After traveling through many countries and islands, Lombok stood out in a way no other place did. The calm atmosphere, strong Islamic values, natural beauty, and genuine kindness of the people made us feel at home from the very first visit. What started as a travel destination, eventually became the place where we chose to make hijrah and build our life.
Lombok is called ‘the island of a 1.000 mosques’ and in reality, the number comes closer to 10.000 mosques. There’s so much to see, but knowing where to stay and how to plan your days makes all the difference. We live on Lombok, which allows us to go beyond the tourist highlights and discover daily life and local culture.
What we love most about the island is its diverse landscapes and experiences. In the South, you’ll find white-sand beaches, turquoise bays, surf towns, and coastal cliffs. In North Lombok, Mount Rinjani changes the landscape completely. The air is cooler, the views are green, and you’ll find waterfalls, rice terraces, mountains, local villages, and small roads through the jungle. These areas are peaceful and untouched. Meanwhile, the capital, Mataram, gives you a glimpse into everyday life on Lombok, where Islam and Sasak culture are part of daily life.
Lombok is a place where nature, adventure, and Islamic values come together.
Below, we’re sharing some general information about Lombok. If you want to discover the real hidden gems, quiet beaches and detailed travel routes, our complete guide is the best way to experience the island.
One of the things we love most about Lombok is its people. The locals are genuinely warm and welcoming, and as Muslim travelers we often felt a natural sense of familiarity in daily interactions. That’s why meeting local people in different places and activities always adds something special to the experience.
When it comes to things to do, Lombok is very diverse. You can spend slow days on quiet beaches, explore waterfalls hidden in the jungle, drive through green rice fields, or stop at viewpoints with wide open scenery. You can also hike Mount Rinjani if you’re up for something more adventurous, or take a short trip to the Gili Islands for a completely different island vibe.
Below is just a general overview of what Lombok has to offer. In our full Lombok guide, we share the exact places we personally recommend — from quiet beaches and waterfalls to viewpoints and hidden spots that are not always easy to find online, all from a Muslim travel perspective.
The 3 famous Gili islands are Trawangan, Meno, and Air. Whenever we feel like escaping the mainland for a few days, the Gilis are usually our first choice. The beaches are beautiful, the water is crystal clear, and the snorkeling is some of the best around Lombok.
We always love a good snorkeling trip. Most of the time we book these kind of trips via through GetYourGuide (use halaltravelasia5 for 5% off). Most tours depart from Gili Trawangan and visit the waters around Gili Air and Gili Meno.
TIP: Check the group size before booking to make sure the experience stays relaxed and enjoyable. Our group was quite large, so next time we would probably choose a private tour.
West-coast beaches like Sunset Beach offer beautiful sunsets with Mount Agung in the background. We recommend arriving around 5 PM so you can find a good spot on the beach or at one of the beachfront restaurants. Around 7 PM, screens are set up on the sand and you can enjoy a movie right on the beach.
Tired of the beach? Join a silver jewelry making class on Gili Air, where you can create your own silver piece. With guidance from skilled local artisans, you’ll learn traditional silversmithing techniques from design to finishing. We recommend booking this activity at least two days in advance via this site (use halaltravelasia5 for 5% off).
Horse riding is a Sunnah sport in Islam, so what’s better than doing this activity on a tropical island? It’s a beginner-friendly 1-hour experience that let you explore quiet beaches and village paths on horseback, guided by experienced handlers. We booked this activity via this site (use halaltravelasia5 for 5% off).
Located on the west coast of Lombok, Senggigi is known for its long beaches and views over the sea. It sits between the hills and the coastline, making it a good starting point to explore different parts of the island.
In Senggigi, you’ll find beaches, local restaurants, and some great sunsets. It’s an easy place to stay, because you’re close to Mataram, while still being near nature and the ocean.
Beaches like Nipah Beach and Setangi Beach in Senggigi have soft sand and are great for swimming, relaxing, and walking. Hungry? Have lunch at one of the many warungs on the beach that provide fresh local food and drinks.
When we first visited Lombok, this was one of the very first tours we did and, to this day, we still consider it a must-do. During the tour, we visited local families who help preserve the surrounding forest and learned how products such as palm sugar, cacao, and coffee are made. We joined a cooking class and made our own lunch!
