The coast road north from Mataram passes Pura Batu Bolong, a small Hindu temple on a rock arch over the sea, before reaching Senggigi itself — a main road of restaurants, shops and hotels behind a curving beach. North of town the road becomes one of the island’s great drives, climbing over headlands to the viewpoints of Malimbu and dipping into quieter bays such as Mangsit and Nipah, where fishermen grill the day’s catch.
The coast continues to Pemenang and the harbour of Bangsal, the jumping-off point for the Gili Islands, and on towards the luxury resorts of the north-west. Inland, the Pusuk pass climbs through forest where long-tailed macaques wait by the road.
Senggigi makes a practical base for exploring the west and north: Mataram’s temples and water gardens, day trips to the Gilis, and the road to Senaru.
Highlights
- Sunset over Bali’s Mount Agung from the beach or a clifftop bar
- Pura Batu Bolong, the temple on a sea arch
- The coast road to the Malimbu viewpoints
- Grilled fish at the beach warungs of Nipah
- An easy day trip to the Gili Islands
- Macaques on the forested Pusuk pass
In pictures: Senggigi
How long to stay and where to base yourself
Two to four days covers the coast and a couple of day trips. Stay in central Senggigi for restaurants within walking distance, around Mangsit just north for quieter beachfront resorts, or further north towards Sire and Medana for luxury resorts closer to the Gili harbours.
