Places to visit in Lombok
Ready to discover the best places to see in Lombok? Let’s get started!
1. Hike to Mount Rinjani
One of the most brutal experiences you can have on a trip to Lombok is to climb to the top of Mount Rinjani. At 3,726 meters above sea level, it is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia.
We wanted to do it but, unfortunately, when we visited Lombok, the excursion was closed (it does not take place during the months of January, February, and March) due to the rainy season. If your trip does not coincide with one of these months, I encourage you to look for more information about it and prepare your visit to the highest point of Rinjani.
The excursion is usually 3 days and 2 nights. On the first day, you hike to Pelawangan Sembalun, where you watch the sunset and spend the night in a tent. On the morning of the second day, you hike to the top of Rinjani. Then, in the afternoon, you go to a hot spring near Segara Anak Lake. The second night is spent in another location. On the third day, you return to Senaru.
If you go during the time when this excursion is not possible (January-March), it is still possible to do a 2-day and 1-night trek to a viewpoint located near the crater of Segara Anak Lake.
2. Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfalls
I’ve visited many waterfalls in Bali, but I have to say that Tiu Kelep is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in all of Indonesia. It’s located in the northern part of Lombok, near the town of Senaru. I recommend spending a few nights there to explore this area of the island (we stayed at Pondok Guru Bakti Cottage, a simple but charming place with stunning views of Mount Rinjani that will make you fall in love with it).
The entrance fee to Tiu Kelep Waterfall is 20,000 IDR, which also grants you access to the nearby Sendang Gile Waterfall. Since the two waterfalls are close to each other, they’re usually visited together. While Sendang Gile is lovely in its own right, Tiu Kelep steals the show with its impressive beauty and size. Plus, the walk to get there is just as enchanting as the waterfall itself.
At the base of Tiu Kelep, there’s a small natural pool where you can take a dip. It’s not very large, but it’s perfect for cooling off and enjoying a relaxing swim (I thoroughly enjoyed mine!) before starting your hike back. Allow at least two hours for the trip, including time to fully soak in the experience.
By the way, guides are often offered at the entrance, as they’ll tell you the route can be tricky. In reality, it’s not too difficult, so hiring a guide isn’t necessary. However, you will need to cross the river several times, so I recommend wearing shoes that can get wet.
If you’re staying in another part of the island and don’t plan on renting a motorbike, you might want to consider booking a tour to visit both Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls.
3. Bukit Selong, Sembalung
Another place to see in Lombok that we really liked was Bukit Selong, a viewpoint located in the town of Sembalun Village, also in the north of the island. Here you will find an area full of mountains that create a unique landscape. It will seem like you are in another place.
But what stands out most about Sembalun are its large fields of crops organized in perfect squares. In each one, a different plant or fruit is planted, such as strawberries, which are very typical in this part of Lombok.
Climbing to the Bukit Selong viewpoint allows you to see these fields surrounded by mountains from the heights. It really is a unique landscape. We arrived at the place at noon, but it is highly recommended to go at sunset.
Next to Bukit Selong there is another viewpoint, which is not connected to this one directly. To avoid confusion, it is best to put on the map “Start hiking to Bukit Selong” to get to the right place. The entrance fee is IDR 10,000.
💡 Beyond this viewpoint, it is possible to book hiking tours in the area that include an overnight camping trip to some of the mountain peaks in the area. The most popular hike among tourists is to Pergasingan Hill.
4. Tanjung Aan Beach
Now, let’s head to the southern part of Lombok, where you’ll find the island’s most popular beach: Tanjung Aan Beach.
This beach is large, shaped like a shell, and surrounded by cliffs. There are plenty of beach bars where you can grab a drink or something to eat, along with sun loungers for relaxing in the sun. Although some areas of the beach have seaweed, it’s still a beautiful spot for swimming and enjoying the scenery.
Being fairly close to Kuta (Lombok), the island’s main tourist hub, Tanjung Aan can get crowded. However, it’s still possible to find peace and quiet, especially if you venture a bit further from the restaurants.
We visited several times—whether to watch the sunset, have dinner, or simply spend a few hours enjoying the sand and saltwater.
5. Sunset at Bukit Merese
The coast of Lombok hides truly magical corners thanks to its green cliffs and rock formations. One of those special places is Bukit Merese, a little piece of coastline that exudes beauty around every corner. Going to watch the sunset on top of its cliffs is one of the best things to do in Lombok. You will be amazed by the views of the sea and the beaches of the place.
