The dusty city of Kota Ambon is both the capital and cultural center of Maluku province, easily accessible by air, road and water.

Many people shun the city in favor of one of Maluku province’s beautiful islands and beaches. However, those who take the time to get to know Kota Ambon will discover a city rich in culture and interesting buildings to explore. Food lovers will perhaps find their spiritual home in Kota Ambon as there are a good number of restaurants here serving almost every cuisine imaginable.

For those with plenty of time to spare, a great way to visit Kota Ambon and see the surrounding area is by taking a slow boat from one of the large cities such as Jakarta or Surabaya. These journeys generally take around a day and there are plenty of places to snooze onboard as you watch the scenery slowly slide past.

Getting There & Away

Kota Ambon has its own international airport, which hosts regular flights from cities such as Jakarta (2 hours) and Surabaya (1 hour). Kota Ambon is also connected to the surrounding towns and cities by bus and ferry, with ferries calling in from places such as Bitung (22 hours) and Surabaya (28 hours).

Things to Do

Kota Ambon Attractions

Francis Xavier Cathedral

Located in the heart of the city, this cathedral is famous for its shining silver-strut steeples.

Siwa Lima Museum

This is a great place to learn about the culture of maluku as it contains an extensive collection of regional and colonial artifacts.

Pattimura Monument

Located in the center of kota ambon, this statue is a tribute to maluku’s best known freedom fighter.

Masjid Raya al-Fatah

Kota ambon’s largest mosque is highly decorated and features a picturesque garden.