Looking to explore Indonesia beyond Bali? Then Lombok might be the perfect getaway for you! Lombok is super accessible from Bali by boat or by plane, and you can easily add a few nights in Lombok to your Bali itinerary if you want a taste of this paradise island.
Lombok is roughly the same size as Bali, also offering beautiful jungle landscapes and amazing beaches. Although they are only a few kilometres apart, you will notice that the vegetation is totally different, as well as an interesting contrast between the Sasak and Balinese culture.
Another reason to visit Lombok is that there is much less traffic and you can get accommodation for much better value than in Bali. You might also find yourself falling in love with the more chilled vibes of Bali’s next door neighbour!
We have put together a 4-night, 5-day Lombok itinerary, so you can experience the very best of Lombok for yourself!
Want to know more about travelling to Lombok? Check-out this comprehensive Lombok Travel Guide!
Table of Contents
Looking to mix it up and add some different activities to this itinerary? Check out our blog on 15 fun and interesting things to do in Lombok!
Recommended Accommodation In Kuta, Lombok:
Luxury Stay – Jati Villas
Family Stay – Novotel Lombok
Mid-range – Mana Lombok
Budget – Birru Inn
Day 1 – Get to know the Kuta, Lombok area
Morning
- Start the morning right at one of Kuta, Lombok’s amazing cafes. You can grab delicious smoothie bowls, avocado toast, breakfast burritos and espresso coffee at many of the cafes – a lot of which are up to Bali standards!
- Either hire a driver for the day, or hire a scooter to explore the beaches in the surrounding Kuta, Lombok area.
- Head to the Sade Sasak Village which is around a 15-minute drive from Kuta, Lombok. Here you can go on a guided tour of a traditional Sasak village and find out more about the Sasak people and rural way of life in a traditional Lombok village. Watch the local people weaving authentic Sasak textiles by hand, and perhaps buy some traditional handicrafts to give yourself the perfect Lombok souvenir.
- Return to Kuta, Lombok and grab some lunch.
Afternoon
- Drive to Tanjung Aan beach, which is around 15-minutes south of Kuta, Lombok. Spend the day basking in the sun, swimming in the turquoise waters, drinking coconuts and eating fresh fruits from the local vendors on the beach. You will feel like a tropical castaway after spending a few hours kicking-back on this relaxing beach.
- Just before sunset, at around 5pm head back in the direction of Kuta, Lombok, but make sure to stop at Seger Beach on the way. Buy some corn and beer, or other snacks and drinks from the local warungs before climbing the small hill. Watch the sun disappear over the horizon as the perfect waves of south Lombok roll-in, while taking-in the good vibes.
Evening
- Head back to your accommodation and freshen-up before spending the evening exploring the restaurants and nightlife of Kuta, Lombok. You might like to try some Ikan Bakar (fried fish) at a local warung, or dine on international cuisine at one of the many restaurants, before settling-in for a few drinks at one of the surfer bars, where you can usually find live music any night of the week.
Day 2 – Beach-hopping in the Kuta, Lombok area
Morning
- Grab breakfast at another one of Kuta Lombok’s cafes, before heading out for a day of exploring south Lombok’s paradise beaches.
- With a driver or on a scooter, take Jalan Mawun heading west out of Kuta, Lombok. After about 10-minutes you will see a sign for the Mystical Neverland Bat Caves on the right. If you are interested in checking-out the batcave, you can stop by for 30-minutes to explore the cave and see 1000’s of bats literally hanging out.
- Keep driving towards Selong Belanak Beach, but you can stop at Mawun Beach and Mawi Beach along the way. Both are picturesque spots where you can indulge in a refreshing swim, grab some photos and enjoy cold drinks and cut fruit from the vendors along the beach.
- Arrive at Selong Belanak Beach. You can have lunch at one of the beach warungs or there are some Western-style restaurants in the area also.
- Grab some beach loungers and chill-out for the afternoon at one of Lombok’s calmest and most beautiful beaches. Why not get a surf guide or rent a surfboard and try to catch some waves? The waves at Selong Belanak are nice and mellow, with a forgiving sandy bottom unlike other parts of Lombok, making it the ideal spot for first time surfers.
- You can easily spend the afternoon chilling out here, and as the day turns into dusk, enjoy some sunset drinks before you head back to Kuta, Lombok which is around a 40-minute drive.
