Tourist Attractions In Lombok

Lombok’s main 'city’ or urban centre is actually made up of four separate towns which have virtually merged into a unit. These are Mataram (the administrative capital of Lombok); Cakranegara, which is the commercial centre; Ampenan, which is the main area for tourist accommodation and food; and Sweta, which is the transport hub of the island. These four `towns’ together make up the bulk of Lombok’s urban settlements, and both within them and outside, you’ll find some interesting sights to see.
Gunung Rinjani, or Mount Rinjani, is the most well known of Lombok’s many attractions. The highest mountain on the island, it soars up to a height of 3726 m and is an active volcano. It’s a highly popular sight for foreign as well as local tourists (many locals, though, treat a trek up Rinjani as a pilgrimage).  

The hot springs at the side of the volcano are equally well visited and are believed to have curative powers. There are organised treks right up to the rim of the crater which has a lake 600 m below it, but you should attempt this only if you’re confident of your fitness, are sure-footed, and are willing to rough it out.

The Mayura Water Palace, constructed in 1744 by the Balinese rulers of Lombok, lies on the main road passing through Lombok’s Cakranegara. It’s aptly named- the main highlight of the palace is a large artificial lake, with an island in the centre connected to the bank by a raised footpath; the island has an open-sided pavilion on it. The Water Palace was built as part of the Balinese royal court on Lombok, and it shows- there’s something definitely regal about the beauty of the palace.
Senggigi Beach  Senggigi is Lombok’s most 'touristy’ area. It’s spread over a series of wide bays, and the combination of blue seas and good beaches is irresistible for most sun seeking Western tourists.

The beach resorts at Senggigi are quite well developed, and you can have a very comfortable stay, provided you have the money for it. Just south of Senggigi lies the Batu Bolong Temple, which stands on a rock jutting out into the sea. There are a lot of sharks in the surrounding waters, and many locals say that the reason for this is that lovely virgins were once thrown to the sea from the rock.

Offshore from Lombok, the Gili Islands have beautiful coral formations and are great for a quiet and relaxed holiday on the beach. The islands are small and thankfully without the traffic and noise associated of larger cities.

Other than the Gilis and Senggigi, there are a number of other good beach resorts, which are worth a visit if you like sunbathing, swimming or snorkelling. The more popular beaches include Kuta and Gerupak, which is particularly good for surfing, as are Mawan, Tampi and Mawi.

Sukarara is one of the cultural centres of Lombok- it’s known for its weaving and basketwork. All the villages in the area have stone houses with thatch roofs, and produce an amazingly wide variety of products- textiles and basketry. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re at all interested in shopping, or even if you’re just curious about the local crafts.