Lombok Trip Guide

How to get there, Where to stay and What to do (2026)

As a destination, Lombok is one of those places that just appeals to every type of traveller. From families, backpackers, surfers, beachgoers, adventurers, and those just wanting to relax, they all seem to leave with the same view: “This was Bali twenty years ago”. It is a piece of paradise that allows you to slow down to a pace that matches the local rhythm whilst enjoying the natural beauty and culture without feeling overrun by tourists from all corners of the world.

For us, it was a time to relax and detox from the 9-to-5 cadence we had left behind as we started a midlife break from work.

A Short History of Lombok

Lombok’s history is shaped by waves of migration, trade, and cultural blending that distinguish it from its more famous neighbour, Bali. The island was originally inhabited by the Sasak people, whose traditions and language remain central to Lombok’s identity today. From around the 16th century, Balinese kingdoms expanded their influence eastward, establishing control over parts of Lombok and leaving a lasting imprint on its culture and architecture.

In the late 19th century, the Dutch colonised the island after defeating the Balinese rulers, incorporating Lombok into the Dutch East Indies. Today, Lombok is emerging as a quieter alternative to Bali, balancing growing tourism with a strong commitment to preserving its natural landscapes and rich cultural traditions.

Where is Lombok?

Lombok is an island in Indonesia, located in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. It lies immediately east of Bali, separated by the Lombok Strait, and west of Sumbawa. The island covers approximately 4,725 square kilometres and is home to around 3.5 million people. Its capital city is Mataram, located on the island's west coast.

Buying our ferry tickets at the Terminal in Bali

How to get to Lombok?

There are several options available to get you to Lombok. We decided to travel from Denpasar in Bali, as this was the easiest and most budget-friendly option available when travelling from Australia at that time.

To get to Lombok from Denpasar, we chose to travel with the Gili Gili Fastboat, which included pickup from our Denpasar airport hotel, although it was very early in the morning due to a schedule change. The drive took two hours, picking up additional guests on the way to Padang Bai for an 8:30 am departure.

Our trip was very calm, although some reviews say it can get a bit rough and sea sickness tablets are advisable; Jo took one just in case.

⛴️ Gili Gili Fastboat: https://www.giligilifastboat.com/

Cost: 948,000 IDR with discount code ($81.62 AUD) for two
Luggage: Includes up to 20kg per person; larger items such as surfboards have an additional charge.
Arrival Transfer: We arranged for the hotel to pick us up for 780,000 IDR, as there were limited other options for where we stayed in Kuta, Lombok.

HOT TIP 🔥

Search for a discount code online. We found one through Google (VALENTRIP), which gave us 632,000 IDR off our total booking.
Take cash to buy breakfast at Padang Bai before boarding. We paid 85,000 IDR for coffee and one banana pancake at the cafe next door to the Gili Gili Fastboat office.
Harbour tax fees are also paid in cash to Gili Gili Fastboat staff at check-in; bring small denominations, as they have limited change; this cost us 60,000 IDR in total.
On arrival, watch out as opportunists may hold your bag when unloaded on the jetty. They will then try to take you to a taxi in a rush. Just stop, check your bags and take a moment to sort yourself.

Where to stay in Lombok?

Our Accor membership gave us a great rate at the Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort. On arrival, we were greeted by Johan at the priority check-in and given an upgrade to a sea view room, then taken to our room, which was lovely. The nine nights here were perfect to relax, and the resort provides shuttle services to downtown Kuta four times a day, although the walk is only about 25 minutes, mostly along a road that fronts the beach.

Booking Details: Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach

Some other options:

Villa Luna Kuta Lombok ($$$) - For large groups, located centrally (can be noisy at night)

SUNDAY Villa ($$) - Self-contained, great for two couples

Nativo Lombok Hotel ($$) - Centrally located

💡 Tip: Homestays are a great option for those on a budget, with plenty available, including last-minute walk-ins.

How to get around Lombok?

You will find Grab/Gojek in the Mataram and Senggigi areas. However, where we stayed in Kuta, your best options are to hire a scooter, hire a car, find a private driver, or join a tour. We aren’t ones to use a scooter in this area, so we utilised the free shuttles from our hotel and were happy to walk around the local area, and we felt very safe at night. If you do hire a scooter or drive a car, be aware that roads are narrow, winding, hilly, and the flow of traffic is very different to what you may be used to at home.

What to see and do in Lombok?

Beaches – spend the day visiting one or more of the numerous beaches for a swim and some snorkelling.

🤿 Secret Gili Private Snorkelling Boat Trip

Surfing – Take a learn-to-surf lesson with one of the local guides, or if you already know how to surf, arrange for a guide to take you to the best breaks.

🏄 Private Surf Lesson For Beginner At Selong Belanak

Village – visit the Sade Village, a traditional Sasak village.

☕️ Waterfalls, Coffee Plantation & Sasak Village Tour

Kuta – wander the streets and beach front of Kuta, watching the locals go about their day-to-day activities.

Nightlife – Friday and Saturday nights seem to be the busiest in Kuta, with the restaurants and bars full of backpackers and holiday makers out to enjoy themselves. Well past our bed prepping time, so we left them to it.

Further afield, you will find waterfalls and hiking opportunities.

HOT TIP 🔥

Wanting to have a resort day but not staying there – Both the Pullman and Novotel Lombok offer day passes for non-staying guests, allowing use of pool areas and direct access to private beaches. You can also order food and drinks from the on-site restaurants or join a happy hour for cocktails. Contact the hotels directly for the rates.

Breakfast from Oz Restaurant Kuta Lombok

Where to eat in Lombok?

We had so many outstanding meals whilst in Kuta, Lombok and tried everything from Warungs to western-style cafes. Our favourite by far was Fish Bones Warung, eating there twice for dinner. You are spoilt for choice throughout the Kuta area, but we would encourage you always to try local food as much as possible.

Fish Bones Warung - https://www.instagram.com/fishboneswarung/
Sea Salt - https://www.facebook.com/SeaSaltLombok/
Jiang Nan - https://www.instagram.com/jiangnan.lombok/
Pawon Nusantara - https://pawonnusantaralombok.com/
OZ Restaurant- https://ozindonesia.com/
Curfew - https://www.curfewlombok.com/home
The Breakery - https://www.instagram.com/thebreakerylombok/

Practical information

Kuta Lombok has everything you need, including pharmacies, grocery stores, Medical, spas, hairdressers and fitness centres. If you have forgotten something, you should be able to get it, although you will need to translate some of the packaging. Download Google Translate and hover over the image with the camera setting.

Some Indonesian words to assist

Halo — Hello

Terima kasih — Thank you

Tolong — Please / Help

Ya — Yes

Tidak — No

Berapa harganya? — How much does it cost?

Di mana? — Where is…?

Kamar kecil / Toilet — Bathroom / Toilet

Hati-hati — Be careful / Take care

Our thoughts on Lombok

For us this trip to Lombok was less touristy than you would expect so getting out and about on tours is not something we did a lot of. In saying that there are so many great things you can do here other than just lounging by the pool - let’s be honest there’s nothing wrong with that though is there!