While there are a lot of things to do in Lombok, the island has a reputation as being a difficult place to explore. That is changing. Over the last five years new roads have been built and the international airport has opened. A combination of cheap hotels and good infrastructure has made Lombok an increasingly popular tourism destination.
Arranged Your Trip to Lombok? Check Out:
To help you make the most of your holiday in Lombok, here is a list of the 21 of the best things to do in Lombok (and I’m not going to include the Gili Islands). The list includes some of the islands beautiful beaches, Rinjani Volcano and roaring waterfalls. We’ll start the list with the essential guide of things to do in Lombok, before sharing other ideas with you. Btw if you are fancy trying local food, here is a guidance for you: food in Lombok.
4 of the Best Things to do in Lombok
1. Watch Sunrise from the Peak of Mount Rinjani
After visiting the Gili Islands, hiking Rinjani is the most popular tourist activity on Lombok. It’s a tough hike and you can’t do it in a day. Most people choose to take the three-day two-night trek to climb Mount Rinjani. While the Rinjani Trekking Tour is expensive it is worth it. From the top of Rinjani you have almost panoramic views over the island and can see as far away as Mount Agung on Bali. I’ve climbed Mount Rinjani once before. If you enjoy the outdoors then this is one of the best things to do in Lombok.
2. Trek to Tiu Kelep Waterfall
In the hills of Lombok you can find a lot of waterfalls. If you have to pick the most popular then it’s between Sendang Gile Waterfall and Tiu Kelep. Personally I prefer Tiu Kelep Waterfall, which is located in the North of the island. The setting is beautiful, with lush tropical jungle surrounding the falls. You can find a useful guide on visiting Tiu Kelep Waterfall on Jones Around the World.
3. Chill on Selong Belanak Beach
The beaches of South Lombok are picture postcard beautiful. In my opinion they are a lot nicer than the beaches of Bali and have a fraction of the number of tourists. One of the best beaches in Lombok is Selong Belanak Beach, which is in the South of Lombok. The beach stretches along the front of a crescent bay and the floor of the ocean is sandy. Small stalls line the edge of the beach where you can buy fresh coconuts and even rent a surfboard. Selong Belanak Beach is a good place to learn to surf or just sit down and relax. Add this beach to your Lombok ‘to do’ list.
4. Take an Island Hopping Tour Around the Sekotong Islands
One of the nice things about visiting Lombok is the opportunity to visit the tropical islands that surround it. I personally recommend the Sekotong Island Chain. As you can see from the photo above, the Sekotong Islands are relatively small with beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by coral reefs where you can go snorkelling. These islands are becoming more popular with tourists, but they have yet to attract the same crowds as the Gilis. You can visit the Sekotong Islands on day tours from Lombok. If you enjoy relaxing by the beach and swimming around coral reefs then you will enjoy this activity.
Fun Ideas for Things to do in Lombok
5. Enjoy the Views at Ashtari Kuta
Ashtari, Kuta is one of my favorite cafes in Lombok. The café has tasty food and drinks, but it’s the views that make Ashtari so memorable. Ashtari is on a hill overlooking the the bay of Kura, Lombok. There are beanbags and tables set out on the patio in the front of the cafe where you can sit and relax. In the morning Yoga classes are held on the patio. I’d recommend visiting in the late afternoon. Here’s a link to the café website just in case you want more information. I promise you’ll love it!
6. Jump in the Infinity Pool at Rinjani Lodge
The infinity pool at the Rinjani Lodge is one of the new hip places to visit in Lombok. The lodge is on the edge of the Rinjani National Park and the infinity pool offers beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. You can visit the hotel as a guest and as long as you order some food you can use the infinity pool for free. If you have the money the lodge is a great place to stay as well. The hotel has 5 rooms and each bungalow has a private a terrace.
7. Go Snorkelling at the Pink Beach
Tangsi Beach is commonly known by locals as the ‘Pink Beach’, because of the distinctive colour of the sand. While you need a good camera lens and some imagination to really see the beach as pink, it is worth a visit. There are coral reefs in the sheltered bay where you can go snorkelling. If you are staying at Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp it’s possible to do canoeing across the bay and even some snorkeling (if you do go snorkeling watch out for my Go Pro, I lost it in the bay somewhere).
8. Camp Next to Lake Segara Anak
So here are three more reasons to try the Rinjani Hike. If you join the 3 Day 2 Night Rinjani Trekking Tour then you will have the opportunity to camp by Lake Segara Anak. The lake is in the Rinjani Caldera and surrounded by forests. It’s a great place to camp, because the caldera creates a natural barrier for the light pollution, so you get a really good view of the stars (especially as you are already quite high up).