Evening
- After a quick freshen-up, try a new spot for dinner in Kuta, Lombok. If you are feeling up for it, enjoy a couple drinks at one of the cocktail bars in town.
Day 3 – Hang-out in Kuta, Lombok before heading to Sembalun Village for the night
Morning
- Grab breakfast in Kuta, Lombok and spend the morning browsing the shops. If shopping isn’t your thing, you can hang-out at your accommodation by the pool or head back to Tanjung Aan beach for one last swim in the pristine bay.
- Pre-book a driver for the next leg of your adventure to Sembalun Village.
Afternoon
- After lunch, go with a driver to Sembalun Village, which will take around 3-hours. Be sure to stop along the way for snacks and a break!
- When you arrive at Sembalun Village in the late afternoon, stretch your legs and take a walk around the village to get a feel for rural Lombok. Stop-off at a local warung for some authentic food, before turning-in early. You have an early start tomorrow!
Day 4 – Discover some of Lombok’s most beautiful spots away from the beaches
Discover some of Lombok’s most beautiful spots away from the beaches, with a trip to Pergasingan Hill or Bukit Selong, and Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls
Morning
- If you are feeling up for the challenge, wake up at 4:30 or 5am and climb Pergasingan Hill, so you can catch the sunrise over the picturesque Bukit Selong. The patchwork of colourful rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see will take your breath away! If you are not up for the hike, you can go with a driver to the Selong Hill Viewpoint, which is easily accessible by car.
- Grab breakfast at a local spot, before packing-up and heading to Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls. It will take around 1 hour from Sembalun Village.
Afternoon
- It’s now time to discover some of Lombok’s most beautiful waterfalls!
- Your driver will drop you in the carpark, from where you can begin your hike to discover the island’s spectacular waterfalls. The first waterfall, Sendang Gile, is around 5-minutes from the carpark. After you have grabbed some photos and taken in the sights and sounds, you can hike to Tiu Kelep Waterfall, which is around 30-minutes away. The walk is easy and enjoyable, and full of thick jungle. The directions to each waterfall are well signposted and the pathways are easily accessible, so you won’t need to take a guide with you, even if you are offered one at the entrance.
- It’s now time to head to Senggigi. It’s a 2 hour drive away, which gives you some time to rest and recuperate after your early start and action packed day!
Evening
- It’s your last night in Lombok and time to explore Senggigi, which has a totally different vibe to Kuta, Lombok with its big hotels and high-end restaurants.
- You might want to head somewhere on the beachfront like Senja at The Sheraton Senggigi or Spice Bar Lounge and restaurant. Take your time to unwind over dinner and drinks, and enjoy the ocean ambiance of the laid back Senggigi area.
Recommended Stays in Senggigi
Luxury – Jeeva Santai Villas
Family – Holiday Resort Lombok
Midrange – The Chandi Boutique Resort & Spa
Budget – Cozy Cottages Lombok
If you want to give Sembalun Village and Bukit Selong a miss in favour of exploring the Secret Gilis, you can spend the day island-hopping with this tour. You can also choose to stay in Kuta, Lombok or Senggigi for the day.
Want to discover the Secret Gilis?
- Your tour operator will pick you up for a day tour of the Secret Gilis which you can book through Klook right here. You are in for a fabulous day of exploring the islands of Gili Kondo, Gili Bidara and Gili Petagan, located on the southwest coast of Lombok via a small outrigger boat.
- The tour includes stopping-off at lunch and snorkelling spots, and if you time it right, you may even get to explore small tidal islands which are just a few metres wide!
Day 5 – Get to know Senggigi
Morning
- Book a cycling tour and cooking class, so that you can explore the Senggigi area, including the Lendang Bajur Market. You will spend the morning exploring the main sites of Senggigi before heading to the markets to buy ingredients for the delicious Indonesian meal you are going to prepare. This is a fun cultural experience, where you will learn more about Sasak culture and Indonesian cuisine. Book using this experience for just AUD$53!
Afternoon
- After a fun morning of cycling and cooking, head to Senggigi Beach for a long and easy walk along the coast to the Batu Bolong Temple. Enjoy the views and the architecture of the Hindu temple, before wandering back to Senggigi Beach for some drinks. Soak-up the vibe of Senggigi beach as you watch the sunset on an action packed 5-days exploring the island of Lombok.
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That’s it for our 4-night and 5-day itinerary of Lombok which should give you a well-rounded and enjoyable experience of the island. So, what are you waiting for? Lombok and all of its attractions await your discovery!
