5 Recommended Mandalika Attractions That Are Just as Exciting as Gili Trawangan

There is one great destination worth visiting, called Mandalika. Mandalika is a tourist area covering 1,035 hectares located in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.

Its name has soared after being widely discussed that the Mandalika Circuit for MotoGP 2021 is scheduled to be completed in July next year! Although it still looks barren, the construction process is being accelerated because Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is one of the super priority destinations.

Looking at the map of Indonesia, Mandalika is located on Lombok Island, the island situated between Bali and Sumbawa. In terms of distance from Jakarta, Mandalika is approximately 1,300 kilometers away. By plane, the travel time is only 2-3 hours.

The tourism potential of Mandalika can be considered quite promising. The authenticity of the culture, local residents, rolling hills and beaches, as well as underwater beauty are its main attractions. Here are 5 recommended tourist destinations in Mandalika.

Kuta Mandalika Beach

Kuta Beach is located in the Special Economic Zone, in Pujut, Central Lombok. This beach is very popular because it offers charm that is said to be cooler than Kuta Beach in Bali.

The allure of the blue-green sea along with the soft white sand and the expanse of hilly views is its main attraction. Not only swimming, taking photos and selfies at Kuta Beach, Mandalika can also boost your attractiveness, friends!

What's more exciting, as a priority tourist destination, various interesting facilities can already be enjoyed. From play areas, souvenir shopping areas to delicious culinary hunting!

Tanjung Aan Beach

For friends who want to relax from the hustle and bustle of urban routines, Tanjung Aan Beach can be a choice. This beach tends to be quiet, it feels like having a private beach!

Tanjung Aan Beach is located in Mandalika, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. From Lombok International Airport, the travel time is only one hour. This beach offers a special natural charm. Its soft white sand, the roar of the waves is also quite ideal for surfing, and the hilly clusters look beautiful from a distance.

Sunbathing, surfing, and even diving can all be done at Tanjung Aan Beach. Indeed, this beach is not as crowded with tourists as Kuta Beach, but Tanjung Aan Beach is equipped with public facilities. There are several Instagrammable spots provided for selfies and photos, souvenir shops, and various delicious foods.

Merese Hill

Merese Hill should be the next destination if you go to Mandalika. It is located on Kuta Lombok Road, Pujut, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. The beautiful hill landscape can be an attraction to enjoy the stunning panorama of Mandalika's sea.

The best moment to be here is during sunset. Friends can see the sun slowly setting on the western horizon from the top of the hill, accompanied by a cool sea view and a gentle breeze. Truly unmatched!

Sade Traditional Village

It is located in Rambitan Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. Sade Village offers interesting local cultural wisdom. Its residents choose to maintain a lifestyle that has been passed down from their ancestors.

This is evident from their activities that remain homogeneous. For example, most men work as farmers, while women work making Sasak cloth, the original weaving of Lombok.

Don't forget to check out the routine activities of the women there when making Sasak cloth. If you have time, you can try making Sasak cloth starting from spinning the thread, dyeing, to understanding how to care for Sasak cloth.

Besides cloth, the people of Sade Village also produce other handicrafts such as bracelets, necklaces, and trinkets. Oh, don't forget to buy the handicrafts from the residents of Sade Village, it's a way to support local businesses.

Ende Village

Houses built from clay mixed with buffalo dung are a special sight in Rambitan Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. This area is called Ende Village, which is home to the Sasak Tribe, the indigenous people of Lombok.

Ende Village is still considered very pristine and traditional. You can see daily activities that still adhere to the traditions of their ancestors.

From the city of Mataram, the distance to Ende Village is about 40 kilometers. It is not difficult to find this village located on the right side of the road. If you happen to be heading to Kuta Beach from Mataram, you will see a sign that says “Welcome to Sasak Village”.

If you're lucky, you might witness a unique tradition of the Sasak Tribe, which is called "kawin lari" (runaway marriage). In this tradition, the man runs away with the woman he likes. This is done without the knowledge of the woman's parents.

Runaway marriages usually take place for 3 days. After that, the woman's parents will redeem her to discuss the continuation of the relationship to a more serious level.

Interestingly, Islam is the majority religion in Ende Village. The blend of culture, tradition, and religion in this village does not loosen the customs. Ende Village can be one of the must-visit destinations.