9. Soak in the Air Kalak Hot Springs
Another highlight of the 3 Day 2 Night Rinjani Hike are the Air Kalak hot springs. The springs are located 200 meters from the main camp site by Lake Segara Anak. After hiking to the top of Rinjani for sunrise you will really appreciate a hot soak in the Air Kalak Hot Springs. Supposedly the waters of Air Kalak have medicinal properties. One thing is for sure, they definitely help get rid of the sore muscles from the climb to the top of Rinjani.
10. See the Colorful Fields from Bukit Pegasingan
Bukit Pegasingan is the final highlight of a hike up Mount Rinjani. The Bukit, meaning viewpoint, offers almost panoramic views overlooking the valley. Following a long climb to the peak of the volcano it’s worth stopping for a minute at Bukit Pegasingan to realise just how far you’ve climbed. It’s a reminder that the countryside is one of the highlights of any trip to Lombok.
11. Climb the Rocks at Semeti Beach
Semeti Beach is located in Central Lombok. The beach is famous for its volcanic rocks, which carve up the beach into small inlets. The nice thing about Semeti Beach is that not many tourist visit here, so it is never very busy and it’s a good place for a swim. If you’re feeling like a big kid you can climb the rocks for a nice photo opportunity.
12. Enjoy Benang Kelambu Waterfall
Benang Kelambu Waterfall reminds me a bit of Madakaripura Waterfall in East Java. The waterfall is a one hour drive from Mataram, the capital of the island. The falls themselves are over 20 meters high and cascade over the edge of a cliff through a curtain of lush green plants. It’s a beautiful and relaxing place to visit and a perfect alternative to a day at the beach.
13. Try a Sasaknese Massage
You can get a lot of different massages when you are in Indonesia, but none are quite as strong (and maybe a little bit painful) as a traditional Sasaknese massage from Lombok. Like many oriental martial arts, a Sasaknese massage is based on pressure points. I’ve never been brave enough to try a full Sasaknese massage, but I did have a demonstration. If you’re feeling brave and you enjoy a massage you should give it a go.
14. Trek Around Tanjung Ringgit
Tanjung Ringgit in the South of Lombok offers many opportunities for trekking. The scenery is beautiful, with open fields, views over the ocean. Mount Rinjani is a constant presence on the horizon. The best time to go trekking is in the late afternoon or in the early morning. When I went hiking in this area I saw turtles surfacing in the ocean in between the breaking waves. It was a really peaceful experience. There are old Japanese gun emplacements and bunkers dating back to WW2 on the tops of the cliffs.
15. Visit Manku Sakti Waterfall
Mangku Sakti Waterfall is a series of waterfalls in a gorge. To get to the waterfall you need to follow small winding roads into the highlands of Lombok. While it is possible to swim at Manky Sakti Waterfall you need to be really careful, because the river flows quickly, especially in the raining season.
16. Try the Local Delicacies
There are a lot of local delicacies that I recommend you try when you visit Lombok. My favorite dish from Lombok is Sate Rembiga, a spicy beef sate which has been slowly cooked over a fire. Other local delicacies that to try include Plecing, Nasi Puyung and Ayam Taliwang.
17. Learn About Pearl Farming
Pearls are one of the big exports from Lombok. One of the most tourist friendly pearl farms in Lombok is Autore Pearl Farm. They offer tours of the pearl farm where you can learn about how pearls are harvested before visiting the showroom. It’s commercial, but interesting. You can find a nice article about what to expect if you visit on Stumble Abroad.
18. Visit Narmada Water Park
Narmada is a historical Water park that was constructed in 1727 by King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem. The park is a spiritual retreat for Hindu’s and was constructed as a replica of the summit of Mount Rinjani (a holy Lombok Mountain and the highest point on the island). The park is set in beautiful cultivated gardens and there is a natural spring. Though it’s not as interesting as the water palaces on Bali, it’s one of the few historical place to see in Lombok. You can find out more about Narmada Water Park here.
19. Join a Pottery Class
Lombok is well known in Indonesia for its brightly decorated clay pottery. There are a number of centers for pottery production. One of the oldest is Penujak village. The village is maintained for tourists. When you visit Penujak village you will be shown all the stages of pottery production from creation all the way through to the glazing and firing of the pottery.
