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Guides by topicWhere Lombok is, the areas, the sights and how to plan your days
Lombok Travel Guide
Where do you start with a trip to Lombok?
Lombok is an Indonesian island just east of Bali, across the Lombok Strait, and home to Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara Province. It measures roughly 80km from north to south and from east to west, and around 90% of its people are Sasak, most of them Muslim (What is Lombok?).
There are four main bases, each with a different sea and pace: Kuta Lombok (Mandalika) on the south coast, Senggigi on the west coast, the Gili Islands off the northwest and Sekotong in the southwest. The island is bigger than it looks, so work backwards from your days: one area for 3 days, two for 4 days, and a quiet area like Sekotong from 5 days (Lombok itineraries).
Start here
Three to read first
Basics
Getting to know Lombok
- What is Lombok? A complete guideWhere it is, how it differs from Bali, climate, main areas and how to get there
- Lombok mapAreas, the airport and the ports, with travel times from the airport
- The Lombok Strait and the Wallace LineWidth and depth of the strait between Bali and Lombok, and the line in wildlife
- Lombok historySasak kingdoms, Balinese rule, the 1894 Lombok War and World Heritage
- Religion on LombokThe Island of a Thousand Mosques, Wetu Telu and Hindu temples
- The Sasak people and traditional villagesLombok’s Sasak culture and how to visit a traditional village
- Lombok wildlifeOrangutans or Komodo dragons? Monkeys, turtles, mantas and sharks
- 10 downsides of LombokWhat to know before you go, and who it does not suit
Areas
Areas and sights
- Lombok sightseeing by areaThe main sights in each area and how to combine them
- Where to base yourself in LombokSekotong, Kuta, Senggigi or the Gili Islands, compared by how you want to spend your days
- Lombok beaches comparedKuta, Tanjung Aan, Senggigi, Pink Beach and Sekotong
- Kuta Lombok (Mandalika) guideThe south-coast town: surf beaches, MotoGP and development
- Senggigi or Mataram?Which west-coast town to stay in, and what each is like
- Sekotong complete guideLombok’s quiet southwest: getting there, the islands, where to stay
- What are the Gili Islands?Trawangan, Air and Meno compared, and how to get there
- Pink Beach LombokTangsi Beach on the southeast coast: getting there and what to expect
- Lombok waterfallsBenang Stokel and Tiu Kelep compared
- TetebatuA rice-terrace and waterfall village: getting there and what to do
- Mount Rinjani trekkingPermits, costs and itineraries
- Mount Rinjani accidents and eruptionsRecent falls, alert level, closures and safety checks
Plan
Planning your days
- Lombok itineraries for 3 to 5 daysHow many areas fit into the days you have
- Lombok one-week itinerary7 nights split between the Gilis, Sekotong and Kuta, with travel times
- Lombok toursEight types of tour and how to choose
- How many nights in Lombok?A cost simulation for 3, 7 and 14 nights
- Lombok with kidsWhat suits each age and how to prepare
- Solo and women’s travelSafety and how to spend your time
- A Lombok honeymoonHow to pick a quiet resort
Stay
Where to stay
- Hotels and villas in LombokHow to choose by area
- Luxury hotels and villasHow to choose by price tier
- Lombok’s major resorts comparedThe large resort hotels, area by area
- Budget guesthousesPrice ranges by area and what to watch for
- Where to stay in Kuta or SenggigiNeighbourhoods, price ranges and event weeks
- Where to stay in SekotongHotels and villas in southwest Lombok
Play
In the water and beyond
- Snorkelling and diving in LombokThe main spots and how to choose
- Diving certification on LombokCosts and schedule
- Lombok surfing for beginnersChoosing by level, and the seasons
- Kayaking in LombokWhere to paddle, Sekotong prices and safety
- Sunset and sunrise on Lombok and the GilisWhere to watch, times by month and Mount Agung
- Massage and spa pricesSenggigi, the Gilis and Kuta, and how they compare with Bali
- Lombok golf coursesSira (Kosaido), Golong and where to stay
- Lombok and Gili Air yogaDrop-in prices and choosing a retreat
FAQ
Is Lombok part of Bali?
No. Lombok is a separate island just east of Bali, across the Lombok Strait. Around 90% of its people are Sasak and most are Muslim, while Bali is mostly Hindu. See What is Lombok? and Bali or Lombok?.
How many days do I need for Lombok?
With 3 days, focus on one area; with 4 days, two areas; with 5 days or more, you can also include a quiet area like Sekotong (Lombok itineraries for 3 to 5 days).
Where should I stay in Lombok?
Sekotong for quiet water and island-hopping, Kuta Lombok for surfing and the southern beaches, Senggigi for convenience and sunsets, and the Gili Islands for island time and socialising. Choose by what you want to do rather than by distance to famous sights (Where to base yourself in Lombok).
Is Lombok safe?
Lombok is not a danger zone with frequent serious crime, but petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching from motorbikes and overcharging is reported. The same basic caution as elsewhere in Southeast Asia, plus preparation for natural disasters, is enough (Is Lombok dangerous?).
When is the best time to visit Lombok?
The dry season from June to September, with April to May and October next. The wet season runs from around November to March (Best time to visit Lombok, weather and festivals guide).
More topics
Other topic guides
- Getting to LombokFlights, Bali to Lombok, and the airport to each area
- Gili Islands guideWhich island, getting there, budget
- Sekotong & the South GilisThe southwest coast, island-hopping, places to stay
- Kuta Lombok & the south coastSouthern beaches, surf, places to stay, Bau Nyale
- Food, drink and shoppingLocal dishes, seafood, coffee, alcohol, shops
- Travel essentialsMoney, costs, safety, health, visas, SIM cards
- Weather, seasons and festivalsBest time to go, wet season, holidays, festivals
- Bali and LombokDifferences, getting between them, day trips
- All travel guidesEvery article, newest first
