East of Bali on the other side of the Lombok Strait is the wonderful island of Lombok – a tropical paradise rich with natural beauty, adventurous pursuits and Sasak culture, not to mention easily accessible from Bali by boat or plane. Tourism in Lombok has grown steadily in the last decade, with so many things to do in Lombok, like surf the amazing waves, visit pristine beaches, hike Mount Rinjani, immerse in the unique culture of the Sasak people and hop the Gili Islands. Not to mention there is also much less traffic in Lombok than Bali, and you might find it better value also.
Lombok has attracted surfers and backpackers for many years, but the Lombok tourist map is full of attractions that will appeal to travellers of all kinds – so now it’s your turn to experience this paradise island!
Keep reading for our top 15 things you must see and do when in Lombok!
Looking for more info on travelling to Lombok? Check out our comprehensive travel guide!
Table of Contents
Climb to the summit of Mount Rinjani and camp on the Senaru Crater
Fancy yourself an adventurer or a mountaineer? Mount Rinjani is one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks, attracting hikers from around the world in their quest to conquer it. The volcano is still active today, with the last eruption being in 2016. There are one-night, two-nights and three-nights guided tour options, with most tours spending a night camping on the Senaru crater rim. The walking tracks on the mountain are well-established, so there is no need for ropes or climbing equipment. It does require a moderate level of fitness and an adventurous spirit, however people of all ages are able to climb Mount Rinjani.
Want to book the Mount Rinjani trek? Use this Klook voucher to pay just AUD$300 for a fabulous 2-day, 1-night guided trek with all equipment, meals and transfers provided.
Visit the beautiful Batu Bolong Hindu Temple to learn about Lombok’s history
The Batu Bolong temple in the Senggigi area sits atop of rocks overlooking the Indian Ocean, and you can access it by taking a waterfront path from Senggigi Beach. The unique thing about the Batu Bolong temple in Senggigi is that it is a Hindu place of worship, on an island which is largely Islamic. The temple is a throwback to when Bali occupied Lombok in the early 1800’s and is still used for worship by the Hindu community on Lombok today.
Explore the cafes and shops of Kuta, Lombok
Kuta, Lombok is a compact surfer town full of cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques and surf shops. Here, you can also get great food- everything from smoothie bowls to salads, and delicious international cuisine. Even the coffee is as good as the coffee shops you will find in Canggu, Bali! Why not spend an afternoon browsing the streets of Kuta, after exploring some of the beautiful beaches in the area.
See the patchwork of rice fields at Bukit Selong from the Selong Hill View Point
Around a 3.5 hour drive from Senggigi, you can climb Selong Hill to catch panoramas of Bukit Selong, where many colourful rice fields join together to create a spectacular patchwork. There are two viewing points to climb to on Selong Hill, from which you will have stunning views out towards the Pergasingan Mountain. We recommend you stop in the Sembalun Village nearby, as it’s a great spot to visit and experience traditional Sasak life. There are places to stay around the area, so you can spend some time soaking-in rural Lombok life.
It’s worth the climb to catch sunset from the top of Pergasingan Hill
Pergasingan Hill is 1750 metres high, and is the slightly more challenging to reach viewpoint of Bukit Selong, where colourful rice fields spread before you, as far as the eye can see. The hike will take 1-2 hours to reach the top depending on your pace, and no guide is necessary. Stay the night in the nearby Sembalun Village and make an early start to catch a breathtaking sunrise over the beauty of north Lombok’s rural areas.
Go on a mini exploration to Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls
The Sendang Gile Waterfalls are located in the north of Lombok. You can reach the first waterfall at Sendang Gile within 5-minutes from the carpark, with the second waterfall an additional 30-minute walk from there. The walk is easy and paved most of the way, but you will feel like you are on a jungle adventure with lush vegetation all around. You will be able to capture some great shots of the waterfalls as it is usually not too busy, and we also recommend taking some time to enjoy a swim.
Located in the north of Lombok, around 1.5 hours from Kuta Lombok, you can easily combine a trip to this waterfall with a visit to Pergasingan Hill and Selong Hill. There are local guides available at the waterfalls, however the directions to each waterfall are clearly marked so you should be able to navigate the walk yourself.
