Lombok welcomes surfers, families and travellers from across the globe to explore its untouched, blissful backdrop. With a playground of towns to discover, spend some time learning about the local Sasak culture, or unwind at one of the many beaches.
When planning your holiday, Lombok has a variety of towns to base yourself in. Mataram sits in West Lombok, which is the capital of the island, with less scenery and more of a city feel. Kuta is in the south and welcomes surfers to experience its consistent swell, with a quieter pace and more laidback feel. In the northwest, Senggigi is somewhat of a tourist hub to access nearby attractions; it is the gateway to the Gili Islands. Beyond towns, each region in Lombok from the east to the west brings a diverse range of natural landscapes and incredible outdoor scenery to encounter.
Kuta
Kuta brings the perfect mix of beachside living, restaurants and bars to explore. Just 20 minutes south from Lombok Airport, it is a popular destination for travellers and surfers to explore. The scenery across the coastline showcases views of the gorgeous Indian Ocean, made up of white sand and turquoise water.
Tourism has picked up significantly in the island's south due to the surf culture bringing travellers to experience the region's incredible waves. However aside from the choice of dining and resorts catering to tourism, it still remains as a beautiful, sleepy, seaside town. With ample accommodation options catering to all types of budgets, the area adapts well to any type of holiday. Along the coastline, explore the extraordinary underwater life, with many different diving spots to visit; or for an adventure on land, navigate the area by horseback.
Kuta is a beautiful place to base yourself when holidaying in Lombok, with gorgeous scenery and many natural attractions nearby.
Mataram City
Sitting in the west of Lombok is the capital, Mataram. The city itself is somewhat of an aggregation of villages, made up of Ampenan, Mataram and Cakranegara. Just like many cities, Mataram is filled with layers and intricacies. Visit Jalan Udayana and Jalan Pejanggik, which are two streets home to a mix of food stalls and warungs (cafes) to dine at. As night falls and the streetlights glow, the food stalls continue to stay open. Mataram Mall is a popular destination for travellers and locals, with a mix of shops, dining options and even a swimming pool; or take a walk through town and explore the Barat Museum. The main square is lined with gorgeous buildings, and often hosts events and performances to bring the town together. When it comes to spending a night or two in town, Cakranegara is one of the preferred areas to stay in with some of the best accommodation and dining options.
Senggigi
Senggigi sits in the west of Lombok and is a hub for tourism and beachside living. Restaurants and bars are scattered throughout the town, stretching across an expansive area, and there is no clear definition around where Senggigi starts and ends. If you opt to stay in the heart of Senggigi, be mindful that it isn't a resort town, yet still provides enough entertainment and restaurants to keep travellers occupied.
Senggigi is often used as a base to explore surrounding areas, acting as a gateway to the Gili Islands with many travellers passing through. From beachfront resorts to quaint villas, accommodation options in the area are vast, and the distinction between town varies greatly. Mangsit sits north of Senggigi and provides a strip of hotels overlooking the beach, while Batu Bolong lies south of Senggigi and brings a mix of restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels to enjoy.
Central & East Lombok
Central and Eastern Lombok are quiet areas with limited tourism but offer some incredible natural attractions to explore. The region provides small warungs and local eateries, with far less English spoken by locals.
Access the area by taxi or rent a car or motorbike to move as you wish. The small villages and quiet valleys entice travellers to explore the beautiful landscape; however, with limited accommodation and dining options, it is best to visit for a day trip. Drive from Kuta in the south, or stay a night or two in Tetebatu to unwind and enjoy the lush greenery. Visit the town's iconic viewing platform over the ricefields to witness scenic rice terraces and fields spanning out as far as the eye can see, with Tetebatu providing an incredible insight on the island's handicraft industry too. From the eastern port, you will be able to access from Labuhan Lombok, which is the port to reach Gili Kondo, Gili Kapal, Gili Bidara and Gili Lampu.
North Lombok
North Lombok is home to Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, Mount Rinjani. The fertile, volcanic soil makes the region lush and filled with wildlife, and agriculture is an integral part with crops like rice, cotton, cacao, corn, and tobacco growing. Unlike other areas of the island, North Lombok towns are not centred around tourists therefore some will have limited facilities available. Mount Rinjani National Park covers most of the region, making it is easy to explore the many waterfalls and walking tracks throughout.
When planning your trip to North Lombok, Senaru has some restaurants and small hotels to stay in for a night or two. However, consider residing in West Lombok and taking a day trip to the region for more accommodation options and a more comfortable stay. Public buses and bemo can be accessed to reach North Lombok; otherwise, there are many hire car and motorbike options to utilise.
South Lombok
South Lombok is a popular area for travellers to explore; being well known due to the stunning Kuta Beach. The landscape begins to change in the south, with drier terrain, less population and limited sealed roads; however, the sparkling ocean and incredible surf bring travellers to this hotspot all year round. The two main towns in the region are Kuta and Sekotong, each backing on to beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean. The surf culture plays a vital role in the region's tourism, thanks to the world-class waves on offer. The coastline's beautiful coral reef also brings snorkelers and divers to explore the vast underwater life.
South Lombok is home to a mix of fishing villages, weaving production and tourism operations for travellers to explore. There are many accommodation options surrounding Kuta, along with restaurants and dining options to explore. To visit the local villages along the coastline hire a motorbike or car to access the quiet, more remote beaches.
West Lombok
West Lombok is considered to be one of the principal tourism areas, filled with hotels, restaurants, tourism companies and scooter/car rental stores operating within the region.
The area spans across the west coast from Senggigi in the north, continuing south to Lembar Port. West Lombok is a popular departure point for those taking part in tours to Mount Rinjani. Senggigi welcomes those arriving by boat to the island and is the main access point on to the Gili Islands. The region is built-up in contrast to the rest of the island and provides a variety of upmarket resorts and villas. Meanwhile, historic villages still stand lined with beaches and incredible views of the Gili Islands.
West Lombok is a hub of activity on this quiet island and a great place to stay the night at to explore the surrounding Gili Islands, the natural landscape surrounding Mount Rinjani or gorgeous beachfront resorts.