20. See Traditional Weaving at Sukarare Village
Textile production is another home industry in Lombok. There are two well known hand woven textiles from Lombok; Tenun Ikat, string woven fabric traditionally produced by males and Tenun Songket, traditionally woven by women and embroidered with gold and silver thread. There are many traditional weaving workshops at Sukarare Village, which is located in the South of Lombok. The village is a tourism centre of textile production.
21. Learn about Sasak Culture at Beleq Village
If you’re interested in Sasak culture you should visit Beleq Village. While this is a ‘Traditional Village’ that is maintained for tourists it has an interesting history. The village dates back to the 14th century. There are 7 traditional houses, 2 Berugak (gazebos) and a village hall. The village hasn’t grown since it was founded, because the people who live their believe that every new generation should move out of the village and start their life in a different place. The area around the village offers lots of opportunities for trekking. You can check out this article by Indohoy to find out more about the village.
Arranged your accommodation in Lombok? We recommend:
- Best budget hostel: Dream Catcher’s Camp
- Best mid-range hotel: Ibludan Hotel
- Best luxury hotel: Tugu Hotel Lombok
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you are looking for a holiday where you will be surrounded by the beauty of nature I really recommend a Lombok trip. The island is easy to get to and there are a lot of Lombok attractions you can visit. Other that what I have mentioned above, you should also check Tetebatu Village (it has a beautiful rice fields view just like in Ubud, Bali) and also visit Tanjung Aan. There are some beautiful beaches around the area. I hope that this article has given you plenty of ideas of interesting things to do in Lombok.
Have you ever been to Lombok? What places would you recommend to people visiting Lombok for the first time? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Try Gili Kondo next time 😉
Yupppp.. Will do! 🙂
Serioudly i have been following all the updates that you post here. Its only time will tell ne when i could go for these short get aways.
Hopefully you’ll get the chance to do a nice getaway Johnson. It’s always nice to get a break and I’m sure you deserve one 🙂
Typo errors sorry
All good. I could always edit the comment and it would be as if it never happened 😀
thank you for such a great information, i am an Egyptian and will visit lombok in the next month. Will start my journey from Jakarta till reach Lombok, 😀
That’s great Abody. I really hope you have a great journey, Java, especially East Java, is really beautiful. Lombok is also really relaxed. I’m sure you’ll love it 🙂
Hi Firsta,
Thank you 🙂 On s separate note, are you from Lombok?
Muizz
Hi Muizz, glad you like the article. No, I am Javanese 🙂
I have been two places in the worlds I far I’m a California girl. Did the Caribbean and just returned from Italy. I met some very nice Indonesia gents in Italy and I asked where I should go off the regular touristy path and Lombok was there response so that is where I’m going next year. Thank you for your helpful hints as this will be my first travel experience planning and going by myself. I can’t wait. I want to go when weather is warm but not overcrowded and too pricy is September a ok month?
Hi Courtney. Sounds like you have some exciting travels ahead of you. September is the dry season in Indonesia, so you don’t need to worry about the rain. It is however the high season, so it will be more crowded than usual (though Lombok is never really very crowded). Hope that helps.
Hi, tell me more about the sasaknese massage. Is done with oil or anything similar to a body massage?
Hi Shah. They didn’t use oil for me. It’s a very hard massage though, like deep tissue.
Hi Firsta,
If its done without any oil and its hard massage then obviously its painful and not relaxing.
Hi Firsta! Thank you so much for this article! I m considering visiting Lombak for couple of weeks. I want to ask: are there any dangerous animals in the mountains or lakes which I should be careful about? Also, is December a good time to go? Thank you so much! Renata
Hi Renata, as I can remember nothing really. There were several wild pigs that I met during the Rinjani trekking when we camp by the lake. December is still the rainy season so there is a good chance of rain.
Lombok looks amazing! I sadly did not have time to visit Lombok this summer when I was at Bali.
I hope I can visit Lombok soon, because it looks amazing and Mount Rinjani is on the top of my list.
x
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, shouldn’t miss trekking at Mount Rinjani. 🙂
Miss Firsta,
I am going to visit Lombok alone on 2 – 8 Dec 2016. I have no gang for Rinjani trip, properly may miss this trip. Then I would like to have a relax trip, water fall and beach for photo shooting. Where waterfall would you suggest to visit and where should I stay as I arrive Praya about 7pm.