Sunset at Seger Beach Lookout
A daily ritual for surfers and backpackers visiting Kuta Lombok, Seger Beach has a couple of small hills that you can easily climb within 5-minutes. At sunset time, people come with speakers, beer, guitars and snacks to watch the sun drop below the horizon and the perfect waves of Lombok’s south coast. You can grab snacks and drinks such as fruit, corn and beer at the nearby warungs to enjoy whilst you watch the sunset and soak-up the good vibes.
Enjoy a white sand & turquoise water moment at Tanjung Aan Beach
Tanjung Aan is a beautiful and peaceful spot around 15-minutes from Kuta Lombok, where you can spend all day relaxing on the beach. There are waves to be surfed at Tanjung Aan, but the water is generally calm and it’s also a great spot for a dip. There are some local warungs where you can buy snacks, play on the beach swings, or you can chill-out and live the castaway life for a day.
Forget all of your worries at Selong Belanak Beach
Another one of Lombok’s pristine white beaches, Selong Belanak is a 50-minute drive from Kuta Lombok. It is a popular spot for beginner surfers to practise riding their first waves. The bay is incredibly beautiful, the waves are calm and there are plenty of local warungs where you can grab a drink and snacks. The Selong area is great for families or people wanting to sit back and enjoy a peaceful beach vacation without any worries.
Go on an outrigger adventure to discover the Secret Gilis
Most of us already know the 3 most famous Gili Islands- Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. However, Lombok has up to 50 small islands off the mainland, also known as Gilis. There are tour operators running tours to the ‘Secret Gilis’, AKA Gili Kondo, Gili Bidara and Gili Petagan on the Southwest coast of Lombok.
The Secret Gilis are just as picturesque, with vivid underwater water life, not to mention being blissfully uncrowded and tranquil. It’s just a 1 hour transfer from Kuta Lombok to the Lembar area, where you can jump on a small outrigger boat which will take you on a tour of the islands, including stop-offs along the way for lunch and snorkelling. You can even touchdown on tiny tidal islands just a few metres wide!
Want to discover the Secret Gilis? Book a tour from AUD$55 using this Klook voucher right here!
Get a glimpse of the traditional Sasak way of life at Sade Sasak Village
Want to get a taste of the culture and traditions of the native people of Lombok? Desa Sade is a well-preserved village just outside of Kuta Lombok that still follows the traditional Sasak way of life. The Sasak Village showcases authentic Sasak architecture, as well as the handcrafted textile weavings of Lombok. You will be charmed by the peaceful village, and we highly recommend having a guide to show you around so that you can learn more in-depth information about this interesting village.
Get up-close and personal with Sasak Culture with a cooking class and cycling tour
First, you will jump on two wheels and cycle around Senggigi before heading to the Lendang Bajur Market to pick up the fresh local produce you are about to cook a feast with. You will pass by villages in the area and get a feel for the local way of life before heading to Sayang Sayang restaurant, where you will be guided by local expert chefs to put together some quintessentially Indonesian flavours. And the best part of all, you will be rewarded with a delicious meal!
Does this cooking class and cycling tour sound like you? Book using this link for just AUD$53!
Get a little wet and wild with a white-water rafting adventure
White-water rafting is a thrilling, and at times hair-raising way to get up close and personal with Lombok’s beautiful natural landscape. You will spill down a river through verdant jungle and breathtaking gorges with a guide. The course is suitable for all levels but you will require a moderate level of bravery to tackle the falls!
Book this white water rafting experience for AUD$44 using this Klook voucher.
Explore the Mystical Neverland Bat Cave
Also known as the Bangkang Cave, this creepy cave, AKA Mystical Neverland, is a hangout for thousands of bats. Just a 10-minute drive out of Kuta Lombok, if you go in the afternoon, around 4-5pm you might be able to catch heavenly light rays penetrating into the cave and reflecting on the cave walls. A hat is a good idea as the bats may hit you with their droppings!
Chill-out on Senggigi Beach
You won’t get the powdery white sand like at the beaches in the Kuta area at Senggigi Beach, but it’s still a nice spot to hang out, take a dip and enjoy the view. There are many cafes and restaurants along the beach where you can grab snacks and drinks, or you can take an easy walk along the shoreline for a few kilometres. Sunset is stunning at Senggigi Beach, and there is a nice, family-friendly atmosphere. There is a picturesque road that hugs the coastline from Senggigi going north, which is great for a drive also.
*************************
That’s it for our roundup of our favourite things to do when in Lombok! Armed with this list, you should be able to tackle a fun-filled and well-rounded adventure in Lombok.
