A Sightseeing Guide to Kuta in Southern Lombok, Kuta (Lombok), Indonesia

Having visited Lombok multiple times now, I can confidently say that Kuta is my favorite part of the island. While Gili Trawangan is trending right now with its chic accommodation and dining, Kuta offers just the same but with just a fraction of the crowd.

It’s not quite a hidden gem if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s just the right amount of tourists to make it feel vibrant without making it feel over-commercialized.

Start your day in one of the hillside restaurants overlooking the Kuta Beach. There are a few options along the hillside, but my driver convinced me that this is one of the best views as it is directly on the edge of the hill, whereas some of the other restaurants are located slightly more inwards. I didn’t have the chance to check out the other establishments, but I have to say the view here is indeed excellent!

Ashtari Restaurant offers a range of slow food menu, mostly healthy options but with wide enough options to suit both Western and Asian palates. The crowd are predominantly Westerners, both of “digital nomads” and “wellness aficionados” categories. Overall vibe of the restaurant is “wellness chic”.

The road along Jalan Raya Kuta and Jalan Pariwisata Pantai Kuta are where the hustling and bustling really shines. Plenty of Instagram-friendly restaurants to spoil you with. This is my personal pick for a good area to stay with if you like to do people-watching, though if you like quiet exclusivity you may want to head elsewhere. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).