Hi Joyce. You can easily join an existing trip for Rinjani. There are a lot of people who hike the volcano every day of the week. In regards to waterfalls I’d suggest Tiu Kelep. It’s pretty amazing.
hello i am coming to lombok for my honeymoon. how should i plan??
my tickets are from 21-2-17 to 1-3-17
thank you
Hi Keval,
Sorry for the late reply. I have sent you an email.
Pergasingan, Sembalun, Rinjani! Next trip must be there >.<
So little time so many places to visit. >.<
Hi Firsta,
I will be visiting Lombok and the Gili Islands at the end of December. How do you recommend people get around the islands? Should I rent a motorbike or use buses?
Also, is it easy to show up and find accommodation on the spot. I would prefer not to book until I get there.
Hi Claire. Hope you enjoy your time in Lombok and the Gilis. For Lombok I’d recommend arranging a scooter to get around. On the Gili islands there is no public transport. I’d recommend just walking around as the islands are not that large.
aww, keren banget itu ladang warna warni dari ketinggian ?
Hi pretty! Wow!! I’m so proud of you for Indonesian to Indonesian! I reallt out of words now, I just discovered your web and it just so amazing! Thankyou for sharing sweetheart ❤ i’m really looking forward going travel with you!
Hi Mariettaea,
Thanks for the kind words and happy to know that you found this blog useful 🙂 Have a great Sunday!
Hi Firsta,
After reading your blog, I have booked Rinjani Lodge. ( Luckily booked earlier as now the accommodation is all sold out) . My trip is happening on 27 August-1 September 2017 and consist a party of 6.
My flight is reaching Lombok Airport (LOP) about 11.30 am.
Can you recommend along the way from LOP to Senaru, is there any place of interest ( e.g. café, restaurant) that I should stop by?
I am planning to visit the water falls in Senaru (Summit not possible yet). Staying 3 days in Senaru and move to hotel in Sengigi. Can you recommend where I should visit. Should I go for the 3 Gilis ( T, Meno & Air) or better to Gili Sekotong? How much is normal fare from LOP to Senaru? Senaru to Sengigi? Sengigi to LOP?
Appreciate your insights?
Hi Aida,
Not sure about a cafe/restaurant along the way. There is Ashtari Lounge & Kitchen in Mawun area, it should be 1-1,5 hours ride from the airport (but yes to the opposite direction to Senaru). Should try Rembiga Satay which is around Rembiga area. One of everyone’s favorites is Warung Sate Rembiga Utama (you can find it easily on google maps).
The 3 Gilis (T, Meno and Air) is better in terms of facilities. I personally love Gili Meno. If you only want to visit for a day trip, I think Gili Sekotong is nice too.
Apologies I don’t relly know how much does it cost from LOP to Senaru, Senaru to Senggigi and Senggigi to LOP. We have a partner for car rental in Lombok, you can book it through us from the website, here is the link. I think you can get a Damri bus from Senggigi area to LOP, but I don’t know where is the start point.
I hope you have a great stay in Lombok. 🙂
Hi fiesta. I’m just wondering your thoughts on Lombok being family friendly? I have 4 kids from 3years to 12years.
Thanks, Trish
Hi Trish,
Lombok is ok to be visited with kids. There are not so many people. If you are looking for outdoor things to do with your family I think Lombok would be a great choice. Please keep in mind that there are fewer shops, restaurants, malls, organised activities, etc.
Hi Firsta,
I’m visiting lombok soon. I have days planned to go around the island. What is the best way to do it? Renting a car or motor? Or? Can you help me out.
Eivon
Hi Eivon. It depends what you are comfortable with. If you can drive a motorbike/ scooter then that is fine. On the other hand renting a car is a more convenient and comfortable option. Not sure if that helps :/
belum pernah ke Lombok kak, makasih infonya berguna sekali kalau nanti saya ke berkesempatan ke Lombok, foto-fotonya juga keren bikin tambah mupeng jalan ke Lombok. Salam kenal kak Firsta
Halo Pink Traveler,
Terima kasih sudah mampir ke sini.
Sepertinya sering lihat di timeline Twitter (kalau gak salah, mungkin berbalas tweet sama teman-teman yang lain juga). 😀 Salam kenal!
Hi Firsta, is there a taxi service or driver service from the Lombok airport
Hi Grace, yes there is. It would be better to arrange a pickup service from your hotel. It is usually cheaper that way.
Hope you have a great time in Lombok.
Hi Firsta, we will be travelling to Bali (Seminyak) next May and staying 8 nights. We would then like to stay somewhere a little quieter for another 7 nights. We were thinking about Lombok, but do not want it to be too isolated and quiet. We would like to near a white, sandy beach, restaurants, markets etc.
