Visiting Manado, Indonesia: Top Sights on Foot

Looking for things to do in Manado? This North Sulawesi city offers more than a starting point for exploring the region: its museums, historic temple and many churches reveal the cultural and religious character of the city itself. A visit can combine local history with a look at Manado’s diverse communities and architectural heritage. Neywo has a free audio guide for Manado, with 15 narrated places available in 11 languages.

For wider inspiration while planning a trip through Indonesia, Manado offers a different perspective from cities such as Jakarta or Medan.

What to See in Manado

South Sulawesi Museum

The South Sulawesi Museum, also known as Museum Negeri Sulawesi Utara, introduces the history and collections of North Sulawesi. Its building is inspired by the traditional Minahasan house, making the architecture part of the visit.

The museum’s development began after a local resident, Bola Lensun, discovered a large collection of ceramic objects and handed them to the Southeast Minahasa Regency Government. Construction took place in two stages, from 1974 to 1975 and from 1978 to 1979, before the museum was officially inaugurated on January 9, 1991.

The building covers 440 square metres and contains four floors of permanent exhibitions, as well as a library and cafeteria. Admission is free, and the museum is open from Monday through Saturday.

Ban Hin Kiong Temple

In Calaca, on Jalan Panjaitan, Ban Hin Kiong Temple stands out with its red Chinese-style façade. Also known as Klenteng Ban Hin Kiong, it is recognised as the oldest temple in Manado and is one of the city’s most important historic spiritual sites.

The temple was founded in 1819, while the Kong Tek Su memorial hall was added in 1839. Its earliest structure was simple, made from bamboo woven through the house. The name Ban Hin Kiong combines three words: Ban, meaning ten thousand or many; Hing, meaning abundance; and Kiong, meaning palace. Together, the name evokes a palace of abundance.

Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Mary

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Mary is the principal Catholic church of the Diocese of Manado. Known locally as Gereja Katedral Hati Tersuci Maria, it is also the official seat of the Bishop of Manado.

Located in Wenang Utara, in the Wenang district, the cathedral has a central role in the Catholic life of the city. It is both a place of worship and the main church of the diocese.

Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus, Kairagi

Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus in Kairagi is a Catholic parish church in Manado. Its official name is Gereja Paroki Bunda Hati Kudus, Kairagi, and it is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Manado.

Gereja Bunda Teresa dari Calcutta, Griya Paniki Indah

In Griya Paniki Indah, Gereja Bunda Teresa dari Calcutta is a Catholic parish church dedicated to Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Its official name is Gereja Paroki Bunda Teresa dari Calcutta, Griya Paniki Indah.

Gereja Hati Kudus Yesus, Karombasan

Gereja Hati Kudus Yesus in Karombasan is officially known as the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catholic parish forms part of the Diocese of Manado and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Gereja Raja Damai, Tikala Baru

Gereja Raja Damai is a Catholic parish church in Tikala Baru. Its official name is Gereja Paroki Raja Damai, Tikala Baru.

Gereja Ratu Rosari Suci, Tuminting

In Tuminting, Gereja Ratu Rosari Suci is dedicated to the Holy Rosary Queen. The church’s official name is Gereja Paroki Ratu Rosari Suci, Tuminting, and it is one of Manado’s Catholic parish churches.

Gereja Santa Theresia de Lisieux, Malalayang

Gereja Santa Theresia de Lisieux in Malalayang is officially known as the Parish Church of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. The church belongs to the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Manado and is dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Gereja Santa Veronika dari Binasco, Kaiwatu

Kaiwatu is home to the Parish Church of Saint Veronica of Binasco, known locally as Gereja Santa Veronika dari Binasco. This Catholic parish church forms part of the Diocese of Manado.

Gereja Santo Ignatius, Manado Utara

Gereja Santo Ignatius is a Catholic parish church in North Manado dedicated to Saint Ignatius. It adds another place of worship to the city’s varied religious landscape.

Gereja Santo Mikael, Perkamil

In Perkamil, Gereja Santo Mikael is dedicated to Saint Michael. Its official name is Gereja Paroki Santo Mikael, Perkamil, and it belongs to the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Manado.

Gereja Santo Yoseph Pelindung Pekerja, Kleak

Gereja Santo Yoseph Pelindung Pekerja in Kleak is dedicated to Saint Joseph the Protector of Workers. The church is a Catholic parish in Manado, North Sulawesi, under the Diocese of Manado.

Gereja Yesus Gembala Baik, Paniki

Gereja Yesus Gembala Baik in Paniki is officially known as the Parish Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Paniki. This Catholic parish church is dedicated to Jesus the Good Shepherd and belongs to the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Manado.

Gereja Yesus Gembala yang Baik, Wanea

Gereja Yesus Gembala yang Baik is located in Wanea and is officially known as Gereja Paroki Yesus Gembala yang Baik. The parish was established on July 1, 1974, by decree of the Bishop of Manado.

Before becoming an independent parish, it was one of the stations of Santo Joseph Pekerja Parish in South Manado, within the Diocese of Manado. Its first baptism took place on July 27, 1974, only a few weeks after the parish was established.

Explore Manado with Neywo

Download Neywo to explore Manado with a free audio guide covering 15 narrated places. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, so you can discover Manado independently while moving from one point to the next.