Travel guide Senggigi, Lombok
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Senggigi is one of the tourist hubs of Lombok, but is still fairly untouched and developed. It is a place with a range of accommodation options, restaurants, cafés, and beaches, but there is not much to do, and so it is a perfect place to unwind. This post will tell you all the details about Senggigi!
What about Senggigi?
Senggigi is one of the main tourist hubs of Lombok, Indonesia, but a tourist hub in Lombok is much different to a tourist hub in Bali. In Senggigi you will walk alone on the streets, and have the possibility to unwind, while in Bali, you are never alone and are always surrounded by tourists.
Senggigi is a place to escape and unwind. From here, it is perfect to explore the surrounding areas. Often Senggigi is used as a base from where you drive to the most beautiful beaches or to Lombok’s capital Mataram. The town is located at the west coast of Lombok, and spans around 10-kilometer coastal road. You will see the most beautiful cliffs and views. In the late afternoon, you can enjoy one of the best sunsets of your life and see the sun sink next to Bali’s highest volcano; mount Agung (tip: take the road up the hill of Senggigi, and get rewarded with an even more amazing view).
How to get to Senggigi?
Located at the west coast of Lombok, it will take you around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the new International Airport on Lombok.
When you arrive by public boat at Bangsal Harbour, it will take you about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Senggigi. This is possible by taxi or by a public driver. The fast boat to Lombok departing from Padang bai Bali, will bring you in about 2.5 hours to Bangsal harbor Lombok.
The public ferry to Lombok will depart from Padang bai harbor to Lembar harbor every hour. Crossing by ferry will take about 4 to 5 hours, but is cheap and fairly comfortable. I took the fast boat and paid around IDR 500.000 (about € 31,00) for an open return ticket. While I was travelling by fast boat from Bali to Lombok, one of the guides asked if I already had transportation to my destination. Together with other travelers also heading to Senggigi, I decided to share a car with private driver to Senggigi. Together with three other travelers, we paid IDR 200.000 ( € 12,50), so around IDR 50.000 (€ 3,00 each).
What to do in Senggigi?
Senggigi has a range of accommodation options, restaurants, cafés, and beaches, but less activities you can do. Here I will mention 6 things to do in Senggigi:
Take a day trip from Senggigi to Mataram and Ampenan
Senggigi is a good base to see the rest of Lombok. Visiting Lombok’s capital Mataram is one of the interesting possibilities. The capital is only a 30 minutes ride from Senggigi and offers many interesting cultural sites. This post will describe a nice cultural day trip itinerary from Senggigi to Mataram and Ampenan in Lombok.
Visit Pura Batu Bolong
South of Senggigi, you can find the small Hindu temple ´Pura Batu Bolong´. The temple is located at a cliff and is free to visit. Make sure to bring a sarong to cover your legs. This place is also an amazing spot to see the sunset.
Take a day trip from Senggigi to Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, Gili Kedis, and Gili Sudak
When most of the people hear about the Gili islands in Indonesia, they probably think of the 3 famous Gili islands Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air in the northwest of Lombok. But did you know that there are many more Gili islands that are even more pretty and beautiful?
A day trip to Gili Nanggu is like being transported to a completely different world, or at least a different Indonesia! No traffic, no crowds, and no vendors, but just unexploited nature and plenty of tropical fish. I recently visited Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, Gili Kedis, and Gili Sudak. This post will introduce you to the paradise islands of Lombok!
Visit Kerangdangan beach
More up north of Senggigi, you can find Kerangdangan beach. This beach is popular among locals that go for a swim and some beachfood like sate. At this beach, you can also find some nice western restaurants where you can get some lunch or drinks.
Relax at Senggigi Beach
Down at the centre of Senggigi, you can find a small sand beach. The beach itself is not that spectacular, but good to visit for an afternoon and to relax. Since it is small, and there are quite some locals in the afternoon, I didn´t feel comfortable to sunbath in my bikini. I would only recommend Senggigi beach to unwind, rather than to sunbath and swim.
