Visitors to Indonesia are increasingly looking beyond Bali for their getaways and searching for areas of beauty and interest off the beaten track. One location that is growing in popularity is the Mandalika development project on the neighbouring island of Lombok.
Located on the southern coast of Lombok, Mandalika has emerged as a premier destination for travellers in search of unspoiled natural beauty, rich cultural experiences and elite sporting events. With its combination of excellent beaches, diverse accommodation options and unique cultural heritage, Mandalika has come to be known as Indonesia’s ‘New Bali’. In 2025, the region is set to become a rising star in the tourism landscape.
Covering around 1,035 hectares, Mandalika boasts a number of popular beaches, including Kuta, Tanjung Aan and Gerupuk. These locations offer a combination of swimming, sunbathing, surfing, snorkelling and sightseeing, with coastal paths and panoramic vistas an attractive proposition for hikers and cyclists. In recent years, the government has also been working to improve accessibility and infrastructure for the region, by expanding Lombok International Airport, building new roads and creating a wide range of accommodation options.
The cultural richness of the region is another major feature of Mandalika’s appeal. Visitors can immerse themselves in local customs, traditional crafts and performances, while exploring the heritage of Indigenous Sasak groups through traditional villages such as Sade and Ende. Here, travellers can learn about weaving, architecture and the traditional Sasak way of life, through activities with an emphasis on authenticity and responsible, mutually respectful interactions.
For travellers in search of adventure, beaches like Gerupuk and Seger offer some excellent surf breaks, while Lombok’s many coral reefs provide premier diving and snorkelling excursions too. Inland, the island’s mountains, foothills, plantations and villages are the ideal setting for hiking and cycling trips for travellers of all ages and levels of fitness. Meanwhile, the development of the Mandalika International Street Circuit has put the area on the map as a hub for international motorsport events, including the world-famous MotoGP.
Aligned with the Indonesian government’s pledge to drive sustainable tourism development, Mandalika has been officially designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The government is working to balance ongoing infrastructure development with environmental conservation and progressive cultural integration. In practice, this approach involves the creation of eco-friendly resorts, waste management systems and community-based tourism. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure local people benefit equitably from the new influx of tourists, thereby creating a model in which tourism is sustainable, responsible and rooted in local culture.
The emergence of Mandalika as one of Indonesia’s new hotspots demonstrates the government’s commitment to sustainable, equitable tourism development in new destinations off the beaten track. For international travellers, the region offers an attractive blend of luxury, adventure, natural beauty and cultural richness, in a location that is less visited than its more famous neighbours. For repeat visitors and first timers alike, Mandalika provides an attractive option for travel in the months ahead.
