Kuta is a charming coastal town located in the south of Lombok. Don’t confuse this place with the busy Kuta in Bali, as Kuta in Lombok has a completely different vibe. Lombok has more of a rural feel, and you’ll often see farmers riding by on their scooters with large bales of grass. Besides the excellent restaurants you’ll find here, it’s mainly the beautiful beaches and good waves for surfers that attract many travelers. And for those who enjoy dancing the night away, there are lively parties held here every day. Curious about what to do in Kuta, Lombok? Check out the tips below for the best things to do, the top restaurants, and great places to stay in Kuta.

Transportation Tips in Kuta, Lombok

In Lombok, unlike Bali, there are no taxi services like Grab or Gojek. However, the Kuta area has surprisingly good roads with wide paved paths, where hardly anyone drives. It’s the perfect place to rent a scooter and embark on your own adventure. If you can’t or don’t want to ride a scooter, you can also arrange a taxi through your accommodation for short rides or hire a driver for the whole day.

What to Do in Kuta, Lombok?

There’s plenty to do in Kuta, with lots of beautiful sights and activities to enjoy.

Watch the Sunset at Bukit Merese

One of the most beautiful places in Kuta to watch the sunset is at Bukit Merese, also known as Merese Hill. This large, rolling hill is covered in grass and offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the stunning landscape and ocean. The hill is expansive, with several viewpoints. Once you’ve parked, you’ll need to continue on foot for about 15 minutes before reaching the top. Along the way, you’ll find people eager to sell you a cold beer. Once at the top, you can further explore the hill and find a nice spot to watch the sunset.

(Learn to) Surf in Kuta

If there’s anywhere to surf well on Lombok, it’s in the Kuta area. Selong Belanak Beach has perfect conditions for beginner surfers. The waves are gentle, and the bottom is mostly sandy. There are plenty of surf schools on the beach, and you can rent a surfboard at many places. You can simply walk into the water with your board and start surfing! Tanjung Aan Beach is also a popular spot for surfing. Both beginners and intermediate surfers can enjoy the long waves here. To reach these waves, you’ll need to take a boat, which departs from Warung Dede Surf Restaurant and costs a few euros for a round trip. Mawi Beach is popular among experienced surfers.

Tip: Another great place to surf is the charming village of Gerupuk. It’s full of excellent surf spots for every level. Some people even say the waves here are world-class, attracting many surfers. It’s about a 15-20 minute scooter ride from Kuta. However, the boats you may need to reach the waves can be a bit pricier, so it’s helpful to share the cost with someone.

Adventure in the Caves of Goa Bangkang Prabu & Gua Sumur

Less than 10 minutes from Lombok, several interesting caves are hidden away. Thousands of bats inhabit these caves, and around sunset, they fly out in large numbers to start their day. The most striking feature of these caves is the natural light that shines in through the openings. When the sun is high on a clear day, the rays illuminate the cave in a magical way, creating beautiful and mysterious scenes.

The caves Goa Bangkan Prabu and Gua Sumur are just a stone’s throw apart. At Goa Bangkan Prabu, you can take a short 15-minute tour of the cave. You’ll be given a helmet and a mask that you’ll want to wear, as the cave has a terrible smell. This is due to the substance on the ground; a mix of bat droppings and cockroaches. Yes, they scurry around in large numbers on the floor. I can tell you that a tour through this cave is quite an ‘eye-opening experience.’

Gua Sumur is a popular photography spot, and the owner has tripled the entrance fee to a whopping $10. Fortunately, the price is negotiable, and you might be able to get it down by half with some luck. When you step into Gua Sumur, bats fly around, and cockroaches scurry across the floor. A guide accompanies you and lights a small fire. The smoke makes the sun rays beautifully visible, allowing you to capture stunning photos. The photo below was taken in this cave.

Tip: It’s best to wear old closed shoes to avoid bacterial infections.

Visit the Most Beautiful Beaches Around Kuta

In the area around Kuta, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Lombok. Kuta Lombok Beach isn’t the prettiest, as there are many boats around. For nicer beaches, you’ll need to drive a short distance. Below are the four most beautiful beaches in the Kuta area.

Tanjung Aan Beach

This beach is about a 20-minute drive from Kuta. It features beautiful white sand where you can swim and surf. The unique aspect of Tanjung Aan Beach is its double bay, separated by a small peninsula. This gives you calm waters on one side and more waves on the other. At Warung Turtle, you can relax on a sunbed and order delicious food and drinks.

Selong Belanak Beach

This expansive white sand beach is located west of Kuta, about a 30-minute drive away. Selong Belanak Beach has shallow water, and there’s always something happening. There are many cozy warungs, and beach volleyball or soccer games are frequently played when the tide goes out. Every day, a herd of cows is herded across the beach, creating a unique sight. The waves here are perfect for beginner surfers.

Mawun Beach

This cozy bay is perfect for relaxing on one of the azure blue sunbeds. The sunbeds beautifully contrast with the sea, enhancing the picturesque scenery. It’s about a 20-minute scooter ride from Kuta.

