Bali is one in every of my favourite locations on the earth and I spent many months dwelling on the island of the Gods. I stayed in quite a few areas on the island and traveled in all places on my little scooter so I can safely say I do know a couple of issues in regards to the totally different neighborhoods of the island.
Whether or not you’re staying in Bali for a couple of days or a couple of months, this information will assist clarify the totally different neighborhoods/cities inside Bali so that you can make your resolution the place to remain. Whether or not you need to be with all of the digital nomads in Canggu, or the yoga buffs in Ubud, or the surfer bros in Uluwatu, there’s something and someplace for everybody.
Bali is an enormous island so you’ve many various neighborhoods that you want to perceive. So save this put up to your favorites and also you’ll be prepared to your subsequent Bali trip or digital nomad expertise!
Full disclosure, this put up will likely be written with my expertise and my opinion. There’s some bias right here in any other case you possibly can learn in regards to the totally different neighborhoods on Bali’s official tourism web site. You would possibly agree or disagree with a few of these opinions however I’m simply attempting to inform you what I believe.
The place to remain in Bali: The Completely different Neighborhoods of the island
Very first thing’s first. Let’s clarify Bali and its geography. Bali is a big island that’s 5,000+ sq. km. It’s 150km by 120km so it might be a mini state. Due to this fact, after we speak about neighborhoods, it’s not like a neighborhood information of a metropolis like Frankfurt however actually extra of a piece of land inside Bali which may span a number of cities and villages. Inside every “neighborhood” are smaller mini neighborhoods that additional distinguish the realm.
A lot of the island is definitely lovely agricultural land together with its iconic rice fields and fruit plantations. The cities are extremely densely populated with the three.5m residents that decision the island dwelling. Earlier than you learn into the meat of this put up, I can will listing all of the neighborhood/cities of Bali beneath with a one to 2 line description of what to anticipate
- Canggu: Digital nomad pleasant with limitless quantities of cafes, eating places, and villas. Nice for long run oriented vacationers in addition to brief time period guests that desire a bohemian vibe with out the standard massive resorts. Not one of the best seashores, and is the busiest space in Bali
- Pererenan: Space simply north of Canggu. Is just about the identical vibe as Canggu however with much less growth and fewer individuals. 5-10 minutes by scooter to the guts of Canggu. In due time, Pererenan will change into Canggu.
- Berawa and Umalas: Roughly the identical as Canggu
- Kuta: For those who need to social gathering and keep in massive lodge chains. Not very fairly for my part and completely over developed. Nice lengthy seashores and common for browsing.
- Legian: Simply north of Kuta with the same vibe.
- Seminyak: Simply north of Legian with additionally the same vibe. There are extra fashionable eating places and seaside golf equipment in Seminyak nevertheless.
- Uluwatu: Nice for surfers and those who need to be in additional chilled areas. Uluwatu has nice seashores however they don’t seem to be tropical seashores by any means. A number of lovely upscale resorts right here as properly for those who need to keep in fancy resorts with out the crowds.
- Nusa Dua: Nice for these on honeymoons and need to be embedded into the massive resort life. Not a lot taking place on this a part of Bali in any other case.
- Sanur: Nice for households and older vacationers. The vibe is chilled and loads of walkable streets. Additionally nice for those who need to go to Nusa Penida.
- Ubud: Top-of-the-line recognizable areas in Bali. Ubud is ideal for those who need to be extra within the nature. Rice fields, jungle, and religious vibes is what defines Ubud. You’re additionally in the course of the island so you’ll not be visiting any seashores whereas in Ubud.
- Lovina: Excellent for those who actually need to be away from all of it. Lovina is on the alternative facet of the island vs Kuta/Seminyak/Canggu. You’re proper on the seaside and this seaside is way more chilled than others on the island
Canggu
Canggu is the bustling expat and digital nomad space that’s vibrant and lively. This isn’t the place to your typical Bali expertise aka rice fields and seashores. Nonetheless, Canggu is the right place to situate your self for a couple of days whereas getting used to the Bali vibe, or to remain for a lot of months at a time. Most of Bali’s digital nomads keep in Canggu due to the abundance of co-working areas, eating places, cafes, and different digital nomads.
