieuw Victoria and the World Peace Gong commemorate its history and the conflict around the year 2000. For travelers, Ambon is primarily a gateway to the Banda Islands, but it’s also worth a stay for its beaches like Liang and Natsepa, and the dive sites in the bay. Within the city, you can get around using Angkot, Ojek, or Grab.
Sights in Ambon
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Attraction
Fort Amsterdam
17th-century Dutch fortification in Hila village on the north coast, with a multi-storey residential tower.
Attraction
Pantai Liang
Long white sandy beach with clear water on the east coast, about an hour from the city.
Attraction
Fort Nieuw Victoria
Fortress in the center, whose origins go back to the Portuguese. Under the Dutch, it was the administrative seat of the Moluccas; today it is used by the military.
Attraction
City Gate
Rock arch on the south coast, with views of the open sea. Swim in front in calm waters.
Restaurants in Ambon
Traditional coffee house in the center, a city meeting point for breakfast with coffee and local snacks.
Fish restaurant in the center with grilled fish, Colo-Colo and Papeda.
Food and Beverages
Papeda with Ikan Kuah Kuning
Sagobrei with fish in yellow turmeric broth, the national dish of the Moluccas.
Colo-Colo
Fresh sambal of chilli, tomato, shallots and lime with grilled fish.
Coffeehouses
Ambon has a vibrant coffee shop culture, with many places serving spiced coffee.
Culture
Ambon is home to large Christian and Muslim communities, often residing in separate neighborhoods and villages. Between 1999 and 2002, severe conflicts arose between them; however, today their co-existence is peaceful, symbolized by the World Peace Gong. Music plays a significant role, and UNESCO designated Ambon a "City of Music" in 2019. National hero Pattimura led an uprising against the Dutch in 1817.
Getting There and Around
Getting TherePattimura Airport is located on the other side of the bay, approximately 38 km from the city. It has connections to Jakarta, Makassar, and other parts of the Moluccas.To Banda NeiraPelni: The ships take about 16 hours; schedule and tickets via pelni.co.id.Speedboat: From Tulehu, seasonal speedboats operate, taking 5 to 6 hours. Departures vary; inquire locally for the current schedule.Getting AroundYou can reach the island's beaches and villages by Angkot, Ojek, or rental car; a bridge connects the two halves of the bay.
Getaways
Banda Islands
Nutmeg Islands with forts and reefs, reached by speedboat or ship.
Hila
Village on the north coast with Fort Amsterdam and an old mosque.
Accommodations in Ambon
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