Kelimutu lakes
Three crater lakes whose waters periodically change colour, best admired at sunrise.
Flores
A mountainous, volcanic island in eastern Indonesia, Flores charms visitors with the multicoloured lakes of Kelimutu, traditional villages of conical houses and its role as the gateway to Komodo National Park. A destination still off the beaten track, away from the busiest routes.
Why visit Flores?
Flores stands out for the crater lakes of Kelimutu, whose waters periodically change colour, and for traditional villages such as Bena, with conical houses arranged around a ceremonial space. The island is also the main gateway to Komodo National Park, reached from Labuan Bajo, and has a mostly Catholic population, distinct from much of the archipelago.
What to discover in Flores?
Near Ende, in the centre of the island, the three crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu offer a unique sight: their waters, tinted different colours by volcanic and mineral activity, are best seen at sunrise from a viewpoint overlooking the craters. Around Bajawa, several traditional villages such as Bena preserve conical houses built of wood and thatch, arranged around a ceremonial space where ancestral rites are still practised, set among green volcanic hills.
At the western tip of the island, Labuan Bajo serves as a base camp for exploring Komodo National Park and its dragons, pink sand beaches and renowned marine life. In between, the trans-island road crosses a mountainous landscape of circular rice terraces, coffee plantations and remote villages, offering an authentic road trip away from mass tourism. Flores is also home to several hot springs and waterfalls, as well as a tradition of hand-woven ikat, the region's signature textile.
Cities to visit in Flores
Featured destinations appear first.
Coming soon.
Flores in pictures
Must-see highlights
A few standout experiences to plan your trip to Flores, between volcanoes, villages and marine life.
Bena traditional village
A village of conical wood-and-thatch houses, arranged around a ceremonial space still used by the community.
Labuan Bajo and Komodo park
The island's western gateway, starting point for cruises to see the Komodo dragons and Pink Beach.
Trans-island road
A road route crossing mountains, circular rice terraces and coffee plantations, for an authentic road trip.
Traditional ikat weaving
A signature textile craft, hand-woven with patterns passed down through generations within each village.
Hot springs and waterfalls
Several natural sites scattered across the island, reachable on excursions from Flores' main towns.
Practical information
- Capital
- Ende
- Area
- About 14,300 km²
- Population
- Over 1.9 million inhabitants
- Languages
- Indonesian (official) and local languages (Manggarai, Ngada, Ende...)
- Currency
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (Central Indonesia Time)
- Climate
- Dry tropical, more arid than Java or Bali
- Best season
- April to December, outside the monsoon
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you spend exploring Flores?
About a week allows you to travel from Labuan Bajo to Kelimutu across the island, with stops in the traditional villages around Bajawa.
How do you get around the island of Flores?
The trans-island road connects the main towns, but journeys take time due to the terrain; car hire with a driver or local minibuses are the most common options.
Is Flores connected to Labuan Bajo by road?
Yes, but the full journey takes several days; many travellers combine domestic flights and road stretches depending on the time available.
What is the best time to visit Flores?
The period from April to December offers drier weather, favourable for hikes to Kelimutu and boat trips from Labuan Bajo.
Can you visit the traditional villages of Flores?
Yes, several villages such as Bena welcome visitors, usually for a small contribution, with respect for local customs.
What should you buy in Flores?
Hand-woven ikat textiles, with patterns unique to each village, are among the island's most authentic souvenirs.
Plan your trip to Flores
Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.
