Lombok is a paradise for sunset chasers. The island is dotted with romantic spots for watching the day come to a close, and you don’t have to travel far to find a beautiful view of the sun sinking into the western horizon. Several of these sunset spots can be strung together into a single trip with a Lombok daily tour.
A few of them sit very close to Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province.
1. Sunset at Loang Baloq Beach
Loang Baloq Beach lies within the city of Mataram. Being so close to the centre of town makes it one of the favourite sunset spots for locals from Mataram and the surrounding areas.
The beach sits inside the Loang Baloq recreation park, so you can enjoy the evening with family while using the facilities on site, such as the cycling area, the jogging track and the children’s playground.
Entry to the park costs just Rp 2,000.
2. Sunset at Ampenan Beach
Sunset at Ampenan Beach has a character all of its own. Ampenan is often called Lombok’s old town, because this is where you can still see old buildings with Dutch colonial architecture. It was once the economic heart of Lombok, thanks to its role as a port town.
Traces of the old harbour are still visible in the iron posts that remain standing today. Dusk here feels wonderfully classic and romantic. You can sample all sorts of Lombok specialities or simply watch the sun go down over a cup of coffee.
This is also one of the favourite spots among photographers for sunset shots. Getting onto the beach costs only Rp 2,000.
3. Sunset at Batu Bolong Temple Beach
Here you get natural beauty and cultural richness in one place. Watching the sunset alongside the striking Pura Batu Bolong (Batu Bolong Temple) is the kind of experience that stays with you long after your trip to Lombok.
Pura Batu Bolong was built at the water’s edge, standing directly on top of a coral rock. What makes it unusual is the large hole through that rock, big enough to walk through if you want to see the other side of the temple.
You can listen to the waves crashing against the rock right below the temple. The beautiful interplay of sunset, surf and this one-of-a-kind temple leaves a very different memory from an evening anywhere else.
The temple is in Batulayar, in the Senggigi area of West Lombok, about 30 minutes from Mataram.
4. Sunset at Senggigi Beach
Senggigi Beach needs little introduction in Lombok. It’s a romantic place to spend the late afternoon with your partner, whether you fill the time with snorkelling or a paddle in a canoe. Watching the sun set near Mount Agung with a plate of sate bulayak, a Lombok speciality, is hard to turn down.
With its white sand and long stretch of coastline, Senggigi is the sort of beach where you happily lose track of time. It sits about 45 minutes from Mataram and is always busy with visitors.
There are plenty of hotels around the beach if you want to stay the night after the sunset show. Entry to Senggigi Beach costs Rp 5,000 for a motorbike and Rp 10,000 for a car.
Read also: The Enchanting Senggigi Beach in Lombok
So what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy Lombok’s golden hour with us.