For the aim of this put up, I think about Canggu, Berawa, and Umalas all a part of the identical “neighborhood”. For those who hear individuals saying they’re staying in Berawa, know that it’s actually proper subsequent to Canggu and no more than 5 minutes away by bike.
What’s it good for: Digital nomads, foodies, cafe lovers, actually all types of vacationers
How busy does it get: Very busy
Worth: $$$$
Canggu is the last word place for eating places, cafes, and seaside bars. Canggu has an insane quantity of fantastic cafes serving scrumptious coffees and brunch type meals with an unmatched ambiance. If you’re into taking photographs of eating places and your meals, there isn’t any place that may match the alternatives you get in Canggu. Ensure that to learn my listing of one of the best cafes in Canggu.
In truth, I’d say that Canggu has extra lovely and Instagram prepared cafes per sq. kilometer than wherever else on the earth. In style locations like Suka, Milk and Madu, Crate, Copenhagen, Nook, Avocado Manufacturing unit and actually numerous extra will maintain you occupied for months.
Canggu can be one of many locations that blends metropolis life with island life one of the best. You could have rice fields which are surrounded by villas, open roads, and quick access to the ocean. It’s not as overbearing as areas like Seminyak and Kuta the place you solely see concrete. I lived in Canggu for a lot of months and completely cherished it for what it’s price.
The place to remain in Canggu
Canggu has an insane quantity of locations to remain however most of them are villas, guesthouses, condo complexes. There usually are not many luxurious massive resorts on this a part of the island. Ensure that to learn my greatest villas in Canggu put up for the total listing of suggestions.
Pererenan
Pererenan is the subsequent village north of Canggu and is broadly thought of as a part of Canggu relying on who you ask. For the aim of this put up, I’ll listing it as a unique neighborhood.
Pererenan might be my favourite space in Bali as a digital nomad. It’s positioned proper subsequent to Canggu being a 5-10 minute scooter trip away however in a way more laid again setting. Pererenan is actually what Canggu was perhaps 5 years in the past. These days, there are new villas and eating places continually popping up in Pererenan so it’s possible that it’s a matter of time earlier than Pererenan reaches that time of being an excessive amount of.
What’s it good for: Digital nomads, foodies, cafe lovers, actually all types of vacationers
How busy does it get: Much less busy than Canggu
Worth: $$$$
Ranking: 5/5
I believe Pererenan nonetheless has one other 3-5 years of being the utopia of Bali so till then, I’ll get pleasure from it to the fullest. Pererenan can be simply as costly as Canggu so whilst you’re not saving cash on something, you get to be in a extra tranquil space of the island.
The place to remain in Pererenan
Canggu has an insane quantity of locations to remain however most of them are villas, guesthouses, condo complexes. There usually are not many luxurious massive resorts on this a part of the island. Ensure that to learn my greatest villas in Canggu put up for the total listing of suggestions.
Legian
Legian is sandwiched in between Kuta and Seminyak so you may anticipate the identical overdeveloped and congested feeling in Legian. Legian, Seminyak and Kuta ought to simply be the identical neighborhood for my part as a result of all of it feels the very same.
What’s it good for: Huge resort lovers and partiers
How busy does it get: Loud and Busy
Worth: $$$
Ranking: 2/5
Legian can be dwelling to quite a few seaside golf equipment, massive resort like resorts, and shiny bars pumping loud music. Legian, like Kuta, was closely impacted by COVID and every thing was kind of closed as a result of absence of brief time period Aussie vacationers. It has since bounced again a bit of bit however I think Legian won’t ever return to its former glory.
The one factor Legian has going for it’s the lengthy sandy seashores on the coastlines that are good for browsing and strolling round.
The place to remain in Legian
Canggu has an insane quantity of locations to remain however most of them are villas, guesthouses, condo complexes. There usually are not many luxurious massive resorts on this a part of the island. Ensure that to learn my greatest villas in Canggu put up for the total listing of suggestions.
Kuta
Kuta is the closest neighborhood to the airport and was primarily the primary massive space developed for vacationers. Kuta is blessed with among the greatest seashores in Bali which are good for browsing and lounging. Assume lengthy and large sandy seashores that stretch of for miles and miles. Kuta is known for its rowdy social gathering scene, large resorts, and limitless rows of bars.