One of the highlights is the easy jungle hike, where we learned about the different fruits and plants that grow in the area and how local people use them in their daily lives. What we love most is that this tour supports the local community in protecting the forest and creating sustainable livelihoods.
It’s best to book this tour directly with Ikbal via WhatsApp +62 823-4277-5358
Mataram is the island’s capital, and when we first visited, we were surprised by how developed it felt. For a moment, we almost forgot we were on an island.
Located just inland from Lombok’s west coast, Mataram is the center of daily life and connects different parts of the island. Here, you’ll find shopping malls, markets, mosques, schools, and busy local neighborhoods.
Islamic Center NTB is the largest mosque on Lombok. Besides being a place of worship, it also serves as a center for education and community activities. Outside, you’ll find a miniature Kaaba where students can practice the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. The mosque itself is an impressive piece of architecture. One of its most striking features is the 99-meter minaret, symbolizing the 99 names of Allah.
Epicentrum Mall is the largest shopping mall in Mataram. You’ll find international brands alongside many local and Asian stores. There are many playgrounds throughout the mall, food courts on the lower ground and ground floors, and a mosque on the 2nd floor.
TIP: The mall gets especially busy from Friday evening and throughout the weekend, so if possible, visit between Monday and Thursday.
Joining a city tour always comes in handy if you are on schedule or want the comfort of not figuring it all out yourself. It’s also a great way to see the cultural highlights of the capital. We recommend to book a few days in advance via this site (use halaltravelasia5 for 5% off).
Villages around Mount Rinjani are surrounded by hills and mountain views and the drives through this area are some of the most scenic on the island. In our opinion the next three places are definitely worth adding to your itinerary, as they still feel authentic.
Bayan, where Islam originated and began on Lombok. You can find the oldest mosque here. Combine it with Senaru for the most beautiful waterfalls, only 15 min away.
Sembalun is one of the most underrated areas on Lombok and, in our opinion, deserves much more attention. Driving through the mountains and hearing the adhaan echo across the valley in such a setting feels truly special.
In Sembalun you can expect breathtaking viewpoints, a unique landscape, and beautiful nature. Because of its higher elevation, temperatures are much cooler than in the rest of Lombok.
We often call Tetebatu the most fertile part of Lombok. Surrounded by rice fields and Mount Rinjani, almost everything seems to grow here. It’s one of our favorite areas for walks through the rice terraces and experiencing a more traditional side of the island.
We definitely recommend to stay a few days, but you can also book a daytrip. We share our contacts with the best prices in our Lombok Travel Guide.
In our Lombok guide, we’ve collected all things to do and activities in these villages in one place, so you can easily plan your trip. The guide includes exact locations, our favorite hotels, halal restaurants, and direct contacts with discounts we’ve arranged.
If you ask us where to find the most beautiful beaches on Lombok, our answer would definitely be the South. With its white-sand beaches, turquoise bays, and rolling hills, this is one of our favorite parts of the island.
Kuta is where most tourists choose to stay in the south and offers the largest selection of restaurants, cafés and accommodations. Because of its popularity, it attracts many Western tourists, which means you’ll find nightlife, alcohol, and restaurants serving pork.
For this reason, we prefer staying in Selong Belanak. Located about 30 minutes from Kuta, it offers a quieter and more local atmosphere while still being close to many of South Lombok’s best beaches.
Visit Tanjung Aan Beach for white sand and clear water, but expect it to be quite busy. Go to Mawun Beach for a more relaxed atmosphere. Selong Belanak Beach is great for swimming in the waves or learning how to surf, but it can also get crowded.
We share our full list of quiet beaches, including more hidden and private spots, in our travel guide.
Merese Hill in Kuta is the most popular sunset spot and can easily be combined with Tanjung Aan Beach. A short and easy walk takes you to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with views over white-sand beaches, turquoise water, and the surrounding coastline.
This cooking class near in Kuta is a great way to experience local culture through food. You’ll learn how to prepare traditional Lombok dishes with fresh ingredients and enjoy the meal afterward. This activity is especially nice if you want to do something different from beaches and sightseeing. Book the cooking class here. Use halaltravelasia5 for 5% discount.
We visited this small farm in Mawun with our friends and their kids. You can play with animals and there is an organic farm. The place is continuously expanding with new activities like BBQ nights, outdoor cinema, and farming experiences. You can find more info and prices here.
