The Lombok Riviera – Is this the new Phuket?

White, kilometer-long and often deserted sandy beaches, green hills, high volcanoes and turquoise blue sea at tropical temperatures. This is how the island of Lombok presents itself. 

Lombok Riviera
Lancing Beach – Lombok Riviera; Foto: Aaron Böhme (@exploreappeal)

White, kilometer-long and often deserted sandy beaches, green hills, high volcanoes and turquoise blue sea at tropical temperatures. This is how the island of Lombok presents itself. 

Lombok-Riviera
Lancing Beach – Lombok Riviera; Foto: Aaron Böhme (@exploreappeal)

Overlooked by the 3,726-meter-high Gunung Rinjani in the northeast, the second largest volcano in Indonesia and significantly higher than Bali’s Gunung Agung. All this is embedded in a lush green and largely untouched jungle backdrop and offering spectacular marine life. The island of Lombok has no shortage of attractions, both in and out of the water. 

Especially the Lombok Riviera in the south of Lombok is gaining significant fame. 

The first race, on the brand-new MotoGP- circuit that is already under construction, will take place at the end of 2021. How cool is that? The circuit is part of the government-backed Mandalika development, that will boast a huge variety of amenities like a golf course, several 5-star hotels, parks, sky trains and a lot more! 

All this is part of the Lombok Riviera, where the first exclusive villa developments and boutique resorts like Kuta Sunset and Mandalika View emerge.

Kuta Mandalika the tourism main-hub of the Lombok Riviera is just a 20-minute drive away from the Lombok international airport. In Kuta you will find amazing restaurants like El Bazar, Kenza or Kemangi and many others. In Krnk, Bus Bar and Surfers Bar you can get well-mixed cocktails and go out for a night of party, good people and Lombok fun! 

Just 20 minutes ride on a coastal road with breathtaking scenery you will find Selong Belanak Beach. If that sounds familiar to you, do not be surprised. Yearly Selong Belanak is rated under the top beaches worldwide!
Around Selong Belanak you will find beautiful and exclusive tropical developments like Kapal Oasis and Coconut Creek

Where to stay on the Lombok Riviera?

Villa Kirikan – Lombok Riviera; Foto: Villa Kirikan (@kirikanvillas)

In Kuta there are already plenty of amazing places like Rascals, Jivana, Villa Sorgas, Villa Bliss or the famous Novotel. As well you can find places for a budget like Batu Bambu, that are connected with the Sasak culture of Lombok!
Around Selong Belanak, you should definitely check out Villa Kirikan or Sempiak Villas with its beautiful Laut Biru restaurant.

What to do on the Lombok Riviera?

The Lombok Riviera offers plenty of unspoiled tropical beaches. At some of them, you will find fancy restaurants built out of bamboo, others are pure and raw nature. The bamboo restaurants offer fresh coconuts and delicious local cuisine! Take your time to explore this soothing paradise. Tanjung Aan Beach, Selong Belanak Beach, Semeti Beach, Mandalika Beach are definitely worth a visit.

If you are more of an adventuress nature you won’t miss out. The Lombok Riviera offers some of the best surf spots in the world. Check out Mawi, the famous Gerupuk Bay or Desert Point. Other activities would be Kite-Surfing, Trekking Mt. Rinjani, amazing road-trips, paragliding, diving or high-sea-fishing.

Day trips are another huge thing on the Lombok Riviera. Around Lombok there are more than 30 small islands that are waiting to be explored. There are a lot of day trips for snorkeling or just to explore those small tropical paradises. Another option would be to explore the rice fields in Tetebatu village or some of the numerous waterfalls.

Either you are family on holiday, a couple on honeymoon, or a single traveler the Lombok Riviera will enchant you and you will never be able to forget this dreamy experience!