Is Lombok Worth Visiting? My Honest Review 2026

One of the places that has surprised me the most this year was definitely Lombok in Indonesia.

Lombok is the island right next to Bali, and it’s definitely flying a little under the radar in my opinion. Most people only know it for the Gili Islands or as a jumping-off point for Komodo, but other than that, it doesn’t really get much attention.

Well, that’s exactly what was in my head too, which is why I was so surprised to find out that Lombok is honestly like a much better version of Bali, or at least what Bali was like 10–15 years ago.

I just got back from Lombok after living there for over two months, and I have to say, it’s turned into one of my favorite places in all of Southeast Asia. 

I can totally see how it’s going to get more popular soon, so I figured I’d put together a little guide on is Lombok worth visiting, including what I love, what I didn’t, and some of my favorite things to do.

Is Lombok Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

I know some of you just want a quick answer and don’t want to read a whole blog post, so I’ll give it to you straight: Yes, 100%, Lombok is absolutely worth visiting.

I just spent 2.5 months living in Kuta Lombok, and honestly, it was everything I wanted this island to be, even though when I arrived, I had pretty much zero expectations. 

I was traveling through Southeast Asia, needed a place to lay low for a bit to get some work done, and I picked Lombok without ever having been there. It turned out to be amazing.

The town where I stayed, Kuta Lombok, is one of my favorite places in all of Southeast Asia. It’s a small, laid-back surf town with a great community. It’s kind of a “mini” version of Bali, but in a good way, if that makes sense.

While I was there, I went surfing a lot (way less crowded than in Bali), went to some incredible beach clubs (also way less crowded), and ate at some amazing restaurants, everything from local warungs to high-quality international restaurants, like Greek, Italian, and Mexican. It was the perfect place for me to live for a while.

I hope people won’t hate me for comparing it to Bali, but I feel like I have to because it’s the most helpful context. 

From my own experience, I felt like Lombok was what Bali was 15 years ago. It has a handful of cute cafes, co-working spaces, amazing surf, local and international restaurants, and gorgeous boutique villas and hotels, but everything feels more moderate. 

It isn’t overrun, overdeveloped, or “too much” in the way Bali can feel sometimes.

That said, from my impression and experience, I can tell it’s a destination that’s about to blow up. I’d give it another 5–10 years and it’ll likely be much closer to the Bali experience, with way more tourists and expats. That’s exactly why I recommend you visit sooner rather than later!

What I Love About Lombok Indonesia

Surfing in Lombok 

I’m not a pro surfer at all, but whenever I’m in a surf town, I try to get out there and test my luck. 

I’ve surfed in places like Hiriketiya, Siargao, and Sayulita, but Lombok is easily one of my favorites. Renting a board here is super cheap, and the best part is it’s way less crowded than anywhere else I’ve been. Sure, it was a bit more of a mission to get to the good surf spots, but it was 100% worth it. My favorite spot was definitely Tanjung Aan.

Food in Lombok 

Kuta Lombok really surprised me with how good the food scene is. It’s got a great mix of super cheap, delicious local warungs, like Warung Ombak, and a great variety of international spots. 

I basically lived on the pizza at Mama’s Pizza, but Pizza Shack is great too. I also loved the Greek food at Elamu Lombok and the Mexican food at Cantina Mexicana. My go-to cafes were Kenza and Bara, but there are tons of other gems I’m saving for a separate food guide.

Affordability 

Since Lombok isn’t as mainstream as places like Seminyak or Canggu in Bali, it’s also much more affordable. 

We stayed in a really nice bungalow with a pool right in the city center, and it didn’t cost us much at all. Renting a scooter and eating out was super cheap too. Groceries were the only thing that felt slightly more expensive, but living here for a few months was overall very cheap. I think we spent about $1,200 USD per person a month.

So Many Things to Do in Lombok

I genuinely had no trouble keeping busy. I was surfing a lot, but there’s so much more to do, from paragliding to climbing Mount Rinjani, chasing waterfalls, visiting Pink Beach, or taking a weekend trip to the Gili Islands. I had a such a fun time filling my weeks with activities.

Small Town Vibes (Kuta Lombok specifically) 

I’m honestly obsessed with Kuta Lombok because it’s almost the perfect beach and surf town, and I’ve been to a lot of them. 

It’s easy to get around, the community is great, and it has all the restaurants, cafes, and amenities I need as a digital nomad. At this stage, I honestly don’t get why anyone would choose Bali. I’d pick Kuta Lombok over anywhere in Bali any day.

