One of Indonesia’s many poets, Toba Beta, once said: “Don’t talk about heaven if you’ve never been to Bali”. Tourists who have visited Bali have witnessed this firsthand, with many characterizing it as “heaven on earth.” For years, the island has been renowned for its natural beauty.
I will be the first to admit that Bali is an amazing island to visit. However, coming from Indonesia, a country with many beautiful islands, it is a shame to hear “oh I’ve only been to Bali” every time I tell someone I’m from Indonesia. So, I’ve decided to create a small list of places to see in Indonesia, that are not Bali.
- Komodo Island
I think most of you have heard of the Komodo dragons – the heaviest lizards on earth. Do you know where they get their name? From Komodo island, their rugged habitat, which includes a National park that covers the entire area. Komodo National Park is a must-visit for any nature lover. With incredible diving, beautiful islands, pink beaches, and even forests, it’s one of my favorite destinations in all of Indonesia. If you want an especially nice pink beach picture for your Instagram, this is the place to visit.
- Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta offers you history, legends, myths, and discovery. It is home to two of the most infamous and greatest Buddhist & Hindu monuments in the world: Borobudur & Prambanan. These temples are an absolute “must-see” and should be on the top of your bucket list; especially with Borobudur being the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and Prambanan the oldest Hindu temple in Indonesia. You should definitely hire a guide for a tour around the temples to tell you all about the myths and legends, and of course, the history.
- Raja Ampat
Are you looking for the most remote, beautiful, and pristine spot to dive, explore serene beaches, and see rich marine life and corals? Then Raja Ampat, an Indonesian archipelago in West Papua, is the place to go. It is a Mecca for underwater enthusiast because of the over 500 types of corals, and more than 1000 types of fish you get to discover. The territory within the islands of the Four Kings (literal translation of Raja Ampat) is enormous, covering 9.8 million acres of land and sea, so there is more than enough nature for you to explore.
- Lombok
Some of my favorite parts about this island are the beaches and waterfalls! As everyone agrees, Bali is stunning – but it can also have a quite hectic and busy side to it. If I were you, and if I were looking for some peacefulness, I would highly suggest traveling to Lombok. The nature is absolutely breathtaking, and everything happens just a bit more slowly there. It offers you a variety of scenery: divine beaches, spectacular marine life, and the majestic Mount Rinjani (an active volcano! And the second highest volcano in Indonesia ). Whether you just want to lay by the beach or part-take in water activities, Lombok offers it all. I recommend finding a place to stay in South Lombok and arranging day trips from there to discover the island. Go looking for the beaches and waterfalls, you won’t be disappointed.
These are only 4 of many other places you should visit in Indonesia that are not Bali. Let me know in the comments below whether you have visited these places or any other places in Indonesia that are not on this list!
‘Til next time!
Valerie
Oh I wish to go there someday… thank you for your awesome blog!
Thank you T for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed my post and I also hope you get to visit my country some day!
Wow, Indonesia moved right to the top of my travel bucket list. Cannot even decide what I would want to see first!
Yay Elisabeth! I find it awesome that my blog was able to move Indonesia to the top of your list! You should book a 2 month vacation and see EVERYTHING 🙂 hahaha.