Pantai Tampah Beach

Located about 25 minutes away, this pristine beach is relatively unknown, making it quieter than other beaches around Kuta. You can rent a sunbed here, and it’s a great spot for a walk to explore the beach.

A Day of Road Tripping Through the Interior of Lombok

Lombok is a beautiful island, so it’s worth leaving Kuta to explore more of the interior. You can do this by scooter, but the highlights of the interior are quite far from Kuta. It might be nice to travel with a car and driver instead. If you go with this driver, you can create your own itinerary and decide which places you want to visit. The friendly driver will take you everywhere throughout the day and share insights about Lombok and the daily lives of the locals along the way.

The village of Tetebatu is definitely worth a visit. Situated near Mount Rinjani, this area has very fertile soil where various crops are cultivated, including tobacco, fruit, and of course, rice. The Tetebatu rice terraces may be slightly less spectacular than the famous Tegallalang in Bali, but you only have to share the terraces with a few farmers working in the fields. This is a beautiful untouched piece of Lombok.

Tetebatu Rice Terraces Hiking Route: It’s enjoyable to take a small walk through the Tetebatu rice terraces. The hiking paths are not clearly marked on Google Maps or Maps.me, so it can be a bit tricky to navigate. You can start the hike at My Paradise Warung, and after a while, you’ll notice that the route is marked by red plants along the path. If you follow this path, you’ll be going the right way. You can end your loop via the Durian Indah Waterfall and then walk back to the road. Want to take a longer hike? Also, visit the Tetebatu Monkey Forest, where you can spot the Javan langur monkey.

After Tetebatu, it’s nice to complete your day trip by driving another hour to two stunning waterfalls. The Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel waterfalls are located next to each other, making it easy to visit both at once. From the entrance, it’s a short walk along a well-maintained path. Typically, not many people visit, so you’re likely to share the space with just a few others.

Nightlife in Kuta

Looking to experience the lively atmosphere of Kuta? You can! There are several spots where you can enjoy a fun evening with music and drinks. Along the main street, Jalan Raya Kuta, you’ll find many cozy bars. Cantina Mexicana is open every day and often has a friendly vibe. Of course, tacos, nachos, and tequila are on the menu. On Wednesday nights, there’s ladies’ night at Bara, where women receive free cocktails from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For the real nightlife, you have two options: Surfers Bar and Rasta Bar Reborn. These bars are located next to each other, and at one of them, there’s usually a party going on late into the night.

Things to Do in Kuta, Lombok: Great Restaurants

• Kenza Cafe & Restaurant – A cozy place with a bohemian style, known for its healthy and delicious dishes like smoothie bowls and avocado toast.
• El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant – For a dinner featuring delightful Mediterranean dishes such as falafel, hummus, and grilled fish, this is the place to be.
• KRNK Bar & Restaurant – This restaurant is known for comfort food like gourmet burgers and creative pizzas.
• Cantina Mexicana – A charming Mexican restaurant serving the tastiest tacos. With long tables, it’s a perfect spot to meet new people.
• Knalpot – This trendy restaurant with a pool is owned by a Dutch entrepreneur. The kitchen offers a fusion of Asian and Western dishes.
• Milk Espresso – A café that serves delicious coffee, healthy breakfast options, and brunch dishes like avocado toast and smoothie bowls.
• Bush Radio – An industrial-style restaurant with both Indonesian and Western dishes on the menu.
• Elamu – Craving Greek cuisine? At Elamu, you can enjoy delicious moussaka, halloumi wraps, and souvlaki. The interior here is also fantastic.
• Tribe Surf City – A fantastic place that combines a skate park with a restaurant.
• Loka Gym – This is both a gym and a recovery center, as well as a restaurant.
• Munchies – At this lovely restaurant, you can enjoy tasty sandwiches during the day, and in the evening, they serve burgers, pasta, and cocktails.
• Jiang Nan – At the atmospheric restaurant Jiang Nan, you can savor the flavors of Chinese cuisine.

  

  

Our Favorite Spots in Kuta, Lombok

In Kuta, you can find some incredibly beautiful accommodations. At Rascals Hotel, you truly get your money’s worth because everything about this hotel is perfect. The interior, atmosphere, service, and location in the center are all fantastic. Treat yourself at the spa, join a yoga class, or relax on a sunbed by the stunning pool. Rascals Hotel is adults-only. A bit outside the center of Kuta, you’ll find Porter Hotel, where you can also expect a delightful stay. The hotel’s interior is amazing, and tropical plants grow everywhere. The lush surroundings are beautiful, and since it’s situated at a higher elevation, you can enjoy pure tranquility. If you love yoga, this is also the right place for you. Lastly, the picture-perfect villas at Tiu Oasis Lombok are a dream to stay in. The villa style is super unique and well thought out.

Rascals Hotel More Information

Porter Hotel More Information

Tiu Oasis Lombok More Information