Away from the crowds - explore Bali’s serene areas in the north, east, and west
Experience serenity by visiting the East, North and West parts of Bali
general information
The further north you travel away from Ubud, the more authentic experiences and sites you will encounter. In the East, North, and Northwest regions, you will find some of the most majestic mountains and volcanoes in Bali. The Hindu Balinese people highly respect these mountains, considering them the abodes of the Gods; therefore, they are sacred.
True Balinese authenticity has been preserved, and you can see typical villages, temples, households, and customs. These areas are less developed for tourists compared to those in the south, although businesses in Bali are constantly expanding into new areas. Places like Sidemen have been very well arranged for tourists.
The East, North, and Northwest areas of Bali are quite distant from each other, so depending on the length of your trip, you might not have much time to visit all of them. Therefore, you need to note what each area offers and decide where to plan your adventures.
Transportation:
Some towns may seem close to each other on the map, but in reality, it takes a long time to travel due to the mountainous terrain. For example, from Amed to Kintamani, it will take you around 2 hours.
It is important to know that there are no GoJek or Grab (apps for private car/scooter taxi) services in these areas. Once you reach your destination, you could either rent a scooter from your hotel or arrange for a local driver to take you around.
east bali
Sidemen
A picturesque valley with rice terraces, traditional villages, and a slow pace. It is one hour away from Ubud and is perfect for a day or two to relax, take walks, admire the views, and as a romantic gateway.
It is ideal for trekking, yoga retreats, or learning about traditional Balinese weaving and crafts.
Known for: Gembleng Waterfalls, rice fields, Mt. Agung (volcano) views
Main activities: walking, relaxing, silver-making classes
Accommodation: unique bamboo villas, mid-range hotels, and exclusive resorts
My tip: Although it may seem that there is not much to do, Sidemen is an extremely beautiful area where you can enjoy unspoiled views; there are some intimate resorts with spas and romantic restaurants such as Samanvaya Resort Sidemen.
Amed/Tulamben
Quiet coastal areas famous for diving, especially for exploring shipwrecks like the USAT Liberty in Tulamben.
Amed is also known for its traditional salt farming and stunning sunrise views. It has black sandy rocky beaches.
Although, some beach hotels offer sunbeds, parts of the beach are occupied by fishing boats.
Amed and Tulamben are great towns to stay in if you want to take a scuba diving course, as it is one of the main activities in the area. Just 40 minutes away, you can also find a real savanna - the Savana Tianyar - with unobstructed views of Mount Agung volcano, which is best visited during sunrise.
Known for: less-developed coastal towns, seafood, fantastic coral reefs and exquisite fish
Must know: The area is currently being developed for tourists; for example, pavements are being built, roads are not in a perfect condition
Main activities: snorkelling, scuba diving, Savana Tianyar
Accommodation: Balinese villas and cottages, mid-range resorts
My tip: Although the beach is quieter, I didn’t find it suitable for a typical sunbathing beach day. However, I recommend the area if you enjoy snorkelling and diving.
Kintamani
Kintamani is a highland region known for its cool climate and stunning panoramas featuring Mount Batur and Mount Agung, both active volcanoes, as well as Lake Batur, Bali’s largest lake. This area offers a refreshing contrast to Bali's coastal scenes, with its misty mountain air, expansive greenery, and traditional Balinese villages steeped in culture.
One of the most famous experience here is trekking up Mount Batur at sunrise for a spectacular view of the island. For a thrilling adventure, you can hop on an ATV to explore the black lava fields left by Mount Batur’s past eruptions. The Toya Bungkah hot springs are perfect for a relaxing soak, and coffee lovers (like me) will find Kintamani coffee a delight, with its unique acidity and flavour. In fact, many popular cafés across Bali source their coffee beans from Kintamani’s local traders. You will also have a chance to buy coffee beans from here to take away with you back home.
If you are not into outdoor activities, Kintamani’s trendy cafés and restaurants offer scenic panoramic views of the volcanoes. From there, you can savour delicious coffee while admiring the volcanic landscape and these are some perfect spots for good photos.
Know for: Mount Batur volcanic views and sunrise tours, trendy cafes with volcano views
Main activities: Hot Lava ATV tours, hot springs, sunrise hiking/ATV tours
Accommodation: home stays, low and high budget cabins, glamping
My tip: great for a day trip or a 1-night stay
North bali
munduk (buleleng regency)
Munduk: Known for its cool climate, misty mountains, and lush coffee plantations, Munduk is an excellent spot for hiking, with scenic waterfalls like Munduk Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. It’s also close to the scenic Twin Lakes and offers stunning viewpoints. It is located in the Buleleng regency, where you will find some other cascading waterfalls such as Sekumpul and Aling Aling. There is simply so much to explore and it is one of my favourite areas in BALI !
Know for: Cloves and coffee plantations, mountain trails, the Blue Hortensia flower fields
Main activities: visit waterfalls, jungle trekking, canoeing and cycling
Accommodation: luxury cabins, home stays and budget-friendly hotels
My tip: I suggest staying for 3-4 nights as there are many fun outdoor activities
Note that if the weather is bad it will be wet and cold. So, before coming, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast and embrace the nature.
Lovina
A coastal town known for its calm beaches and dolphin-watching tours. Unlike the southern beaches, Lovina has a relaxed vibe and is ideal for snorkeling, diving, or just unwinding by the black sand beaches.
Known for: family-friendly destination, beachfront resorts
Main activities: relax in your resort, snorkelling and diving
Accommodation: beachfront resorts, home stays
My tip: Lovina is a quieter area, so if you want to visit the beach but have a more laid-back experience, then this is a good place for you. If you are going to do the dolphin tour, please consider joining an ethical company which doesn’t stress the dolphins such as https://seamindexperience.com.
West bali
Pemuteran
Pemuteran is one of the least populated and explored area by tourists due to its remote location - the most Western point on the island. It is paradise for nature lovers as it is located right on the north coast of the ocean offering pristine clear waters and here you can get a snorkelling trip to the unhabited Menjangan Island.
You also have the West Bali National Park which is home to lush forests, mangroves, and coral reefs.
Known for: West Bali National Park, quiet area, scuba diving, Baluran volcano (Java) views
Main activities: trekking, bird watching, white sand beaches and crystal clear ocean
Accommodation: Balinese resorts, villas, home stays
My tip: due to its remote location, I would recommend staying longer in this region. It would be a great final destination for a multiple stops road trip over a couple of days.
