When I left Australia after five years, I decided to take a long trip before going back to Italy.
My first stop was Lombok, a beautiful island in Indonesia, just next to Bali but still very different from it.
I took a small plane from Bali to Lombok (the kind with propellers!), and the flight took about 40 minutes. From there, I explored the island from south to north: starting in Kuta, then to the Secret Gili islands, up to Mataram (the capital), the waterfalls around Senaru and Senggigi, climbed Mount Rinjani, and finally down to the peaceful rice terraces of Tetebatu.
Lombok is magical, still preserved from mass tourism and full of authenticity.
Places that I visited in Lombok
Kuta Lombok
From the airport, I took a Bluebird taxi to Kuta, my first stop on Lombok.
If you’ve been to Kuta in Bali, forget everything you know, this Kuta is completely different!
Nestled between gentle hills and turquoise beaches, it has a calm, relaxed vibe. There’s no hustle, no overcrowded streets, just a laid-back coastal town that feels like it’s moving at its own slow pace.
The best way to explore the area is by renting a motorbike. I was a bit nervous at first, remembering the chaotic traffic in Bali, but here the roads are quiet and driving feels safe. Just wear a helmet, take it slow, and enjoy the freedom to stop whenever a viewpoint or hidden beach catches your eye. Since there’s no Grab or Gojek here, a scooter is really the only way to discover the hidden corners of the area.
Kuta Lombok is also a hub for yoga and wellness. I fell in love with Shanti Yoga Lombok, a peaceful studio tucked among the trees, where you can hear birds singing and occasionally spot a turtle wandering nearby. The teacher was incredible, guiding the class in a way that left me feeling calm, grounded, and completely recharged.
Beyond yoga, Kuta has a growing selection of cafés and local eateries, serving everything from fresh smoothies and coconut bowls to grilled fish right on the beach.
The sunsets here are unforgettable…golden light spilling over the ocean, with surfers catching the last waves of the day. Whether you’re here to relax, explore, or just breathe in the sea air, Kuta Lombok is the perfect introduction to the island.
Then, grab your scooter and head to Tanjung Aan Beach, about 30 minutes from Kuta. The ride itself is beautiful; winding roads through small villages, rice fields, and hills with occasional glimpses of the sea.
When you arrive, you’ll find a long stretch of soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and a few local warungs right on the beach.
It’s the perfect spot to relax, swim, or just watch the waves roll in.
At the warungs, you can enjoy freshly grilled fish, classic nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), or sip coconut water straight from the coconut…my absolute favorite.
For sunset, don’t miss Kuta Beach itself. I was lucky to be there on a full moon night, and the sky looked almost unreal — deep purples and oranges fading into the silver glow of the moon over the ocean. Local fishermen were bringing in their nets, and the few people around were quietly watching, soaking in the colors. Whether it’s a calm evening stroll or snapping a few photos, the sunset here feels like a private show just for you.
Secret Gilis – Gili Gede
From Kuta, I booked a taxi to the port and then took a small boat to Gili Gede, one of the “Secret Gilis.”
These islands are perfect if you want a quiet, local experience far from the crowds of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Gili Air.
Gili Gede is still one of Lombok’s best-kept secrets. This small island remains quiet and authentic, with only a few tourists and many welcoming locals always smiling as you walk by.
I stayed at Yellow Coco Gili Gede, booked through Agoda. The owner, Sophia, was so kind and made me feel at home immediately with tea and travel tips. There are only three small bungalows, right by the beach. Next door there’s a warung with great food, and yes, a mosque nearby, so expect to hear the morning prayers at 4 am! 😀
In the evening, I went to the Sunset Bar, the only bar on the beach, to watch the sunset. The low tide revealed women collecting crabs along the shore, such a peaceful and beautiful sight.
From here, you can join a local snorkeling tour around the “Secret Gilis”, a group of tiny islands including Gili Layar, Gili Rengit, Gili Goleng and Gili Asahan. Most guesthouses can arrange the trip for you, usually on small wooden boats run by local fishermen. The snorkeling is incredible, with healthy coral reefs, colorful fish, and sea turtles often swimming nearby.
