The soul of Bali is not found in the beach towns of the South nor is it even in Ubud. It’s in the Balinese traditional villages that you find a real insight into the culture and people of the land.
We’ve put together a list of the 15 most fascinating villages in Bali for you to visit and learn more about the folk of Bali and their interesting and varied lives.
15 Interesting Traditional Villages In Bali
Trunyan Village
Trunyan Village is often referred to as “skull island” and that’s because the Bali Aga people who live there don’t bury their dead.
Instead, they leave them under a special tree in the village to decompose and decay naturally but the tree has unusual properties and the bodies don’t smell.
The skulls of the deceased are then piled up as part of one of the original traditions of one of the oldest villages in Bali.
Penglipuran Village
Penglipuran Village in the Bangli Regency of the central part of Bali is famous for being one of the cleanest villages in the world!
The best time to visit is during the period of Galungan (which occurs once every 210 days in the Balinese traditional calendar) when the traditional ceremonies include decorating the village with Penjor.
These curved bamboo poles make a superb decoration for the village and are a part of the traditional way of life for the indigenous people of Bali.
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Tenganan Village
When you visit Tenganan Village you are coming into contact with the most traditional Balinese people on the island.
Tegangan Village is the epicentre of the Bali Aga culture and it holds to the customary rules of ancient times and the ceremonies and rituals that accompany them.
You’ll find this place nestled in the rice fields of Karangasem Regency and the best time to see Tenganan Village is when they hold the Mekare-Kare festival in June or during the Pandan Leaf War in July.
Celuk Village
Celuk Village is one of our favourite places in Bali and it differentiates itself from other villages on the island by specializing in gold and silver metalwork.
The craftspeople here have handed down their traditions from one generation to the next and the work is absolutely amazing.
It’s also one of the easiest places to visit as it’s in the Gianyar Regency not far from Ubud and Sukawati. So, you can easily squeeze it into a day trip to Ubud.
Batu Bulan Village
Batu Bulan village or Batubulan Village is a village that has decided to enshrine its own uniqueness in its dance performances.
This is one of the best places on the island to witness the barong dance which is the traditional dance where the rangda (evil witch) is seen off the island by the noble barong (a sort of lion-like creature of myth).
They also have some of the best stone carvers on the island and the stone carvings here are said to have protective powers that are bestowed upon their owners!
Mas Village
Mas Village is famous for its wood carvings and, again, this is a must-visit spot if you’re planning a trip to Ubud as it’s not far south of the city.
We’d recommend stopping at the Nyana & Tilem Gallery in town which is considered to be the best of the town’s woodcarving galleries.
The great thing about woodcarving is that the products are very affordable, making this a super place to pick up some awesome Balinese souvenirs.
Batuan Village
Batuan Village is a famous place outside of Ubud for one of the main styles of Balinese painting – Batuan Painting.
Batuan Painting is considered to be “pure Balinese art‘ as art lovers will tell you it has no Western or other outside influences in this style.
The village also has woodcarving and traditional dance performances and it’s a very pleasant place to spend some time.
Sidemen Village
Sidemen is where you go when you’re tired of the newly commercial Ubud and you’re searching for that same old-school Bali vibe.
It’s a beautiful place among the rice terraces and we’d say it’s one of our “must visit” spots on the island.
The unique village layout makes it a very welcoming and friendly place.
Kertalangu
If you love agrotourism then this village in Southeast Bali is famous for its traditional agricultural practices.
It’s also a very attractive place with a beautiful pond area with some floating platforms where you can chill and let the day go by.
Nyambu Ecological Village
This is another wonderful eco-tourism site just outside of Denpasar where you can go rice field trekking and learn all about how the agricultural system works.
You can then spend a day with the villagers learning what everyday village life in Bali is like and taking part in cooking, religious activities, etc.
Don’t forget to visit Pura Rsi when you visit as it’s one of the most fascinating temples around and is dedicated to preventing disease and disaster.
Tigawasa Village
This Bali Agi village is near Singaraja and it’s a place where the ancient Balinese traditions thrive to this very day.
There are ancient temples to admire in this place and many archeological sites of significant historical value.
There’s even a standing stone that dates back as far as the Stone Age!
Cempaga Village
This is another Bali Aga village and it specializes in agriculture, particularly the fragrant clove crop.
They have an unusual mating culture in this village which they are happy to discuss with outsiders.
It’s also the only place where you can witness the Jangkang and Baris dances in Bali.
Sidatapa Village
This is one of the oldest villages on the island and as with many other Bali Aga villages, there’s an emphasis on the cultural preservation of Balinese traditions that date back to before the Hindu era.
Don’t miss the Bale Gajah Tumpang Salu which is a building of great historical value as it demonstrates an architectural style lost in modern Bali.
All of the houses in this village are constructed from purely natural materials and it’s quite a place to explore and learn about how mankind and the island can live in perfect harmony.
Sidatapa Village is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
Pedawa Village
This traditional Bali Aga village is famous for its ceremonies which are held throughout the year, each of which is a “Melaib”.
“Melaib” is an old form of Balinese magic and Pedawa is, perhaps, the last place on Earth where this magic is still performed.
To understand this tradition properly, you’ll need to visit Pedawa and get a full explanation from the village elders.
Penelokan Village, Kintamani District
If you want great views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur then this village in Kintamani is the place to go.
The name Penelokan means “place to see” and the village offers the most spectacular views in Bali bar none.
It’s not hard to get to by road and the viewpoint is a short walk from the heart of the village and it’s very much worth your time.
FAQs
How Many Villages Are There In Bali?
There are a lot of villages in Bali. There are 80 “kelurahan” which is an “urban village” and 636 “desa” which are “rural villages”. That means there are 716 villages in Bali in total.
Which Is The World’s Cleanest Village In Bali?
The world’s cleanest village isn’t in Bali. However, Penglipuran Village which is a traditional Balinese village was voted the third cleanest village in the world.
This tourism village is dedicated to trying to preserve its natural environment and iconic beauty.
Sadly, this unique effort among Balinese traditional villages is being undermined by the huge number of tourists keen to visit such a place.
What’s The Nicest Part Of Bali?
The most popular parts of Bali are the Southern Beach Towns (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua) and the central Balinese town of Ubud.
However, it’s fair to say that if you’re interested in cultural heritage you might not find any of these tourism hotspots to be “the nicest part of Bali”.
If you’re looking for a more traditional experience then a Balinese village located around Bedugul in North Bali is more likely to be to your taste.
What Are The Villages In North Bali?
There are many villages in North Bali that are worth visiting including Lovina, Banjar District (Banjar Gitgit), Menhangan, Sembiran, Air Sanih, Sangist, Seririt, and Pemuteran.
Final Thoughts On Visiting A Traditional Village In Bali
If you want to get to know how local people live, you need to visit some of the local villages.
From ancient villages where life still revolves around the village temple to more modern villages with traditional houses and traditional dances.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate the rich culture of this diverse and exciting island.