Watch the sunset
In the late afternoon, you can visit Senggigi beach and enjoy one of the best sunsets of your life and see the sun sink next to Bali’s highest volcano; Mount Agung. It is also nice to take the road up the hill of Senggigi, and get rewarded with an even more amazing view and sunset.
Where to party at Senggigi?
Senggigi’s nightlife is not so special. The tourist hub is still quiet in comparison with the Northern Gili islands or Bali. There are some bars and little cafés, but not so much people. The Friday and Saturday nights might be a bit busier, because youth from Mataram are visiting. Some good cafés and bars in Senggigi are:
Happy café
This café is located at the main street of Senggigi. During the day open for lunch and dinner, and in the night for some drinks. With live music, it is a good place to start your evening.
The Beach club
Located at the beach, this place is nice to enjoy some drinks or cocktails, while enjoying the sunsets.
Garden café
This is a good café to enjoy a variety of coctails, beers, and live music.
Club 69
At this karaoke bar in Senggigi, ladies will entertain you and encourage you to sing. Quite funny.
Where to stay in Senggigi?
There are quite some accommodation options in Senggigi. You can choose an affordable homestay, fancy hotel, Airbnb, or hostel.
Zerosix Villa Senggigi
I had an overnight at the Zerosix Villa in Senggigi. This Airbnb is an amazing place to stay in Senggigi. Zerosix Villa Senggigi is a beautiful 4-bedroom villa with an amazing pool managed by a couple from Australia and Indonesia and is located up the hill of Senggigi. I stayed in the ‘Cottage C’ with a queen size bed. This room has a comfortable size, queen size bed, air-conditioning, WiFi, and a private bathroom with hot shower. The room rate was 450.000 RP (around € 28,00) a night.
Senggigi hotels
Other small and great places to stay are Cozy Cottages Lombok and Mama Bella’s Retreat. These hotels are located directly at the beach and really affordable.
Where to eat in Senggigi?
There are also plenty of places to eat in Senggigi, ranging from Western-focused eateries to Indonesian warungs. Unfortunately, I only stayed around three days in Senggigi, and didn’t had the chance to try so many places, but these are some good places I can recommend to eat at in Senggigi:
Street barbecue
A popular evening meal is some barbecued corn beside Pura Batu Bolong. Here you will find plenty of small market stands selling delicious local food ranging from corn to sate.
Coco beach
This place is worth a visit. Located at the beach, the restaurant offers the best seafood in the area and many vegetarian options also.
Warung Buana
Little warung next to Sendok hotel. They bake delicious fresh and cheap pizzas!
Cafe Coco Loco Bar & Restaurant
Great place to eat seafood as well! Bit cheaper than Coco Beach, and also a great variety of choice!
Other tips for visiting Senggigi
- Senggigi enjoys a lot of domestic tourism, especially on Sundays. Be prepared for busy roads and lots of locals who are enjoying the beach.
- If you like to rent a scooter, you can rent one at Exo Rentals. They have a good service, friendly employees, and you can bargain about the price. A scooter costs around 50,000 IDR a day (not including fuel) and gives you access to plenty of beaches, towns and other spots just waiting to be explored. This post, will tell you everything you need to know about driving scooter in Indonesia. Where to rent a scooter? For what price? Are there traffic rules? What to do if a police officer stops you?
- Have a small talk with the vendors on the beach. They are often very friendly and like to practice their English.
I hope this information can help you prepare and enjoy Senggigi Lombok. I am sure you will enjoy Senggigi as much as I did. If you have been to Senggigi and know any other good things to do, food to eat, hang out places or general advises to other travelers, please let me know in the comments! I would love to hear about them.
Author: Daphne
Looking for more tips on traveling Indonesia? Travelila shared some amazing Indonesia holiday destinations that you can check out. Of course you can also visit our Indonesia category to read more of our Indonesia City Guides!
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