9 Best Things to Do in Kuta Lombok
Are you looking for the best things to do in Kuta, Lombok? It is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the island, as it’s only a 25-minute drive from Lombok International Airport, so be sure to add it to your Lombok Itinerary.
Wondering what to do in Kuta Lombok? Explore the best beaches, go surfing, enjoy the sunset at Bukit Merese Hill, see the Bat Cave, and take a day trip to the Secret Gilis.
This ultimate guide to visiting Kuta includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Kuta, Lombok.
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Best things to do in Kuta, Lombok
1. Discover the Best Beaches
One of the best things to do in Kuta Lombok is to visit the stunning beaches. Kuta is a popular beach destination with beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and many surf spots.
Pantai Kuta is one of the most popular beaches. But in our opinion, it’s very overrated, and there are much better beaches in Kuta. Although it’s still worth a short visit.
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If you have limited time in Kuta, there are two beaches you shouldn’t miss: Mawun Beach and Tanjung Aan Beach. Trust us, you will not be disappointed by their beauty.
We’ve put together a list of the most beautiful beaches in Lombok.
2. Bukit Merese Hill
Watching the sunset from Bukit Merese Hill is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Kuta, Lombok. Bukit Merese is located about a 20-minute drive from Kuta near Tanjung Aan Beach.
The entrance fee to Bukit Merese is 10,000 IDR (0,60 USD) per person, and parking is free.
We recommend arriving before 5 PM to catch the beautiful sunset. Take care of your valuables, as there are many monkeys here.
3. Visit the Secret Gili Islands
Looking for unique places to visit during your stay? Then, take a private guided snorkeling boat trip to the Secret Gili Islands, and visit Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak, and Gili Kedis. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters, walk along the white sandy beaches, and enjoy fresh seafood.
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Although these beautiful islands are worth a short visit, we recommend you spend a few relaxing days on Gili Asahan or Gili Gede.
Recommended post → Best Areas & Hotels in Lombok
4. Go Surfing
Are you a surf lover? Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, you can easily find the ideal beach in Kuta to enjoy the waves or take surfing lessons.
Best surf spots in Kuta Lombok
Selong Belanak Beach: This beach is perfect for beginners trying to surf for the first time. You can rent surfboards, buy surf lessons, and eat delicious local food in the warungs.
Pantai Tanjung Aan: You can easily spend a relaxing day here swimming, surfing, and lounging on the sunbeds. We enjoyed it so much that we visited it twice while we were in Kuta.
Pantai Mawi is one of the best surfing beaches in Kuta, perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers.
5. Seger Hill (Bukit Seger)
If you’re looking for one of the best viewpoints, don’t miss Bukit Seger. Seger Hill, located on the other side of the bamboo bridge, offers incredible views. There are many local vendors, so if you want to buy a delicious coconut, it’s the perfect place.
The entrance fee to Bukit Seger is only 5,000 IDR (0,30 USD) per person.
Combine your visit with two stunning beaches, Mandalika Beach and Kuta Beach, just a short drive away.
6. Day Trip to Lombok’s Pink Beach
Although there are many Pink beaches in the world, one of the most popular is near Kuta, Lombok. Pink Beach is about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Kuta, but you can easily join an organized group or private tour.
On the guided tour, you can visit Pink Beach 1 and 2, snorkel and swim at Gili Petelu, see Pulau Pasir (sandbar), and enjoy the panoramic views at Tanjung Ringgit.
Book your Lombok Pink Beach tour through GetYourGuide.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit it, but if you have time, don’t skip it on your Lombok Itinerary.
Traveling to Lombok and the Gili Islands?
Your trip just got easier! Use our handpicked private Google Maps: best beaches, waterfalls, turtle spots, to do’s, our favorite restaurants & more.
7. Benang Stokel & Benang Kelambu Waterfall
One of the best things to do in Kuta is to visit some of the magnificent waterfalls in Lombok. Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel are our favorite waterfalls on the island, about a 1.5-hour drive from Kuta.
We have a detailed post about Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfall with everything you need to know before you visit.
The best way to visit the waterfalls is to join a day trip from Kuta. Alternatively, you can get there by renting a motorbike or hiring a driver. Once you arrive, buy your entrance ticket and visit the waterfalls.
Recommended post → Best Waterfalls in Lombok
8. Kuta Lombok Bat Cave
Looking for more top things to do in Kuta, Lombok? Just a 10-minute drive from Kuta, there are 3 different bat caves (Goa Bangkang Prabu, Goa Sumur, and Goa Buwun Prabu, also known as Mystical Neverland).
There are thousands of bats, cockroaches, and snakes in the cave, so we don’t recommend a visit for everyone. The smells, humidity, and darkness can also be a challenge for visitors.
