Lombok is an island with a beautiful sea and amazing beaches as highlights. However, that's not all the things to do in Lombok. Expect more than pristine white sand and exotic palm trees. So to answer your question about what to see in Lombok or what to do, this guide will discuss all the best holiday activities in detail. This way you know where to go when you stay at an Indonesian holiday resort.
1. Professional motorcycle racing
Lombok has the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit. International events such as the MotoGP Lombok and Superbike are held here annually. You can also attend other national and regional race events. Mandalika MotoGP 2026 will be held from 9 to 11 October.
The uniqueness of this circuit is the bend that directly faces the open sea. Therefore, many WSBK Lombok attendees favour this track over others. Make sure to add it to your things to do in Lombok.
You can also discover various natural beauties in the Mandalika area. This ranges from the coast to the hills. And the significant growth after the world-class event also gave the area the best facilities.
2. Traditional village
The next thing to do in Lombok is to visit the traditional villages. In some of these you can see the process and even learn about weaving or other crafts. The villages have traditional buildings and some offer to rent out their traditional clothes. These are four recommended villages:
- Tetebatu
- Sade Village
- Sukarara Village
- Pringgasela Village
If you visit a traditional village and want to buy handmade goods, make sure you bring cash. However, don't be surprised if Lombok's traditional woven fabrics are expensive, one weft 60 x 200 cm takes 2-4 weeks to work on. The density of the fabric, complexity of the motifs, and traditional craftmanship are the main factors.
3. Nightlife
If you are a party lover, the Lombok nightlife should be on your list of things to do in Lombok. Kuta is a hotspot on the main island and Gili Trawangan is also sometimes dubbed the Party Island.
The nightlife is famous for its open bars and beach bars. At some places you have DJs for entertainment, but reggae and live music are also highlights. It's a definite if you're looking for what to do in the Gili Islands.
4. Yoga
You can include yoga as something to do in Lombok to refresh your mind and body. If you are a beginner, don't worry, there are lots of classes for every level. Some places even have hill, sea, or beach views as the background during your class. Being a well-known activity, you can find regular Lombok yoga classes with various flows every morning, afternoon, and evening.
5. Anything with food
There are many things to do in Indonesia, yet food is something everyone is interested in. With every region having its own specialities, this island is no different. So make sure to add a food tasting or cooking class as a thing to do in Lombok. Don’t worry, not every dish is spicy. Especially for tourists, the spiciness is toned down or even eliminated.
6. Trekking and hiking
For the sporty and adventurous travellers, there are various things to do in Lombok. The second highest volcano of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, is located here. You choose to climb in a group or opt for the private hike.
To reach the top, you need to count 3 or 4 days depending on the trip. But you don't need to worry because you can hire porters and guides who will show you the way, cook, set up tents, carry all the stuff and in general help you to reach the top.
Apart from the volcano, there are small hills to conquer if you wish to do some Lombok hiking. Do this as a warm-up or just for fun. Lombok has Pergasingan Hill where you can take the stairs to the top. And for Lombok adventure seekers, there are Anak Dara Hills, which have an altitude of 1,937 metres above sea level.
It is even possible to rent a mountain bike in Lombok and drive through the hills. Pusuk Bike Park and Gunung Sasak Bike Park are the best for that. Both are very proper, even up to competition standards.
7. Snorkelling
Every point of the sea here is beautiful for snorkelling. So it is certainly one of the things to do in Lombok. Of course, there are also still the best places for snorkelling in Lombok. For instance, you can target a particular object or marine biota.
Like when you want to see underwater statues, home to countless fish, go to Gili Meno. If you want to see sea turtles, go to Gili Trawangan. And so on. You don't even have to own a snorkel, mask, or fins, you can rent them easily.
8. Diving
If you want to explore deeper underwater beauty, then diving must be on your list of things to do in Lombok. Both scuba diving or freediving is possible here. Deeper underwater, you will encounter a completely different scenery than while snorkelling.
If this is your first time diving experience and you are not certified, Lombok has certified instructors such as PADI. The best time for snorkelling is May to September, because during the dry season when you get more sunshine. Then you can see more clearly underwater up to 10 - 39 m (30 - 120 feet).
9. Surfing
Next to the amazement underwater, it’s fun to stay above the water. Many tourists come on holiday to surf in Lombok. Because of the very broad coastline, you will find surfing waves for all levels. Beginner to advanced, right and left handed, etc. There are even surf camps to learn everything in a couple of days or weeks.
Surfing in Lombok is very common, on beaches with good waves, you can easily find surf board rentals and instructors. For beginners, Kuta and Selong Belanak can be an option. If you stay at the Amazing Lombok Resort, you can reach Selong Belanak Beach in just 10 minutes by motorbike.
And if you are on the Gili Trio, surfing is something you need to include on your what to do in the Gili Islands list. On all three Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, you can surf with calm waves.
10. Family activities
If you are visiting Lombok with kids, the island also has lots of options for you. Surfing and snorkelling are activities that you can enjoy with your family. For instance, Selong Belanak is safe for surfing with kids. The water slopes very gently which means that the waves break in relatively shallow water with a soft sand bottom. Experienced coaches and guides will welcome you for a beginner's course.
When you choose to go snorkelling with kids, there are many islands you can visit. Book a trip to Gili Asahan, Gili Meno, or Gili Nanggu for quality family time. Here you’ll find calm beach currents for you and your children.
11. Paragliding
As we already know, Lombok has lots of hills. Therefore, Paragliding is one of the best things to do in Lombok. Some recommendations are Malimbu Hill which has open views of the beach. Then Puncak Pusuk with views of tropical forests and green valleys. And the last one is Tanjung Aan with its very wide beach views.
You can take a tour organised by a licensed local paragliding operator. Prices range from IDR 500,000 to 1,500,000 (USD 32-96 | AUD 50-150 | EUR 30-90) per person. These prices may vary depending on factors such as flight duration, flying altitude, and additional facilities such as aerial video or photos. Some trips start in Kuta, therefore it's a great thing to do Kuta Lombok.
Best things to do in Lombok
These are our recommendations for the 11 best things to do in Lombok during your holiday. Whether you are on vacation alone, on a honeymoon or travel with kids, the island offers a wide variety of activities. You can also check out the best Lombok destinations to know where to go and where to stay in Lombok, if not at Amazing Lombok Resort.
If you don’t know the island yet, be sure to learn all about Lombok in our travel guide. Visiting Indonesia is so much easier if you understand the etiquette, holidays, and more. Finally, you can discover more about food in Lombok. Especially Kuta has a lot of amazing restaurants which you should visit.
Last updated on: 08 June 2026