Bangli Recency or Kabupaten Bangli in Bali is one of the most interesting and least visited parts of Bali.
The area has no beaches, but it has mountains, lakes, temples and much more to recommend it to visitors. Our guide to Kabupaten Bangli will explain everything you need to know before you book a trip to Bangli.
Where Is Bangli District In Bali?
Bangli Regency or Kabupaten Bangli is Bali’s only landlocked regency with no coastline.
It sits in the eastern central region of the country and used to be one of the nine kingdoms of Bali until the final takeover of the island in 1907 by the Dutch colonists.
There is also a Bangli Village which sits near Demulih Hill, the village is not considered to be particularly noteworthy from a tourism perspective but there are plenty of interesting places to see in Kabupaten Bangli as a whole.
How To Get To The Bangli District In Bali?
If you’re coming from the beach towns in South Bali (Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian or Seminyak) then the easiest way to reach Bangli is probably by catching a Grab or Gojek ride share (these are Bali’s equivalents of Uber).
However, if you want to properly explore Kabupaten Bangli then you might be better off hiring a driver for the day (just get a number from any Grab driver or ask on any Bali Facebook group) which is inexpensive (500,000 IDR which is $35 USD or $50 AUD including fuel, car and driver) and super convenient.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Bangli?
There is no best time of year to visit Kabupaten Bangli it’s a pleasant place all year round. However, in the rainy season, you may find your view from mountains obscured by clouds and have less time to spend in the temples and at the lake, etc.
It’s worth noting that even in the wet season, Bali gets over 8 hours of sun on average per day and it doesn’t rain all day.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Bangli?
No, there is no entrance fee. Bangli is a district and a large area. It wouldn’t be practical to charge an entrance fee.
However, if you want to do something in Kabupaten Bangli, that individual attraction may (and probably will) have an entrance fee associated with it.
The good news is that most entrance fees in Bali tend to be fairly low and you will probably only pay 10-20,000 IDR for most attractions (that’s about $0.75 to $1.50 USD and $1-$2 AUD).
17 Things To Do In Bangli Regency
There are a surprising number of things to do in Kabupaten Bangli and they include:
Mount Batur
Mount Batur is ever present in much of Kabupaten Bangli and it’s the island’s second tallest active volcano. Hiking on its slopes for a spectacular sunrise view is a lot of fun and so is cooking eggs for breakfast in the volcanic steam vents!
Kehen Temple
This ancient and attractive temple complex is not on most tourist routes and you can learn about the local culture and get some amazing shots for Instagram in relative peace here.
Penglipuran Village
Penglipuran is a traditional village with a gorgeous village temple and some unique handicrafts. Look out for the giant banyan tree in the centre of the temple complex.
Lake Batur (Danau Batur)
This crystal clear volcanic lake is wonderful to look at, looks great in photos and has quite a few temples running around the shore.
Tibumana Waterfall
This gorgeous waterfall is a lovely place to stop after a short jungle hike and makes for some wonderful photographs.
Kintamani Highlands
This highland area in Kabupaten Bangli offers fantastic views of Lake Batur and Mount Batur and some of the best and most unspoiled village areas and natural areas on the island.
Kuning Waterfall
It’s not the easiest waterfall to get to in Bali but this Bangli waterfall is gorgeous and way off the beaten path, which means if you get there, you get it all to yourself.
Mount Abang
The third tallest mountain on the island (not to be confused with Mount Agung which is the tallest and an active volcano, Mount Abang is a great place for hiking.
Tirta Sudamala Temple
A beautiful temple complex that sees almost no tourists. It’s a water temple where you can witness purification rituals.
Batur Geopark
This is a cool introduction to the unique geology found in Kabupaten Bangli and in the volcanoes in the area.
Pande’s Farm
A beautiful fully organic farm run in the traditional manner of Balinese agriculture. A place to learn about nature and the crops of the island.
Penulisan Temple
A stunning temple complex in the shadow of the mountain and set among the rice fields. Very much worth a visit.
Pura Taman Pecampuhan Sala
This is a holy spring temple and possibly, the least visited such temple on the island. However, be warned that if you opt to bathe in the sacred waters, the rocks can be quite sharp underfoot.
Toya Bungkah Hot Springs
A great place to bathe in the hot spring water from the volcano and to relax and let your muscle pains go.
Trunyan Cemetery
Skull Island or Trunyan Cemetery is one of Bali’s most unique and disturbing places. It’s famous for its unusual burial customs.