The entrance fee to the Bat Cave is 60,000 IDR (4 USD) per person, including a local guide.
If you want to capture the sun’s rays inside the cave, you should arrive when the sun is highest in the sky between noon and 2 PM. As locals often burn coconut husks, visitors can take even better photos.
9. Head to Senggigi
Lombok’s most popular tourist destinations are Kuta, the Gili Islands, and Senggigi. While we think Kuta is definitely worth a visit, especially for beach lovers and surfers, we preferred Senggigi. Senggigi is just a 1.5-hour drive from Kuta.
Senggigi is ideal for those looking for a calm and quieter place in Lombok. It is also a perfect base for exploring waterfalls and day trips to the popular Gili Islands.
Recommended post → Senggigi Guide
Where to Stay in Kuta, Lombok
There are some luxury hotels and beach resorts in Kuta, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Kuta
- Luxury: Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort
- Mid-Range: Novotel Lombok Resort & Villas
- Budget: JM Hotel
Wondering where to stay on the island? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Lombok.
How to Get to Kuta, Lombok
Important note
There are two Kuta in Indonesia, one in Bali and the other in Lombok!
You can easily get to Lombok by public ferry, fast boat, and plane. Most people come to Kuta from the Gili Islands, Bali, or Senggigi.
If you are already in Senggigi, you can easily get to Kuta by motorbike. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Unfortunately, there is no airport in Kuta. The nearest airport is in Lombok, the Lombok International Airport (airport code LOP). The distance between the airport and Kuta is about 20 km, and the travel time is approximately 25 minutes.
You can fly from Bali, the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS), to Lombok and then take a taxi, Damri bus, or private transfer to Kuta.
The flight takes just 45 minutes, and plane tickets start from 65 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Lombok, Indonesia.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Bali to Lombok with all the information you need.
From the Gili Islands to Kuta Lombok
From the Gili Islands, boats run regularly to Bangsal Port, Lombok.
The journey from Gili Trawangan to Bangsal Harbour takes approximately 30-45 minutes, and boat tickets cost around 10 USD per person.
We traveled by boat from Gili Air to Lombok, and the journey took 20 minutes to Bangsal Harbour. The boat ticket starts from 6 USD per person.
Good to know
The boats don’t usually leave at the exact departure time, as they leave when they are full, so you should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure!
The distance between Kuta and Bangsal Port is 75 km, about 2 hours. In the Bangsal Harbour area, you can rent a motorbike, catch a taxi, or hire a private driver to Kuta.
How to Get Around Kuta Lombok
The best way to get around Kuta is to rent a scooter or hire a private driver. Unlike Nusa Penida, Lombok has well-maintained paved roads.
Book a private customized tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
We rented a motorbike and explored Kuta at our own pace. Scooter rental starts from 65,000 IDR (4 USD) per day, but we don’t recommend paying more than 85,000 IDR (5 USD). If you rent a scooter for several days, ask for a discount!
Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike, and avoid driving at night.
Best Restaurants & Cafés
In Kuta, you can find many local restaurants (warungs), vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
- Mama Pizza (The best pizza)
- Tanah Restaurant (Best coworking space and authentic Indonesian flavors from farm to table)
- Gulas Garden (Delicious local food with vegetarian option)
- El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant (Trendy restaurant with excellent food)
- Milk Espresso (Delicious breakfast and coffee)
- Krnk Bar & Restaurant (Tasty burgers)
- La Cabaña Lombok (Spanish cuisine)
- Kenza Cafe & Restaurant (A perfect place for breakfast)
Best Time to Visit Kuta, Lombok
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Lombok is a popular destination all year round! However, the best time to visit Kuta is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for swimming, surfing, and exploring Lombok Island. August is the driest month.
Kuta has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 29°C all year round.
It’s good to know that during the rainy season (from November to April) or when the sea conditions are bad, the boat schedules can change and be delayed a lot, so plan your trip to Lombok!
The busiest time to visit Kuta Lombok is between July and August. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How many Days do you Need in Kuta, Lombok?
Kuta is a popular holiday destination. Therefore, we recommend that you spend at least 3-4 days enjoying the best things to do in Kuta, Lombok.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Kuta will help you plan your next trip to Lombok. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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Hi Dittus and Mate,
Just wanted to give a December 2023 update on scooter hire in Kuta please.
A reputable place is something like Blue Marlin. Their prices are online. Cheap is a Honda Beat at 70k/day which is only suitable for light people. Yamaha N-Max at 150k is good for 2 heavy people. Honda CRF150 at 200k is great off road for 1 person.
I’d avoid Rans Rental Scooter as they don’t provide helmets that are usable.
Hi! Thank you for the information!