The most beautiful places in Bali & Lombok
AsiaThis blog post highlights Bali and Lombok. Visiting all the sights will take you about three weeks. Do you love beaches, nature, waterfalls, snorkeling, and surfing? Then a visit to Bali and Lombok is definitely recommended!
Island life on the Nusa Islands
To truly immerse yourself in the island atmosphere, you can travel from Sanur to the island of Nusa Lembongan. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. Despite the boat bobbing a bit, we found the journey quite manageable. However, we've heard from others that the ride can be quite rough, especially in strong winds. You can travel from Nusa Lembongan to neighboring Nusa Ceningan via the Yellow Bridge.
The islands have many sights worth visiting. Because they're not very large, you can easily explore them by scooter. Don't forget to admire the beautiful waters of the Blue Lagoon and Devil's Tears. You'll find great restaurants at Mushroom Beach (on Nusa Lembongan) and Song Tepo Beach (on Nusa Ceningan).
Next Level Cafe Ceningan
Very nice restaurant with a view of the neighboring island.
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Ceningan Cliffs
On the hill at Ceningan Cliffs you have a beautiful view of the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. This is a nice place for a drink.
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Besides Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida is also highly recommended. You can easily add this destination to your itinerary or visit it for a day trip or (snorkeling) tour from the neighboring islands. Nusa Penida is famous for its underwater world and the impressive viewpoint at Kelingking Beach. Construction began in 2024 on a 182-meter glass elevator that will lead from the viewpoint to the beach.
Snorkeling and partying on Gili Trawangan
From Nusa Lembongan, you can reach the Gili Islands by (speed)boat, a journey that takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. We stayed on the so-called party island of Gili Trawangan (also known as Gili T), but you can also travel to neighboring Gili Air or Gili Meno. When you arrive at Gili T, don't be alarmed if you don't see a pier. Since there isn't one, you'll have to jump off the boat, but it's easily doable.
There's no car or bus traffic on Gili T. Locals travel by bicycle or horse-drawn cart, and it's fun to rent a bike and explore the island yourself. Not all roads are paved, but you can easily cycle around the island. A snorkeling tour is an absolute must-do on the Gili Islands. You'll spot beautiful fish and even turtles! If jellyfish aren't your thing, be sure to check if it's jellyfish season.
In the evening, you can enjoy a drink on the beach. Many restaurants have created beanbag chairs on the beach, and the sunset views are stunning. Pink Coco Trawangan, for example, offers stunning views of the sea and the sunset.
Beach life and green nature in Kuta
From Gili Trawangan, you can travel relatively inexpensively to Kuta by local boat and shared minivan (don't accidentally confuse it with the similarly named Kuta on Bali). This trip can be booked at one of the stands on Gili Trawangan's beach. Ask the minivan driver to stop at Monkey Road, where you can spot many monkeys. Take good care of your belongings (and yourself), as the monkeys aren't always friendly.
In Kuta, you can relax on Tanjung Aan Beach or travel further to Pink Beach. The roads in Kuta are relatively flat, making it easy to navigate by scooter. Looking for even more nature? Then travel by scooter to the north of Kuta, where you can visit one of the waterfalls surrounded by beautiful rice paddies. There's also plenty to do in Kuta in the evenings, although the "party" scene varies from night to night, meaning it won't be as busy everywhere after dinner.
El Bazar Café & Restaurant
This is one of the best restaurants in Kuta serving delicious Moroccan food. Gluten- and lactose-free options are also available.
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Bungalow And Restaurant Anda
These neat and beautiful bungalows are located near the beach and Kuta boulevard. There's even a swimming pool!
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On an uninhabited island on the Secret Gili's
From Kuta, take a taxi to Sekotong, from where you can visit the Secret Gili Islands. These islands include Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis. Despite the name, you're not alone on the islands; you'll definitely get the feeling of an undiscovered island!
Gili Kedis is the smallest island, with a few trees in the center and a swing (for two) on the edge. There are a few bungalows on Gili Nanggu and Gili Sudak, but accommodation is limited. Most accommodations on the mainland offer boat tours to the islands, for example, at Krisna Bungalows and Restaurant. A day tour takes you past the various islands, often including lunch.
Unique boat trip to the Komodo dragons
Spend one night in Sengiggi (reachable by taxi from the Secret Gili Islands) and start the Lombok-Flores boat trip from there. We took the "three nights, four days" tour from Wanua Adventures. Along the way, you can see dolphins, the sunrise, a pink beach, Komodo dragons, and a waterfall. In my blog post, I'll tell you all about this highlight of our Indonesia trip! The boat trip ends in Labuan Bajo (Flores).
