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With magnificent beaches, rice terraces, the towering Mount Rinjani and a vibrant nightlife (including alcohol), it’s no surprise Lombok has been called ‘the next Bali’.
The years of Lombok being a long lost frontier of Indonesian travel have long passed. If you’re looking to be the only tourist in the beach, or even the entire city, you’ll need to head further off the beaten path towards Sumatra, Sulawesi or the Maluku Islands.
But if Bali feels that little bit too crowded or over-commercialized but you still like your creature comforts (and who doesn’t like cocktails by the pool), Lombok might just be the answer for you.
This itinerary is for travelers who are here for rest and relaxation plus the right amount of cultural interaction and adventure. If you’re heading to Lombok to hike Mount Rinjani, this is not the ideal 1-day Lombok travel itinerary for you (although I can recommend this excellent Rinjani tour). But if you’re still questioning: is Lombok worth visiting? This article will leave you booking your flights.
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How to get to Lombok
By plane
Lombok Interantional Airport (Airport code: LOP) is served by regular flights from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya and Makassar. If you are coming from Makassar, don’t miss our guide to One Day in Makassar.
If you’re coming from outside Indonesia, you’ll find direct flights from Lombok to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. For those coming from outside Indonesia, make sure you read our FAQs about visiting Indonesia.
If you are traveling during peak Indonesian holidays (Ramadan, Eid or public holidays), flights to Lombok can often sell out far in advance.
By boat
Lombok is well served by Indonesia’s vibrant ferry network. Most travelers visit Lombok either to or from Bali, which enjoys regular fast ferry transfers – which (if you’re lucky) will usually take about 3 – 5 hours door-to-door. To book your Bali to Lombok transfer in advance, I recommend this fast ferry service.
Where to stay in Lombok
Much like neighboring Bali, this really depends what kind of trip you are hoping to have. If it’s your first time in Lombok and you are just visiting for a few days, I recommend staying in Kuta. Here you’ll have access to the best cafes and restaurants in Lombok, and you’ll still be able to visit much of the island on a day trip.
Sima Hotel offers an excellent five-star product at a much cheaper price than you would pay in Bali. Otherwise, the Jivana Resort Kuta or Harmony Villas both offer well-priced and central options.
However, you if you have a bit longer, you could also spend a few days in Sengigi, Mataram or in the more remote north of the island.
1 Day Lombok Travel Itinerary
Breakfast
Presuming your Lombok hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, your morning starts with coffee and breakfast at Milk Espresso, our favorite spot for breakfast in Lombok. Channeling the best of Melbourne brunch menus, Milk Espresso offers everything from blueberry banana pancakes to fresh salmon sliders.
Morning: Learning about Sasak culture at Sade Village
I’m a big believer that if the country or city you are visiting has instituted any attempts at making their culture accessible or visible, you should lean in and learn whatever you can.
Just 20 minutes from Kuta sits Sade village, home to 700 Sasak people, the indigenous inhabitants of Lombok. The village is free to visit, but you must be accompanied by one of their guides (who I strongly recommend you tip). Better yet, arrange your own private full day tour for a deeper-dive into Sasak culture.
From Sasak traditions of ‘kidnapping’ women into marriage to cleaning homes using cow or buffalo dung, I can assure you that you will learn so much from your visit which will unquestionably shape how you see and experience Lombok.
Sade might seem like a curated village for tourists, but the truth is that this is a living and operating village – and you’ll see many people simply going about their day.
You’ll also learn about Sasak weaving techniques, including the unique motifs which can only be found in Lombok. Many of these carpets and rugs take between 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Please keep that in mind as you bargain for a souvenir to bring home.
After the village, consider taking a quick peak past the nearby old mosque of Rembitan. You cannot enter the mosque, but it’s historically significant as one of the oldest mosques in Lombok. The area around it is extremely atmospheric, with lots of overgrown trees clouding the traditional architecture used.
Afternoon: The best beaches on Lombok
In Lombok you truly are spoiled for choice with magnificent beaches. If you’re weighing up Bali vs Lombok, on the beach front Lombok is the clear winner. With that, here are my favorites from the best beaches on Lombok.
Tanjung Aan Beach
Distance from Kuta: 20 minutes
Tanjung Aan may be my favorite beach in Lombok. With a long bay and crystal clear water, you can easily spend an entire afternoon here.
The beach bars along Tanjung Aan all offer an excellent deal. If you buy anything (even a juice) from them, you can use their lounge chairs for the day. They all offer more or less the same spattering of Indonesian food (nasi goreng, mie goreng), as well as some fresh fish.
Mawun Beach
Distance from Kuta: 20 minutes
Mawun beach is a little more private, offering a real solace around its half-moon bay. Like Tanjung Aan, you’ll find small stalls and restaurants offering chairs, coconuts and very basic lunch offerings.
Solang Beach
Distance from Kuta: 40 minutes
I can’t reiterate this enough: you cannot go wrong with your beach choice in Lombok.
At Solang Beach you’ll find endless streches of white sand. If you’re willing to walk a few minutes from the main parking lots, you’ll likely have a place to yourself. You’ll also find a number of Lombok’s surf schools based on Solang – making this an ideal afternoon activity.
Pink Beach
Distance from Kuta: 1 hour, 20 minutes
The furthest of Lombok’s famous beaches, the Pink Beach is well-deserving of your attention. As the name suggests, you’ll find glistening pink sand and warm clear water.
If you enjoy snorkelling, make sure to bring your snorkelling gear along – the visibility here is among the best in Indonesia. Getting to the Pink Beach from Kuta can be a small mission, and many travelers prefer to join a half day tour.
If you are planning to visit the Komodo Island region and Flores, I probably would skip the Pink Beach in Lombok. Even though it’s one of the best Lombok beaches, you’ll find lots of pink sand in the islands around Flores.
Dinner: Kuta
In Kuta, you are really spoiled for choice with dinner. If you are traveling on a budget: head to Felice’s for some of the best-quality Indonesian warung-style food.
If you need a break from Indonesian food, Kuta has some great non-Indonesian options. I personally recommend The Mexican in Town (for world-class Mexican tapas) or Jiang Nan (you’ll want to get the dan dan noodles).
For more comprehensive food options, you’ll want to read our guide to the best restuarants in Lombok.
Beyond Lombok
If Lombok has given you a taste for Indonesia beyond Bali, then it’s time to start planning a trip around one of my favorite countries in the world.
From the remarkable human-like orangutans of Borneo and Sumatra to the volcanic craters of Java, you won’t run out of once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Indonesia. Better yet, take a look at our ultimate 2 week Indonesia travel itinerary for more inspiration.
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