What’s it good for: Resort lovers, social gathering goers
How busy does it get: Lifeless due to the pandemic
Worth: $$
Ranking: 2/5
Kuta has seen higher days. The pandemic primarily killed off all of Kuta’s financial exercise. Being that it was the place for large resorts meant for brief time period vacationers, Kuta noticed zero enterprise for 2 years in the course of the Pandemic. Lots of the resorts went out of enterprise and the entire space has been uncared for and is in a lower than fascinating state sadly.
Even earlier than the Pandemic nevertheless, Kuta was extremely over developed and devoid of any allure that you just’ll discover in different components of the island. It’s primarily a concrete jungle of retailers, eating places, bars, tattoo parlous, night time golf equipment and extra. It’s probably not my scene and I’d by no means keep in Kuta.
Kuta is dwelling nevertheless to an enormous mall with all the massive shops you want like H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, and so forth. making it someplace you may go to as soon as in a blue moon whereas staying elsewhere. I’m undecided if Kuta will ever bounce again from the Pandemic as a result of it’s been universally accepted that the Bali scene has shifted north in the direction of Canggu.
Seminyak
Seminyak is positioned south of Canggu and north of Kuta. Seminyak was the earlier king of all Bali neighborhoods as growth pushed north from Kuta.
What’s it good for: Resort lovers, buying, fancy eating places
How busy does it get: Very busy with hectic visitors
Worth: $$$
Ranking: 3.5/5
Seminyak is dwelling to a great deal of massive eating places and seaside golf equipment. Potato Head is likely one of the most well-known seaside golf equipment on the entire island and also you’re positive to seek out all the younger vacationers international and native flocking to this institution. There are additionally quite a few upscale eating places right here like Enormous, Sijin, Da Maria and extra.
I’m not the largest fan of Seminyak because it is stuffed with visitors and over growth. It’s an extension of Kuta and Legian for my part and you’ll actually really feel it. There isn’t a lot nature to talk of throughout the neighborhood and the seashores are largely occupied by large resorts. Whereas dwelling in Canggu, I’d generally go to a restaurant in Seminyak however I largely averted it due to the hectic visitors.
Due to this fact, it’s cheaper than neighboring Canggu as a result of it has misplaced the crown of the “go to” space of Bali.
Ubud
Ubud might be Bali’s most well-known space and it wants no introduction. Residence to all of Bali’s most lovely pure sights together with its world well-known rice fields, Ubud is a should go to in Bali. It was first broadly popularized by the film Eat, Pray, Love and now it’s one of the crucial visited areas in Bali.
What’s it good for: Non secular individuals, yoga followers, nature lovers, all types of vacationers actually
How busy does it get: Very busy
Worth: $$$
Bali is the backdrop of many unbelievable temples and non secular sights just like the Sawasti Temple. This temple is embellished with so many advantageous carvings and inside there Padmasana shrine positioned within the northeast, nevertheless it additionally contained bale barong, large masks, statues of Goddess Saraswati and the statue of the satan Jero Gede Mecaling as excessive as 3 meters in entrance of the temple.
On a day journey you may even go to the extremely well-known and picturesque Lempoyang Temple!
Ubud can be dwelling to unbelievable resorts of all value ranges. For those who’ve seen the photographs of an infinity pool with the well-known floating breakfast overlooking picturesque rice fields, then Ubud is for you.
The place to remain in Ubud
Ubud has numerous wonderful villas and luxurious resorts. The resorts in Ubud are significantly price a keep as they usually occasions supply an unbelievable setting within the rice fields overlooking nature at its most interesting. Many of those resorts have well-known infinity swimming pools which are good for photographs and the last word in leisure. Simply have a look at this photograph beneath!
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is positioned within the southern tip of Bali and is likely one of the most lovely components of the island. It provides a very totally different vibe in comparison with areas like Canggu/Seminyak and a very totally different vibe to the jungles round Ubud.
