Where are The Best Places to Stay in Bali That are Unique and Beautiful?
Choosing the perfect place to stay in Bali can be daunting once you realize just how expansive the island truly is. Beyond its size, Bali boasts numerous excellent options that make traveling around the island a breeze. You’ve probably heard of hotspots like Ubud and Canggu, but what exactly do these places have to offer?
In this post, we’ll explore the best places to stay in Bali, each with its own unique charm and beauty, all the while providing a variety of activities. Whether you’re seeking serene landscapes, vibrant culture, or thrilling adventures, we’ll help you find the ideal home base for your unforgettable trip to Bali.
What is your dream trip to Bali?
Before you decide where to stay in Bali, it’s a good idea to think about what kind of trip you want. Are you planning to rent a scooter and explore all over? Or maybe you’d rather stay put and soak in the vibes of one area? Do you want to be in the thick of things with all the touristy spots, or are you looking for a quieter, more local experience? These little decisions will help narrow down the perfect places to stay in Bali.
If driving around the island isn’t on your agenda—maybe because you’re not feeling too confident about left-hand traffic or simply don’t have a license—you’ll want to focus on more pedestrian-friendly areas. In that case, choosing the right place to stay in Bali becomes extra important, so you can easily get around by foot or take short rides. For detailed guidance on such locations, check out this blog post.
How many locations should you choose for your trip?
Another thing to consider is how long you’re staying in Bali and how much ground you want to cover. For a week-long trip, staying in one or two spots is totally doable. You’ll get a good mix of experiences without spending too much time hopping between locations. But if you’re lucky enough to have two weeks or more, you might want to split your time between two to four different areas.
Of course, if you’re feeling super adventurous, there’s no harm in staying in even more places! Bali is such a diverse island that staying in just one spot can sometimes feel a bit limiting. By staying in multiple locations, you’ll really get a taste of all the different landscapes and cultures Bali has to offer. Plus, who doesn’t love the chance to pack up and move to a new breathtaking spot?
Adventure & Breathtaking Views
Amed
Amed Aesthetic
Serene, authentic, untouched natural beauty.
Here you’ll discover some of the most natural beauty in Bali, featuring stunning black sand beaches, mountainous views, and picturesque farms and valleys. The water is perfectly clear and calm, creating an idyllic ocean scene. This area isn’t very touristy, so you’ll likely have the beaches to yourself. Mornings are filled with the sounds of roosters and the sight of fishermen out on the water, offering a quaint, local feel. Compared to the rest of Bali, Amed exudes a chill and peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to experience a more authentic side of Bali by living among the locals.
Things to do:
- Spend time on Amed beach with the black sandy beaches and the clearest ocean water.
- Eat out at all the restaurants in Amed that give you the best views of the mountains and ocean.
- Take a drive to see Tirta Gangga, a beautiful garden with lovely ponds and probably the biggest fish you’ll ever see.
- Explore Taman Ujung, a water palace overlooking the ocean and the mountains in the distance.
- Lahangan Sweet, a tough drive but well worth the views of the mountains and local areas around Amed.
- Go snorkeling or go out on the water on a boat.
Budget
Amed is a very budget friendly option in Bali. It is more for adventurous and open minded travelers, as it is far from the other tourist attractions and a bit more on the remote side of Bali. However, the budget is rather extremely cheap considering you get paradise, and most definitely the most beautiful views in Bali.
Best for: adventurous couples | solo travelers | budget friendly travelers
Ubud
Ubud Aesthetic
Tropical feel, rice terraces, trendy shops, vegan cafes, beautiful temples.
Ubud offers a diverse landscape, from tropical greenery and trendy shops to rich culture and history, all the while being surrounded by rice terraces and the wild beauty of Bali. Centrally located, it makes for the perfect home base to explore the entire island. Despite its seemingly remote vibe, Ubud has become a popular destination, blending local life with a bustling town atmosphere. You’ll find shops selling traditional crafts, boutiques, jewelry, and art. Known as the vegan hub of the island, Ubud boasts charming vegetarian cafes and restaurants. The surrounding areas are rich with waterfalls, rice terraces, and temples. It’s a place where you can stay next to a rice paddy field, with ducks roaming the fields, and wander through beautiful alleyways dotted with cafes, all overlooking Ubud’s lush greenery.
