Lombok is one of the most fascinating islands to visit in Indonesia. Similar to Bali in many ways, but much less explored.
It has incomparable natural landscapes, hidden waterfalls, quiet beaches for diving or snorkeling, busier beaches ideal for surfing...
In this post I talk about the 10 essential places to see in Lombok, how to get to Lombok from different places, what to do and where to stay.
HOW TO GET TO LOMBOK, INDONESIA
You can arrive by plane at Lombok International Airport. Local and international flights arrive every day.
You can also arrive by public ferries and speedboats:
How to go to Lombok from Bali: Public ferries leave from Bali from Padang Bai and arrive in Lembak, just in the south of the island. There are also options to go by fast ferry (speed boat or fast boats) from other destinations in Bali.
If you decide to go by sea, I recommend you do it by speedboat, not only will you get there faster, but there will be fewer people on the boat and you will be able to enjoy a full-fledged activity.
How to go to Lombok from Sumbawa: From Surabaya you can go to Lombok on the public ferries that connect both islands. From Lombok they depart from the east of the island (Labuan Kayangan) and arrive at Pototano (west of Sumbawa). The ferries operate 24 hours a day.
WHAT TO SEE IN LOMBOK, INDONESIA
First of all, inform you that Lombok is not a small island, so depending on the days of travel or the type of trip you want to do, you may have to choose what to see.
It could be said that Lombok is divided in two. Kuta Lombok to the south, where paradisiacal beaches reign par excellence among the vegetation, and the northern part of the island you will find Mount Rinjani, where you can take an incredible excursion to climb to the top, the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls and the port from Bangsal, from where you take the ferry to the Gili Islands.
If you fancy visiting the Gili Islands from Lombok, I'll tell you all about them in the post GREAT PLANS TO GET TO KNOW THE GILI ISLANDS.
The Island of Lombok is still quite authentic and with much less tourism than in Bali, for example. So you can still find deserted beaches with very few people.
1. The best beaches in Lombok
Tanjung Aan: It is a bay with white sand and really incredible turquoise water and on top of that there are some swings, to take the famous instagram photo.
Mawi: It is a beautiful beach between green mountains, and it is the best known among surfers. It is my favourite, and the one I repeat every time I return to Lombok. If you are a wave lover, you will love it.
Selong Belanak: If you are a beginner in surfing, I recommend this beach. Little tide and little surf, ideal more for a family environment.
Tangsi: Lombok's famous pink beach.
2. The Rinjani volcano, an essential thing to see in Lombok
It is one of the most incredible excursions to do in Indonesia. There are excursions of one or two nights and even one week, in which you climb the volcano and sleep on top in tents. I tell you more about the climb to the volcano in the post: Trekking to Mount Rinjani
3. The secret Gili
These Gili (small island in the local Sasak language) are found throughout the island and are known as Gili Kedis, Gili Sudak, Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, Gili Gede and Gili Asahan (eastern part of the island) and Gili Kondo, Gili Kapal and Gili Lampu (western part of the island).
There are boats to come to visit them and spend the day. Many of them have small lodgings where you can spend the night, you can cycle along their paths and enjoy beaches all to yourself.
4. The Benang Kelambu, one of the most impressive waterfalls to see in Lombok
This natural setting is incredible. From a wall full of vegetation, waterfalls come out, creating an oasis of the place. It is one of the most essential places to see in Lombok, but also one of the most visited. If you travel in high season, I recommend that you get up early to get there first.
5. TuiKelep and Sendang Gili
The Sendang Gili and Tiu Kelep waterfalls are located around Senaru. They are beautiful waterfalls located among a lush jungle with monkeys and chimpanzees, at the foot of Mount Rinjani.
They are much less crowded waterfalls than the previous one due to the complexity of the path to reach them. It is already known that if it requires more effort, most tourists are left behind. Even so, they are not secret, so if you travel in high season, I recommend getting up early.
The path itself is not complicated, but there is not much signage. Although there is the option of guides, I think it is not necessary. You only have to pay about 10,000RP to access the path and go ahead.
In this post I explain in detail the way forward:
6. Traditional Sasak villages
The Sasak are the original inhabitants of the island. Currently you can visit several traditional villages where you can learn more about their way of life. Of all these transactional villages the most famous is the village of Sade. Some of these villages continue to maintain their buildings in bamboo canes and in them you can see their way of life and buy local handicrafts.
7. Pure Lungsar
The island of Lombok is mostly Muslim, even so its past closely linked to Hinduism is present in various daily aspects of its life, and in Lombok you can also find Hindu temples. Both religions coexist without any problem and in complete respect.
Pura Lungsar is the most essential Hindu temple to visit in Lombok. Its construction dates from the year 1714 and is located about 15km from Mataram.
8. Selong Grand Mosque
Another of the religious temples to see in Lombok is the Selong Grand Mosque. Its original name is Masjid Al Mujahidin Selong Mosque. It draws attention for its 4 minarets in white, yellow and turquoise blue.
9. The center of Lombok, rice fields, valleys and mountains
Lombok is characterized by having a very mountainous landscape. Being in the center of the island, anyone would say that it is a beach destination. You will find mountains, trails in lush jungles, rice paddies, cultivated fields, rivers, lakes... There are many activities to do in the center of the island such as horseback riding, hiking, kayaking on the rivers...
10. The Gili Islands
Although the Gili Islands are not considered part of the island of Lombok, they are very close and it is possible to take a speedboat excursion for the day.
My recommendation is that you enjoy a few days in the Gili Islands and you will find a complete guide to visit the Gili Islands here.
But if you don't have much time, you can hire a day trip or a ferry that will take you to spend the day on one of the 3 islands; Gili Meno, Gili Air and Gili Trawangan.
WHERE TO STAY IN LOMBOK
Personally, I prefer to stay in the south of the island, where the beaches are. So I can enjoy sunrises walking along the shore, take the opportunity to surf and be closer to my accommodation.
In Kuta Lombok there is a cheap accommodation that is phenomenal; Martas Windows 3*
I have also stayed a couple of times in a family villa and it is an excellent idea if you travel with your family, friends or if you go as a couple and want more privacy. Villa Madita Lombok
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Indonesia a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!