What I Didn’t Like About Lombok

Lombok is Massive 

Lombok is pretty big, and getting around to explore the whole island is actually a multi-day mission. I ended up doing a full-on road trip on my scooter to see different parts of the island, and I often had to stay overnight somewhere else because while day trips are possible, they’re really only doable for the closer destinations.

Not All Beaches Are Great 

I stayed in Kuta Lombok, and the beach right in town unfortunately isn’t that amazing. Whenever I wanted to go to a better beach, I had to hop on my scooter and drive for at least 15 minutes. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind, which is why I highly recommend that when you book a place in Kuta Lombok, you make sure it has a pool.

A Lot of Trash 

I know this is an issue all over Indonesia, and I realize it has to do with so many factors, including me as a tourist coming there, but the waste disposal system is terrible and there’s a real lack of education around it. It’s hard to complain, but honestly, some of the beaches and roads were just filled with so much trash, just like in Bali to be honest.

My Favorite Things to Do in Lombok

1. Surfing in Lombok 

I know I’ve mentioned this already, but I really do think Lombok is one of the best places in Indonesia for surfing, especially if you’re learning. 

There are so many small, local surf schools here and I had such a great experience with them. They would drive me out to the best beaches and surf breaks, and the instructors were honestly so patient, helpful, and fun to be around.

2. Climbing Mount Rinjani 

Mount Rinjani is one of the highest peaks in all of Indonesia, and climbing it is pretty much the most iconic activity here in Lombok. I’m super into hiking, so I had originally planned on doing it during my stay. 

Unfortunately, a very sad and unfortunate incident happened on the mountain where a hiker passed away, which meant the hike was closed for weeks. After that, I was pretty put off and didn’t really feel the need to do it anymore.

3. Visiting the Gili Islands 

If there’s one place in Indonesia I might like even more than Lombok, it’s the Gili Islands, which technically are part of Lombok! 

There are three of them: Gili Trawangan (Gili T), Gili Air, and Gili Meno. I spent most of my time on both Gili T and Gili Air, and I genuinely lived my best life. 

I was snorkeling, scuba diving, partying, and just laying on the beach. It was the ultimate island getaway for me. If you’re anywhere in the area, I’ll always recommend you visit the Gilis; I really think it’s one of the best spots to visit in all of Indonesia.

FAQs About Lombok Indonesia is it Worth It

Should I go to Bali or Lombok?

After spending multiple months in both, I would say it depends entirely on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a cute little beach town, surfing, and a slower pace than Bali, then yes, definitely go to Lombok. 

However, for sightseeing, especially Balinese and Buddhist temples and that specific cultural scene, Bali is, of course, much better.

Is Lombok better than Bali?

For me, as someone who likes a slower-paced beach and surf town and likes to just chill as a digital nomad, I think Lombok is much better because Bali can be a little “much” sometimes. 

That said, Bali has way more culture and history. Lombok is majorly Muslim, while Bali is famous for all its amazing Hindu temples and rituals.

Is Lombok safe?

Absolutely. Lombok is super safe, at least from my experience. I have never felt unsafe or in danger, nor have I had any incidents or trouble at all. The only thing that might be “dangerous” is the way people drive here, but I guess that’s the same anywhere in Indonesia!

What to do in Lombok?

My favorite activities are for sure surfing and scuba diving over in the Gili Islands. But the waterfalls in Lombok are also stunning, and hiking Mount Rinjani is supposed to be incredible if you’re up for the challenge.

Final Thoughts on Is It Worth Visiting Lombok

To wrap this up: Yes, I really love Lombok, and I 100% think it’s worth visiting. I do like it better than Bali, but I want to emphasize that doesn’t mean you get the “same experience, just better.”

I was in Lombok as a digital nomad wanting to stay somewhere for a longer stretch. Since I don’t love the vibe of places like Seminyak or Canggu, Lombok was just much more my speed. 

But in many ways, the islands are very different. Lombok has beautiful nature with pink beaches, waterfalls, and Rinjani, while Bali has those iconic Hindu palaces, temples, incredible rice terraces in Ubud, and stunning coastal towns in the north. 

I’m only pointing that out because I want you to understand that even though I preferred Lombok, there are things I genuinely love about Bali, too.

I hope this guide on is Lombok worth visiting, gives you a good idea of what the island is about and why it’s such a great place to live or visit!

Check Out My Other Lombok Guides

Is Lombok Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

The Best Cafes in Kuta Lombok: My Favorite Coffee Shops in Kuta

The Best Restaurants in Kuta Lombok: My Top Places to Eat in Lombok