Shopping is pretty miserable on Lombok compared
to Bali and other areas within the country but if you are not
planning on visiting elsewhere within the country then the following
info will be of assistance to you. The capital’s shops sell
largely practical and functional goods, the best selection being
in Cakranegara City. Sweta market
is the largest traditional market on Lombok and is pretty average
as far as markets go.
Art Market in the centre of Senggigi is a good place to pick up clothing and nik-naks, but prices start at astronomical levels and can be an effort to bring down. Bartering is essential!
Antiques The best 'antiques' shops are located in Ampenan. Native fabrics are best bought in one of the many textile shops in Cakranegara, Sweta market or locally in one of the traditional weaving villages.
Basketry Lombok is renowned world wide for it's intricately woven baskets and this is one item that is best bought here rather than elsewhere in Indonesia. There are numerous outlets on the island
Clothing and other items made from cloth The small string of mini shops and stalls on Gili Tarawangan offer lower prices for T-shirts, second hand books and trinkets. Ethnic villages near Tete Batu have superior blankets and Sasak sarongs.
Pottery villages not far from Mataram sell their wares to visitors. In fact anywhere on west Lombok, seems to have reasonably priced pottery. The best traditional pottery is produced in Belak.
Souvenirs The best place for buying souvenirs, furniture and beach clothes is Senggigi where a few good woodcraft and antique shops also exist. Shops will be keen to take you to their factories for a greater choice. However, many ‘antiques’ are not as old as one might think. A carving that has sat unsold on the shelf for 5 years is considered an antique.
Masks are another worthwhile purchase on Lombok and well, worth buying.
Woodcarving is spectacular to say the least on Lombok and here too the choices compared to buying one elsewhere in Indonesia are pretty much of a muchness as woodcarving, throughout Indonesia is very well executed.
Weaving is best bought in the areas of Cakranegara and the capital Mataram.