Bukit Merese is located right next to Tanjung Aan Beach, so it is a very good idea to spend the afternoon on this beach and then go up to watch the sunset.
Entrance costs IDR 10,000 per vehicle (they have paved the road to get there, so the price is more than reasonable). Before you go into the green meadows, you will find stalls where you can buy something to eat or drink. I recommend you try a spicy corn on the cob, they are so good!
By the way, I warn you that there is a lot of trash on the ground here. There is very little education on this subject. It’s a shame… If you can pick some up on the way back, welcome.
6. Visit Selong Belanak Beach, one of the best things to do in Lombok
There is another beach in Lombok that you cannot miss on your itinerary, especially if you like surfing or if you feel like trying it (and if not, too). This is Selong Belanak Beach, located on the south coast of the island, about 20 kilometers east of Kuta.
When you arrive here, you will find a beautiful beach surrounded by small green hills. On the sand, there are many stalls to eat at and surf schools. If what you want is to take a bath and rest on a deckchair, you will also be able to do it.
In addition to all the attractions already mentioned, Selong Belanak Beach is a very popular place to go to watch the sunset. We went one afternoon, and although the sun was not very visible, the whole sky turned pink, and I had one of the most beautiful swims in the sea of the trip.
By the way, if you are lucky, you may see water buffaloes walking along the beach. We didn’t see them here, but we saw them in other parts of the island. They are impressive!
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7. Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfalls
These waterfalls are visited together, as they are very close to each other. However, I am going to talk about Benang Kelambu, as it is the waterfall I visited (we were going to go to the other one too, but it started pouring rain and we had to leave).
I must say that the Benang Kelambu waterfall surprised me a lot. The waterfall, formed by several jets that fall on a wall covered with vegetation, is beautiful. But best of all, they have made some natural pools where you can bathe and cool off thanks to the waterfall water. I really enjoyed the bath and the cool temperature of the water.
The entrance fee to visit these waterfalls is approximately 80,000 IDR per person. I say “approximately” because when you arrive, they send you to a booth and show you all the tours they offer. You can negotiate the price, as it is expensive considering how much it usually costs to visit a waterfall in Indonesia.
By the way, women are asked to wear a sarong over their bathing suits if they want to swim in the waterfalls.
8. Gili Islands, the most popular spot in Lombok
Although we’ve already seen that the island of Lombok itself has plenty to offer (and there’s still more to discover), what really puts Lombok on the map are the famous Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
This small archipelago is located to the northwest of Lombok and is one of the most popular destinations for travelers visiting Indonesia. Since they’re quite close to Bali, many tourists choose to spend a few days on one or more of these islands.
I was lucky enough to spend several weeks there during my last trip to Indonesia, and I have to say—I absolutely loved them. The peaceful vibe, the atmosphere, the turquoise waters, swimming with turtles, getting around by bike, the movie-worthy sunsets… These islands are truly special.
If you’re thinking of visiting, you’ll find everything you need to pick your perfect island and plan your trip in my Gili Islands guide.
9. Day trip to the “Secret Gilis”
Beyond the well-known Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air)—which I highly recommend visiting (and if you do, don’t miss my guide to the Gili Islands for trip planning)—Lombok is surrounded by many other “Gilis,” as the word simply means small island.
Off Lombok’s southwest coast lies a group of islands known as the “Secret Gilis.” These include Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu, and Gili Sudak. This little archipelago has gradually become one of the most popular day trips in Lombok. While exploring these islands, you’ll have the chance to snorkel at various spots and enjoy pristine, paradisiacal beaches.
When you arrive in Kuta, you’ll find plenty of places to book this activity, or you can arrange your private tour to the “Secret Gilis” in advance. Another option is to organize your transfer to the islands beforehand (you can find local guides online) and make your way to the port of Tawun on your own.
10. Sade Village, a traditional village to visit in Lombok
A very interesting place to see in Lombok if you want to get closer to the cultural side of the island is Sade Village, a traditional village composed of 150 homes that has been preserved for generations. Here, you can learn how the Sasak people live and what their customs are. The visit to this village is done with a local guide, who tells you about the lives of the people who live there.
If you are interested, you can go on your own or book this private cultural tour through the Sasak villages.
📲 If you want to have internet, you can buy a sim card at the destination or, more expensive but more convenient, you can purchase before your trip an Holafly eSIM with a discount. You can purchase one here 5% cheaper with the code “comeamaviaja.” You will have internet from the moment you land!
