In a nutshell
- Lombok is a fantastic travel destination in Indonesia — less crowded than Bali and full of stunning beaches, waterfalls, and mountains.
- In this article, we’ll show you the 11 most beautiful places to visit on Lombok — including some true hidden gems and great things to do on Lombok Island.
- You’ll also get our personal tips for each spot, including which ones are really worth your time.
Table of Contents
Top Attractions in Lombok on a Map
To help you get started, we’ve marked all 11 attractions on a map of Lombok.
Top 3 Places to Visit on Lombok
We’re kicking things off with the 3 best places to visit on Lombok.
Gili Islands
What you need to know: The Gili Islands are three small islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan) off the northwest coast of Lombok. You can get there by boat from either Lombok or Bali. Most boats leave from Bangsal harbor on Lombok. The islands are famous for their clear waters and excellent snorkeling.
Is it worth it? That depends on what you’re after. The beaches and water are absolutely beautiful, and you can often spot sea turtles. But the islands are also quite touristy.
Our tip: Head to Gili Meno or Gili Air – they’re a bit quieter than Gili Trawangan.
Our hotel tip: The Koho Air Hotel on Gili Air
Mount Rinjani
What you need to know: Hiking Mount Rinjani was our personal top attraction on Lombok. The summit stands at 3,726 meters and is only reachable on a 2- or 3-day hiking tour. The trek is really tough, but the views are unforgettable. You can book tours online or through most places to stay on Lombok.
Is it worth it? Absolutely – if you’re in good shape, enjoy hiking, and don’t mind camping. You’ll sleep in a tent and the trail is demanding.
Our tip: Stay overnight in the mountain village of Senaru before the trek. There are waterfalls and a traditional village to explore. We stayed at ILA Homestay and booked the Rinjani hike through them.
Book the Rinjani hike online here
Monkey Forest Tetebatu
You need to know this: The Monkey Forest in Tetebatu on Lombok is the little sister of the famous monkey forest in Ubud on Bali. You won’t be able to see quite as many monkey species here, but there are also far fewer tourists in the Monkey Forest on Lombok.
Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you haven’t visited another monkey forest before. Otherwise, you may be a little disappointed that you won’t see so many monkeys here.
Our tip: Stay at least one night in Tetebatu, as there are also beautiful waterfalls and rice terraces to see. The Novia Guesthouse Lombok Tetebatu is a very nice place to stay.
Book a hike through Tetebatu and to the monkey forest here
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Lombok
Lombok is a beach paradise, with stunning beaches around every corner. Here are some of our favorite spots.
Secret Gilis
You need to know this: The Secret Gilis are a group of small islands off the southwest coast of Lombok. They’re much quieter and less touristy than the more famous Gili Islands. You’ll still find amazing snorkeling and soft white beaches here. Our favorites are Gili Asahan, Gili Sudak, and Gili Nanggu.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. These islands are still a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to places to visit on Lombok.
Our tip: You’ll find many snorkeling tours to the Secret Gilis starting from Kuta in southern Lombok. Or you can book a tour online – just keep in mind that online options tend to be a little pricier.
Our hotel tip: Khabita Beach Resort
Tanjung Aan
What you need to know: For us, Tanjung Aan is the most beautiful beach on Lombok. It’s on the south coast near Kuta, with turquoise water that’s perfect for snorkeling. The beach is long and rarely crowded, and you’ll always find some shade under the trees.
Is it worth it? For sure. It’s one of the best thing to do on Lombok if you’re after a relaxing beach day with snorkeling, sunbathing, and tasty local food at the nearby warungs.
Our tip: Take a walk from the beach up to Bukit Merese. The views over the coastline and hidden beaches are incredible. Just be prepared – the sun can be intense.
Nipah Beach
What you need to know: Nipah Beach is our top pick in the Senggigi area. Surrounded by palm trees, a few local huts, and fishing boats, it’s a peaceful spot to unwind. The turquoise water is perfect for swimming. Since there are only a handful of places to stay or eat, the beach stays mostly quiet and uncrowded.
Is it worth it? Definitely. If you’re looking for one of the more relaxing attractions on Lombok, Nipah Beach is a great choice.
Our tip: Ride a scooter to the beach and make a stop at Malimbu Hill on the way – it’s one of the best viewpoints on Lombok and a highlight of what to see on Lombok.
Pink Beach
What you need to know: Pink Beach gets its name from the light pink hue of the sand. In reality, the color is pretty subtle, so don’t expect anything too dramatic.
Is it worth it? Honestly, it’s just okay. The beach is nice for a swim, but if you’re short on time, you can probably skip it.
Our tip: Only head to Pink Beach by scooter if you’re confident riding – the road is rough and the beach is far from most other spots. A better option might be to book a boat tour to Pink Beach.
The Best Waterfalls in Lombok
In the mountains of Lombok – around the Rinjani volcano – you will find lots of waterfalls. We present our two favorites here.
Tiu Kelep
What you need to know: Tiu Kelep is in the village of Senaru and can be reached by a scenic hiking trail just under 2 kilometers long. On the way, you’ll also pass the Sendang Gile waterfall, which is well worth a stop. Entry to both waterfalls costs IDR 25,000 (around 1.50 euros). You can swim at Tiu Kelep, so don’t forget your swimsuit.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Both waterfalls are impressive and make for amazing photo spots.
Our tip: Bring flip-flops – you’ll need to wade through the water at some points on the trail.
Our hotel tips for Senaru: We stayed at the ILA Homestay and loved it. Senaru is also home to one of our favorite boutique stays on Lombok: the the Rinjani Lodge.
Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu
What you need to know: The Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls are located near Tetebatu and are accessed via a hiking trail. You’ll need to book a guide, and you can choose to explore on foot or by scooter. There are four waterfalls in the area, and you can decide how many you’d like to visit.
Is it worth it? Yes, the waterfalls are stunning and you can swim in some of them. That said, we found that seeing just two of them was more than enough.
Our tip: Start your tour from Tetebatu and ask your accommodation in advance about the entrance and guide prices. Some visitors have reported being overcharged at the site.
Hidden Gems in Lombok
Finally, we have two real insider tips on Lombok for you.
Narmada Park in Mataram
What you need to know: Narmada Park is a peaceful green space and a great place for a walk. There’s even a swimming pool where you can cool off. If you’re into culture, you’ll find temples here too, like the Pura Narmada. It’s one of the lesser-known attractions on Lombok. Entry is IDR 50,000 (about 3 euros).
Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you’re staying on the island for more than a week. If your time is short, we’d focus on other places to visit on Lombok first.
Natural Pools in Sesaot
You need to know this: The village of Sesaot is tucked away in central Lombok, not far from Narmada Park. Thanks to its location near Mount Rinjani, there are lots of small streams and natural pools where you can take a dip and enjoy a quiet morning. We visited the natural pools here.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The pools are one of the hidden gems on Lombok – we didn’t see a single other tourist. It’s a great way to cool off and get a feel for local life.
Our tip: Go swimming in your clothes. Sesaot isn’t touristy at all, and since most of Lombok is Muslim, locals swim fully dressed. Best to do the same.
These were our tips for the 11 best things to do in Lombok
Have you also been on the island and have any other tips for what to see on Lombok? Let us know in the comments.