Things to do:
For the adventurous
- The Campuhan Ridge Walk is the perfect place for a hike to see the surrounding area of Ubud, overlooking the lush green forest part of town.
- Mount Batur is a mountain you can climb with a tour group just right before sunrise to catch the most perfect view of Bali at the most perfect hour of the day.
- Suwat Waterfall is a small but beautiful waterfall that is easy to access and is only a half hour drive. It’s got a beautiful forest area and a cute cascading waterfall.
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall is another amazing waterfall to visit, that is slightly bigger and slightly more of a climb up and down. But this waterfall offers yet another beautiful cascade of water falling at just the right angle around the caves that the light through the water gives it such a magical feel.
- Visit other waterfalls that peak your interest, there are many with different levels of difficulty when it comes to hiking up and down to the waterfall area.
For the culture and atmosphere
- Besakih Great Temple is the biggest temple in Bali, and it has the most astounding mountain view. However, be careful of tourist scams here.
- Ubud Palace is a temple designed with traditional Balinese architecture in the heart of Ubud and a charming spot full of beautiful plants and sculptures. It’s a must see for visiting Ubud.
- The Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a popular thing to do while you’re in Ubud, it’s the perfect place to see monkeys wander around freely in a beautiful natural area.
- Visit all the lovely restaurants and shops in town to have your own unique and beautiful experience in Ubud.
- Ubud art market is a cute area to shop for different crafts in town.
- Ceking Rice Terrace is a popular place to admire the rice paddy fields in a relaxed green environment with the most aesthetic background of the hills, jungles, and rice fields in Bali.
Budget
For Ubud, the budget really depends on what airbnb or villa you plan to rent, and how many activities you plan to do outside of Ubud. The town itself has a lot to offer, but you would be limiting yourself if you don’t go outside on your own adventures, which may add to your budget slightly. Especially if you travel with tours or with a private driver. All in all, you can definitely travel Ubud on a very cheap budget, or you can travel more luxuriously depending on where you wish to stay.
Best for: couples and families | solo travelers | culture and nature enthusiasts
Coastal and Vibrant Places
Uluwatu
Uluwatu Aesthetic
Clifftop views, secluded beaches, surf spots, laid-back, stunning ocean sunsets.
A step away from the busier side of the island, Uluwatu offers stunning ocean views from the cliffs of southern Bali. It’s a haven for surfers and relaxed adventure seekers, providing the best views and a laid-back experience. Uluwatu offers many cliff top viewpoints, secluded beaches, surf spots, and charming cafes. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunset, especially from a cliff top viewpoint or Uluwatu Temple, where you can overlook the ocean and watch fishing boats gather before the setting sun.
Things to do:
- Visit the Uluwatu Temple during sunset, though be sure to find a good spot as the temple gets rather crowded at this hour.
- Enjoy the sunset at Karang Boma Cliff
- Relax on any of the beautiful beaches Uluwatu has to offer, some being: Nyang Nyang Beach, Green Bowl Beach, and Dreamland Beach
- Surf or learn to surf in some of these wonderful locations
- Try paddle boarding and other water sports
Budget
It’s a bit more difficult finding a villa in this part of Bali, so you’re more likely going to stay in something similar to a small hotel, which may make your trip slightly more expensive. The activities in Uluwatu are very budget friendly as it’s mostly outdoor adventure and spending time on the beach. There are few grocery stores, so the majority of the time you will need to depend on eating out in restaurants which you can find at any budget range. And because Uluwatu is not very pedestrian friendly, you’ll most likely need to rent a bike or have a driver to take you places. All in all, depending on where you wish to stay in Uluwatu, you can easily find both budget friendly and luxury travel options.
