Destinations

Central highlands, Gianyar

Inland town in the hills of Gianyar, ringed by river gorges and terraced rice fields. The island's centre for craft, dance and temple ceremony.

South-west coast, Badung

Long beach break immediately south of the airport, and the island's oldest mass tourism strip. Dense with hotels, bars and surf schools.

South-west coast, Badung

West-facing beach north of Kuta, backed by villas, beach clubs and restaurants. Sunset side of the island, heavy afternoon traffic.

South-west coast, Badung

Black sand beach breaks and remaining rice fields north of Seminyak, built out fast over the past decade. Cafes, coworking and congested lanes.

Bukit Peninsula, Badung

Limestone cliffs at the southern tip of the island, above a line of reef breaks. Clifftop temple, steep access paths down to most beaches.

Bukit Peninsula, Badung

Gated resort enclave on the east side of the peninsula, planned in the 1970s. Calm reef-protected water, wide manicured beaches, large hotels.

South-east coast, Denpasar

East-facing coast protected by a reef, so the water stays flat. Paved beachfront path runs several kilometres. Fast boat port for the Nusa islands.

Bukit Peninsula, Badung

Bay on the west side of the isthmus, with a working fish market and a line of seafood warungs along the sand. Sheltered swimming.

Nusa islands, Klungkung

Largest of the three islands off the south-east coast, reached by fast boat from Sanur. Limestone cliffs, rough interior roads, few sealed lanes.

South-west coast, Badung

Beach strip between Kuta and Seminyak, continuous with both. Hotels and bars along one main street running parallel to the sand.

East coast, Karangasem

String of fishing villages along a dry, steep coast. Black sand coves, calm water, a shipwreck dive site at nearby Tulamben.

North coast, Buleleng

Stretch of black sand villages on the calm north coast, west of Singaraja. Known for early morning boat trips to see dolphins offshore.

Central highlands, Buleleng

Ridge village in the northern mountains, among coffee and clove plantations. Cool, often clouded, with waterfalls in the surrounding ravines.

Central highlands, Tabanan

Highland area around the crater lakes, cool and frequently wet. Ulun Danu Beratan temple sits on the lake shore. Botanic garden and market nearby.

South-west coast, Tabanan

Sea temple on a rock formation off the Tabanan coast, cut off from the shore at high tide. Visited mainly at sunset.

East Bali, Karangasem

Valley of terraced rice fields under Mount Agung. Farming and hand weaving, little development, no coastline.

East coast, Karangasem

Coastal village on the east shore, where much of the original beach was lost to coral mining. Base for snorkelling trips and east coast touring.

East coast, Karangasem

Small port town, the ferry and fast boat departure point for Lombok and the Gili islands. Sheltered bay with dive sites either side.

Central highlands, Bangli

Caldera rim above Lake Batur, facing the active Mount Batur cone. Cold at altitude, the usual departure point for pre-dawn ascents.

Central highlands, Gianyar

Steep terraced rice valley north of Ubud, worked with the subak irrigation system. Narrow road along the rim, heavily visited by day.