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Bali & Lombok, Indonesia: 15 Spots I’d Totally Go Back To (Plus Tips!)
15
items Bali and Lombok are two neighboring islands in Indonesia, and these are my 15 favorite spots across both, from cliffside temples to quiet beaches. Each one comes with a quick tip so you can skip the rookie mistakes.
Sections
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Bali
Lombok
Bali
Bali is Indonesia’s best-known island, famous for its temples, rice terraces, and surf beaches. This part of the list covers my favorite spots, from sunrise hikes to quiet valleys, plus tips to help you skip the crowds.
Cliffside views and a sunset Kecak show. Honestly, it’s a classic for a reason.
Tip: Arrive around 4-5 PM to get a good seat. Hold onto your sunglasses, the monkeys are fast.
Tip: Arrive around 4-5 PM to get a good seat. Hold onto your sunglasses, the monkeys are fast.
Uluwatu Temple, Pecatu
Green, layered, and super photogenic.
Tip: Go before 8 AM to beat the crowds and the heat. Cash is handy for the swing and small donations.
Tip: Go before 8 AM to beat the crowds and the heat. Cash is handy for the swing and small donations.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Your legs will complain, but that sunrise makes up for it.
Tip: Pickup is usually around 2-3 AM. Bring a jacket, since it’s cold at the top. Tours run roughly IDR 400-700K.
Tip: Pickup is usually around 2-3 AM. Bring a jacket, since it’s cold at the top. Tours run roughly IDR 400-700K.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Experience
A sacred spring where locals still do purification rituals.
Tip: Wear modest clothes (sarong provided or rentable) and bring a change of clothes if you plan to join the ritual.
Tip: Wear modest clothes (sarong provided or rentable) and bring a change of clothes if you plan to join the ritual.
Tirta Empul Temple
A temple on a rock in the sea, best at golden hour.
Tip: Check the tide. At low tide you can walk closer to the base. Come early for sunset, as it fills up fast.
Tip: Check the tide. At low tide you can walk closer to the base. Come early for sunset, as it fills up fast.
Tanah Lot
That T-Rex cliff from your feed, in real life.
Tip: Take a fast boat from Sanur and leave early. Wear shoes with real grip if you plan to hike down. It’s steep and slippery.
Tip: Take a fast boat from Sanur and leave early. Wear shoes with real grip if you plan to hike down. It’s steep and slippery.
Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida
A jungle waterfall that looks unreal.
Tip: Expect a lot of steps going down and back up. Bring water shoes and a dry bag, and hire a local guide at the entrance.
Tip: Expect a lot of steps going down and back up. Bring water shoes and a dry bag, and hire a local guide at the entrance.
Sekumpul Waterfall
Snorkel straight from the shore to a WWII wreck.
Tip: Go early in the morning before dive groups arrive. You can rent snorkel gear on-site.
Tip: Go early in the morning before dive groups arrive. You can rent snorkel gear on-site.
Tulamben: USAT Liberty Shipwreck Full-Day Snorkeling Trip
Lombok
Lombok is Bali’s quieter neighbor, just a short flight or boat ride away in Indonesia. Expect empty beaches, a towering volcano, and traditional villages, all with a slower, more laid-back pace.
The quiet one. Think turtles and hammocks.
Tip: Snorkel near the turtle point in the morning. Nightlife is minimal, so bring a book.
Tip: Snorkel near the turtle point in the morning. Nightlife is minimal, so bring a book.
Gili Meno Beach
A serious trek with a crater lake to match.
Tip: Book a licensed operator and plan for 2-3 days. Go during the dry season (roughly April to November), since the trail usually closes in the wet months.
Tip: Book a licensed operator and plan for 2-3 days. Go during the dry season (roughly April to November), since the trail usually closes in the wet months.
Mount Rinjani
Soft white sand and calm, shallow water.
Tip: Weekdays are quieter. Climb the hill nearby for a great view, and bring your own snacks.
Tip: Weekdays are quieter. Climb the hill nearby for a great view, and bring your own snacks.
Tanjung Aan Beach
A grassy hill with a coastline view that looks edited but isn’t.
Tip: Time it for late afternoon, since it’s right near Tanjung Aan. Wear sneakers, as the top is a short scramble.
Tip: Time it for late afternoon, since it’s right near Tanjung Aan. Wear sneakers, as the top is a short scramble.
Merese Hill
A curtain of water in a lush setting.
Tip: It’s fuller in the rainy season. The walk is easy, but the stones get slippery.
Tip: It’s fuller in the rainy season. The walk is easy, but the stones get slippery.
Benang Stokal and Benang Kelambu Waterfall
A crescent bay with soft sand and clear water.
Tip: Great for a chill half-day. Bring sunscreen and cash, because there are only a few small stalls.
Tip: Great for a chill half-day. Bring sunscreen and cash, because there are only a few small stalls.
Mawun Beach
The Goldilocks Gili, not too quiet and not too busy. Great cafes and easy snorkeling.
Gili Air