Best for: couples | solo travelers | adventure and beach time | surfers
Legian/Seminyak
Legian/Seminyak Aesthetic
Beachfront, lively streets, diverse dining, surfing, nightlife, trendy, vibrant.
Legian and Seminyak are two neighboring areas along the beaches just north of the airport and Kuta, making this the perfect place to stay upon landing in Bali. Both areas have lively streets and shops, as well as a variety of different kinds of restaurants and cafes. And of course the perfect beach set up for surfing, relaxing with some coconut water, and just going for a casual swim. This is the fun and trendy end of Bali, with a lively nightlife and beach clubs. It’s a great combination of cultural and vibrant sights of Bali.
Things to do:
- Spend time at Legian Beach and Seminyak Beach
- Go surfing or try out surfing for the first time
- Check out all the art and architecture around town
- Find a beach bar or beach club
- Try out all the best restaurants and shop for souvenirs
Budget
Depending on how you spend time in this area, you may find it either affordable or luxurious. You can certainly find cheaper hotels with good value and affordable meals as well. But if you wish to experience Legian and Seminyak with shopping, spa days, and spending time at a beach club, your budget limit may change a bit. As there are fewer tourist attractions and landscapes in this area, spending on shopping and restaurants is unavoidable, so be prepared for a little bit of spending.
Best for: couples | solo travelers | surfers | beach and shopping lovers
Canggu
Canggu Aesthetic
Canggu is very popular among expats and travelers for the chill and laid back atmosphere along the coastal side of Bali. There are countless cute and trendy cafes with that laid back beachy feel, where you’ll find the best smoothie bowls and coffee. It’s also great for surfers and beach lovers, as it’s a step away from the crowded beaches, but still near to a good community of travelers and locals. If you’re looking for a more relaxed and casual place of stay, this is your place. Just stay in a villa that’s only a little walk from the beach, and you’ll be in heaven.
Things to do:
- Visit Tanah Lot Temple, a temple on an island, at least for some parts of the day, the low tide connects the island, making it a beautiful temple by the sea.
- Try out the best of Balinese food at the cafes and restaurants in Canggu.
- Enjoy the relaxed beaches in this area.
- Try some water sports or surfing.
- Watch the sunsets on the beach.
Budget
In Canggu you’ll encounter various ways to spend in the area, but as it’s mostly known for its chill and laid back atmosphere, you won’t have to worry about your budget when it comes to activities and things to do. Your budget will mostly revolve around what villa you find for yourself, which can be any range of budget friendly to something more like a luxury villa. Villas could be around $45-200 or more, depending on what you’re looking for. In this area you might want to rent out a scooter, which will up your budget, but for the most part, Canggu is relatively affordable.
Best for: couples | solo travelers | digital nomads | surfers
Maeve
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Just an American girl living in India and exploring the rest of the world on the side. Most of my joys come from traveling beautiful places, good old fashioned handwritten letters, fresh flowers, and a warm cup of chai.
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Our Long Distance Story
We are Maeve and Kart – a long distance married couple from America and India.
To all kindred spirits out there trying to navigate a multicultural or a long distance relationship, you’re not alone. Learn from our own experiences of how we finally found each other from across the world and remain together living with a blend of both cultures and languages.
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About Us
We're Maeve and Kart – an introvert with a love for letters, flowers, and chai on one side, and an introverted extrovert nature enthusiast with a sweet tooth on the other. Get yourself a cup of tea and a spoonful of chini and settle in. To all aspiring travelers, folks in long distance and multicultural relationships, and those kindred spirits out there looking for advice on life in India as a foreigner - consider this place your sanctuary. As an American/Indian couple, we are currently living together in India in a cross cultural relationship as a result of one of few successful long distance love stories. Our journey is unique, and we're here to share insights and advice for anyone in similar circumstances. Come along with us as we share stories and advice on multicultural discussions, long distance relationships, and the beauty of travel.
