West Lombok is the island’s most populated and developed area, with many attractions and comparative to the rest of the island, a great deal going on. The capital, Mataram, is a busy city composed of various districts. Venture into the bustling Chakranegara commercial shopping area, explore central Mataram and its branded stores, or discover Lombok’s historical and religious heritage. There are several Hindu temples in and around the city such as Pura Gunung Agung and Pura Gunung Baleku, two ancient temples dedicated to Mt. Agung. They are located near the Monkey Forest or Taman Narmada, a place of worship for local Indonesians of Hindu faith and known for its “youth fountain”.
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Discover Sasak culture and visit the traditional Wetu Telu mosques. Authentic Sasak villages can be visited on a day trip, too. Many villages in Lombok produce pottery, with particular patterns and designs unique to the village where the object was crafted. Traditional pots and decorative items can be purchased in all main tourist areas. Although, Banyumulek village in West Lombok is one of the main pottery centres on the island and is one of the best places to observe “turun temurun”, the traditional making process.
Along the coast, on the way to the Gili Islands, is Senggigi bay, known for its beautiful beaches lined with coconut trees. Senggigi is dotted with luxury boutique hotels, spas and fine dining restaurants and is the perfect base to explore the surrounding forests, waterfalls, temples and tropical beaches. Head to quieter Sire beach, the ultimate white-sand beach with stunning views over Mt. Rinjani and the Gili islands. You can enjoy the peace of a secluded, luxury property, yet remain at a short distance from the area’s best diving spots and Lombok’s largest golf course.
