Top 10 Things To Do in Lombok, Bali

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Lombok, which has a lot of activities and attractions for every traveler, is one the last best-kept secrets of Indonesia. It is the alternative to Bali, also known as the Bali before the commercialization. With weather that is almost perfect all year round and beautiful pristine beaches, you will find that paradise does indeed exist in the backyard of Bali, Indonesia.

The beach is dotted with powdery white sands while the sea filled with astonishing blue corals and marine life. The land boasts its own richness with Mount Rinjani standing majestically as yet another volcano mountain of Indonesia while the countryside boasts forests and wildlife besides villages of people and culture.

Read on for our take on top 10 things to do in Lombok:

-> Or jump to see the Best Accommodations in Lombok

Lombok beach, Indonesia

Beach at Lombok, Indonesia. Photo by egkk privat


Get burn by the Lombok Chili Pepper
Chili Peppers in Lombok, Indonesia

Chili Peppers in Lombok. Photo by Jos Dielis

Lombok itself meant Chili Pepper, and what more than to pay homage to its name and give yourself a taste of it. Be careful you might get burn but it is worth it as it comes in a form of sambal that unsurprisingly the locals know well to make it dangerously delicious. Sambal is a spicy condiment that you may dip with most of your local Indonesian food or it may be also cooked into some dishes already like curry or grilled meat.

Chill out at the Beach, obviously

White Sand Beaches at Lombok, Indonesia

White Sand Beaches at Lombok, Indonesia. Photo by Jos Dielis

Lie down on soft powdery white sand and while the world away in one of the many almost secluded beaches of Lombok. The most famous beach is the Kuta Beach and Tanjung Aan in the South of Lombok which many believe are more beautiful because of its remoteness. But at the other parts of Lombok, you may also find lesser known but the rural beach that could just be a hidden gem. If you have the time sail off to the tiny islands of Gili Islands just west of Lombok for your exclusive beach hang out.

Explore the island on a motorcycle
Inside and around Lombok, it has many sightseeing and attractions that would satisfy any curious traveler. Rent a motorcycle and put on your explorer helmet around Lombok, this is one of the best ways as the public transport is unreliable while you have the total freedom of doing whatever you like without needing to wait and stress about haggling price every time. Lombok is relatively small and can be explored in a day, the ride across the 21km coastal stretch from Senggigi to Pemenang are notably beautiful while the other smaller inner roads will bring you to secluded waterfalls and vast rice paddy fields.

Motorcycle around Lombok, Indonesia

Motorcycle around Lombok, Indonesia. Photo by Black_claw

Join in Bau Nyale festival and eat roasted worms
In February or March every year, hundreds of people will rush to Lombok to catch a glimpse of the first nyale (worm-like fish) at this huge fishing festival. Join in the crowd and look for your first nyale, and if you are brave enough eat them as well. The indigenous Sasak people of Lombok will commemorate a mythical princess who drowns in these waters to escape a politically arranged marriage. This festival is done the same time with the season of these worm-like fish, where they are caught and eaten roasted in banana leaves with much enthusiasm.

Bau Nyale Fishing Festival in Lombok, Indonesia

Bau Nyale Fishing Festival in Lombok, Indonesia. Photo by kenken31

Hike up Mount Rinjani
At 3626m, Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia and one of the most famous ones for travelers, side by side with the likes of Mount Bromo. It is due to its beauty and also because it was doable for most experienced hikers and easy for the strong minded. At 2,700m, you may already soak in the beautiful crater lake view but with another 1,000 ascent that requires extra physical and mental strength, you may conquer just yet a truly awe inspiring volcano of the world. One’s stay in Lombok would not be complete without conquering Mount Rinjani. A guide or hiking tour up Mount Rinjani is much recommended for safety.

Hike and camp in Mount Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia

Hike and camp in Mount Rinjani, Lombok. Photo by Jos Dielis

Soak in the life of the people here in the village
Stay in one of the many homestays here or just mingle with the local villagers to experience the unique way of life here. Also, visit local villages like the Senaru Village and do your very own walking tour around. Here you will learn about the history of Mount Rinjani and the surrounding, bringing in more meaning and appreciation to what you experience in Lombok.

Kids in the villages, Lombok, Indonesia

Kids in the villages, Lombok. Photo by Jos Dielis

Take a dip in the beautiful Senaru Waterfalls
Deep in Senaru Village, if you explore enough you may find hidden waterfalls such as Air Terjun Sindang Gila (slightly crazy waterfalls) which is the most famous among the rest for being breathtakingly beautiful with waterfall as high as 50 m but if you want to have a peaceful dip, you may try Air Terjun Tiu Kelep which has a nice bathing pool below the smaller falls.

Waterfalls in Lombok, Indonesia

Waterfalls in Lombok. Photo by yeowatzup

Get deep relaxation with traditional massage
Here you may get the local Sasak people to give their traditional massage, mainly you may find them in tourist areas such as Senggigi Beach or Mangsit. These massages are therapeutic for the body and also the mind as you get to be massaged with a background of the music of the waves on the beachside.

Get in touch with your artistic side
You may find weaving villages that produce many beautiful tapestry, here you can see how they are made. Or go to pottery making in some other villages and marvel at their beautiful work of arts on handmade pottery. You may do a shopping or two for souvenirs in these villages to support the local community.

Handmade potteries in Lombok, Indonesia

Handmade potteries in Lombok. Photo by Jeda Villa Bali

Snorkel in the blue coral sea around the islands
Surrounded by the beautiful deep blue sea that apparently houses those deeply blue corals, it is almost impossible not to do snorkeling here. Take a boat out and snorkel in many of the beautiful spots around Lombok.

If all these still have not satiate your appetite and you are still thinking about what else to do in Lombok, head to the nearest secret islands – Gili Islands. And if you find that we have missed out some of the top best things to do in Lombok do leave a comment, we would love to hear from you!

Best Accommodations in Lombok

Booking.com is my favourite site to book a place when I am planning my trip. The main reason is that most of the bookings can be cancelled right up to the trip, allowing flexibility.
Agoda.com is another good choice for me because they have the most extensive hotel listings in Asia.

Most people stay around Senggigi beach area in Lombok, with its variety of accommodation choices as well as restaurants. Another choice would be to stay at Mangsit beach, where there are many choices in from mid-range to budget. If you want to go for more hype than the upcoming place is Kuta, Lombok.

-> For more read Where to stay in Lombok

Related Articles:
Top 10 Things to Do on the Gili Islands
Top 10 Things to Do in Bali
Lombok Travel Guide
Kuta, Lombok Travel Guide
Top 10 Things To Do in Indonesia

Rachel

Fascinated by Indonesia, Rachel hopes to bring the best Indonesia Travel Guide to independent travelers so that they can enjoy what Indonesia has the best to offer. Being an independent wanderer herself, Rachel knows what it takes to make a good, fun-filled yet responsible independent traveling. So let’s join her to discover wonderful Indonesia together.

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