Sumbawa Besar

Sumbawa Besar is a city on the island of Sumbawa in Nusa Tenggara, eastern Indonesia.

Sumbawa Besar is the historic capital of the former Sultanate of Sumbawa and the largest city in western Sumbawa. Although most travellers pass through on the journey between Lombok and eastern Sumbawa, it is worth stopping for a day to visit the former royal palace, learn about Sumbawan culture and explore the surrounding countryside. The city is quieter and less touristy than Lombok, offering a glimpse of everyday life on the island. Get in

• -8.48893117.414991 Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport (SWQ  ^IATA, also known as Brang Bidji Airport). Has flights by Garuda Indonesia and Wings Air from Lombok.  

Tiara Mas offers daily direct transfers to Sumbawa Besar from Mataram at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 19:00. Takes 7 hours. Including ferry. Tiara Mas office Mataram: Jl. Pejanggik 108a Phone: 0370642597. Office Sumbawa Besar Jl. Yos Sudarso Depan Kodim. Phone 037121241. You can also book for Tiara Mas from the Perama office in Senggigi including pickup from your hotel with transfer to Mataram.

As of Feb 2016, a number of coaches leave Mataram in the afternoon between 15:00-16:00 bound for Flores. Cost until Sumbawa Besar 175-200,000 including ferry, arriving in Sumbawa Besar around 21:00.

• Istana Dalam Loka. The magnificent Istana Dalam Loka is Sumbawa Besar's premier attraction and one of Indonesia's finest surviving traditional wooden palaces. Built in 1885 by Sultan Muhammad Jalaluddin III, the two-storey palace stands entirely on timber pillars and was constructed without the use of nails. The building contains almost 100 rooms and once served as the residence of the Sultans of Sumbawa and their extended household. Today it functions as a museum displaying royal furniture, ceremonial objects, photographs and traditional artefacts. (updated Jul 2026)
• Bala Kuning Palace. A later palace, now Government use and royal residence and can usually only be viewed from outside. (updated Jul 2026)
• -8.498717117.4238751 Sumbawa Museum. £.  (updated Jul 2026)
• Great Mosque. Historic mosque beside palace. (updated Jul 2026)
• Dutch Church. Small early 20th-century Dutch colonial church. (updated Jul 2026)

• Baru Beach. Not spectacular by Indonesian standards but nice for an evening walk. (updated Jul 2026)
• Ai Loang Beach. Good beach close to Sumbawa Besar. (updated Jul 2026)

• Sumbawa Besar is a good place to sample traditional Sumbawan cuisine, which differs noticeably from that of neighbouring Lombok. Local dishes tend to be less fiery than Sasak food, with grilled seafood, beef, buffalo and fresh vegetables featuring prominently. Specialities include sepat, a sour fish soup flavoured with tamarind and local herbs; singang, a spicy fish curry; manjareal, grilled or smoked beef; and sate pusut, minced meat mixed with grated coconut and spices before being grilled on bamboo skewers. The city also has numerous inexpensive warungs serving Indonesian favourites, Padang restaurants and seafood eateries.
• Warung Kita 2, Jl. Yos Sudarso (near market). Small, basic but clean warung with buffet style choice. Also vegetarian opions. Popular with locals during lunch. Meals from Rp15,000. (updated Feb 2016)

• -8.48896117.4191 Tambora Hotel, Jl Kebayan. Has nice rooms for Rp 120,000 with air conditioning and TV, including breakfast. Beds OK. Nothing glamorous, but quiet and friendly staff. The hotel also has less expensive rooms available. From Rp 80,000.  
• Hotel Dewi, Jl. Sultan Hasanudin, ☏ +62 81917677724. Basic place, a bit run down, cold showers. Reception 24 hr, good for late arrivals, but mosque and school nearby, so early morning wakeup. Rp 150,000 no AC, Rp 200,000 AC as of July 2016. (updated Feb 2016)
• Hotel Dian, Jl. Sultan Hasanudin. Very basic place. Rooms start at Rp 100,000 without AC and squat toilets. Rooms and beds are a little bit messy. Opposite Hotel Dewi. 

West

• Lombok

East

• Dompu

• Bima

North

• Moyo

South

• Maluk

• Sekongkang

• Scar Reef