//
Place in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
Photo: Rosino, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ende is a city in Flores. It mostly serves as the gateway between Flores and Sumba island or Kupang. However, Ende is worth a visit in its own right. Being the biggest city in Flores with around 60,000 inhabitants, boasting both a university and a hospital, it has a middle class and curious young people with good English skills.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Rumah Pengasingan Bung Karno
House occupied by Soekarno during his years of exile (1934-1938) in Ende. Most of the old furnishings are still there. While in exile in Ende, Soekarno wrote and staged few plays, together with the Tonel Kelimutu theater group.
Ende is famous for its export of colorful stones. Families will gather every day on the shores of the black sand beaches to gather and sort the stones washed up by the sea. The stones are then exported primarily to Japan for its stone gardens. Ojeks will take you there, but it's really just rocks and not that spectacular.
The beaches around Ende are absolutely beautiful (except near the market where the beach is filthy) and completely undeveloped. Pack lunch and head for the beach. You can combine this with a visit to the village of Wolotopo. If you already went to Bena this village is less spectacular, but it does make for a nice getaway.
cafes are dotted around town with fast and reliable internet.
Serves mostly seafood, also has a bakery counter. The waitresses are charming and also work at the beauty salon next door.
Noodle soup and other traditional dishes, all 15,000 or under. Friendly English-speaking Chinese owner. Brightly lit but clean and welcoming. All dishes made to order; better than the cold buffet warungs mostly found in this area.
Renowned local Nasi Padang restaurant, with a huge selection of dishes and non-alcoholic drinks.
Karaoke bar. Sells beer, arak and assortment of whiskeys. Some of the high-heeled ladies here appear to be 'on the job'. This is bit of an odd bar, though the only one locals will recommend.
A wonderful budget hotel close to the airport. The staff is very helpful, and can arrange all your on-wards travel. Surprisingly, the cheapest rooms are the best. Choose between shared/private bathroom and fan or a/c. Rates includes a simple breakfast (Coffee and toast or perhaps a sweet bun).
Right next to Ikhlas, this hotel has budget and midrange rooms with TV. Rates include breakfast.
Unique concrete building, common area, swimming pool, clean rooms, comfortable beds and AC. Breakfast, free water refills, tea and coffee, great sunset views from rooftop.
The markets are big, interesting, and sprawl north for several blocks. If that is your thing, take a stroll through the markets, and you will find fish of all sorts, fresh vegetables and of course, the omnipresent Ikat. Many small warungs selling snacks and drinks surround the markets.
By boat
Pelni serves Kupang and Sumba island on a 2 week schedule. The boat leaves for Kupang, then returns 3 days later for Waingapu (Sumba), rinse and repeat.
By bus
Buses from Bajawa stop at a warung near the airport roundabout for lunch.
Central Ende is very small and everything of interest to the traveler is literally within walking distance, or hail an ojek.
Read in the guideArticles and travel topics about Ende and Indonesia.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.