SENGGIGI


Senggigi is about a third of the way down the west coast of Lombok and is served once daily by the Eka Jaya fast ferry from Padang Bai, leaving Bali at 14.00pm, arriving in Senggigi at 15.30pm, and then returning at 16.00pm. (You will need to arrange a private driver or one of the company’s to/from Padang Bai ). www.gili-fastboat.com can organise your trip for you with Cheeky Monkey Promotions.


It is a great location for being based in Lombok as the 3 famous Gili islands of Terawangan, Meno and Air are only an hour away to the north, the great Mt.Rinjani and waterfalls are also not so far. Other than that, Senggigi is a very quiet pretty, almost soulless place.


While Mataram city is also only 45 minutes away, if you go early you will see the fish market, the major local market for everything fishy, including the occasional reef shark or Manta, definitely worth a visit, cheap but bargain hard.

( worth taking a mask though ). Then shortly after you leave the fish market there is the huge everything food market in Ampenan, an experience not to be missed especially 8am on a Friday.


There are 2 malls in Mataram, the old and the new, the new one is called EPICENTRUM and you are better off going to spend most your time here.

It has many top clothes brands, accessories, and souvenir shops, restaurants serving all types of food, a Cinema, and an events venue.


But do go look at the original mall it still has some interesting shops! ( They even used to have a shooting range on the top floor! )


Or if you are feeling lazy go to the Senggigi art market next to the Sheraton resort, where they sell locally produced traditional arts and crafts. (All very overpriced so bargain hard, you should meet half way so start very low, if you think its overpriced still walk away and you will get the price you asked.

You will also find some tour operators offering the usual activities, rent bikes (Rp75,00 +/ day or !.5Juta a month for a small Vario, bigger scooters are obviously more expensive. The best one is opposite Happy Cafe, and along the the main strip.

If you go 30 metres through the art market towards the beach next to the Sheraton, there are 4 places to eat on the beach that are medium price, but at night.


There are some fairly good restaurants in Senggigi, these are a few that I personally recommend;


Recommendations -- eating in SenggigI

  • Pasta Pojok (Italian) – Main road near Marina club - best pizza (delivers) $$$-$

  • Asmara (International) – Main street $$$$

  • Temptations (International) – Main street $$$$

  • The Square (Fine Dining) – Central Senggigi $$$$$

  • Willys Bar (Fun slightly eccentric bar) Centre Senggigi-German bangers and mash, local, soups $$-$

  • Indo BBQ and Grill (International) – Central Senggigi (Delivers) $$$

  • The Office, Bar and Grill (Bit of everything including Thai, all good) — on the beach $$$-$

  • Coco Loco (Specialty fish, Lemongrass Prawns, International) — on the beach with lanterns - $$$-$

  • Salt (Fish & chips, best burgers in town, Granola bowls to ciabattas & salads, open all day – Main St (Delivers) $$$$

  • Warung Hijo (All local specialities, healthy fresh and very tasty) — Next to the smaller BIMC (money changer) - $

Seggigi high street

KUTA , South Lombok & Southern Gilis


The small town of Kuta and the now international Grand Prix circuit at Mandelika are located a 2 hours drive from Senggigi. There is a small number of people who venture to south Lombok, mostly hardcore surfers. So expect a slightly more (if possible) laid back atmosphere when you arrive. It is quite spread out so the majority of people either rent a car or scooter to make the journey, and to appreciate the southern deserted beaches.