What to see in Lombok

Another authentic traditional Sasak village near Selong Belanak, less visited than Sade. Women weave traditional songket cloth on backstrap looms. Opportunity to see daily village life with fewer tourists.

Royal court and floating pavilion (bale kambang) built in 1744 in Mataram city. The pavilion sits on an artificial lake. Final battle between Balinese kingdom and Dutch colonial forces in 1894 occurred here.

Regional museum in Mataram with collections of traditional Sasak artefacts, textiles, weapons and ceramics. Exhibits cover the island's history from prehistoric times through the Balinese and Dutch colonial periods.

Largest Hindu temple in Lombok, located in Mataram city. Built in 1720. Three meru towers represent Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Sarong required at entrance. Active place of worship.

Unique temple complex where Hindus and Muslim Waktu Telu believers worship together. Built in 1714. Sacred eels in the spring pond are fed hard-boiled eggs. Annual Peresehan festival held here.

One of Lombok's oldest and holiest Hindu temples, dating back to the 16th century. Set in sacred forest with natural springs. Visited by Balinese Hindus on pilgrimage. Monkeys roam the grounds.

Two beautiful bays separated by a headland with unique pepper-corn sand texture. Crystal-clear turquoise water and dramatic headland views. One of Lombok's most scenic beaches.

Long, wide crescent beach with white sand and gentle surf. Ideal for beginner surfers and swimming. Surrounded by green hills. One of Lombok's most beautiful and peaceful beaches.

Horseshoe-shaped bay sheltered by green hills with calm, clear water perfect for swimming. White sand and relatively undiscovered. Popular with those seeking quieter alternatives.

Scenic beach and headland east of Kuta. Famous for the Bau Nyale festival where locals traditionally gather seaweed worms. Good surf and dramatic coastal views from the hilltop.

One of Asia's legendary surf breaks - a long barrelling left-hander considered world-class by surf magazines. Remote southwest tip of Lombok. Works best in dry season. For experienced surfers only.

Sheltered bay east of Kuta with multiple surf breaks accessed by local fishing boats. Inside reef suits beginners, outside reef for advanced. Also excellent for snorkelling and boat trips to outer reefs.

Cycling is the main transport on car-free Gili Trawangan. Rent bikes to circle the island in under an hour. The western side has sunrise/sunset spots. Coastal path passes turtle nesting beaches.

Tandem paragliding over the stunning south Lombok coastline near Kuta, launching from hills above Seger Beach. Views of Tanjung Aan and surrounding bays. Operators offer 15-20 minute flights.

Ekas Bay in the far southeast of Lombok has a long right-hand point break popular with intermediate and advanced surfers. Remote and uncrowded. Small fishing village nearby. Pristine coastal scenery.

Traditional Sasak cooking classes in Senggigi and Mataram area. Learn to make local specialities: ayam taliwang (spiced grilled chicken), plecing kangkung (water spinach salad) and local sambals.

Capital and largest city of Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara province. Merges with former capitals Cakranegara and Ampenan. Central market Pasar Cakranegara, local food stalls and the Mataram Mall.

Central Lombok's main traditional market near the airport town of Praya. Locals buy fresh produce, spices, textiles and local crafts. Best visited in the morning. Authentic Sasak market experience.

Growing surf destination with multiple reef breaks around the Kuta area. Gerupuk Bay has beginner-friendly inside waves and advanced outside reef. Best surf April-October. Local boat transfers to waves.

Traditional highland village on the lower slopes of Rinjani with rice paddies, tobacco fields and monkey forest. Peaceful walking trails, local homestays and waterfalls nearby. Cool temperatures at 500 m.

World-class dive site in southern Lombok known for large pelagic species including hammerhead sharks, eagle rays and tuna. Strong currents require experience. Boat trips from Kuta Lombok.

Closest Gili island to Lombok's mainland. No motorised vehicles. Mix of lively and quiet areas. Good snorkelling, excellent diving, yoga retreats. More authentic feel than Gili Trawangan.

Larger island in the southwest Gili Sekotong group. White sand beaches, clear water and very few visitors. Mangrove forests, good snorkelling, small local community. Off-the-beaten-path alternative to the Gili islands.

The smallest and quietest of the Gili Islands. No motorised vehicles. Bird sanctuary, turtle hatchery, pristine beaches. Perfect for honeymooners and those seeking tranquillity.

Sea turtle conservation centre on Gili Meno with excellent nearby snorkelling. Shallow reefs close to shore with abundant marine life. High chance of seeing turtles feeding on seagrass beds.

Small uninhabited island off Lombok's southwest coast with pristine coral reefs and crystal-clear water. Excellent snorkelling and diving with diverse marine life. Day trip by boat from Lembar area.

The most popular and lively of the three Gili Islands. No motorised vehicles. White sand, crystal-clear water, vibrant nightlife, diving and snorkelling. Accessible by speedboat from Bangsal.

Stunning crescent bay with white-sand beaches and turquoise water in southern Lombok. Far quieter than Bali's Kuta. Good surf, beautiful scenery. Hub for exploring the south coast.

