Flores
A mere 4km trek from Bena (about 90 minutes) brings you to this seldom-visited Ngada settlement which consists of three linked traditional villages…
Must-see attractions in Nusa Tenggara
Lombok
On the southeastern slopes of Gunung Rinjani east of Tetebatu, Sapit is a tiny, very relaxed village with views across to Sumbawa. Tobacco-drying open …
West Lombok
Gili Asahan is an idyllic spot: soothing winds gust, birds flutter and gather in the grass just before sunset, muted calls to prayer rumble, and the stars…
Lombok
A shady 4km track leading from the main road, just north of the Tetebatu mosque, heads into this forest, where you'll find black monkeys – you'll want a…
Kupang
This regional museum has skulls, seashells, stone tools, swords, gourds and antique looms from across the province, plus an entire blue whale skeleton in…
Islamic Center Nusa Tenggara Barat
Mataram
Opened in 2016, and superficially damaged in the 2018 quakes, this towering green-and-gold mosque is the most striking building in Lombok, with fabulous…
Sumba
You'll need your own wheels or a driver to access this slice of paradise, which is part of Patiala Bawa village, but the privacy and serenity is worth it…
South Lombok
Look for a steep track off the main coast road 6km west of Kuta. A rough 2km ride brings you to this broad bay with a wide beach of beige sand. It's a…
South Lombok
Pantai Seger, a lovely beach about 2km east of Kuta around the first headland, has unbelievably turquoise water, decent swimming (though no shade) and a…
South Lombok
Ask for directions to Heaven Beach for a real bit of sandy wonder. It's a stunning little pocket of white sand and surf about 4km from Ekas. Despite the…
Flores
Don’t miss the lively, sprawling market, a vital lifeline for villagers in the surrounding hills. Much of it is underground – look for the stairs heading…
Nusa Tenggara
One of the best beaches near Kalabahi is this ribbon of white sand 10km out of town on the airport road. You can easily laze away a few hours here. When…
Gili Trawangan
See the spectacular sights from the only hill in the Gilis. During the August 2018 Lombok earthquake, more than a thousand tourists and locals slept atop…
Flores
The ikat market sells hand-woven tapestries from across Flores and Sumba. Bargaining is acceptable, but bear in mind you're expected to make good on any…
Sumbawa
Rise early and hit the steamy, exotic Pasar Syketeng. Its dank alleyways come alive as young and old descend to barter and haggle for every conceivable…
Lombok
A steep 2km hike from the car park at the end of the access road to Gunung Rinjani National Park leads to beautiful Air Terjun Jukut, an impressive 20m…
South Lombok
Follow a narrow track off the main road for 2.5km and you'll find this idyllic and often deserted beach across the bay from Gerupuk. The structures you…
Flores
Meander through the aromatic market that stretches from the waterfront into the streets. Expect plastic tubs of vegetables, fruit and an astonishing…
South Lombok
What a sight! An utterly empty and seemingly endless white beach backed by azure breakers. To get here, drive south 6.5km from Ekas over the rough but…
South Lombok
Remote, powdery white and all yours for as long as you wish to enjoy it. This is a destination for Robinson Crusoe wannabes.
Nusa Tenggara
Pulau Do’o is a flat spit of pale golden sand with terrific though finicky surf. You can see it from Pantai Nemberala.
Mataram
Pura Meru is the largest and second-most important Hindu temple on Lombok. Built in 1720, it’s dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva…
West Timor
In a former medical clinic from the 1920s, you'll find Robert 'Robbi' Koroh, the 20th Amarai raja with manicured white hair, whose father played a leading…
Sumba
At Gallu Bakul, 2.5km down the road from the modernising village of Kabonduk, is Sumba’s heaviest tomb, weighing in at 70 tonnes. At its eastern end is a…
Nusa Tenggara
Named for its collection of moko (bronze drums; the 1000 is purely figurative), this humble museum located just west of the market has some decent English…
Sumbawa
Some of the best ikat and songket sarongs are made by members of a women’s weaving klompok (collective) in the conservative mountain village of Poto, 12km…
Sumba
Right beside the main road to Waingapu, 22km east of Waikabubak, Kampung Pasunga boasts one of Sumba’s most impressive tombs. The most interesting grave…
Kupang
Hidden in this sleepy farming village just off Jl Kupang–Tablolong is a three-stage, turquoise-tinted waterfall. There’s a nice swimming hole but locals…
West Timor
Oelolok, a weaving village 33km from Kefa, is home to Istana Raja Taolin, a royal house and nine-pillar, tin-roofed lopo (beehive-shaped meeting house)…
Sumbawa
The old Sultan’s Palace, former home of Bima’s rulers, still reflects the colonial style of a 1927 renovation. Past the large verandas, the interior is…
Mataram
Built in 1744, this palace includes the former king’s family temple, which is a pilgrimage site for Lombok’s Hindus on 24 December. In 1894 it was the…
Nusa Tenggara
The fishing village of Alor Besar is where you'll find Al Quaran Tua, a 12th-century Quran made from bark and integral to the seeding of Islam in the Alor…
Gili Trawangan
The largest of the three mosques on Gili T had some lavish details that showed the wealth that tourism had brought to the island before it was badly…
Flores
Wedged into the misty peaks above an emerald valley blanketed with rice fields is the friendly village of Detusoko. Located halfway between Ende and Moni,…
Lombok
The nearest market town to Tetebatu is Kotaraja, which is known for its blacksmiths. Kotaraja is also host to a Sasak stick-fighting festival each August…
Flores
History buffs can visit Sukarno’s wood-shuttered house of exile (1934–38). The minimal original period furnishings reflect his modest lifestyle at the…
Sumba
It’s only a short stroll from most hotels to Prai Klembung, a nearby village with hefty concrete-slab tombs in an overgrown but atmospheric setting…
Flores
Just off the Trans-Flores Hwy, 20km south of Maumere, a paved road descends 2km through coconut and banana groves to the south coast weaving and fishing…
Nusa Tenggara
Boni is about 15km from Nemberala, near the northern coast, and is one of the last villages on Rote where traditional religion is still followed. Market…
Flores
The Trans-Flores Hwy parallels this beautiful long stretch of white sand. The water is perfect for swimming and you can easily lounge away an afternoon.