A highlight of the tour is Gili Layar, a tiny island with just two local warungs serving grilled fish and fresh coconuts right on the beach. It’s an ideal lunch stop before heading back to Gili Gede in the late afternoon. The calm atmosphere, clear sea, and unspoiled nature make this area one of Lombok’s most underrated treasures.
Air Berik Waterfalls and Senggigi
After four days, I left Gili Gede with the same Slovak couple, and we shared a car to explore some waterfalls.
Air Berik Waterfall (sometimes written Air Terjun Benang Kelambu or Benang Stokel, depending which one people mean nearby) is in Central Lombok, near the small village of Aik Berik, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kuta or 1 hour from Mataram by scooter or car.
It’s located inside the Mount Rinjani National Park area, surrounded by lush jungle and rice fields. There are actually two main waterfalls in that zone:
Benang Stokel Waterfall – the easier one to reach, with two main cascades and a swimming spot.
Benang Kelambu Waterfall – the more famous one, known for its multiple soft streams that fall like a green curtain over mossy rocks (that’s the one often called “Air Berik Waterfall”).
You can visit both with a local guide (usually included in the small entrance fee of around 20–30k IDR), they’re about a 20-minute walk apart through the forest. The path between them winds through thick vegetation and rice fields, making it a peaceful break from the beach life. Bring reef shoes, the rocks can get slippery, and go early in the morning to have the place almost to yourself.
Then I stopped in Senggigi, on the northwest coast, while the couple continued north. Senggigi is one of those places that people often skip when rushing to the Gili Islands, which is a mistake. It’s not a “wow” destination at first sight, but if you stay a bit, you start to see its charm. The town stretches along a long coastal road lined with palm trees, local warungs, and small resorts, where sunsets feel like private shows.
The main beach, Senggigi Beach, isn’t as perfect as Gili’s powder-white sand, but it’s peaceful, great for swimming, and especially for watching the sky turn pink and orange over Mount Agung in Bali. Locals often play football on the sand at sunset, and small bars light bonfires as the evening starts.
Senggigi is also a good base for exploring Lombok’s west coast.
From here, I rented a motorbike to explore Nipah Beach. It felt like stepping back in time, just me and locals. This beach is one of Lombok’s underrated gems, a calm, palm-fringed bay about 20 minutes north of Senggigi. The road to get there is already worth the trip: winding coastal views, green hills, and endless ocean stretching toward the Gilis. It’s the kind of drive where you stop every few minutes just to take photos. The beach itself is quiet and mostly visited by locals, especially on weekends. The sand is golden, and the water is incredibly clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling near the rocks at the edges of the bay. You can rent snorkeling gear directly from small beach stalls. Along the shore, you’ll find a few warungs (local restaurants) serving grilled fish caught the same morning, red snapper, squid, or mahi-mahi, all cooked over coconut charcoal. Try it with rice, sambal, and a cold coconut!
It’s one of those spots where you get that “tropical paradise” feeling without the crowds or inflated prices…a good reminder that Lombok doesn’t need beach clubs to be beautiful.
Later in the afternoon, I drove up to Malimbu Hill, one of the best sunset spots in Lombok, located about 15 minutes north of Senggigi. The road curves along the coast, offering panoramic views of turquoise water, green cliffs, and the distant outlines of the Gili Islands. As I reached the top, a few locals were already sitting on the grass selling coconuts and snacks from small stalls.
I grabbed a fresh coconut, found a quiet spot overlooking the ocean, and just sat there watching the light change. The sky slowly turned from soft pink to deep orange, reflecting on the calm sea below.
A few cheeky monkeys played nearby, jumping from tree to tree and watching everyone with curious eyes. They seemed harmless until one decided my coconut was his evening treat and snatched it straight from my hand, the perfect island moment to end the day :D.
If you visit Malimbu Hill, come a bit early to find a good spot, bring water (or a coconut from the vendors), and stay after sunset to watch the sky fade into purple over the Gilis. It’s free, peaceful, and feels like the kind of place that hasn’t changed in years.
Senaru & Mount Rinjani
In Senggigi, I booked a trip to Mount Rinjani, one of the biggest adventures of my life. I’ll write about that climb in a separate article because it deserves all the details.
After the Rinjani trekking, I decided to stay in Senaru for half a day before continuing my journey.
