The three tiny, car-free islands off the north-west coast — party-ish Gili Trawangan, honeymoon-quiet Gili Meno and mellow Gili Air, each ringed by white sand and clear turquoise water full of turtles and coral, with no cars or motorbikes, just bicycles and pony carts. Idyllic, laid-back and beautiful; the base for travellers who want barefoot island life, superb snorkelling and diving, and sunsets over Bali's volcano. Lombok's paradise offshore. Blissful and car-free.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€45–110
typical per night in Indonesia
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Lombok — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is The Gili Islands and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Ayam Taliwang & Sasak food80 min taxi26.8 km
- Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep waterfalls124 min taxi41.3 km
- Mount Rinjani & the crater rim139 min taxi46.4 km
- Tetebatu rice terraces & the interior148 min taxi49.2 km
- Selong Belanak & learning to surf188 min taxi62.7 km
- A traditional Sasak village194 min taxi64.7 km
- Kuta Lombok (beach)195 min taxi64.9 km
- Tanjung Aan & the Kuta beaches203 min taxi67.5 km
- Pink Beach (Pantai Tangsi)245 min taxi81.7 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 1.The Gili Islands — The jewel of Lombok, and reason enough to come — the three Gili Islands, tiny car-free specks of white sand and impossibly clear turquoise water off the north-west coast, where the only transport is bicycles and pony carts. Pick your island: Gili Trawangan for the buzz and nightlife, Gili Air for laid-back balance, or Gili Meno for honeymoon quiet. Swim, snorkel with turtles, cycle the sandy lanes, and watch the sun set over Bali's Mount Agung with your feet in the sea. Idyllic, barefoot and unforgettable. Simply paradise. Don't miss them.
- 4.Snorkelling with turtles off the Gilis — The waters around the Gili Islands are a snorkeller's and diver's dream — warm, clear and teeming with life, above all the green sea turtles that glide over the reefs in such numbers the islands are nicknamed 'turtle heaven'. Snorkel straight off the beach or take a cheap boat trip circling all three islands, drifting over coral, reef fish, the famous underwater statues and, again and again, turtles. Learn to dive here too — it's cheap and superb. Swimming beside a wild turtle is pure magic. An unforgettable underwater highlight. Bring or rent a mask.
- 11.Gili Trawangan sunset & nightlife — The biggest Gili, Gili Trawangan ('Gili T'), has Lombok's liveliest scene — but it's still barefoot and mellow by most standards. Watch the sunset from the island's west side, where beach swings and bean bags line the sand and the sky flames over Bali's volcano across the water, then join the laid-back party as beach bars fire up with live music, fire shows and DJs (a different bar hosts the big night each evening). It's sociable, scenic and fun without being Bali-brash. A gorgeous sunset and an easy island night out. Relaxed and lively.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to The Gili Islands; flights via Google Flights.