Ulun Danu Batur Temple
This lovely temple on the shore of Lake Batur looks like it’s floating on the lake water in the rainy season.
Pengibul Waterfall
A lovely waterfall in one of Bali’s most friendly and welcoming communities. You can swim in the pool beneath the falls to cool down after a day in the hot Bali sun.
Where To Stay In Bangli Regency
There are many nice places to stay in Kabupaten Bangli and these include:
Tira Vilagna Suites & Spa – this exceptional resort is surrounded by virgin pine forest and offers plenty of hiking through the local village and the district as a whole. Just be warned, it’s at the top of a hill and it can be something of a climb at the end of the day to get to your bedroom.
Oculus Bali – this swanky multi-level resort offers three excellent restaurants and a lovely view of Mount Batur. However, the rooms have no air conditioning and that might be a problem for some even in the cooler climes of the highlands.
Black Lava Camp – this is a great camping experience but the road to get there is a little bumpy. You can order food to the tent, though, so don’t worry, you don’t have to make the journey more than once. The view of the mountain from here is incredible.
Villa Jempana – this large villa is a home away from home and consists of 4 x 1 bedroom units and a 2 bedroom unit. There’s an excellent swimming pool area with a nice view of Lake Batur.
Bobocabin Kintamani – if you want to really get away from it all Bobocabin is a great place to stay with amazing views of the local area, but travel light, it’s a long walk down a mountain path to get to the cabins, which are fabulous.
Black Lava Hostel – this is a pair of hostel buildings each of which offers several fan rooms for folks looking to enjoy the area’s outdoor activities. The warm water pool was a pleasant surprise at the end of a day’s hiking.
Where To Eat In Bangli Regency
There are also some amazing places to eat in Kabupaten Bangli and some of our favourites include:
Montana Del Cafe – we were surprised to get a near-perfect eggs benedict in the Kintamani highlands but that’s what we got at the Montana Del Cafe. You also get one of the most amazing mountain views on Earth as you eat.
Masa Masa – this excellent restaurant has a full pan-Asian menu including local, Southeast Asian, East Asian and Middle-Eastern food. It’s also next door to two charming batik shops that you can browse between courses.
Resto D’Uma – this garden setting offers a nice international mix of cuisines with some emphasis on Italian. We found it to be great value for money and serving lovely food in generous portions.
Black Lava Cafe – this is the restaurant at the previously mentioned Black Lava Camp and it does tasty international and local fare for very reasonable prices. The view over the local area is extremely pleasant but be warned, you have to trek to the cafe, there’s no parking at the restaurant.
Warung Dcarik Tibumana – this lovely family-run restaurant does authentic Balinese grub and some excellent pizzas too. It’s a short walk from some nice local waterfalls when you finish lunch too.
Lakeview Restaurant – this is a buffet restaurant, so don’t expect high-level gourmet food but it’s filling enough and inexpensive. The big win at Lakeview is the umm… lake view. It’s spectacular.
FAQs
Is Denpasar Bali The Same As Bali? What’s The Main City Of Bali?
No, Denpasar is the capital city of Bali, it’s not the whole of the island. In fact, it’s quite a small city and currently, it’s not a popular destination with tourists. We think more people should visit Denpasar, but it’s certainly not all of Bali.
What’s Bali Famous For?
Bali is famous for its beautiful beaches, incredible temples and extremely warm and hospitable people.
Is Bali In Indonesia Or Malaysia?
Bali is part of Indonesia. It is also part of the larger region that was once known as the “Malay Archipelago” which might lead people to believe it’s in Malaysia, but it’s not, it’s Indonesian and there is no plan to change that.
Is The Bangli Regency Worth It?
Yes! In fact, exploring the Bangli Regency is not only worth it but one of the best activities you can undertake in Bali if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a less-touristed part of the island.
It has some incredibly beautiful places to see and it’s steeped in cultural highlights.
How To Book A Holiday In The Bangli Regency?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the Bali Res Centre, a locally owned and operated travel service that specializes in Balinese travel.
They can get you great deals on your accommodation, flights, tours and other forms of travel on the island too.
Final Thoughts On Kabupaten Bangli
Visiting Bangli Regency is a great way to learn more about Bali and explore a part of the island that doesn’t see as many tourists as the beach towns of the south.
It’s home to some of the most sacred sites in Bali and there are some lovely places to stay and some great places to eat there too.
We’d recommend that you spend a few days in the area if your schedule allows for it, rather than trying to squeeze everything into a day trip.
Of course, you should make certain that you visit FINNS, the world’s best beach club, in Canggu before you go!