11. Penyisok Beach and Cliffs
It may not be one of Lombok’s must-see spots, but after visiting this secluded corner of the island, I couldn’t leave it off the list. Reaching Penyisok Beach isn’t easy—it’s more than 50 km from Kuta, and the final stretch of the road is unpaved—but the stunning scenery makes the journey worthwhile.
While Penyisok Beach itself is beautiful, and the views from the cliff to the right (if you’re facing the sea) are breathtaking, there’s another spot that will surprise you even more. Instead of heading right, take the path to the left of the beach, either on foot or by motorbike, and follow it until you reach a spot marked on Google Maps as “Penyisok Cliff.”
From this cliff, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of a small, golden beach nestled between towering walls of rock. A massive boulder resting on the beach adds to the incredible landscape.
Nearby, there’s also a place called “Pink Beach,” where the sand is said to have a pinkish hue. I checked out some photos, but the sand didn’t seem very pink to me. We were too tired to visit, but you might want to keep it in mind—the beach does look beautiful.
12. Gili Kapal
As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of small islands around Lombok known as “gili”. We’ve already talked about the famous Gili Islands (Trawangan, Meno, and Air) and the so-called “Secret Gilis”, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to tell you about one more gili.
On the northeast coast of Lombok, there’s an archipelago that, while less well-known, still gets a few curious visitors—mostly local tourists. The largest island in this group is called Gili Lampu, but the one that really stands out is Gili Kapal, a tiny white-sand islet surrounded by crystal-clear waters that only appears when the tide is low.
We didn’t end up visiting it—though we were close—but if you have plenty of time in Lombok, I recommend checking out some photos of Gili Kapal. If it catches your interest, just ask at your accommodation—they can probably help you arrange a trip out there.
Where to stay in Lombok
If you’re planning on spending at least a week in Lombok, my advice is to stay in two different areas: the north and the south of the island. We followed this approach, and it turned out to be a great choice.
Many of Lombok’s attractions, like the Tiu Kelep Waterfall and the Bukit Selong viewpoint, are located in the north, far from Kuta (the island’s main tourist hub). Traveling to these spots from Kuta during the day can be quite a hassle.
If you need more info on this topic, check out our post on where to stay in Lombok.
Hotel in Senaru (north of Lombok)
In the north, I recommend staying in the village of Senaru. From here, you can visit the Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls on foot. Also, this town is the start of any trek to Mount Rinjani.
We stayed at this place: Pondok Guru Bakti Cottage. It is a local lodging, with very simple rooms, but with incredible views and treatment. We also liked the food very much. If you are looking for a cheap place, it is the best option.
Other hotels in Senaru that are very good options are:
- $$: Rinjani Lighthouse.
- $$$: Rinjani Lodge.
Hotels in Kuta (South of Lombok)
In the south of Lombok, the best idea is to stay in Kuta, as it is the most developed tourist town and has a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, cafes, spas, etc. Here you can find accommodations of all kinds and budgets.
We stayed at Cewin’s Homestay, a local place composed of several cabins with private bathrooms. We were very comfortable, and I recommend it 100% if you are looking for something at a good price. Also, all the staff are very friendly. On the other hand, the breakfast was simple but tasty, and if you like specialty coffee, they prepare a great one here.
Other hotels in Kuta:
- $$: Sikara Lombok Hotel.
- $$: El Tropico Boutique Hotel.
- $$$: Jivana Resort.
During your stay in Kuta, if you want to have a massage, I recommend Matcha Spa or Jivana Resort. As for places to eat, my recommendations are: Cantina Mexicana, Kenza, KRNK (burgers), The Breakery, BARA (very tasty pizzas), Mama Pizza, and Bush Radio. For local food, I recommend Warung Rezeki and Warung Nyonya. Finally, I recommend Cozy House for smoothie bowls and pancakes.
💡When choosing a place to stay in any area of Lombok, make sure that the hotel is not too close to a mosque, as it sounds (and quite loud) around 4:30 am. In any case, I recommend bringing ear plugs.
Map of things to do in Lombok, Indonesia
In the following map, I have marked all the places mentioned in this article, so you can see the location of all of them in an instant and organize your itinerary around the island.
💳 To get rupees or pay by card, I recommend getting an N26 card. With the free version, you can withdraw money with a very low commission and pay in another currency with the best exchange rate and no commissions. There are also payment plans with better conditions.
I hope this article on the best things to do in Lombok has been useful for organizing your visit to this beautiful island. Don’t miss these other places to visit in Indonesia. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment. See you next time!