What’s it good for: Surfers, resorts with views, those that need to chill
How busy does it get: Busy
Worth: $$$
Ranking: 5/5
Uluwatu is thought for its lovely lengthy sandy seashores, cliffs, browsing, and upscale resorts. The seashores listed below are a bit extra delicate however that provides to its magnificence for my part. I stayed in Uluwatu for a couple of days whereas I used to be dwelling in Bali because it grew to become a well-liked weekend vacation spot for individuals dwelling in Canggu to get away from the hustle and bustle. There isn’t as a lot occurring in Uluwatu so far as eating places and bar scenes go however it’s unbelievable to scooter by means of the realm visiting the numerous temples and viewpoints it has to supply.
Uluwatu is certainly the spot to be in the event you’re on the lookout for the massive resorts and upscale resorts. For those who’re coming to Bali on a honeymoon, I’d completely suggest staying within the resorts in Uluwatu or Nusa Dua.
The place to remain in Uluwatu
Sanur
Like Canggu was simply all rice fields and farms, Sanur was as soon as an space for native fisherman and villagers. Sanur was one of many first areas that underwent a vacationer transformation with resorts and luxurious resorts. These days, Sanur is thought for its laid again and quiet vibe.
What’s it good for: households and older vacationers
How busy does it get: Quieter
Worth: $$$
Ranking: 4/5
Sanur can be in all probability essentially the most household pleasant place on the island with cheaper lodging, much less visitors, and simply a way more calm vibe than locations like Canggu. Sanur is likely one of the few locations that you would be able to get round fully by foot without having to personal a scooter. It’s a bit of too quiet for my tastes however I do know many individuals in Bali that swear by it.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is positioned to the southeast of Bali throughout the island from peninsula with Uluwatu. Nusa Dua actually interprets to “two islands” however really they’re two small raised headlands with their very own small temples.
What’s it good for: Seashore lovers, honeymooners, resort lovers
How busy does it get: Not busy
Worth: $$$$
Ranking: 3.5/5
Nusa Dua is best often called Bali’s final gated neighborhood of luxurious resorts. There are a lot of excessive finish resorts in Nusa Dua that each one share the most effective seashores the island has to supply. Nusa Dua can be dwelling to quite a few luxurious resort complexes that’s good for large teams. I didn’t spend a lot time in Nusa Dua as a result of there isn’t a lot of a neighborhood there on condition that it’s primarily luxurious resorts. Nonetheless, if I used to be visiting Bali on a luxurious honeymoon, then I’d possible think about staying in Nusa Dua. The seashores in Nusa Dua are very fairly and supply calm waters in contrast to the remainder of Uluwatu.
Lovina
Lovina is positioned within the far north of Bali away from all of the motion. Historically, it was well-known for its dolphin excursions that go to the colleges of dolphins that decision this space dwelling. These days, an increasing number of individuals are visiting Lovina as a substitute for the hecticness of locations like Kuta, Legian, and Canggu.
What’s it good for: Vacationers that need to be away from all of it, get pleasure from lovely nature
How busy does it get: Quiet
Worth: $$
Ranking: 4/5
Lovina is the quintessential seaside city with a good looking black sand seaside stretching by means of many kilometers of shoreline. There are a lot of new eating places and villas popping up in Lovina which provides the facilities you’re after however it’s not at all overdeveloped within the slightest.
You can too anticipate less expensive costs in Lovina than you’ll discover within the areas within the south.
The place to remain in Lovina
Proceed Studying:
- The place To Keep In Canggu, Bali: Greatest Villas And Accommodations For All Budgets
- The Final Information To the Greatest Gyms In Bali: Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud
- The Excellent Bali, Indonesia Honeymoon Itinerary
- The Greatest Cafes To Work From In Canggu, Bali
- Price Of Dwelling In Bali: How A lot It Prices Me To Reside The Digital Nomad LIfe
- The Absolute Greatest Cafes In Canggu, Bali (Up to date 2022)
- Health club Assessment: The Physique Manufacturing unit Bali in Canggu
- The Excellent 1 Week, 2 Weeks, & 1 Month Bali, Indonesia Journey Itinerary
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: Skip Ubud’s Tegalalang And Go to Bali’s Most Lovely Rice Fields
- Why I Love Dwelling In Bali, Indonesia
- The Final Nusa Penida Journey And Diving Information
- Visiting Nungwi, Zanzibar: A Detailed Journey Information