It’s a peaceful mountain village at the foot of the volcano, surrounded by lush jungle and cool misty air — the kind of place where time slows down. I ate at Rinjani Guesthouse, a lovely spot overlooking the valley, where you can eat with panoramic views of the forest and watch black monkeys jumping between the trees. The sound of the waterfall in the distance makes it even more relaxing.
Senaru is also the starting point for visiting two of Lombok’s most famous waterfalls: Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep.
The trail begins near the village and takes about 30 minutes to reach both falls, following a shaded path through the jungle, bamboo bridges, and small streams. You don’t really need a guide if you’re used to hiking, the trail is easy to follow and well-marked but wear reef shoes because the rocks can be slippery.
The first waterfall, Sendang Gile, is smaller with clear water cascading over smooth rocks. A few minutes further up the path, the sound of rushing water gets louder until you reach Tiu Kelep, the real gem. The moment you step into the clearing, you feel the power of the place: a huge wall of water crashing into a turquoise pool, surrounded by moss-covered cliffs and mist swirling in the air.
I went early in the morning, just after sunrise, and it was only me and another girl from Australia. We had the whole waterfall to ourselves, swimming under the cold water while rainbows formed in the mist. It felt completely untouched, like stepping into a secret world hidden inside the jungle.
If you visit, go early to avoid the crowds and bring a waterproof bag for your things…you’ll definitely get wet on the way.
Tetebatu
My last stop in Lombok was Tetebatu, a peaceful village tucked between Mount Rinjani and lush rice terraces.
To get there, I took a taxi arranged by my guesthouse, and we made a short stop in Sembalun Lawang on the way. The village sits high on the slopes, with monkeys playfully hopping along the roads and breathtaking views of the valley stretching below, a perfect introduction to Lombok’s quieter side.
In Tetebatu, I stayed at Tetebatu Terrace Homestay, a charming place surrounded by green fields. The homestay had a small café serving local dishes and freshly brewed coffee, perfect for watching the morning mist slowly lift from the terraces.
During my stay, I met two girls from Spain and one from Australia, and together we explored the village’s natural treasures.
Tetebatu is ideal for hiking and nature walks: small trails wind through rice fields, bamboo forests, and clove plantations, with occasional glimpses of traditional Sasak houses. The village is also a gateway to some waterfalls, including Gangga and Jeruk Manis, where water tumbles into natural pools surrounded by jungle, perfect for a refreshing dip.
One of the most memorable experiences was being invited by local farmers to help harvest rice. Learning their traditional methods was humbling and joyful, a rare chance to connect with local life in an authentic way.
Tetebatu is the perfect place to slow down, explore at your own pace, and soak in the natural beauty of Lombok before moving on to your next adventure.
For lunch, I stopped at Green Day Bungalow, a peaceful little spot tucked among the rice terraces. The food was simple but delicious, very affordable, and the view made every bite feel like a luxury.
Later, I wandered into the Monkey Forest of Tetebatu, a hidden gem much more natural and serene than the more touristy monkey forests in Bali. The forest is quiet, with tall trees and dappled sunlight, and the monkeys mostly keep to the treetops, calmly observing visitors.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot the rare black monkeys peeking through the branches.
It’s the kind of place where you can just sit on a rock, watch the forest life unfold, and feel completely immersed in nature.
Lombok is a magical island… peaceful, wild, and full of kind, welcoming people. Every corner of the island has its own charm, from the quiet beaches and vibrant coral reefs to the misty waterfalls and lush rice terraces. I wish I had stayed longer to soak in even more of its natural beauty and local life.
It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for a mix of beaches, culture, waterfalls, and adventure, all without the crowds and chaos of Bali. Whether you want to hike volcanoes, snorkel with turtles, or simply relax with a fresh coconut in hand, Lombok has it all.
If you’re planning a trip, I can’t recommend it enough! Pack your camera, bring your curiosity, and let the island surprise you.
Next stop: Labuan Bajo and the Komodo Islands… but that’s a story for another article!
If you’d like to see more of what I do, I share photos and videos of the places I fall in love with on Instagram @itstravale.
I hope you’ll find in my stories not only destinations to add to your list, but also the courage to take your own leap