Lombok — Gili Islands, Sasak Village Sade & Itinerary

When I travel to very popular destinations, I always like to research about off-beat places nearby that would be fun to visit. Lombok had been on my bucketlist ever since I first knew about this island. I promised myself that I would go there in case I ever find myself in Bali. Both islands are located next to each other and well-connected by frequent daily flights & ferries.

I was ecstatic when I discovered that I would finally visit Bali and Lombok for the first time during our 12-day Trip of Wonders tour. We spent two days exploring the pristine beaches and cultural sights in Lombok.

Where’s there to see in Lombok? Most travelers visit Kota Beach, a prime surf spot, and the Gili Islands, three very chill off-shore islets that can be found near the northern coast of the mainland. It’s also popular among trekkers for Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second tallest active volcano known for its magnificent sunrise views.

Sasak Village of Sade

Sasak Sade Village in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

After arriving at Lombok International Airport and lunch at Kuta Beach, we spent most of the afternoon at the Sasak Village of Sade in South Lombok. This cultural village showcased the traditions and culture of the Sasak people, one of the oldest tribes in the island.

I loved seeing the unique thatched-roof houses (Rumah Bale Tani) & adrenaline-pumping performances that welcomed us.

Sasak Sade Village in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

It was a bit touristic, filled with shops but I really enjoyed how compact and well maintained the houses were. There was also a good variety of colorful sarongs that caught my eye. If you’re keen on shopping for souvenirs, this is an excellent place to go.

Gili Islands (The Gilis)

Gili Trawangan Island in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

If you’re craving for serious beach time, don’t miss these three little islands dotted off the northern coast of Lombok — Gili Trawangan (Gili T), Gili Meno & Gili Air. Each island has its distinctive character. You can stay in any of the three that suits you. Gili Trawangan caters more to savvy travelers & party heads, Gili Air has a very local vibe, and Gili Meno has the most deserted feel. All three are beautiful and vastly laidback compared to Bali.

The waters surrounding these islands are divine! You can find a dazzling spectrum of blues here from aquamarine to deep navy shades. The quality of sand was the best I’ve seen in Indonesia.

The islands are also a famous place to swim with sea turtles. We didn’t spot them when we went snorkeling off the coast Gili Air though, but almost all travelers I’ve met had said that it was impossible not to spot one. I guess we were just really unlucky or didn’t spend enough time looking for them.

Snorkeling at Gili Islands in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

Where to Eat

El Kuta Bazar Restaurant

El Kuta Bazar Restaurant in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

First stop after arriving at the airport was Kuta. This beachside village in south Lombok is known as a surfing and backpacker’s haven. We didn’t go for the surf though. Instead, we came to find El Kuta Bazar Restaurant, a Moroccan-inspired foodie & coffee haven. The warm weather, homey interiors, & blue pop accents instantly put us in a Mediterranean mood. This place is a must-try if you’re looking for good food & ambiance.

• Location: Jl. Raya Kuta No. 5, Kuta, Pujut, Kabupaten Lombok Tengah, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83573, Indonesia

RM Ayam Taliwang Raya

We ate at RM Ayam Taliwang Raya on our first night in Mataram, the capital city of Lombok. This place is also very laidback and offered a good selection of local food.

Ayam Taliwang (spicy Indonesian grilled chicken) a famous specialty in Lombok. This dish is very delicious & a must-try if you’re looking for local flavors in the island. The taste is similar to Philippine-style grilled chicken (inasal) but spicier and coated with distinctive flavorful sauce. Make sure to tell the cook to tone down the spiciness if you’re not used to it.

• Location: Jalan Arya Banjar Getas No. 33, Mataram, Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83118, Indonesia

3 Days Lombok Itinerary

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Book Your Stay

Golden Tulip Hotel Mataram

Golden Tulip Hotel in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

This hotel was our home in Mataram, Lombok for two nights. Located between the Gili Islands and Kuta area, Mataram was an ideal place to stay for us because of the city’s central location on the island. Golden Tulip Hotel had an opulent and modern feel to it that made our stay quite special. You can expect up-to-standards service & amenities from this 4-star hotel.

Book a room on the uppermost floors facing Mount Rinjani. The views during sunrise and sunset were spectacular! We also liked the wide variety of local dishes on their breakfast & dinner buffet and the refreshing infinity pool.

If you plan on staying at Golden Tulip Hotel Mataram, don’t forget to check rates, discounts & enjoy easy online bookings on Agoda or Booking.com.

This post is part of a travel blog series inspired by my 12-day journey in Indonesia. The trip brought me, along with other top digital influencers to some of the country’s top & up-and-coming destinations including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Komodo Islands & Bali.

Special thanks to Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia for making this trip possible. For more inspiration, you can reach & follow them through this channels:

• Website: indonesia.travel
• Facebook: Indonesia.Travel
• Instagram: @indtravel
• Twitter: @indtravel
• Hashtags to follow: #WonderfulIndonesia #TripofWonders