Quiet beach north of Senggigi on the west coast. Known for good snorkelling directly off the beach and beautiful sunsets over Bali. Local warungs serve fresh fish. Relaxed atmosphere.

One of only a handful of pink beaches in the world. The pinkish hue comes from crushed red coral mixed with white sand. Located on Lombok's remote east coast. Excellent snorkelling offshore.

Excellent snorkelling directly off Pink Beach on Lombok's east coast. Colourful reef fish, hard corals and occasional reef sharks. One of Lombok's best and least-visited snorkel sites.

Main resort area on Lombok's west coast with a string of beaches. Good sunsets with views toward Bali's volcanoes. Restaurants, hotels and dive operators based here. Calmer than Gilis.

Fringing coral reef along the Senggigi coast with varied marine life. Accessible directly from shore. Best snorkelling at Nipah and Malimbu beaches north of Senggigi town. Good visibility.

Village renowned for traditional Sasak pottery made entirely by hand without a wheel. Women potters pass down ancient techniques for making distinctive black and terracotta pots, vases and decorative items.

Grand Islamic centre with an impressive mosque featuring Sasak architectural elements, located in Mataram. One of the largest mosques in Eastern Indonesia with capacity for 10,000 worshippers.

18th-century Balinese-style royal water palace built by King Anak Agung Gde Ngurah of Mataram in 1727. Terraced gardens, pools and a Hindu temple. The artificial lake replicates Rinjani's crater lake.

Hindu sea temple perched on a rocky outcrop with a natural hole ('bolong') over the sea near Senggigi. Sunset views toward Bali and Mount Agung. Active Hindu temple with daily rituals. Sarong required.

Hindu temple within the Narmada Water Palace complex, built in 1727. The artificial lake was designed as a replica of Segara Anak crater lake. Active place of worship alongside the tourist gardens.

Traditional Sasak ethnic village with original thatched-roof homes made from bamboo and mud mixed with buffalo dung. The 700-year-old village has maintained traditional weaving, customs and architecture.

Traditional weaving village where women create intricate songket cloth with gold and silver threads on backstrap looms. Traditional law says women must learn to weave before they can marry. Open to visitors.

Main ferry port on the northwest coast for boats to the Gili Islands. Public boat services and speedboats to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Can be busy and crowded.

Main ferry port on Lombok's east coast with ferry services to Sumbawa. Gateway for east Lombok exploration and Pink Beach. Kayangan harbour with views to the Sumbawa strait.

Main cargo and passenger ferry port on the southwest coast. Regular ASDP ferry services to Padang Bai on Bali, crossing takes approximately 4-5 hours. 24-hour service.

Main gateway to Lombok, located in Praya in central Lombok. International and domestic flights. Car rental desks in arrivals hall. 30 min to Kuta Lombok, 45 min to Senggigi.

Alternative pier to Bangsal for speedboats to the Gili Islands. Less crowded than Bangsal, often used by private speedboat transfers and dive operators. Quieter experience.

Elegant waterfall creating a natural shower curtain of water around a rocky alcove. Located near Benang Stokel, 15-minute additional walk. The name means 'mosquito net waterfall' in Indonesian.

Multi-strand waterfall in central Lombok where water flows gently over mossy stones creating natural curtain patterns. Short 20-minute walk through rice fields and forest. Peaceful, photogenic.

Remote island in the southwest Gili group near Sekotong with undeveloped reef and forest. Part of an emerging eco-tourism area. Excellent bird watching, kayaking through mangroves and pristine snorkelling.

Scenic coastal viewpoint on the winding road north of Senggigi. Sweeping views over multiple bays, the Gili Islands and Bali's Mount Agung on clear days. Spectacular sunset spot. Small warungs sell drinks.

Indonesia's second-highest volcano at 3726 m. Active stratovolcano with a stunning caldera lake (Segara Anak). Multi-day trekking with spectacular views. UNESCO-listed national park.

Mountain pass on the road between Mataram and the north coast, lined with dense jungle full of long-tailed macaques. Monkeys come close to roadside cars. Scenic viewpoints over the forested valley.

Protected national park covering 41,330 hectares around Mount Rinjani. Tropical montane forest with diverse wildlife including black monkeys, wild boar and over 250 bird species. Multiple trekking routes.

Sacred turquoise crater lake inside Rinjani's caldera at 2000 m elevation. Accessible via 2-3 day trek from Senaru or Sembalun. Hot springs on the lake shore. Sacred to the Sasak and Balinese people.

Fertile highland valley at 1000 m elevation on Rinjani's eastern flanks. Known for strawberry and garlic farms. Starting point for the eastern Rinjani trekking route. Cool temperatures and stunning views.

Impressive 30-metre waterfall at the foot of Mount Rinjani near the village of Senaru. 20-minute walk through lush forest from the car park. Cool swimming pool at the base. Gateway to Rinjani trek.

Sacred forest surrounding the Suranadi Hindu temple with ancient trees and a natural spring. Home to black monkeys considered sacred by local Hindus. Pleasant walking trails through cool shaded paths.

Higher and more spectacular waterfall beyond Sendang Gile requiring a short river crossing and additional 20-minute walk. The powerful cascade falls into a wide pool ideal for swimming.