Mataram
Lombok's capital and transport hub, with a Hindu temple complex and a water palace near the centre.
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Mataram is the capital of Lombok, the island east of Bali in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. Most of the island's ferry, bus and road routes start or end here, so many travelers pass through on their way somewhere else. The two sights worth a visit are Pura Meru, a large Hindu temple complex, and Taman Mayura, a water palace from the period when Balinese rulers governed Lombok. Both are in the Cakranegara area, within walking distance of each other.
Mataram suits a practical stop more than a beach holiday. Use it to connect to Senggigi, the Gili Islands or the south coast, or to take a ferry from Lembar to Bali. Plan one or two nights to see the temples and the palace. The dry season, roughly April to October, is the easiest time to get around the island. The city is hot and humid most of the year, so visit the temples early in the day.
Mataram in five
- Stay in Mataram only for logisticsA night here helps with an early ferry, a late flight or an errand. For beaches and swimming, Senggigi or the south coast are better bases, and the Gilis are a short boat trip from Bangsal.Senggigi
- See Pura Meru and the Mayura water palaceTwo historic sites in Cakranegara show Lombok's mix of Hindu and Sasak history. A short visit takes a morning, and a sarong is usually required at temples.
- Know where the airport isLombok International Airport is in Praya, in the center of the island, roughly 45 to 60 minutes by road from Mataram. Book a transfer or taxi in advance, especially for late arrivals.Lombok
- Use Lembar for ferries to BaliFerries to Padangbai leave from Lembar port, about 30 to 45 minutes from Mataram. Crossings take several hours, and rough seas can delay them, so leave a day before a flight.
- Skip Mataram on a short beach tripThe city is busy with traffic and has few beaches. If you have only a few days, go straight from the airport to the coast.South Lombok
Need to know
- Airport
- Lombok International (LOP) in Praya, about 45–60 min by road
- Getting there
- Flights to Lombok, ferries from Padangbai to Lembar
- Getting around
- Taxis, ride-hailing and a hired car for day trips
- Best base
- Mataram for logistics; Senggigi or the south for beaches
- Time needed
- A few hours to one night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, humidJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 328 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- FebruaryRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°WetFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 306 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°ShowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 243 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°ShowersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drying outMayRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying out
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°DryJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, windyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, windy
- AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°DrySeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dryOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°ShowersNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 332 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Mataram, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mataram
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Mataram
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°22°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed34°25°71%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Thu33°25°94%Thursday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri33°25°79%Friday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Sat32°24°93%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sun31°24°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 02:06 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- MarNyepiBali, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Senggigiabout 20–30 min by roadA beach strip with restaurants and sunset views north of the city.Read the guide
- Gili Islandsabout 1 hour by road to Bangsal, then a boatThree car-free islands with snorkeling and turtles.Read the guide
- South Lombokabout 1–1.5 hours by roadSurf beaches and quiet bays around Kuta Lombok.Read the guide
Before you go to Mataram
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Rules for Mataram, checked
- Many nationalities need a visa on arrival or an e-VoA to enter Indonesia. Check eligibility on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly.
- Indonesia enforces strict drug laws, including for small amounts. Carry no narcotics and check your government's travel advice before you go.
- Cover shoulders and knees in mosques. At Hindu temples such as Pura Meru, a sarong and sash are usually required.
- Mataram is mostly Muslim. Eating or drinking in public during daylight in Ramadan is frowned on, so check local rules before you visit.
Plan around Mataram
Rinjani, beaches and the Gilis
Read the guideSenggigiThe nearest beach resort strip
Read the guideGili TrawanganThe most social Gili island
Read the guideGili MenoThe quietest Gili island
Read the guideSouth LombokSurf and empty beaches south of the airport
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry, money and where to go next
Read the guideMataram FAQ
Is Mataram worth visiting?
As a stop, yes, but not as a base. Pura Meru and the Mayura water palace are interesting for a morning, and the city is handy for the ferry port. For beaches, go to Senggigi, the Gilis or the south.
How far is Mataram from the airport?
About 45 to 60 minutes by road, since Lombok International Airport is in Praya. Allow more time in traffic and book a transfer in advance.
Should I stay in Mataram or Senggigi?
Senggigi for a beach resort and sunset views, Mataram only if you need the city or an early ferry. Both are about 20 to 30 minutes apart by road.
How do you get from Mataram to the Gilis?
By road to Bangsal harbor, about an hour, then a public or private boat to the island. Fast boats from Bali and other ports also reach the Gilis directly.
Can you take a ferry from Lombok to Bali?
Yes, from Lembar to Padangbai, a crossing of several hours. It is cheaper than a flight but slower, so leave a buffer day before an international connection.