In a nutshell
- Lombok is a fantastic travel destination in Indonesia — less crowded than Bali and packed with stunning beaches, waterfalls, and mountains.
- The hike up Mount Rinjani was our absolute favorite — but if you’d rather take it easy, the Secret Gilis and Tiu Kelep Waterfall are seriously worth your time too. We cover all 11 top Lombok attractions below, including a few real insider picks.
- For every highlight, we share honest personal tips and tell you what’s genuinely worth it — and what you can skip. For broader trip planning, check out our Lombok travel tips.
- Our top hotel picks on Lombok: the El Tropico Boutique Hotel in Kuta, the peaceful Sammy Cottage Senggigi, and The Koho Air Hotel on the Gili Islands.
Our Map with the Most Beautiful Beaches and Attractions on Lombok
For a first overview, we’ve marked all 11 attractions on Lombok on a map.
The 3 Top Highlights 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 reach them by boat from both Lombok and Bali, with most departures from Bangsal Harbor on Lombok. The islands are best known for snorkeling and their impossibly turquoise water.
Is it worth it? It depends on what you’re after. The beaches and the water are seriously stunning, and you can spot sea turtles. That said, the Gili Islands are also very touristy.
Our tip: Visit Gili Meno or Gili Air — both are noticeably quieter than Gili Trawangan.
Our hotel pick: The Koho Air Hotel on Gili Air
Read our tips for accommodations on Lombok
Mount Rinjani
What you need to know: The hike up Mount Rinjani was our personal highlight on Lombok — hands down. The summit sits at 3,726 meters and can only be reached on a two- or three-day tour. It’s incredibly demanding, but the views are truly one of a kind. You can book tours online or through most accommodations on Lombok.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! But only if you’re fit and genuinely enjoy hiking and camping. You’ll be sleeping in a tent, and the trail is seriously challenging.
Our tip: Spend a night in the mountain village of Senaru before the hike — there are beautiful waterfalls and a traditional village to explore. We stayed at the ILA Homestay and booked the Rinjani hike through them as well.
Read our tips on the Rinjani Volcano too:
Monkey Forest Tetebatu
What you need to know: The Monkey Forest in Tetebatu is the quieter little sibling of the famous Monkey Forest in Ubud on Bali. You won’t see quite as many monkey species here, but there are also far fewer tourists — which honestly makes for a more relaxed visit.
Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you haven’t already visited another monkey forest. If you have, you might find the smaller number of monkeys a little underwhelming.
Our tip: Spend at least one night in Tetebatu — there are also gorgeous waterfalls and rice terraces nearby. The Novia Guesthouse Lombok Tetebatu is a wonderful place to stay.
Book a guided hike through Tetebatu and the Monkey Forest
The Most Beautiful Beaches on Lombok
Secret Gilis
What you need to know: The Secret Gilis are a cluster of small islands in the southwest of Lombok — much less crowded and far less known than the main Gili Islands. Snorkeling is still excellent here, and the white sand beaches are gorgeous. Our top picks are Gili Asahan, Gili Sudak, and Gili Nanggu.
Is it worth it? Definitely. The Secret Gilis are still a genuine local favorite and one of the best under-the-radar spots on Lombok.
Our tip: From Kuta in southern Lombok, plenty of snorkeling tours head out to the Secret Gilis. You can also book a Secret Gilis boat tour online — though those tend to cost a bit more.
Our hotel pick: Khabita Beach Resort on the Secret Gilis
Tanjung Aan
What you need to know: Tanjung Aan is, for us, the most beautiful beach on Lombok. It’s on the south coast near Kuta, the water is a brilliant turquoise, and snorkeling is great. The beach is long enough that it never feels crowded, and the trees always offer a shady spot when you need a break from the sun.
Is it worth it? Definitely. You could easily spend a full day here — snorkeling, lounging on the sand, and grabbing a bite at one of the warungs.
Our tip: Walk up from the beach to the Bukit Merese rock. The panorama over the coastline and the hidden beaches below is seriously stunning — just be warned, the sun is relentless up there.
Nipah Beach
What you need to know: Nipah Beach is our favorite spot near Senggigi. Tucked among palm trees, a few huts, and fishing boats, it’s an incredibly peaceful place. The water is turquoise and great for swimming, and with only a handful of accommodations and restaurants along the beach, tourists are few and far between.
Is it worth it? Yes — if you just want to switch off and relax, Nipah Beach is perfect.
Our tip: Ride a scooter to the beach and stop at Malimbu Hill on the way — it’s one of the best viewpoints on Lombok.
Pink Beach
What you need to know: Pink Beach gets its name from the faint pinkish tint of its sand. The color isn’t very pronounced though, so don’t set your expectations too high.
Is it worth it? Meh. Since it’s not really that pink, we think you can honestly skip this one. That said, it’s a perfectly fine spot for a swim if you happen to be nearby.
Our tip: Only ride to Pink Beach on your own if you’re an experienced scooter rider. The road conditions are rough, and it’s quite far from the other highlights on Lombok. A better option is to book a boat tour to Pink Beach instead.
The Best Waterfalls on Lombok
Tiu Kelep
What you need to know: Tiu Kelep is located near the village of Senaru and is reached via a trail of just under two kilometers. Along the way, you’ll pass the equally impressive Sendang Gile waterfall. Admission for both is 25,000 IDR (about $1.50). You can swim at Tiu Kelep, so wear your swimsuit underneath your clothes.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Both waterfalls are genuinely impressive and make for incredible photos.
Our tip: Bring flip-flops — you’ll need to wade through water at a few points along the trail.
Our Hotel Picks for Senaru
Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu
What you need to know: Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu are two waterfalls near Tetebatu, reachable on foot via a hiking trail. You’ll need to hire a guide, and you can choose whether to go on foot or by scooter. You can also decide how many waterfalls you want to see — there are four in the area in total.
Is it worth it? Yes — the waterfalls are really impressive and you can swim in some of them. In our opinion, the two-waterfall tour is plenty.
Our tip: Do this excursion from Tetebatu and check with your accommodation beforehand about the entrance fee and guide costs. It’s easy to get overcharged on-site if you don’t know what to expect.
Hidden Gems on Lombok
Narmada Park in Mataram
What you need to know: Narmada Park is a lovely green oasis on Lombok — perfect for a leisurely stroll. There’s even a swimming pool if you fancy some laps. Culture lovers will find plenty to enjoy too, with several temple complexes including Pura Narmada. Admission costs 50,000 IDR (about $3).
Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you’re staying on the island for more than a week. Otherwise, we’d prioritize the other highlights on Lombok first.
Natural Pools in Sesaot
What you need to know: The village of Sesaot sits in the interior of Lombok, not far from Narmada Park. Its proximity to Rinjani means there are plenty of streams and natural pools where you can swim and spend a relaxed morning. We visited the natural pools at this spot.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The natural pools are a true off-the-beaten-path find on Lombok — we didn’t spot a single other tourist. You get to cool off in the water alongside locals, which makes the whole experience feel really special.
Our tip: Go swimming with your clothes on. Sesaot isn’t touristy at all, and since Lombok is predominantly Muslim, pretty much everyone goes into the water fully clothed.
