Visiting Lombok Soon?
Here’s Our Guide to Discovering Lombok Accommodation, Restaurants, Beaches and Things to Do
The Basics – Get to Know Lombok
Population: about 4 million people
Size: 4,725 km2. To give you an idea that’s about the size of neighbouring Bali, almost double the size of Hong Kong and three times the size of London.
Local language: Sasak (and the national language Bahasa Indonesia)
Getting here: Direct flights from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Perth Australia. Also accessible by boat from Bali.
Climate: The dry season (also the peak season) runs from about May to September with the wet season running from about November to February. But don’t worry it doesn’t get that wet in Lombok. Temperatures range from about 20 C to about 30 C, guaranteed sunshine year round.
Things to Do in Lombok
With its untouched nature, beautiful beaches and lush scenery, there is so much to explore in Lombok. We recommend simply getting lost and discovering the island by scooter or trying some of the following activities.
Surf
All types of surfers can get their fix in Lombok. From perfect beginner waves to world class barrelling point breaks, Lombok has it all.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
The waters around the South east coast of Lombok are pretty undiscovered when it comes to scuba diving compared to places like the Gili Islands. Dive shops are taking divers to new and uncrowded spots with pristine waters full of beautiful coral, fish, rays and macro – to find out more check out our blog post. We highly recommend a scuba or snorkeling trip with the friendly experienced team at Blue Marlin
Other water sports
Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, wake boarding and kite surfing, the waters around South Lombok are made to be explored. Check out the following local companies offering water sport adventures: Seagypsies Lombok and The Playground
Yoga
Balance your mind, body and spirit and truly unwind on your holiday with some yoga. Our favourite yoga places are Mana and Ashtari and Shanti Yoga at Jivana Resort, all located in South Lombok.
Hiking / Trail Running
Lombok has so many amazing places to explore by foot. If you’re looking to get your heart rate up, go on a three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. The views across Lombok, Bali and beyond are breathtaking. Around the foothills of the mountain are some beautiful villages and waterfalls, also great for a day hike. Take a trip to Tete Batu (Ubud before the Eat, Pray, Love effect) and stroll along the rice paddies or explore the beautiful hillsides surrounding Tanjung Aan beach.
For Rinjani trekking tours we can personally recommend Rinjani Dawn Adventures
Mount Rinjani
Paragliding
See South Lombok from a completely different perspective on a tandem paraglide. Enjoy exhilarating views over the areas stunning bays, valleys and hillsides. Contact Sky Lombok Paragliding
Loka Gym and Recovery Centre
Get your sweat on at Loka Gym, offering a range of classes including HIIT, METCON and Muai Thai. To ease those sore muscles make sure you give their Recovery Centre a try and enjoy the healing benefits of the sauna, ice bath and magnesium pool.
Skate
Kuta’s latest addition, Tribe Surf City is a skate park right in the center of town. Featuring a cafe and boutique and not one but two surf bowls to cater for all abilities and fun for everyone.
Loka Gym & Recovery
Where to Stay in Lombok – Hotel and Accommodation Guide
Top Tip: We’ve included links to each of the hotels – book directly with them for the best deals
A tropical and lush oasis offering a range of beautifully appointed accommodation options fit for all budgets. Kuta’s first fully solar powered resort features two yoga studios offering daily classes, an onsite spa, swimming pool, healthy restaurant and evening cinema, everything you need for a relaxing stay.
Boutique hotel with stylish furnished rooms and an amazing adjoining restaurant. No single-use plastic which we love, a TV with inbuilt movies and a fun rooftop pool.
Enjoy your own private, two bedroom villa nestled in the heart of Kuta. Beautifully designed and bursting with style, Villa Alba provides all the comfort in an idyllic central location. Private pool, fully equipped kitchen, open plan living area and air-conditioned ensuite bedrooms. It’s a solar powered home perfect for families, couples or small groups.
New addition to Kuta, enjoy these bespoke private pool studios. Beatifully designed inside and out, every finish and detail has been taken into consideration, from outdoor showers and bathtubs to organic soaps and shampoos guarantees an indulgent stay within walking distance of cafes and restauarants.
Eco friendly boutique hideaway in cenral Kuta, within walking distance to all of Kuta’s cafes and restaurants. Jati has been lovingly created to provide your own private oasis amongst lush tropical gardens and private pool.
Impecable desgined Villas & Bungalows, fully equipped with modern amenities, private terraces and pool area. A true home away from home.
Enjoy peace and quiet in the tranquil tropical gardens of Jivana Resort. Ideally located in Kuta the resort offers villas and pool suites. Swim up to the poolside bar and relax with a cocktail or stroll around the expansive gardens, Jivana offers a natural and beautiful retreat.
Tranquil and modern 2 & 3 bedroom villas with incredible ocean and valley views over the Are Guling bay, only a 10 minute drive from Kuta. Beautifully designed interiors, large outdoor spaces and an infinity pool will make leaving to explore the island incredibly difficult.
Located on Selong Belanak beach, this boutique resort offers an idyllic and relaxed beachfront getaway. Comfortable, spacious and elegantly designed, the villas have been built using natural, local materials. Home to beachfront Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant enjoy breakfast lunch or dinner with your feet in the sand, make sure not to miss a cocktail or two over sunset. Newly opened Dalam boutique gift shop, offers gifts and curated homewares from Lombok and beyond.