We are a mature aged couple so are not looking for a “party” town.
Where would you suggest we stay?
Thanks
Hi Eleanor,
Lombok is pretty cool. The Kuta area (South of Lombok) is pretty lively and also chill at the same time. Have you ever been to Gili? Gili T or Gili Trawangan is the most famous of all, but I wouldn’t recommend it since you have mentioned you are not looking for a “party” island. Try Gili Meno. It is located in between Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. If you are into nature, you will love Gili Meno. Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.
Dear Firsta,
I’m planning a family vacation in Dec this year. I’ll be bringing my 2 elderly parents and a child. We would love to stay in an area where the beach and halal eating places are within 7mins walking distance. If there is a mall/ market or the hot spring within vicinity, it would be perfect. Would you please recommend an area where most of our activities can be explored without much traveling (as my parents are nearly 80 years old). Appreciate your kindness in assisting us to plan for a lovely Lombok vacation especially for my parents. Thank you so much!
Hi Suhaily,
I think Senggigi would be a great base to explore Lombok. Sheraton Senggigi is one of the hotels that has beach access and close to the Senggigi art market. Or check this article to find more about hotels in Senggigi area.
There are plenty of halal restaurants around the area (well.. almost everywhere because most of people in Lombok is moslem).
Dear Firsta,
Thank you so much for your suggestions. Really grateful for the assurance that halal food is plenty in Lombok. Looking forward to the trip this year end 🙂
Thanks so much again!
Hi Suhaily,
My pleasure. Hope you have a fantastic time. 🙂
Hi
Thanks for very good information. Im going to Lombok in May this year and I have a question.. How about paying with credit card at hotels and restaurants? Is there ATM´s around the island? Should we use dollar or IDR?
Hi Lollo,
It is possible to pay with credit card at hotels and restaurants (especially if it is big restaurants). Most of them have the machine. Yes, it is easy to find ATMs around the island (in Mataram, Senggigi, Kuta, etc).
For all transactions in Indonesia, you have to use rupiah (IDR). Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.
Lombok is very very beautiful, both natural land and sea, proud to be an Indonesian
Yup, Lombok is a beautiful island.
I just booked a ticket to Lombok. I’ll be there next month and I’m super excited. Thanks for this useful guide, Firsta!!!!
Hi Justine,
You will have a great time there. Are you visiting Senggigi? If yes, stay at Ibludan Hotel. It is a lovely hotel. 🙂
Hi,
We will be stopping in Lombok for one day in March on a ship and we are open to suggestions of what to do.
We are a couple of seniors so a hard massage or trekking is not an option. We enjoy snorkeling, eating and shopping. Cheers Chant
Hi Chant,
How many hours you will have on the island? Maybe visiting traditional village and taste some local food?
Hi pls can u email me few Muslim friendly places to stay in Lombok. We want to be near the mosque and good halal restaurant and we want a place with swimming pool. We r four mature age couple with two older daughter. We want to do some recreation but don’t want to be near crowded places. We like nice clean beaches. And kayak and snorkeling and clean fresh air. Healthy organic food.
Hi FIrsta,
Very informative blog you have…
Me and my wife are planning to head to Lombok around Mid August. But we only have arrive Friday night and head back to the airport by Sunday 2pm (effectively giving us aprox 1.5 days in Lombok).
We are very much endeared by articles regarding waterfalls and would like that to be our primary itinerary. However we would also want to stretch it for a beach getaway.
We just feel like 1.5 days is too short for what we want. Would you advise for us to stretch it another day?
Hi Genesis Merioles,
Yes 1.5 days is too short for Lombok. If you want to explore the beaches, maybe stay close to Kuta Madalika Lombok area. There are several nice beaches around the area such as Selong Belanak, Mawun, etc.
This area is around 1 hour from the airport.
If you want to visit some of the waterfalls, this trip requires you to go to the north part of the island and it might take the whole day (one day trip). I really like Benang Stokel dan Benang Kelambu Waterfall.
Hi there,
Planning a trip and Lombok came to mind. Which area is recommended for stay with clear sea water, nice beach? And not too far from the airport as we will be traveling with a baby. What else can we do apart from beach market? Easy trekking?
Dear Jes, you can stay around Kuta Mandalika area. It is 1 hour from the airport and there are several nice beaches around the area.
You can visit the traditional Sasak village and trekking to Bukit Merese.
Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.