Beautiful green nature in Ubud
From Labuan Bajo on Flores, you'll fly back to Bali (Denpasar) and travel by taxi to Ubud. Please note that traffic can be heavy, and your taxi may arrive later than planned. Ubud is also known as the cultural heart of Bali. The town center boasts many shops, and the surrounding area is lined with vast rice paddies and palm trees. The surrounding area is incredibly green, with rice paddies and palm trees all around.
A visit to the Ubud Street Market is a must, especially for souvenir shopping at the end of your itinerary! The most famous attraction in Ubud is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Although often crowded, they're not to be missed. If you go early in the day, the crowds and heat won't be as bad. The same applies to the nearby temples, such as Saraswati Temple (also known as the Ubud Water Palace). Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Ubud? Take the Campuhan Ridge Walk or ride your scooter north, for example, to Lake Batur.
Dawangga Ubud
Dewangga is very centrally located, yet has a peaceful atmosphere thanks to its beautiful garden. The bungalows are beautiful and comfortable.
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Surfing and delicious food in Canggu
From Ubud, you can take a taxi to Canggu, which can take about an hour if the road is quiet. Canggu's town center is quite sprawling, so you might have to walk a bit from your accommodation to reach the beach and restaurants. Many backpackers rent scooters to get around, but it can get quite busy during peak hours.
Where to stay?
The Uma Guesthouse
This guesthouse offers double rooms with garden and pool views. It's located in a quiet neighborhood, yet close to the center of Canggu.
View on Google MapsThe Farm Hostel
The Farm Hostel is a social hostel, with activities organized almost every evening, such as dinners and pool parties. Mixed and female dormitories are available.
View on Google MapsThings to do in Canggu
Canggu is primarily known as a surfing spot. Taking a surfing lesson is therefore a must-do in Canggu. This can be done, for example, with the (semi-)private lessons offered by In Da Surf Camp & School Canggu. Canggu's shops also offer a wide range of clothing and accessories from surf brands. You'll also find plenty of charming eateries, many with beautiful murals and inviting seating.
Some of my eat- and drinking tips:
Rise And Shine Café
The Rise and Shine Café serves dishes that are also visually appealing. The menu offers everything from egg dishes to bagels, fruit bowls, and pancakes. It's a great place for breakfast, lunch, and smoothies.
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The Avocado Factory
If you love avocado, you can't miss The Avocado Factory. Besides delicious avocado toast, they also have a truly delicious beetroot burger. Highly recommended! Avocado is used in every dish. You have a view of a small rice paddy.
View on Google MapsLa Brisa Bali
At La Brisa, you can watch surfers while enjoying lunch or brunch in the morning and afternoon. You can also take a refreshing dip in one of the pools between meals. There are sunny spots, but also plenty of shaded areas. For example, you can sit on a beanbag under a palm tree. It can get quite busy here, so reservations are recommended. Note: certain seating options have an additional charge.
View on Google MapsThe Lawn
Since the sun sets in Canggu around 6:30 PM, you can perfectly combine watching the sunset with a drink or dinner at one of the beach bars. The Lawn is a popular spot for watching the sunset. This beach bar serves delicious cocktails and food like tacos and fries.
View on Google MapsFrom Canggu, you can take several day trips. For example, you can drive to the Tanah Lot temple, built on a rock formation on the coast. Although you're not allowed to enter the temple, you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the island. At high tide, it's not possible to get close to the temple, but at low tide, it is. Apparently, water snakes also live in the crevices, but luckily we didn't see any during our visit to the temple. Another day trip is a visit to Pasut Beach. In an hour, you can drive through beautiful green rice paddies to this beach. It's unique because of the black sand, which is firm enough to ride a quad bike or scooter. Next to the beach, you'll find a beautiful green area with palm trees and views of the beach and the sea.
Other places
Haven't seen enough of Bali and Lombok yet?
On Lombok, you can add the Sembalun Valley and a hike up Mount Rinjani to your itinerary.
In Bali, you could add Lovina (in the north) or Uluwatu (in the south) to your trip.
Whether you're looking for nature, adventure, or relaxation, Bali and Lombok combine it all!
Useful information
Official language: Balinese (Bali), Bahasa Sasak (Lombok), and Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesia)
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Area: 5,780 km² (Bali), 4,739 km² (Lombok)
Best time to travel: You can generally visit Bali year-round, but the months of May, June, and July offer the best weather. June to October is the driest month on Lombok and therefore the most suitable. If you combine both, June and July are the best months.