Serangan’t latest resort, Boni Beach is a beatifully appointed eco-lux resort. With a choice of private rooms, bungalows and 4 bedroom Villas to pick from and a wonderfully curated drinks and food menu. Set a short stroll from Serangan beach, Boni Beach is the perfect escape for those looking for relaxation.
The 5 Must Visit Beaches in South Lombok
South Lombok offers some of the most stunning beaches, from the untouched crystal-clear water to the surfer’s paradise, there is a beach for everyone. Here’s our list of the best beaches in the region.
Tanjung Aan
10 minutes from Kuta is the stunning and huge sweeping bay of Tanjung Aan. Enjoy crystal clear water and white powdery sand. It’s a great place to spend the day – a family friendly swimming spot with beautiful calm water, local warungs to enjoy a spot of lunch and stunning hills and cliffs if you fancy a short hike. You can also take a boat out into the bay to experience the perfect longboarder or beginner wave.
Selong Belanak
West of Kuta is Selong Belanak, arguably South Lombok’s most famous beach but still a quiet slice of paradise. A stunning, horseshoe shaped bay, with turquoise blue water and powdery white sand, Selong Belanak is breathtaking. A major highlight at this beach is watching the buffalos on their daily jaunt down the beach – a truly unique Lombok experience!
Tanjung Aan
Selong Belanak
Mawi
Tampah
Mawi
A surfer’s paradise, Mawi is a quality left and right hand reef break for the more experienced surfer. More rustic than Tanjung Aan and Selong Belanak, it’s easy to spend a day chilling at Mawi, enjoying a coconut or nasi goreng between surfs.
Tampah and Lancing
On the road between Mawun and Selong Belanak is the long stretching beach of Tampah and Lancing. Off the tourist trail, most days you can have this place to yourself. The locals here take amazing care of this beach and its super clean as a result. A great snorkelling spot too.
Our Must Try Restaurants in Kuta Lombok
Kuta Lombok is becoming quite the foodie heaven. While nasi goreng is still very much available, the area has seen some amazing new restaurant and bar additions bringing a huge variety of cuisines. It’s hard to pick a favourite but here’s our regular go to spots.
Aussie Cafe Style
Our favourite coffee in town. Chilled, friendly Aussie-style hospitality serving breakfast and lunch daily.
Craft beer on tap and fantastic food
Restaurant with great cocktails, craft beer on tap and fantastic food bursting with local flavour. Open from breakfast through to late.
Best pizza in town
Mama Pizza specialises in sourdough pizzas baked in a traditional brick oven. Sister restaurant to Mama Pizza Gili Air, its arguably Lombok’s best pizza.
Milk
Knalpot
Mama Pizza
Rocksalt
Bush Radio
Munchies
Relaxed bistro
For the meat lovers. RockSalt is a relaxed and cosy bistro focused on locally sourced meat served with a range of salads, sides and sauces. Their buffalo burger is a local favourite and there’s lots to choose from with a daily specials board and daily dessert offering.
Neighbourhood cafe
Chilled, laid back, community feeling hangout spot with seriously tasty salads, sandwiches and smoothie bowls. Everything homemade, fresh and packed full of goodness. Great coffee hit too.
Cafe restaurant
Kuta’s latest cafe, great interior popular with digital nomads. Enjoy huge healthy salads, sandwiches and incredible coffee and cakes.
Mexican
Tasty Mexican inspired menu with a great selection of cocktails, we love the jalapeno pineapple margarita. A lively spot perfect to kick your night off.
Relaxed Cafe Style
Spacious open cafe with a family friendly vibe, sip your coffee while the kids play in the outdoor play area. Open breakfast, lunch, dinner and particularly popular on a Thursday for their 2 for 1 pasta night and Saturday live music night.
Chinese Eatery
A Chinese eatery serving fantastic dumplings, noodles and stir frys. The interiors alone are reason to visit but the kimchi pork dumplings will keep you coming back for more. We also love the dan dan noodles and the prawn cashew stir fry.
Cantina Mexicana
Gecko
Jiang Nan
Seasalt
El Bazar
Local Food
Seafood
Specialising in fresh, locally sourced seafood with daily specials featuring the catch of the day. We love their wide range of salads and sides to combine with our favourite local fish.
Mediterranean
Newly renovated featuring a terrace, contemporary salon, a lounge and open kitchen, it focuses heavily on wine and mediterranean style shared dining, using local and seasonal produce. A warm and welcoming atmospehere in the center of Kuta.
Local Food
No website links for these places but keep your eyes peeled for roadside satay, bakso soup, Indonesian’s famous nasi padang, local favourite ayam taliwang and the amazing range of fruits including jackfruit, durian, dragonfruit and mango.
Some of our favourite local food spots or ‘warungs’ include: Warung Jawa Pemuda, Warung Asa, Warung Sulawesi, Lalapan Jawa Seafood, Warung Jawa, Tasty Hesty Cafe, Fish Bones Warung and Pink Swing Café at Tanjung Aan beach
Burger Bar
A cool, young, and hip place to hang out in the centre of Kuta, offering a wide range of freshly prepared and home-made burgers, pizzas, and more. Did we mention their must-try home-made rums and vodkas featured in their extensive cocktail menu?
Bistro
Newly renovated and relocated, Kenza offers something for everyone with a seamless transition from a perfectly relaxed breakfast to trendy lunch spots to a more sophisticated modern French dining bistro evening experience.
KRNK
Kenza
P.s For more inspiration you can also check out our Ultimate Guide to Kuta Lombok in collaboration with Honeycombers Bali and if you’re planning a family holiday read our Family Lombok Guide Blog here.
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